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By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 11/15/2011
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Release Date: November 22, 2011
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Harlequin
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June was always the golden girl, with the perfect grades, perfect friends, perfect boyfriend, perfect life. Or so it seemed. Harper has always lived in her perfect sister's looming shadow -- until, suddenly, she wasn't there. When Harper finds June's lifeless body and the empty bottle of pills, all the truths she thought she knew come crashing down around her. With nothing left to lose, she sets out in search of answers, travelling cross country with June's ashes to fulfill her sister's lifelong wish -- to see California. But Harper may not like the answers that she finds. June wasn't the only one with demons, and the secrets of Harper's unlikely companions, her best friend Laney and an evasive boy with a mysterious connection to June, threaten to tear her world apart.
Saving June by
Hannah Harrington is a bittersweet but surprisingly hopeful look at loss and living. Perhaps more accurately titled "Saving Harper," readers are shown Harper's growth into her own life, forced into the spotlight by the loss of her sister's overwhelming glow. Harper is dark, edgy and cynical, a facade built to be her sister's opposite in every way, but which has grown into a second skin. Her snark is surprisingly endearing, especially after seeing the neglect of her parents and holier-than-thou criticism from her aunt that torment her at home. It's clear that Harper's brashness and rashness are a defensive mechanism, and it's easy to see the pain she tries to hide. Though she and June had the same quibbles that plague most sibling rivalries, they were still sisters and shared a bond that even their parents couldn't completely understand -- and that loss echoes to the very last page.
The road trip to California is a fun and effective, if a little unbelievable (a teenage girl taking off across the country with a guy she doesn't know -- and her parents are only mildly concerned?) method of showing Harper's lesson in living. The places they visit range from the bizarre to the beautiful, the wild to the wistful, and Harper grows as a person with each leg of their journey. Readers will find themselves itching to hit the road with each new adventure, whether it be camping at Fridgehenge and swing dancing in an underground Jazz club or throwing punches in a bar brawl before befriending an indie band.
Saving June is vicarious living at its finest.
Giving voice to the things the characters themselves can't quite express, Jake's expansive music collection sets the ever-changing tone of the novel. The music takes meaning from each experience and ties together the vast and various episodes of their journey. Jake is the perfect counterpart to Harper. He's just as damaged and abrasive, and their cons
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 10/4/2011
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Release Date: October 4, 2011
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Simon Pulse
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Chelsea Glaser does not want to spend another summer sweltering in colonial dresses and answering to the name Elizabeth Connelly at the Essex Historical Colonial Village. She just wants to get over the boy who broke her heart -- but that may prove difficult when he starts working there too. Luckily for Chelsea, a new vista of opportunity appears the night she's kidnapped and held hostage by a cute boy in a longstanding war...that is, if she's willing to turn traitor.
In
Past Perfect,
Leila Sales writes with a fresh and biting voice that is both hilarious and insightful. The style of the novel is almost reminiscent of internet speech, with plenty of italics and zippy one liners. It is fun and familiar, an easy and entertaining style that pulls readers into the flow of the novel. Adding to the novelty is the quirky and unexpected element of living history. The plot centers around an ongoing rivalry between two reenactment tourist traps -- Essex, the Revolutionary War town where Chelsea works, and their rival in a secret war, Civil War Reenactmentland. This unique element brings a fascinating flavor to the tale, immersing readers in the likely unknown world of war reenactment, and the relevance of history to modern life. Sales cleverly traces her heroine's growth through historical parallels, reminding both Chelsea and readers that those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it -- a lesson crucial to Chelsea's transformation.
Chelsea is snarky and sometimes a little abrasive, but she's also just a teenage girl going through the same trials everyone experiences during adolescence. Her heartbreak over her recent (and apparently ugly) break-up is heartfelt, and will resonate with readers of all ages. Though her best friend Fiona can be a little harsh, it is clear she has Chelsea's best interests at heart, even if that means a little tough love. Fiona has a point about Chelsea's need to move on, and her inability to remember the bad times with the good -- but the novel also acknowledges that it's easier said than done. No arbitrary expiration date can be placed on heartache, and only time can heal some wounds. Chelsea's growth over the course of the novel is masterfully written, showing her development from a sarcastic shell hiding a wounded girl, to an empowered teen who knows what a healthy relationship looks like and what kind of love she deserves.
