ARC Review: Original Sin

Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers
Release Date: July 05, 2011
Published By: Tor Teen
Pages: 398, Paperback
Young Adult
Source: Author (won!) + in exchange for an honest review
Overall: Fabulous!
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Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.
Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.
Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.
And not everyone will get out of it alive.

This review may contain minor spoilers or story line indication for Personal Demons, book number 1 in this trilogy.

My Thoughts:

Told from three points of view we are reintroduced to Frannie, Luc and Gabriel in Original Sin.  Though I must warn you the three points of view are not that of Frannie, Luc and Gabriel.  The main of the plot is still the same but this time, keep Frannie's soul from being tagged for Hell, and it is layered with several layers of emotions, action and obstacles. I knew there had to be some new situations where Frannie, Luc and Gabriel were concerned but I had no clue that it would be in the form of demons coming out in small but extremely strong and persuasive numbers messing with more than just Frannie.  It seems as if none of our characters went untouched this time around.    

Frannie, our main character who is wanted by both Heaven and Hell, is still the kick-ass, strong willed object she was in Personal Demons.  While I love how strong Frannie is and commend her on her ability to literally kick butt and handle situations beyond her wildest dreams, it seems as if Frannie has become more of an object in this book being tossed between Luc and Gaberiel once again.  While Frannie's love did big things for Luc, literally changing him, I wish her heart would choose between Luc and Gabriel...well more than she has already claimed she has.  It is only book two and I'm already tired of her flip flopping.  She's in love with and lusting over Luc when she's with him but the moment she's with Gabriel her heart is pounding for him and she is lusting just the same.  Her emotions are tiring and slightly contradictory when it comes the two guys.  While I think Frannie is a great main character her indecision and what it is doing to others is slowing wearing on me.  We can only hope Lisa Desrochers doesn't leaving us hanging at the end of book three and all of our love-triangle-woes and put to rest.

Luc is still Luc despite his transformation in Original Sin.  I get the excitement and swooning over Luc's new-found salvation and freedom from his previous life, although he truly never is free of his past, but his true colors do end up showing in Original Sin and I'm glad for that.  I understood the situation for what it was and to Luc's defense not everything is at it seems but even I saw through the situation before we were given much detail about it.  It is still up in the air for me about whether Luc's loyalty is something anyone has beyond Luc himself.  I'm not sure where all of my reluctance comes from regarding look but despite it all and his bad boy image and inability to trust him, especially after Original Sin's ending, I still am able to see through to his personal growth and the heart that he does have even if it is slightly tarnished and bent a little.  I guess though, for a demon, or a was-demon, or a gonna-be-demon (again) that he does pretty well protecting Frannie and attempting to put her best interest at heart.

The story isn't complete without Gabriel.  Gabriel takes a back seat during most of Original Sin.  It is all just too much to bear for him which I totally agree with.  Frannie is stringing the guys along and when you have a heart like Gabriel's I can't imagine it is easy to watch the girl you love throw herself into the arms of a demon, let alone a guy that even if he were a mere mortal he would still be considered a demon by most the population.  In my opinion Gabriel is still the same as he was in Personal Demons but slightly more mature and more considerate and level headed than Frannie and Luc put together.  I'm definitely hoping Gabriel is more of a fixture in the upcoming last book.  For some reason I related to Gabriel the most out of the characters and I am not a guy nor an angel.  I think everyone has their one favorite character and so far Gabriel hasn't given me reason to take the title away from him despite not getting much from him this go around.

To touch on the plot of Original Sin, while it was action packed and at times would make your heart skip a beat, or two, it was slightly predictable where the biblical references came in.  Despite the predictability it didn't seem to deflate the impact that the twists and turns of the story had on me.  I was still clutching the pages tight, reluctant to look up from the book and definitely not wanting to put it down until the end.  

Biblical based or not, Lisa Desrochers' has an ability to make a story her own and with Original Sin, like Personal Demons, she did just that.  Lots of times when I read a story with an angel named Gabriel they all seem to morph into one character that hops from book to book but in the case of the Lisa Desrochers' books that just isn't the case.  The pace, although fast, was pretty consistent as well was the writing.

There is one thing about series books that I really do not enjoy and that comes in the form of cliffhangers.  Sometimes I wish that a book would tie up nicely leaving me satisfied yet wanting more.  Unfortunately with Original Sin that is not the case.  We aren't just faced with any cliff hanger, we are faced with a story changing cliff hanger of the biggest sort, twice over, which deserves several reads while you attempt to digest and understand what you just read.  There was absolutely no way after leaving me hanging the way Lisa Desrochers did that I am letting her off of the hook.  I am expecting full on fabulousness from the next book.  With or without the the cliffhanger there really is no way of expecting anything less though after Original Sin.  

Overall, Original Sin is sinfully fabulous making the Personal Demons series one I think just about everyone would enjoy.  It definitely has a little bit of everything for everyone and it has me anxiously anticipating book number three, the last book in the trilogy.  Fast paced and writing that accurately captures the teen voice (especially that of the ever wavering emotions,) and action packed, Original Sin is a great follow up to Personal Demons, one that is a definite must read.

Purchase:
Personal Demons | Amazon |
Original Sin | Amazon |

Review: Eternity

Eternity by Heather Terrell

Released: June 28, 2011
Published By: Harper Collins
Pages: 304, Paperback
Young Adult
Source: The {Teen} Book Scene
Overall: Fabulous!
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Purchase: Amazon 

The end . . . or a new beginning?
As Ellie comes to grips with her destiny as the Elect One, her relationship with Michael grows tense. When she meets a mys­terious boy named Rafe, things get even more complicated.
Yet the time has come for the Elect One to stand against the group of evil fallen angels who are bent on destroying the world. In order to face the immeasurable malevolence heading her way, Ellie tries to put her personal life aside. But she soon learns that whoever holds her heart also holds the key to mankind’s salvation—or destruction. As the end days approach, Ellie is faced with an epic decision. Who does her heart really belong to? And is her love strong enough to save the world?

