Brad About Books: This Strange and Familiar Place by Rachel Carter

Read on July 21, 2013

THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE
Published: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 264 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: So Close to You, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, So Close to You. 

This Strange and Familiar Place is a very nice sequel, however, I felt that it was lacking in progressing the story along in certain parts of the plot. Though I had this problem with this sequel, it was still entertaining. 

I'll start with what I did enjoy about This Strange and Familiar Place: more questions appear and the stakes are raised to a new notch. Book one set up the whole conspiracy theory, but book two plays on it and evolves it into something so much bigger than what the reader - and Lydia, the protagonist - ever imagined it to be. When there's an action scene in This Strange and Familiar Place, you're in for a wild ride that will have you glued to the edge of your seat.

But my problem with This Strange and Familiar Place was the parts that weren't action-filled, and unfortuantely, there's quite a lot of them. Even though the book clocks in at just a little over 250 pages, the story feels very dragged out over parts - and the middle of the book felt filler, in my opinion. Nothing evolved from the plot in the middle, and I didn't find anything that pushed the storyline further. I am happy, though, that the ending of This Strange and Familiar Place saved the book for me. It was fast-paced, and there were things that really made my jaw drop. I just wish that there were more scenes like that consistently throughout the sequel. The ending did set up a very nice overview to the conclusion of the series, so I will definitely be checking out book three, Find Me Where the Water Ends. 

My favorite part about This Strange and Familiar Place has to be Lydia's character development. In So Close to You, she was very naïve to everything around her, but in This Strange and Familiar Place, she knows what she needs to do to take charge, and I really appreciated her character development. Carter did an exceptional job at building up Lydia's character, and I adored how she wasn't afraid to break her down. While This Strange and Familiar Place was just okay for me, it still grabbed me like book one did. I can't wait to find out how everything wraps up!

Overall, This Strange and Familiar Place is a pretty good sequel with a slow middle chunk but an ending that makes up for it.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Read on July 3, 2013

MARIE ANTOINETTE, SERIAL KILLER
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: ARC
Page Count: 304 pages
Source: ALA

Let them eat cake... and die. 

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer was, unfortunately, a little disappointing for me! I really wanted to enjoy this book, and while I did at some parts, others fell flat for me.

I'll start with what I did enjoy about this book: the aspect of Paris was fantastic! I felt like I was roaming the streets of the City of Lights with Colette and a definitely-freaky-scary murderer, and I could really tell that Alender put a lot of research into this book. And I really appreciated that! The world is great, and I especially loved the twist on Marie Antoinette, and Paris in general! Colette was a great character for me... for the most part. Sometimes, she seemed naïve and didn't understand the situation wholly, but still went into it headstrong (which can be a good quality), and other times, she'd be a kick-butt, take-no-crap-from-anybody character that I fell in love. I flip-flopped with how I felt about her character.

Now, with what I didn't particularly enjoy... some of the scenes felt a little silly. The plot sounded awesome! And Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer was awesome at times, for sure. But others seemed a little farfetched and too out there for my likings. And I noticed that some of the deaths repeated! I was hoping for a little more substance from this book, and I, unfortunately, didn't get that.

But that's not to say that this isn't a good book, because it was! I think I set my expectations a tad high for this one, and not all of them were met. But if you're looking for a fun, eerie read, Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is the perfect choice!

Overall, Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is a good read that had me on the edge of my seat at times, and drifting off from the book at others.

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Starry Nights by Daisy Whitney

Read on July 13, 2013

STARRY NIGHTS
Expected Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: ARC
Page Count: 288 pages
Source: ALA

Seventeen-year-old Julien is a romantic—he loves spending his free time at the museum poring over the great works of the Impressionists. But one night, a peach falls out of a Cezanne, Degas ballerinas dance across the floor, and Julien is not hallucinating.

The art is reacting to a curse that trapped a beautiful girl, Clio, in a painting forever. Julien has a chance to free Clio and he can't help but fall in love with her. But love is a curse in its own right. And soon paintings begin to bleed and disappear. Together Julien and Clio must save the world's greatest art . . . at the expense of the greatest love they've ever known.