Fortunately, Chelsea finds a much more worthy love interest in Dan. Unfortunately, he's the enemy -- setting off a Romeo and Juliet-esque tale of star-crossed love, though far sweeter and much less melodramatic. Dan is smart, passionate and kind, and he recognizes how special she is in a way that her ex-boyfriend never could. It is ex
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 9/15/2011
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Release Date: September 6, 2011
Series: Standalone
Publisher: HarperTeen
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Laurel is just a typical teen, studying for the SATs, worrying about French homework, talking about boys with her best friend Megan -- until suddenly, she isn't. Her world falls apart in one fell swoop, starting with the knock of a policeman at her front door. In the wake of her family's death, Laurel must rebuild from the rubble of Before, and learn to start living in the After.
In
The Beginning of After,
Jennifer Castle explores what it means to survive. Though there are many such stories in the young adult genre, this novel stands out. It examines not just the grief, but the process of learning to live again when nothing will ever be the same. Laurel is understandably a mess, and it's impossible not to cry for her as she makes it through each day on trial and error -- going back to school, breaking down at a party, staying in bed for a week, rescuing strays and almost giving up altogether. Castle's portrayal of Laurel's struggle as she figures out how to carry on is heartbreakingly raw and honest. There are ups and downs and setbacks, people who try to help but only make things worse, and those few crystallized moments where the light at the end of the tunnel briefly illuminates the darkness.
It is inspiring to see Laurel's remaining family and friends rally around her, even as she pushes them away in her depression. Unlike many YA novels, Laurel's grandmother is a steady and necessary presence in the story. She is an amazing, compassionate woman who drops everything to care for the orphaned granddaughter she fiercely loves, their twin grief making the sense of loss all the more resonant and devastating. Her presence reminds Laurel that she isn't the only one who lost her family that day, and she isn't completely alone in the aftermath. Without each other, I don't believe either of them could have survived.
The relationship between Laurel and her best friend Megan starts off strong. The girls have been best friends forever and Meg is the first one there in the wake of the accident. I was hopeful that she would be a grounding force in the novel, staying at Laurel's side through it all. Unfortunately, Megan lets her own problems make her bitter toward her best friend, whose tragedy she can't even begin to comprehend. She (understandably) doesn't know what to say or do to help Laurel, but trying would have been enough. Instead she seems rather petulant, a poor friend when Laurel needs her the most.
David is an even bigger mess than Laurel, his mother dead and his father in a coma from the accident that killed Laurel's family. He comes and goes, seeming to care for no one but himself. Yet, he's the only one who can even begin to fathom what Laurel's feeling
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 8/3/2011
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Silla Kennicott's life hasn't been the same since that night -- the night her parents died, and she found them lying in a pool of their own blood. The local police blame the murder-suicide on her father, but everything in Silla's blood rebels against the damning accusation. Unfortunately, the truth may be even more horrific than the lies. When an ancient book arrives on her doorstep, calling for blood and magic, she's got nothing to lose -- but when the spells actually work, Silla quickly finds herself tangled in a web of obsession, murder and blood that spans a century.
In
Blood Magic,
Tessa Gratton weaves together fantasy and sorcery to create an utterly original story -- a mythology of magic and sacrifice, betrayal and death. One of the most bewitching aspects of the novel was its lore, the history and the mysteries of blood magic, the double-edged sword of sacrifice and the seduction and destruction of power. Just when readers think they've got it all figured out, Gratton sweeps them away on a tide of uncertainty. The world Gratton creates isn't black or white, the magic neither good nor evil. There's darkness inside them all -- be it sadness or madness -- and the intoxicating allure of the magic has the potential to go horribly awry, but ultimately it's all about choice. There's a beautiful symmetry to this world, a terrible price for power.
Silla is an unusual heroine, a faded, bereaved version of someone once bursting with life. In the wake of the terrible tragedy that cost both her parents' lives, Silla lives behind masks and roles, slipping into another skin on stage to escape her own tattered life. It's a relief to see a heroine with a passion (theatre), and more to her life than a boyfriend. Silla doesn't obsess over Nick when he's gone -- in fact, he seems to be the more enamored one.