My Thoughts:

With Eternity, Heather Terrell pulled us into a world of Angels and all that it entails.  Good Angels, Fallen Angles, prophecies, biblical references, and of course the insta-love.  I will say despite this being a sequel book that I chose not to read Fallen Angel before reviewing this book.  I wasn't sure at the time if that would be a good thing or a bad thing but by the end of the book I was sound with my decision.

I found Ellie to be a pretty danged strong protagonist for being put in the situation she was.  Her attitude, her hope, her loyalty it all emitted off of her so strongly it was hard to watch when things didn't always go in her favor.  The same could be said about Michael who shared the same strength and loyalty that Ellie possessed.   So much about their attitude and their life force together was appealing to me but they seemed so easily distracted when other opportunities presented themselves and their case of insta-love I didn't initially find all that convincing or attractive.  Perhaps it was coming into the story when I did but I don't think I could have handled much more of their supposed love for each other if the book would have dragged on at any one point. I liked them both as individuals but together everything seemed a little thick.  I was rolling my eyes at how cliche the whole thing really felt despite how well the two worked together, the way their mind (most of the time) seemed to work together and their trust in each other was unwavering.

I found myself preferring Rafe in Eternity.  He seemed to be the most real of the bunch alongside Ellie's very strong, understanding, and loyal best friend Ruth.  I thought Ruth's strength and ability to stay calm and help Ellie and Michael how she did brilliant.  Lots of times we see best friends who possess loyalty that wavers when the other b.f.f. gets all the attention, gets the guys, and gets the limelight.  With Ruth it truly wasn't like that.  She offered a breath of fresh air and acted a bumper between the insta-love just how Rafe did.  Though Rafe had a purpose in Ellie and Michael's story I found myself more intrigued by his own journey, his own feelings, and his own despair even though we truly were only included in on a fraction of it.

The action in Eternity I found pretty impressive thought it was spotty.  I found myself wishing the last action scenes would have held a little more weight and emotion it seemed to breeze by so quickly almost leaving the feeling of the story of being anti-climatic when it was truly the opposite.  So much happened that it seemed slightly rushed.

Overall, I really enjoyed Eternity.  I love Angel stories and I accept that there are going to be similarities between them, like the biblical references.  The characters all complimented each other, balancing each other out. There was a good amount of action and romance, and Ellie and Michael seemed to serve their purpose (even when it didn't always result in a happily ever after.)

ARC Review: Jessica Rules the Darkside

Jessica Rules the Darksideby Beth Fantaskey
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Young Adult, Hardcover, 320 Pages
Source: ATWT
Overall: Flippin' Fab!
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The highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.
It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?

My Thoughts: 
Possible Book No.1 Spoilers

Beth Fantaskey easily became one of my favorite authors when I first read Jekel Loves Hyde and my early declaration was further solidified when I read Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side. I absolutely adored the darker sides of both books and loved their tie in to their character's history even more. Jessica Rules the Dark Side is no exception, Beth Fantaskey once again wow'd me with a dark, romantic tale that was thick with history and mystery.

This go around I found Jessica stronger and slightly less snarky than in the first part of her story. While I laughed and snickered most of Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side I found that Jessica's strength and personal growth suited her well. Anyone who questioned her ability to rule alongside her vampire prince was definitely shown what type of vampire Jessica was and wasn't in this sequel.

Lucius was still Lucius, confident and in control- most of the time. What I found I liked most about Lucius, since we didn't have him fighting for Jessica's heart, was the way endearing he was toward Jessica. His love for her ran so thick, and it was apparent, even when he was temporarily setting her aside to deal with his royal duties. It was like two different Lucius' from book one to book two of the Jessica series, though like I said, Lucius was still Lucius.

Jessica's best friend, Mindy, made another appearance and we got to meet Lucius' cousin and most trusted, Raniero. Good thing they were around or the dramatic unfolding of Jessica and Lucius' life may have been too serious otherwise. Despite the stressed situation you could guarantee Mindy or Raniero had a laughable thought thrown in when I got around to reading their views. Raniero's emails to Lucius were incredibly funny. Who knew two vampires with an incredibly disturbing childhood and history could be so at ease with one another and so funny. Then there was Raniero's thoughts on his Mindy. It was almost painful to go through the motions of Mindy and Raniero's friendship knowing their thoughts on one another.

The characters aren't the only thing that made Jessica Rules the Dark Side so great. The storyline was pretty good as well. Though it starts of slightly slow and there isn't much Lucius to be seen, we got to see Jessica prove what kind of woman she is and saw a small band of friends (Jessica, Mindy and Raniero) band together to help Jessica while she attempts to save her new husband's life. We are taken back and are able to see brief glimpses into the vampire laws and the history of the different families. We aren't taken too deep, just barely deep enough to graze the surface to see what the character's know and possibly suspect. If it weren't for the different views then we would have missed out on major clues and powerful emotions. I believe it is safe to say that the switch in characters we followed added a whole other facet to this story and made it all that much better.

I will point out that I do wish the beginning didn't start out so slow and that I wish that certain periods in the timeline didn't lag. I also wish we would have gotten more of Lucius, while the switch in point of views really added to the story I didn't feel like we got enough of Lucius or enough downtime for him and Jessica. While most of these are just preferences and wishful thoughts on my part, with the involved and stressed plot I would have enjoyed more of the happy newly weds and of Mindy and Raniero.

Jessica Rules the Dark Side is a fabulous follow up to Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side and a must read for those who adore Jessica, Lucius and their journey together. Dark and romantic in its own right, the story of Jessica and Lucius and the mystery behind who wanted Lucius to meet a dreadful fate was one I was extremely glad that I read. With a fabulous cover to boot, what more could a fan of Jessica and Lucius want?