Like a master painter herself, Daisy Whitney brings inordinate talent and ingenuity to this romantic, suspenseful, and sophisticated new novel.A beautifully decorated package makes it a must-own in print.

Starry Nights is whimsical, magical read that had me completely enthralled and utterly captivated. Such a fun read!

I'll start with what I did enjoy about Starry Nights: the atmosphere of Paris was perfectly captured. I felt like I was walking around the galleries with Julien and Clio, and I could see the City of Light in my head so clearly. And for that, I applaud Whitney! The world was so beautiful, and it makes me want to go visit Paris! I'm not a good drawer/painter whatsoever, so it was nice to read about an artist! Julien is laid back and is never caught up with his emotions - he's just a mellow, cool character. And Clio was so great! She's spent her life all alone, but when she meets Julien, she becomes invincible. The characters are so diverse and wholly unique - it's one of the many reasons why I enjoyed Starry Nights!

But I have to be honest when I say that not everything settled well with me with this book. While I did enjoy the majority of it, a few things ticked at my brain. The first would have to be saving the art - I found some of the problems and dilemmas to be a bit repetitive, and I would get sucked out of the book at times. Luckily, Julien and Clio brought me back into the story easily, but still, it was a bit redundant. And I was never quite sure if I totally understood Clio's character: was she just a love interest or was she something more to Julien? Something that would change his life? I couldn't ever tell, and though I did like Clio's character, she wasn't my favorite part of Starry Nights.

That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this book - I truly did! I think I set my expectations a tad bit high for this one, and not all of them were met. If you're looking for a great summer read with an amazing atmosphere, gorgeous writing, and a romance written in the stars like none other, Starry Nights is the book for you!

Overall, Starry Nights is fun read that will have readers falling for these characters and begging for more.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Doll Bones by Holly Black

Read on July 8, 2013

DOLL BONES
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 244 pages
Source: Library

Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But disaster strikes when, without warning, Zach’s father throws out all his toys, declaring he’s too old for them. Zach is furious, confused and embarrassed, deciding that the only way to cope is to stop playing . . . and stop being friends with Poppy and Alice. But one night the girls pay Zach a visit, and tell him about a series of mysterious occurrences. Poppy swears that she is now being haunted by a china doll – who claims that it is made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it. Otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity...

Doll Bones is a slow-building, whimsical tale that sent chills down my spine and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Deliciously creepy!

I have been wanting to read Doll Bones ever since it came out - it just looks so eerie and wonderful! When I started it, I came across a problem I had with the book: there's not enough action. I reached the 100 page mark and noticed that nothing significantly moved the plot forward. While Doll Bones does certainly have some freaky and spine-tingling moments, there were times I caught myself drifting off and disconnecting with the story - which made me sad! I was really looking forward to this book, and I have to be honest, it let me down a bit.

Getting pass the slow moments was tricky, but Doll Bones does have pulse-pounding scenes. Towards the end of the book, I was looking over my shoulder and had a tingling feeling in my gut; which is awesome! I love it when a book can do that to me! Though I wasn't a fan of the entire book, there were definitely moments that I loved about Doll Bones. It just didn't live up to my expectations, unfortunately.

The whole doll thing? Three kids being cursed for eternity? Again, A CREEPY DOLL?! Yes please. This china doll (made up of ground-up bones of a murdered girl; WHAT?!) was so creepy and frightening. I never knew if I should trust the doll or try to burn it with fire! And Holly Black can weave out a suspense story like none other. Though I was disconnected from Doll Bones at times, I had to keep turning those pages to figure out what would happen next!

Overall, I have mixed feelings about Doll Bones. Some parts I like, others I didn't.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum

Read from June 10 to 11, 2013

REVOLUTION 19
Published: January 8, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 265 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Revolution 19, #1

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.

Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.

Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.

Revolution 19... oh, Revolution 19. I feel like we have a love/hate relationship, perhaps? I really, really wanted to like you, but I just can't get past some of the very slow, drawn-moments you provided.