Unlike many orphaned heroines, Silla's pain feels raw and authentic, coloring her whole world. Fortunately, she has family to lean on. Her brother Reese seems solid even on paper, stoic in the face of pain. It is clear that he loves his sister, even if he takes the big brother attitude a little too far at times. Their sibling bond is portrayed with strength and subtlety, an anchoring presence at the heart of the novel. Then there's fluttering Aunt Judy, who took on two troubled teens in their time of need. Though she flits in and out of the house like a social butterfly, she's an important fountain of advice for her niece, who's still trying to find her way back from the brink.
The only character who isn't entirely winning is Nick. From the outside he seems self-satisfied and entitled, almost a melodrama hero with all his slick suavity. He is more sympathetic once the reader gets inside his head, revealing the scars that made him who he is. His snarkiness is even amusing when he's not cruelly lashing out. Yet, his hypocrisy makes him rather unsavory at times -- I was outraged when he attacked Silla for behavior identical to his own. Nick has a lot of maturing to do, but his chemistry with Silla is undeniable. Their attraction is sexy and sweet, if lightning fast. Gratton knows how to write a kiss -- instead of seeming like hormone-driven lust, their unabashed awe of one another strikes a romantic chord.
The alternating perspectives, both past and present, give this novel a rich, layered texture. Gratton carefully controls the flow of information, tantalizing the reader without giving the game away. The author slips effortlessly between the widely diverse narrative voices, from Silla and Nick to Josep
By: Casey (The Bookish Type),
on 6/14/2011
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Emerson Cole has always been a little different -- seeing echoes of the past, from former Scarlett O'Haras to entire jazz ensembles, makes it a difficult to live a normal life. But normal is all that Emerson wants, and she's tried for years to banish the mysterious apparitions that have plagued her since the tragic accident that killed her parents. Still, nothing has worked, so when her brother seeks help in the form of an attractive young consultant from a mysterious organization called the Hourglass, Emerson is willing to give it a try. Unfortunately, Michael has other plans -- like a dangerous trip through time to right a disastrous wrong -- that could cost Emerson her life.
Hourglass by
Myra McEntire is a breath of fresh air in a market overflowing with vampires, faeries and werewolves. It is thrilling to see science fiction make such a spectacular appearance in the young adult genre. McEntire clearly did her research, incorporating the laws of physics into her theory of time travel and creating a highly intelligent novel that paranormal fans will love. Though time travel can be a bit circuitous if given too much thought, it makes for a mind-bending, exotic read in which anything is possible.
Hourglass is written in a vibrant, unique voice that leaps off the page from the very first chapter. Emerson is smart, sassy and trained in karate. She is strong and fierce, but also exhibits endearing vulnerability that she tries hard to hide. Although Emerson can occasionally be insecure, she also refuses to put up with the typical male drama and will win readers' hearts with her no-nonsense attitude and zinging comebacks.
In fact, almost all of the women in this novel are inspiring. Emerson's best friend Lily is supportive and loyal, rather than catty or self-absorbed. It is refreshing to find a healthy female friendship in a YA novel, and I would have liked to see Lily play a bigger role in the story (though I suspect she will in the sequels). Emerson's sister-in-law, Dru, is another fabulous female. She is the perfect blend of mother and big sister that Emerson so desperately needs, and shows that not all YA "parents" have to be dysfunctional.
Romantic tension drives this story, but unfortunately the male lead is a little underwhelming. The non-relationship between Emerson and Michael can be excessively angsty at times -- due in large part to Michael's attitude. Michael exhibits several of the more exasperating characteristics in a YA hero -- brooding, mixed signals, and a tendency to be overbearing. His looks are certainly seductive, and though his behavior is somewhat explained later in the novel, it is not entirely absolved. Kaleb, on the other hand, is an unapologetic hot mess -- and it works for him. His candor is bracing in an obvious bad boy, and the banter between him and Emerson is alternately snarky and sensitive, making him a much more engaging love interest.
McEntire blends all the necessary ingredients -- a fierce heroine, a fascinating premise, and some smoldering male leads -- to create a dazzling debut that promises even more epic adventures to come.
Rating: 
Disclosure: I received an advance review copy from the publisher. This did not affect my review in any way.This novel hits shelves today!
7 Comments on Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire, last added: 6/16/2011
Anna has been running from the truth about her mother's death for nearly a decade -- ever since her 7-year-old self watched her walk into the ocean without looking back. As if living on the beach where she died wasn't hard enough, Anna's dad has suddenly decided to move back to the town where they met and fell in love. Though the view is beautiful and the lifeguards are cute, Anna is haunted by the secrets her father buried long ago -- secrets that may finally push her to her breaking point.