Review: Descended by Blood

Don't mind the formatting (the cover and book content.) You can thank Blogger for that





Descended by Blood
Angeline Kace
Released: August 26, 2011
Young Adult, Paperback, 252 Pages
Source: Author, in exchange for an honest review
Overall: Fabulous!
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| Angeline's Website | Book Website | Twitter |

Brooke Keller's a high school junior who never spent much time living in one place. She's finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened by a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey to find out who is after her and how to stop them. Thrown into a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of herself that she never knew existed, at the risk of losing her life in order to save it.


My Thoughts:

Angeline Kace's brought to us a fabulous YA debut novel with Descended by Blood. And rather then give this must-read away with a typical review I thought I'd mix it up a bit.

The Fab....

The Characters: Despite any qualms I have with any one particular character, the characters were developed pretty danged well for a book with such a quick pace. Our main and secondary characters were just that, standing out against the rest but tying in with the background enough that the story seemed almost real.

The character we follow, Brooke is as real as they come as far as people are concerned. She isn't a mega-character, the she-woman who plows through life unscathed. Nor is she a delicate little flower that has to be handle with such care that you find yourself reading with stiff shoulders like you, the reader, could actually harm her. Brooke has extremely strong moments, weak moments and moments that her character flounders as she tries to regain her balance, control, and sense of self but that is why I love her. She is just like you and me- well, except for a little something that she never knew existed and is totally B.A (bad ass!)

Our Secondary characters are the shit. No joke. Excuse my language but even when I want to kick one of them where the sun doesn't shine and threaten him with a string of expletives I totally love them all. They all have their spots in Brooke's life, whether they were there for years or days. Like Brooke they all have a story, their strengths, their weaknesses and their spot in making Brooke's story. Kaitlynn, the best friend is beyond loyal and makes everyone wish they had someone like her in their lives. Jaren, the boyfriend/ex-boyfriend/whatever-he-is is the said character, beyond that of the enemy sort, that makes me wants to kic, him but before he was put on my shit-list he sat happily on my good side. Having him there, following Brooke's "never knew existed" journey adds a whole other facet of drama and complication to the story which I just love! The last secondary character I'll comment on is Mirko, the sorta-the-same trainer/protector/hot-maybe-wanna-be-more guy. Mirko swept in and took control of Brooke's situation setting out to make it all right. Totally swoon-worthy but not exactly perfect and with an emotionally-excessive-package for a past makes him all that much more perfect for this story (and Brooke- TEAM MIRKO! Is there a team mirko?)

The Plot: This story has a plot? Yes, it in fact does. There is a beginning, there is a middle and there is an end. Lately, it seems like so many YA books I have come across it all sort of just blends together. You don't really know where you stand and there are lulls in action with more filler than necessary or appreciated. Descended by Blood is a perfect mixture of action filled, plot sensitive moments and those (filler) moments that finish making all of the characters real.

The Not So Fab...

The Plot: Yes, I have a few qualms here. One, the story ended too soon for my liking. I could have had several more helpings of Descended by Blood (or the next book- that would have worked as well) and been more than okay with it. Two, being fast pace the story did suffer from a few cases when things seemed just a tad too rushed. It wasn't much but a few times I wished a scene would have extended a little longer to help finish developing the characters, their world, and the situations.

Fab's Final Word....

Action packed and chemistry driven, Descended by blood is a single-sitting book that I instantly wanted more of. Angeline Kace gave me a cast of extremely likable and well developed characters with individual voices. Descended by blood is what I believe the beginning of what is going to be a absolutely addictive and fabulous trilogy!

Review + Giveaway : Earth Blend (and Human Blend!)

Earth Blend (The Blend Series No.2)
Lori Pescatore
Release Date: July 01, 2011
Self Published
Young Adult, Paperback, 194 pages
Source: Author, in exchange for an honest review
Overall: Fabulous!

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Earth Blend is the second book in the Blend trilogy and the sequel to Human Blend. In this installment, the mystery of the Blends and Earthlings are revealed. Dealing with new abilities, Julie and Austin once again find themselves in danger. Lies and secrets hinder them at every turn. Is the past destined to repeat itself as the Earthlings once again rush to save them?

May Contain Spoilers for Human Blend, Book No.1 in The Blend Series.

My Thoughts:

Lori Pescatore delivers another self-published win with Earth Blend, the second installment of The Blend Series.

Although I found the first book of this series, Human Blend, to be highly entertaining with a good plot and characters, I also found myself with tons of questions by the end of the book.  I wasn't sure if Lori Pescatore would ever touch base on some of these questions because I wasn't quite sure how relevant they were to the overall plot of the series but my worries were completely unnecessary.  Oh, and my questions and those answers... completely relevant!  |Read my Human Blend review here|

Earth Blend opens up where Human Blend left off and takes us on a tour of the past through several different points of view instantly opening up the Earthlings and Human Blend world to the somewhat-secret inflicted deceit and chaos that was inflicted by a few choice individuals.  It seemed as if the it only took the work of the few individuals to make The Blend Series to come to life.  After all, without their traitor-ish ways would there even be a story for Julie and the rest of the Blend gang?

The character development in Earth Blend is equally as wonderful as it was in Human Blend.  I became easily vested in the characters and found myself unraveling the mysteries alongside them.  I never mistook a character for another even with the increased amount of characters in the forefront of this story.  It was also great to have a cast of well rounded, or perhaps some were slightly jagged, characters to help carefully further develop the world we were first introduced to in Human Blend.

Julie is still proving her strength, trying her hand at a normal life, trying to have a normal job and take care of herself in Earth Blend.  Her attitude is why I love her and hate her all at once.  Sometimes Julie's strength is her downfall and causes problems.  Austin is still Austin except his is attempting to learn to cope with his Human Blend status and what he sees as betrayals from those he loved and trusted most.  These two together are the equation and the formula both.  We were also reintroduced to Eli, the last component to make the love triangle we first witnessed in book No. 1.  It was hard to watch the evolution of the triangle and the crumbling of one of the walls but it was one of the things that I found most intriguing about the story.