I'll go ahead and start with what I did enjoy about this book. I'm a sucker for post-apocalytpic books - I'll admit it. I don't think I've ever read a robot invasion story, so I was very excited to pick up Revolution 19! And while the beginning was very intriguing, some of the middle (and the majority of the end) lagged in plot for me. I was very engaged in the story in the beginning, which was {in my opinion} the best part about the book. Robots invading earth sounds deadly and terrifying, and the robots in this book was killer! ...

...up until a certain point. The robots? They were no longer scary. I just KNEW that one of those robots  ("bots" as they are referred to in the book) would give aid to one of these characters, and I kept crossing my fingers that it wouldn't happen - I won't say if it did. But really. What happened to the laser-eyed, no-emotions bots that were totally epic in the beginning? It's like they vanished and were replaced with bots that were still a bit scary, but I felt like they had a little emotion! I say NO to that. I just... this book took a completely different turn from the beginning. And unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

Cinematic doesn't describe Revolution 19 well, to be honest. Yes, there are some tension-filled moments where you don't know if a certain character will make it out alive - which is awesome! I wish that more scenes like that were put in the book! But Revolution 19 isn't fast-paced - it's a bit drawn-out and redundant with a few scenes. 

But I did enjoy this book! Just not as much as I was hoping to. I'm curious to see where the sequel, Fugitive X, goes, so I'll probably check it out. Revolution 19 just let me down, to put it shortly.

Overall, Revolution 19 is one of those books you have to be in the mood to read. And I guess I wasn't. Slow-paced and robots-that-can-change-moods-in-a-heartbeat, Revolution 19 wasn't my cup of tea.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Read on June 18, 2013

FORGIVE ME, LEONARD PEACOCK
Expected Publication Date: August 13, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Format: ARC
Page Count: 288 pages
Source: RAK

Today is Leonard Peacock's birthday. It is also the day he hides a gun in his backpack. Because today is the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather's P-38 pistol.

But first he must say good-bye to the four people who matter most to him: his Humphrey Bogart-obsessed next-door neighbor, Walt; his classmate Baback, a violin virtuoso; Lauren, the Christian homeschooler he has a crush on; and Herr Silverman, who teaches the high school's class on the Holocaust. Speaking to each in turn, Leonard slowly reveals his secrets as the hours tick by and the moment of truth approaches.

In this riveting book, acclaimed author Matthew Quick unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made—and the light in us all that never goes out.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is a surprising and... different read. I think I set my expectations too high for this one, since I had heard nothing but amazing things about this one, but I was ultimately let down by it.

I'll start off by what I did like about Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock: the premise was so unique! I was sucked into the story immediately, and I loved getting to see what's made Leonard's life so troubled. Matthew Quick did a superb job at crafting together Leonard's life together and telling his story. Very interesting!

Now. What didn't I like about this book? Simple: the writing. Like I said earlier, I was enjoying this book in the beginning, but after awhile, I found it to grow repetitive, and I was getting disconnected to the story. While the footnotes at the bottom of the page were interesting, I wasn't always interested in it. And there were quite a lot of curse words in the book! I'm not a fan of curse words, but I'm not affected by them (they don't determine whether I like or don't like a book), but I don't think that they fit the overall aurora of the book. I was just very disappointed by this read, especially with all the hype and praise surrounding it.

But Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock was a good book - just not as good as I had hoped. While the beginning and ending were very interesting, the middle lacked substance for me. Who knows? Maybe this'll be the book for you. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

Overall, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock was a let down, but not completely. However, it's one of the most original books I've read in a long time!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan

Read on June 5, 2013

CRASH AND BURN
Published: February 19, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 532 pages
Source: Purchased

On April 21, 2008, Steven "Crash" Crashinsky saved more than a thousand people when he stopped his classmate David Burnett from taking their high school hostage armed with assault weapons and high-powered explosives. You likely already know what came after for Crash: the nationwide notoriety, the college recruitment, and, of course, the book deal. What you might not know is what came before: a story of two teens whose lives have been inextricably linked since grade school, who were destined, some say, to meet that day in the teachers' lounge of Meadows High. And what you definitely don't know are the words that Burn whispered to Crash right as the siege was ending, a secret that Crash has never revealed.

Until now.