Moonglass is a stunning debut, written in elegant prose. The simple but detailed descriptions put readers directly in the scene, while the moments of beautiful, almost poetic language interspersed throughout the novel shine like sea glass. The precise details of the scuba diving expeditions also add texture to the typical beach read and allow readers with no scuba experience (like me) to perfectly visualize the breathtaking underwater scenes.
From the very first page, the emotion feels raw and authentic, and readers' hearts will break for the strong but fragile heroine. Though she occasionally seems excessively boy crazy, the way Anna copes with her troubled past feels achingly realistic, while her journey of healing is bittersweet. The uncontrollable wildness of the ocean is its own presence in the story, and the tragic tales the lifeguards tell gave me chills. In
Moonglass,
Jessi Kirby confronts the dark and painful moments in life with a soft sensitivity and evocative directness that readers won't soon forget.
This haunting story is populated with an eclectic cast of characters: from Anna's first friend in her new town, the oblivious but well-meaning Ashley, to her legendary father, to her off-limits love interest Tyler -- the quirky personalities each leave their mark on Anna's life. It was inspiring to watch how Kirby brought the seemingly disparate community together, showing the intricate and often surprising threads that bind us. This novel is the perfect summer read, packing a powerful emotional punch that will leave a lasting impression on readers' hearts.
Rating: 
Disclosure: I received a review copy of the novel from the publicist. This did not affect my review in any way.Click here to purchase Moonglass by Jessi Kirby.
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Neva has grown up sheltered by the Protectosphere and told by the government that nothing remains outside the Homeland borders but the rubble of an ancient war. Yet, Neva was raised on her grandmother's stories of life on the outside, planting a seed of doubt that slowly grows into full-blown rebellion. As Neva discovers each new devastating truth, she begins to realize that sometimes it's safer not knowing -- and once she takes the final plunge, there will be no turning back.
Sara Grant dives straight into the arresting madness that is the
Dark Parties future. The novel opens with Neva and Sanna beginning their insurrection by throwing a Dark Party, and Grant expertly taps into readers' other senses by immersing them in the utter blackness alongside Neva. After this startling opening,
Dark Parties continues to unsettle with its timeliness: the language of patriotism, Homeland, and Terror weaves into the very foundation of this world.
It is impossible not to cheer for Neva as she begins her fight for freedom, a fight which grows in urgency as the horrifying truths of the Homeland are revealed. It is a relief to see a heroine who is leading the revolution rather than being prodded along by those around her. The reader's strong sympathy with Neva makes the emotional highs and lows of the novel even more gut-wrenching -- the intensity of several moments actually gave me goosebumps.
However, Neva's relationships could be more elaborated. This aspect seems too often neglected amid the world-building in dystopian novels. At times, it was hard to see the ties that bound Neva to those around her (especially her love interest). Yet, the relationship between Neva and her grandmother was one of the most nuanced aspects of the story. Their bond is brought to life and transcends the obstacles that lie between them -- no mean feat when her grandmother is one of The Missing.
The ultimate reality at the heart of this society is unfathomable, and its portrayal is unflinching, forcing the reader to feel the urgency and injustice to their very core. The final pages are maelstrom of shocking twists that will leave readers alternately gasping in disbelief and surging with hope. Thankfully, the ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel to this gripping debut -- I'm not ready to leave Neva and her fight for life and liberty behind.
Rating: 
Disclosure: I borrowed an ARC of this novel from Lauren at 365 Days of Reading for the Cornucopia of Dystopia event.This novel hits shelves August 3, 2011. Preorder Dark Parties by Sara Grant.
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good review, i will check this one out!
here's my review of catching jordan! stop by?!
http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/arc-review-catching-jordan-fun-read.html
Very nice review, I really loved this book too. I like how you touched on the different relationships - I loved the dynamic between between Harper and Laney as well.
I can't wait to see what Hannah Harrington writes next!
Okay, that does it! I'm adding Saving June to my TBR right this instant. I can't believe I was thinking of passing it up! It sounds amazing. Thanks for the review, Casey! :)
Casey! I did like the book. I saw it as a grief book, and from that perspective I was let down. Since personally, it's no 'the sky is everywhere'. So yeah, liked it but didn't love it. Good to know that you enjoyed it more :)