Earth Blend held a fast but steady pace and was artfully erected by Lori Pescatore.  Unique with a large dash of everything good ( mystery, romance, paranormal-ish-sci-fi) Human Blend and Earth Blend both are worth a read.



---

Thank You to Lori for offering up TWO giveaway packs.

Pack No.1 - E-book of Human Blend + E-book of Earth Blend
Pack No.2 - Finished Copy of Human Blend + Finished Copy of Earth Blend

To enter for your chance to win one of two prize packs simply leave a comment along with your email address! Sorry, but giveaway entrants must be able to provide a U.S mailing address. Giveaway ends 9/30 at midnight!

Extra fab-kudos goes to those that tweet:  Win #HumanBlend and #EarthBlend at @areadersrecord http://tinyurl.com/winBlend #Giveaway

ARC Review: Wintertown

Wintertown by Steve Emond
Release Date: December 05, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: Prince Bookie ARC Tours
Overall: Fabulous!

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Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.
Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

My Thoughts:

Every once in a while I come across a book that I really don't know what to say about it.  Wintertown is one of those books for me.  As the description says, "Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist."  I haven't read either of those books but I've heard about those books and wasn't really sure what I'd be finding inside the pages of Wintertown.

Evan and Ivy are the characters we follow through this part illustrated part written tale.  They grow up as childhood friends until Ivy's parents split and she is forced to follow her mother.  There Ivy has lots of growing pains and goes through her own personal tragedies which undoubtedly affects her personal character and growth.  When Evan and Ivy are reunited on her yearly Christmas visit to her father, a two week span in which Evan and Ivy have to make up for the rest of the missed year, Evan is shocked and slightly stunned at the differences in Ivy.  As time their time goes on Evan tries to break away at Ivy's exterior to figure out what changed her and to find the girl he once knew so well.  On the other side of that mystery is a girl who just wants her best friend to be who is he is, deep down.  She hates the confines of his personality and passion that his father has instilled on him and tries to show Evan what he is missing out on in life even if it falls on deaf ears and blind eyes.

Evan and Ivy story isn't an easy one.  There is a mix of personal mystery, sweet romance, hilarity, and a tale of coming to age.  You pair all of that with the fabulous illustrations you find within the book and you have a story that is truly explained from all sides as well as completely entertaining and fulfilling read.

ARC Review: Possession

Possession by Elana Johnson
Release Date: June 07, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publishing
Pages: 416, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab
Overall: Fabulous!
|Website| |Blog| |Twitter| |Amazon|

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. 
But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn. 
This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My Thoughts:

In a time where the land is split into territories, those that are for the good, the Goodgrounds and those that are for the bad, the Badlands.  The separation of people isn't the only disconcerting aspect of this book, the fact that Thinkers do your thinking for you leaving the government one hundred percent in control is probably even more scary to think about.

Vi, is our spunky protagonist which find herself split in more than one way.  A part of her wants to succumb to the thinkers and the other half of her wants to beat them, to not be drawn in by them, and live her life how she desires.  Her story is less than   Zenn, Vi's less-than-spunky Goodie boyfriend, which she is promised to, is on the special forces and while he understands Vi and roots for her, has completely given him over to the Thinkers letting them control his every thought and action even when he fights them.  Then there is Jag, a Baddie with a fitting name, is the guy who helps Vi learn who she is, come into her own powers, and leads her on a journey she would have never went on had she not been caught, had she not found herself drawn to the boy who had an obsession with hair, and had she not surrendered her 'thinker-free' emotion over to him.

Elana Johnson did a fabulous job of bringing a unique, and quite unsettling.  She brought this world to life and the characters in it.  The mix of special abilities and technology make this book a great mixture of everything good in a dystopian novel.

Purchase:
|Amazon|

ARC Review: Sirensong

Sirensong by Jenna Black
Published: July 5, 2011

Published By: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 320, Paperback
Source: Around The World ARC Tours

Overall: Fabulous!

|Website| 

When Dana is invited to Faerie to be officially presented at the Seelie Court, it’s no easy decision. After all, everyone knows Titania, the Seelie Queen, wants her dead. But Titania claims not to be the one behind the death threats; and her son, Prince Henry, makes the decision a whole lot easier when he suggests Dana might be arrested for (supposedly) conspiring with her aunt Grace to usurp the Seelie throne. So she and her father better do as they're told . . .
The journey through Faerie is long—and treacherous. Dana thought it would be a good idea to have friends along, but her sort-of-boyfriend, Ethan, and her bodyguard’s son, Keane, just can’t seem to get along, and Kimber’s crush on Keane isn’t making things any easier. When a violent attack separates Dana from their caravan, the sexy Erlking saves her just in the nick of time . . . and makes it clear that he hasn’t given up on making her his own.
Arriving at Titania’s beautiful palace should be a relief. But Dana is soon implicated in an assassination attempt against Titania’s granddaughter, and is suddenly a fugitive, forced to leave her father behind as she and her friends flee for their lives. Will she be able to prove her innocence before the forces of the Seelie Court—or, worse, the Erlking—catch up with her? And will she save her father before he pays the ultimate price in her stead?

*May Contain Spoilers for Glimmerglass and Shadowspell*

My Thoughts:

Jenna Black pulled me back into the world of Avalon and Faeries in the third installment of her Faeriewalker Series.  I will admit, while I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous books I have only given them a written rating of 3-stars, which in I still consider Fab!, Sirensong, however, has completely blown me away with Dana's story this time around.

Dana, our protagonist, is still the same girl, albeit a Faeriewalker, that she was in her first two books.  While she's still okay with herself and her style she is still the shaky, nervous, girl she was since she first met her faerie father and others of Avalon.  I like that about her and of course her loyalty and personal strength is off the charts where those she cares for and loves are concerned.  While some people may not enjoy the predictability where her character is concerned I adore that about her and think that it adds a facet of stability to the books.