Michael Hassan's shattering novel is a tale of first love and first hate, the story of two high school seniors and the morning that changed their lives forever. It's a portrait of the modern American teenage male, in all his brash, disillusioned, oversexed, schizophrenic, drunk, nihilistic, hopeful, ADHD-diagnosed glory. And it's a powerful meditation on how normal it is to be screwed up, and how screwed up it is to be normal.

Crash and Burn is a dark, complex, and hauntingly chilling read that either had me completely invested into the story and in love with the book or had me drifting off and not connecting to the plot. I have to say, I was disappointed by this book I had been anticipating for such a long time.

Like I said, I was so excited for Crash and Burn - it sounded so amazing and fantastic. But if I'm being honest, this book was just okay for me. Maybe I set my expectations too high? Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for dark and heavy realistic fiction? Who knows? I just know that it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. While the beginning was very intriguing, the middle lacked plot and character development. That's probably my biggest problem with Crash and Burn: the characters seemed like awful people. I thought Steven (A.K.A. Crash) would be a nice, heroic character that would save the day. While he was heroic, he was too much of a troublemaker and awful-type of person for me to ever liked. And David (A.K.A . Burn) was just as bad as Crash. Maybe even worse. He was too dark, and I just didn't like that. 

I'll transfer over to what I did like the absolute most about Crash and Burn: the beginning, and the last 60 pages. The beginning was so intriguing and fascinating - I couldn't get enough of it! Around the 150 page-mark is when I stopped connecting to the story. But the first 150 pages were superb, and the final 60 were even better. They were high-tensed, electric, and on-the-edge-of-your-seat worthy pages, and I absolutely loved them.

I'm starting to come around to contemporary, but this is my first "heavy and dark" contemporary novel... and I have to say, I was let down by it! I guess it's just where I was looking forward to this book so much. It was good, but not as good as I hoped it would be.

Overall, Crash and Burn was a let down. Dark, richly built, and unfortunately, disappointing, Crash and Burn is one of a kind, but also not one of my favorites.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

Read from June 16 to 17, 2013

JULIET IMMORTAL
Published: August 9, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 306 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Juliet Immortal, #1

Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver and Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush will relish this intense paranormal love story featuring Romeo and Juliet, literary history's most tragic couple, who meet again, not as true lovers, but truly as enemies.
The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

Juliet Immortal is a wildly romantic and highly heart-racing, pulse-pounding tale of true love and heartbreaking betrayal. It's impossible to put it down!

I'll begin on a positive note: what did I like about Juliet Immortal? Numerous things, thankfully! My favorite part about this novel was the entire concept - I will admit, it was pretty risky and daring to have a story where Juliet and Romeo aren't in love (I was hesitant going into Juliet Immortal for that reason alone.), but luckily, Stacey Jay manages to pull it off. I didn't get at some parts why Romeo and Juliet were constantly fighting, but it was most definitely entertaining. And I loved the setting - the way Jay described it sounded stunning! Even though I am definitely not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet any, Juliet Immortal takes a unique spin on the timeless, starcrossed tale and breathes new life into it. So epic!

Now for a slight downfall: what did I not like about Juliet Immortal? Unfortunately, I ran into some problems with it. The characters felt WAY too whiny at some parts. I'd say that Juliet - maybe Romeo - was the biggest problem. I felt like they had too many mixed emotions and feelings for each other, and I couldn't keep up with the jumbled signals. 

But the ending did redeem (ha! A pun on the sequel's title!) Juliet Immortal for me. It was fast-paced, shocking, twisty, and so good. I didn't see that ending coming, and I am definitely intrigued to see where the story will be taken to next!

Overall, Juliet Immortal was a good read, but not one of my favorites. Charming, delightful, and bursting with love at the seems, Juliet Immortal shimmers and glows bright in this dark and captivating story!

M Y     R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos

Read on June 7, 2013

THE PLANET THIEVES
Published: May 21, 2013
Publisher: Starscrape (Tor)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 256 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Thieves, #1

The Planet Thieves is the first thrilling installment of a new middle-grade series by Dan Krokos.

Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter.

But routine goes out the airlock when they’re attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years.

With the captain and crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that’s left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever.

Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn’t a war left to fight.