Ethan, Keane, Kimber, Dana's Mom and Dad fall in line with Dana in Sirensong.  Their characters have stayed true to their core, even Ethan when he is struggling with his ties to the Erkling and The Wild Hunt.  Their consistency with their personal beings is a breath of fresh air and their emotions and actions are believable.  While everything may not always be one hundred percent perfect and while people do make mistakes and lessons are learned, they have all grown but I'm still able recognize them as being the people I first met.  Their personalities are so different including the way they carry themselves but is what adds to the story and the whole group seems to round each other out and I was able to learn something about faeries and Avalon from each of them.

One thing I do love about Dana is her sureness in her like (or is it love?) for Ethan.  Despite what the Erkling does to her when his magic is involved, or the fact that at one point we know that Keane seemed to perhaps have a bit of interest in her, she never really wavers from her feelings for Ethan, even when her insecurities of his feelings for her and his ability to deal with her situation scare her.  So many characters, in other books, are struggling with active love-triangles and I really enjoy that a situation like that isn't at the forefront of the Faeriewalker books.  It is a welcome change and even though there isn't the typical Young Adult Love Triangle there is plenty of romance and all of that which comes with it.

The action in Sirensong definitely picks up.  While there has been a big dose of action in Glimmerglass and Shadowspell I have to admit that Sirensong completely took the cake with our first glimpse into Faerie, some of the creepy and less attractive inhabitants of Faerie, and the mystery of who-is-trying-to-kill-Dana-now.  The tables are turned and we are looking at some of the characters we normally wouldn't look at and we are formulating our own theories on who is behind the newest of Dana's threats.  Before now I have really been that involved in the books but this time I was there, solving the mystery with Dana and those closest to her, and was equally surprised when it all came to a head and we were given the answers we were wanting.  And believe me, it was nothing that I was expecting.  Many characters this go around proved things about themselves I never thought possible.

I'm not sure whether we have come to the end of Dana's story or not.  I can not find anything giving me hopes on expecting another installment and I can not find anything telling me we are at the end.  Either way, I am one hundred percent content with where Jenna Black left us.  I have seen some speculation that people believe it was an open ending but I'm not so sure I completely agree.   But like I said, either way I am absolutely content with where we were taken with Dana's story and the way Sirensong tied up. 

Full of mystery and drive-me-crazy romance with a overflowing handful of twists and turns, Sirensong was definitely worth the wait and left me completely fulfilled.

Purchase | Glimmerglass | Shadowspell | Sirensong |  

(As of July 24, 2011- with the link Shadowspell is only $4.00!)

R.C.L Book Tours: Dead Rules by Randy Russell + Giveaway!

Dead Rules by Randy Russell
Published: June 21, 2011
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 384, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: Read.Chat.Love Book Tours
Overall: Fabulous!
|Website| |Blog| |Twitter|

Till death
Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were in love. They were destined to be together forever.
Do
But Jana's destiny was fatally flawed. And now she's in Dead School, where Mars Dreamcote lurks in the back of the classroom, with his beguiling blue eyes, mysterious smile, and irresistibly warm touch.
Us
Michael and Jana were incomplete without each other. There was no room for Mars in Jana's life—or death—story. Jana was sure Michael would rush to her side soon.
Part
But things aren't going according to Jana's plan. So Jana decides to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true—no matter what rules she has to break.

Review: The Duff

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Release Date: September 07, 2010
Now Available in Paperback |Amazon|
Published By: Little, Brown/ Poppy
Pages: 288, paperback
Young Adult
Source: Publisher, in exchange for honest review
Overall: Flippin' Fabulous
|Website| |Blog| |Twitter|

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

My Thoughts:

Am I the only one who has never heard of the term DUFF before? The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. I think I may be.  I quickly learned the term isn't for the soft at heart nor is it's definition exactly confined to the designated ugly fat friend.

Our main character, Bianca, isn't a character who is typically easily loved or favored.  Usually, when I come across a character like Bianca, so negative and a person who embodies a full out hater, I find myself closing the book way too much, pushing it aside and eventually forgetting about it.  Bianca though, she definitely is different.  While her outlook and attitude towards most things are negative there is something so relate-able about the girl.

Wesley, the object of Bianca's affection or perhaps deflection, is the a-hole of the good-looking sort we all love to hate.  Or is it hate to love?  In Bianca's case she comes down with a case of the flip-flops as she learns, along with the rest of us, that our grade-a jerk isn't all what he seems.  Sure, he is still an a-hole but there is more to him like actual feelings and reason behind his need and desire for the female touch.

There was nothing sweet about the way Bianca and Wesley started their enemies-with-benefits-tryst.  Bianca after all got her education on the word DUFF from Wesley himself.  Everything about these two screamed that they should have stayed away from each other, continued hating each other and never should have started what they did but that was when their life stories came into play, brining the two together, despite the fact they failed to admit and realize that they were more alike than they thought.  The character development between these two was actually pretty kick-ass the way they were brought together, stuck together and then wait for it.... grew together.  Both Bianca and Wesley were running and both of them had situations which were deeper than worrying about what to wear the next day or who to take to prom.  Bianca and Wesley easily turned into two perfectly imperfect halves of one slightly skewed whole.  Problem was, were either of them willing to admit it and succumb to it?      

If there is one more thing I have to hand it to Kody Keplinger for it is bringing The DUFF to life without skirting around the subjects so many authors steer clear of.  One of those major subjects? Sex.  Kody Keplinger does a bang up job of keeping the story real and alive by never falling victim to avoiding the subject to keep the prudes of the world happy.  One hundred percent realistic down to the statement stating that we are all DUFFS.

If casual sex, curse words of the four letter sort, and stereotyping not your thing then perhaps you won't appreciate this book for all that it is.  Hilarious yet sadly accurate, if you can look past that I'm pretty sure you'll see the pure awesomeness that is Kody Keplinger's novel on The Duff.