I still don't entirely know how I feel about this book. While some parts really had me invested into the story, others had me dozing off. Did I enjoy The Planet Thieves wholly? Yes. Did I enjoy it at all times? Not exactly.

The biggest problem I had with The Planet Thieves was the main character - I never connected to Mason. He seemed to whiny and jokester-like for me to enjoy. Yes, being a jokester character does work in middle-grade fiction sometimes, but given the circumstances and the plot of The Planet Thieves, I don't think it worked so well. Right from the first page, I didn't like Mason. I was hoping he would develop and mature as the book went on, but... I just never liked him.

Luckily, the plot redeems The Planet Thieves (Mason just annoyed me). Very sci-fi action paced, and with an awesome twist - that's what I liked the absolute most about this book. It did have slow parts, but for the majority, it's hard to find a dull moment in The Planet Thieves. Dark and sinister as space itself, The Planet Thieves rocks!

Overall, The Planet Thieves has an awesome plot, but very obnoxious and annoying protagonist. So... maybe I half liked it, and half didn't? If you're looking for a new epic middle grade, I'd recommend The Planet Thieves!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Read on May 2 to 3, 2013

CARRIER OF THE MARK
Published: October 4, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 342 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Carrier, #1

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

Carrier of the Mark is a fun and captivating read with a supernatural twist and a mind-blowing ending. While the whole novel didn't always have me captured, I can't deny that I really liked this book!

I'll go ahead and address my issues with Carrier of the Mark - there's some. First: why did everyone fall head over heels in love with Megan? Sure, whenever you have a foreign student move into your school, you're fascinated by them and want to know them - I get that (I've done it before). But my problem is is that everybody loved Megan right from the bat and she became instantly popular. That... no. I just couldn't believe that; and Megan wasn't that much of a fascinating character, to be honest. While her storyline was interesting, there were some dull and slow-moving moments with her. And the mysterious Adam who hated Megan right from the get-go? How about no. It just seemed too bland - boy hates girl, boy and girl fall for each other, boy and girl can't be together due to "laws", boy and girl do anyway. Just... no. Maybe since we've gotten past the whole "I hate you get away from me" part in Carrier of the Mark, maybe we won't have that problem in Shadow of the Mark. One can dream.

And I'm a bit confused with this book: what exactly is the Order? Megan has some weird powers? What about Adam? At least in this book, the girl has more supernatural powers than the boy; which is a nice change. The entire concept feels somewhat done before, but towards the end of the book, I could see some uniqueness shining out from the pages - you don't even understand how thrilled I was about that. Which makes me excited to read Shadow of the Mark. Now that we've gotten over the typical teenage-forbidden-love junk, maybe we can move onto more action scenes and learning more secrets about the Order. I definitely hope so!

So what did I like about Carrier of the Mark? Quite a few things! The main one is just how much fun it is. This is a light paranormal/supernatural read that can suck you in so easily. I had no trouble falling into this book, just because it's so light and fun to read! That ending definitely made up for the forbidden-love drama and whatnot - fast-paced, intriguing, and un-put-down-able, Carrier of the Mark is a promising start to a shocking and wonderful series. 

Overall, I did have troubles with Carrier of the Mark, but not too many to make me not want to pick up the sequel. Need a fun supernatural read for summer? This is the book for you!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Read on May 2, 2013

I AM NUMBER FOUR
Published: August 3, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 440 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Lorien Legacies, #1

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books - but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next.

I had troubles with I Am Number Four. While the plot sounded epic, the pacing of the book was too slow for me.

Let me start by saying that this plot sounds amazing in every way possible. I was so excited going into I Am Number Four - I mean, judging from the synopsis, who wouldn't be? I expected a fast-paced, on-the-run story like no other, and I wanted it to be great. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. While I Am Number Four does have some redeeming qualities, the plot moved way too slow. I found that some chapters would have no meaning to the actual story, and I caught myself drifting off. To be honest, I just don't see how a book that has such an interesting premise can move so slowly.

But like I said, I Am Number Four did have some redeeming qualities.  The last fifty pages were very fast-paced, and I couldn't put the book down. And besides that, the character of Four (or John Smith) was very awesome - on the run and on the loose, I loved getting to travel along with him as he fights for his life. The antagonists are so freaky in this book! I couldn't get a clear picture of them in my mind, but believe me, they sounded awful. Even though I thought I Am Number Four was just okay, I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen in The Power of Six.