Purchase:
|Amazon|

Review: Forgotten

Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Release Date: June 07, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 304, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: Publisher, in exchange for honest review
Overall: Fabulous!
|Author Website| |Amazon|

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future. 
Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.  Via Goodreads.

My Thoughts: 


Forgotten, a 2011 debut novel, is a solid step into the realm of Young Adult fiction for author Cat Patrick.  With a mix of mystery, romance, and a new spin on coming-of-age, Forgotten is a story which will appeal to much of the young adult fiction audience.

4:33 a.m. is the time in which London Lane's mind resets itself.  Everything about her condition is odd including it's onset, which is explained later in the book.  Despite forgetting the past with each waking day, London isn't memory free.  She remembers the future.  

With a condition like London's you may expect a girl who is as good as handicapped in life.  You may expect someone whiny with little will to attempt to grasp and hold onto any normalcy in life.  After all, if you weren't in her future, she couldn't remember you.  Not the making for someone who would be outgoing and forth coming with perusing those who weren't on her radar.  While she wasn't the most socially popular and didn't have many friends, London was far from inept.  She was strong in her own right, likable, and extremely courageous.  I couldn't imagine relying on a mountain of notes to get me through my day, remind me I have homework I should have done, or remind me what I wore.  I sure as heck couldn't imagine having to write down a description of my boyfriend and his name just so I wouldn't miss him in the halls.  In other words, I liked London Lane.

London Lane's story wasn't all about finding a boyfriend or dealing with her social issues.  London's Lane story is deep rooted and pretty involved, though Cat Patrick does a wonderful job of keeping it somewhat light and easy to digest.  I think that is part of the books charm.  You get the content and plot of a heavy and involved story but you get it wrapped up in a decent sized book and in a way that makes it easy to absorb.

The others in London's story were all as likable as London.  Her mother, unwilling to let London let her condition define fully who she is, is kind and compassionate despite the secrets that are revealed to us later in the story.  Jaime, the best friend, is someone London foresees being there despite their inability to always agree on heavy situations.  She's loyal and plays her part as b.f.f. well providing loyalty, love and protection to London when few others are willing to give it.  Even despite their eventual falling out I could never bring myself to hate Jaime.  Then there is Luke, the mysterious boy who London can't see in her future and forgets daily. Luke is a story in himself and is a character who has good intentions despite their wires getting momentarily crossed.  Everyone I was introduced to were all vulnerable and sensitive and had their own insecurities or hurdles to clear. Even the father, who isn't in the picture, is someone you can't seem to hate or hold a grudge against.  Forgotten really has a cast of strong characters who I easily vested my emotions into.  They were all real.

The story that unfolded for me was deeper than I originally thought.  Who knew I'd be trying to piece the missing pieces together for London.  I was searching for clues to the mystery that was her condition and what she was remembering, the disturbing visions,  that changed it all.  Cat Patrick did an amazing job of rounding out the story, answering questions we may have had, and keeping it open for slight interpretation at times.  The story, despite being slightly vague at times, truly was pretty awesome in my book.

There won't be a sequel to Forgotten according to Cat Patrick's website.  At first I was slightly unnerved by that fact, I didn't feel like I've had enough of London and Luke and the rest of their story.  But, when I took a moment and re-read the last few pages again I saw that the story was really tied up beautifully.  I was given what I was needed to thoroughly enjoy this stand alone title and great 2011 Debut novel.  I truly thought this book was fabulous- I mean, I read it in one sitting.  


Purchase:
|Amazon|

ARC Review: Illusions

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike 
Series: Wings #3
Released: May 03, 2011
Published By: Harper Collins Publishing
Pages: 375, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: Publisher, in exchange for honest review
Overall: Fabulous!
|Author Website| |Author Blog| |Author Twitter| |Purchase|

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice. 
But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail. Via Goodreads

My Thoughts:  
If you haven't read Wings + Spells, you may find spoilers in my review.


I adore all things Fae and Pixie so it is no surprise that I was captivated by Aprilynne Pike's Wings Series.  

Laurel, while her life has calmed down from previous books, is still rather clumsy when it comes to her emotions and life.  Though her short time in Avalon taught her a lot it also caused some barriers to be built in her life at home with her parents.  Even with dealing with the differences between her and the two worlds she splits and her torn heart I expected Laurel to grow a little more in Illusions than she did.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  It scares me to think that she could completely screw up her story.  I know it is her story and not mine, but her rash decisions and words tend to leave the world around her slightly skewed and damaged, I'm scared that she'll end up losing out on her destiny because of her inability to make a decision and adapt to her surroundings and accept who she is, in both worlds.  The fact I am so strongly rooting for Laurel to find her place in the Faerie world though proves Aprilynne Pike's ability to rope me in and keep me there fighting for Laurel's story to turn out alright.

Laurels friends still slightly aggravate me where Laurel is concerned.  Chelsea's ability to grasp the fact that Laurel is a fairy and David's scientific take on it all just seems a little outlandish  but maybe that is part of their charm.  The relationship Chelsea and David irks me.  I can't help but worry that a betrayal could eventually blossom on the horizon because of high strung emotions.  Despite my qualms with the two, Chelsea and David stick by Laurel's side and offer her aid and support when and where needed.  They definitely win their best-friend-of-the-year badges.  They both love her, that much is evident, just pay attention to the both of them in this book and you'll see what I'm saying.  

Oh, and what about Tamani, Laurel's somewhat, maybe faerie-sort-of-ex-boyfriend?  I've yet to bring him up despite the fact he is such a key player in this series and book.  Tamani is a smart fellow who wiggles his way back into Laurel's life, despite their previous parting the previous year, in Spells.  What starts out at being left at an arms length turns into something more, including another exchange student who shows up out of no where, literally, causing a turn of events that seems to throw the whole story off course.  I was left scratching my head where Tamani and the new girl Klea were concerned. Not to mention extremely worried. Tamani though, despite his actions, lets his true intentions be known and Laurel is very aware of those despite the uneasy feeling it feels her with. 