I've noticed that aliens are becoming a new trend (even though this book was published in 2010), and while the whole "alien" aspect wasn't explored on that much, it was still interesting to take on this perspective of aliens. I just hated the plot moved so slow - I couldn't stand it at times! The end did make up some for it, but in the end, I just don't think me and I Am Number Four clicked well.

Overall, I Am Number Four is a decent read that held my attention and had me on the edge of my seat at times, then had me distracted and dozing off at others.

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Easy by Tammara Webber

Read on March 16, 2013

EASY
Published: November 6, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 310 pages
Source: Purchased

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

Easy let me down. I was expecting a mind-bending contemporary, since I had heard such amazing, amazing things about it. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same experience.

I'll first start off with what I did like about Easy - there are emails throughout the book between our two main characters, and I really enjoyed it! It took some time before they actually met, but they got to know each other through these straightforward emails. I had never seen a connection and relationship grow and bloom like that, and I really enjoyed it!

Now as for what I didn't like - Easy felt too rushed for me. One chapter would be in one time period, then the next would be almost two weeks later and wouldn't give hint to that until later on into the chapter. This is just my preference, I guess, but I didn't like that. And even though I did like seeing the relationship form in the emails, once Jackie and Lucas actually met, it was reeked of insta-love. I don't know what happened, but Easy took a downward spiral for me, and I was saddened by it! I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn't for me. 

And another thing is that I'm not a big fan of contemporary. I've only recently started finding contemporary books that I actually adore, and I was hoping Easy would be one of those. Maybe I'm just not a fan of New Adult? I don't know. Something between me and Easy didn't click. Contemporary lovers would be head over heels in love with this book, but I can't say the exact same for me.

Overall, Easy was an enjoyable, quick read, but not something for me. If you're looking for a good romance and redemption story, Easy just might be the book for you!

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Brad About Books: Rebel Spirits by Lois Ruby

Read from May 13 to 14, 2013

REBEL SPIRITS
Expected Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 304 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Infused with history and mystery, this tale of ghosts, love, and murder takes place in present-day Gettysburg, where the Civil War still looms large.

Lori Chase doesn't know what to think about ghosts. She may have seen a few in the past, but those were just childish imaginings...right? Only now that she is living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, spirits seem to be on everyone's mind. The town is obsessed with its bloody Civil War history, and the old inn that Lori's parents run is supposedly haunted by the souls of dead soldiers.

Then Lori meets one such soldier--the devastatingly handsome Nathaniel Pierce. Nathaniel's soul cannot rest, and he desperately needs Lori's help. Because Nathaniel was not killed in the famous battle. He was murdered. Lori begins to investigate the age-old mystery, stumbling upon shocking clues and secrets.

At the same time, she can't help falling for Nathaniel, just as he is falling for her...

I hate to say it, but I was disappointed by Rebel Spirits. While the plot was intriguing, I couldn't get past the characters. 

I'll go ahead and start with the problem I had with Rebel Spirits - the characters just felt too two-dimensional for me. I couldn't connect with Lori, which was the biggest problem I had. She just seemed too flat for me to get in touch with, and I just didn't like her. Nathaniel was better because of his secretive backstory, and I enjoyed learning about his past! 

And luckily, that's what redeemed Rebel Spirits for me. The scandal, the secrets and the hidden past makes Rebel Spirits an enjoyable, quick read. Whenever it's brought up in the book of Nathaniel's mysterious past, I was reeled in and hooked deep into the story, and it kept my interest the entire time. It definitely was my favorite part about the book and redeemed it for me.

And the entire story felt too jumbled, for me at least. We had the hidden past-thing going on, and then, BAM insta-love, which I didn't care for in this case. I don't read many ghosts stories, especially not ones with insta-love, so I guess Rebel Spirits does stand out in that way. I just would have preferred more eerie and haunting scenes, less romantic. But that's just for me.

Overall, Rebel Spirits let me down. Who knows, this may be the book for me! Some parts worked for me, some didn't, unfortunately.

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