Now that I think about it, character growth is minimal all around but it isn't the same for character knowledge.  While the characters of Illusions may not be maturing to my liking they are still doing what they can to protect Laurel and those around her, looking for the source of the breech and the person letting the dangerous trolls through the portal, searching for the answers to help Laurel grow as a Fall Faerie, and each trying to find their personal place in Laurel's life.

On the ending.  Seriously?  I can't even to begin to explain my anxiety associated with the ending of Illusions.  

The fourth, and I believe final book, of this series couldn't come quick enough for me.  I am dying to know all about what the ending of this book means and whether Laurel has her choice of the two guys and whether she decides to stay in the land she grew up or go to stay in the land that her spirit is.  I'm nervous to read it actually.  Aprilynne Pike sure did her job as an author, drawing me in and sucking me into a world no my own.  

Captivating, mysterious, and addicting.  Illusions was another fabulous installment of Laurel's story.  Illusions truly was Fabulous!


Purchase:
Wings (#1) |Amazon|
Spells (#2) |Amazon|
Illusions (#3) |Amazon|

Review: Lipstick Apology

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley
Released: August 06, 2009
Published by: Razorbill
Young Adult
Pages: 288, paperback
Source: Purchased
Overall: Fab! 
|Author Blog| |Author Twitter| 

Sometimes a good-bye is just the beginning...When Emily Carson's parents die in a plane crash, she's left with nothing but her mother's last words scrawled in lipstick on a tray table: "Emily, please forgive me."
Now it's fall and Emily moves to New York City where she attracts the attention of two very different boys: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner, Anthony. With the help of some surprising new friends, Emily must choose between the boy who helps her forget and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately heal.
Debut author Jennifer Jabaley has written a wonderful, feel-good romantic comedy with real emotional depth. Full of lovably wacky characters, Lipstick Apology is a heartwarming story about the true meaning of forgiveness.

My Thoughts:

I couldn't imagine being in Emily's shoes.  My best friend finally convinces me to throw a  party to get my crush to look over at me and instead of a steamy night of dates promised and maybe a kiss, I get my Aunt from NYC crashing my party to pass on the horrific and knee crumbling news that my parents were killed in a plane crash and my mother left me a mysterious apology written in lipstick on her tray table.

When you read the back of Lipstick Apology you may think that this book is only about a girl's grief, the abrupt changes in her life and hopefully some positive growth, but you truly get more.  At least I did.

Jennifer Jabaley painted a world unlike one I've ever lived in when she showed us Emily's transition from Small Town Pennsylvania to NYC.  It wasn't only Emily who was adjusting to her new living situation, it was an adjustment for Emily's Aunt Jolie and me as well.  The whole dynamic of the story shifted over a few notches and was kicked up into high gear, just like the pace of NYC, adding extra stress to an already almost unbearable situation.

Lipstick Apology flows smoothly from on event and milestone to the next; Emily's loss, moving, makeovers, new school, new friends and boys.  Not everything with Lipstick Apology was shadowed by Emily's parent's death, although that is what set the story into motion.  Even though Emily had to move on without the love and support of her parents, she was given an opportunity to grow and blossom as a young woman, coming into self confidence she didn't know she had, and proving to her that no matter what the situation she could push through and had a support system of new family and friends to help tug her in the right direction.

There were many laughs throughout Lipstick Apology which took the weight off of the situation.  Although this story was slightly cliché with the ugly duckling turning into a beautiful swan and a girl having to choose between two guys, there were deeper seeded emotions that came into play.  Don't forget about the mystery lipstick apology that added a whole different facet to this book.  

Lipstick Apology was a quick, smooth and easy read which had a perfect mix of deep rooted emotions, typical teenage behavior, and some laughter and love. 

Review Duo: Before That Night + One Night That Changes Everything

Before That Night by Lauren Barnholdt
Released: December 19, 2010
Young Adult
Source: Purchased |Buy at Amazon|
Overall: Fab!
|Author Website| |Author Twitter|

Prequel novella to One Night That Changes Everything. Find out what happened "before that night"

My Thoughts on Before That Night:

I have a love hate relationship with prequels.  Sometimes, when they are published after the fact, they somehow feel incomplete, thrown together, and seem to have no baring on the story. However, Before That Night was much more than all of that.

In Before That Night we are introduced to Eliza and Cooper as well as a few of their closest friends.  We started off at Eliza's, sometimes fun and sometimes crazy, place of work and the birth place of her story with Cooper.

We are given a brief glimpse into the characters, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  The novella has just enough time to rope you in, make you form your alliances, then leave you asking yourself, "What happened?" and "What happens next?"

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt
Released: July 6, 2010
Published by: Simon Pulse
Pages: 242, Hardcover
YOUNG ADULT
Source: Purchased  |Buy at Amazon|
Overall: Fab!
|Author Website| |Author Twitter|

Two years ago, when Eliza Sellman was in ninth grade, her dad found out he was being transfered and the family was going to move. Having always been shy and not so confident about her body, Eliza took that opportunity to start a list in her private notebook of all the things she planned on doing when she moved but had always been afraid to—like wearing a miniskirt and asking guys to dance; singing karaoke in front of strangers; posting a photo of herself on her Facebook wall in a bikini...you get the idea. New town, new Eliza, right? Well, she'll never know because the transfer fell through and they didn't move. But Eliza kept adding her goals and secret fears to the list in the notebook. Now it's two years later, and in that time Eliza has had and lost her first boyfriend. But this was more than your average breakup...turns out the sweet and cute Cooper was only dating her as a hazing stunt by a secret society. Eliza got her revenge by posting some pretty nasty (and only sort-of true) stuff about Cooper online. That posting has had major consequences and now Cooper and his buddies have stolen her private notebook and won't give it back until she performs all the things on her list in one night. It's torture...until Eliza steals something from the boys she knows they'll want to trade her notebook for. What starts out as a night of humiliation turns into a night of revelations as Eliza learns what Cooper was really thinking when they dated, the real reason he's stolen her notebook, and how freeing—and life-changing—it can be to do the things you fear the most.

My Thoughts on One Night That Changes Everything:

One Night That Changes Everything picks up a few weeks after Before That Night left off.  We are reintroduced to Eliza, her friends Clarice and Marissa, Cooper and the president of a super secret (read: known but not publicized) 318's, Tyler.

For Eliza, still reeling from her break up, she feels like shes about to shatter when she finds out that her Purple Notebook is missing and in the hands of Tyler.  It isn't enough that her relationship with Cooper was based on an initiation tactic, some of her deepest throughts are taken from her as retaliation for posting about Cooper on a website her sister started.

I really wished I liked the characters more than I did.  I thought the girls were especially superficial and it was quite irritating at times.  Sure, high school girls are mean, catty and superficial at times but these girls were over the top.  I would have never left my friend at a club to chase after a guy, like Eliza's friend did.  There were many instances in this book that I thought were just insane and a little over the top.  Then there is the issue with the posting of the book.  Eliza was acting as if the book contained dirty little secrets of sexual encounters and murder.  I remember everything seemed like it was the end of the world as a teenager, but I felt like if she was going to get that worked up over a book of silly fears it should have been at least more character deforming and profound then being afraid to karaoke.

Despite my qualms, for a book which I thought would be all fluff, there were some underlying morals an lessons to be read and learned in One Night That Changes Everything.   Friendship and strength run thick in this story as well as laughter, adventure, and the truths about high school romances and first loves.

The thing that I was most surprised at in this set of books was the fact that while I was left hating Cooper at the end of Before That Night, he easily became my favorite character showing more maturity and thought than the three mail girls put together.  Had Eliza calmed down and let him actually speak rather than running off at the mouth she may have heard everything he proved to her during that one night that changed it all.

Before That Night and One Night That Changes Everything is definitely an entertainment read full of oh-my-gods of the hilarious sort and of the I'm-going-to-pull-out-my hair kind.  These two stories also had a movie feel to it, I just didn't read the book, I saw the scenes rolling before my eyes even getting caught between the screen every now and again.  Before That Night and One Night That Changes Everything overall was pretty darn fab! 

Review: I'll Be There

I'll Be There by  Holly Goldberg Sloan

Released: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400, Hardcover
Young Adult

Source: Publisher, in exchange for honest review.  Thank You!
Overall: Fabulous! 

Raised by an unstable father who keeps the family constantly on the move, Sam Border hasn't been in a classroom since the second grade. He's always been the rock for his younger brother Riddle, who stopped speaking long ago and instead makes sense of the world through his strange and intricate drawings. It's said that the two boys speak with one voice--and that voice is Sam's.Then, Sam meets Emily Bell, and everything changes. The two share an immediate and intense attraction, and soon Sam and Riddle find themselves welcomed into the Bell's home. Faced with normalcy for the first time, they know it's too good to last.
Told from multiple perspectives, Holly Goldberg Sloan's debut novel offers readers fresh voices and a gripping story, with vivid glimpses into the lives of many unique characters. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a story about connections both big and small, and deftly explores the many ways that our lives are woven together.

My  Thoughts:

Though I'll Be There isn't a book that dips into the paranormal realm, there is definitely a magical aspect of this story.

I have never read a book written how Holly Goldberg Sloan decided to write I'll Be There.  It wasn't overly descriptive, and if you didn't connect to the story I could see how it could come across as vague and unorganized.  Though, for me, I adored the style and connected well with the characters, rather than on a personal I've experienced that matter it was more of a I have to know what happens to them sort of way.  The dialog was a bit tricky too, most of the dialog came in the basic paragraph form of telling me what was said rather than running through the entirety of a conversation.  The first time I noticed this, I actually reread the paragraph and gave the book a cross look, but I quickly got over it when it became obvious to me that this is how the book was supposed to be written, should have been written, it was part of the magic that was Emily, Sam and Riddle.

Sam and Riddle's situation is sad and unfortunate at best.  The two boys do what they can to get by but it sure didn't seem like, up to that point, that there was anyone rooting for them to succeed in life and definitely wasn't caring for them how a parent should.  Despite their situation, Sam took care of Riddle the best he could and did as their father said to spare either of them the repercussions of angering their severely unstable and just plain crazy father.  The dynamic between the brothers is sweet and shows us the true characters of the boys, proving that the apple sometimes does fall far from the tree.  Sam's voice is the one we hear until destiny has other plans but when we do hear and see Riddle's it is obvious that Sam and Riddle are two of  the most grateful characters I have ever come across.

Emily is a character, like Sam and Riddle, who I instantly fell in love with.  She did her best to be who everyone wanted her to be but she did have a backbone and with time that showed.  With a heart of gold, this story would have never blossomed into the rocky adventure of Sam and Riddle and Emily's first love if it weren't for Emily and her head strong, heart driven beliefs on destiny, love, and helping others.  Emily's parents played a big part part in this story, were realistic, and you could tell it was them who shaped their daughter to be such an amazing young woman.  There were no disappearing parents for Emily, like we see in a lot of YA fiction, and that small detail alone made this book all that more fulfilling and realistic.

I'll Be There is a magical tale of family, hope and love.  The writing of this story is brilliant, and while everyone may not get it, I did!  If you have a chance to read I'll Be There I encourage you to do so.  There is something about a book based on innocence and how the world can eat you alive if it wasn't for the heart and support of others and possibly a bit of fate and destiny, weaving lives together before you have a chance to protest.  This  emotionally profound book is definitely in need of a second read.