Brad About Books: The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson

Read on April 27, 2013

THE SUMMER PRINCE
Published: March 1, 2013
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine (Scholastic)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 289 pages
Source: Publisher

A heart-stopping story of love, death, technology, and art set amid the tropics of a futuristic Brazil.

The lush city of Palmares Três shimmers with tech and tradition, with screaming gossip casters and practiced politicians. In the midst of this vibrant metropolis, June Costa creates art that’s sure to make her legendary. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, the bold new Summer King. The whole city falls in love with him (including June’s best friend, Gil). But June sees more to Enki than amber eyes and a lethal samba. She sees a fellow artist.

Together, June and Enki will stage explosive, dramatic projects that Palmares Três will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the government’s strict limits on new tech. And June will fall deeply, unfortunately in love with Enki. Because like all Summer Kings before him, Enki is destined to die.

Pulsing with the beat of futuristic Brazil, burning with the passions of its characters, and overflowing with ideas, this fiery novel will leave you eager for more from Alaya Dawn Johnson.

The Summer Prince is a vivid, lush and powerful fantasy that had me gripped and hooked from the first page. Unlike anything I've read in a long time!

The world-building of Palm Três was gorgeous! I had a hard time understanding the world for a bit of the book, but once I got deeper into the world, this beautiful and chilling world was really brought to life! It's still a bit confusing, but it's such a unique world that I would love to see in person. Johnson did a great job at weaving and bringing this futuristic Brazil to my mind - it's so vibrant and imaginative! Love!

The character development was fantastic! June starts off very naïve in the book, but as The Summer Prince continues, she becomes more mature, stronger and tougher. She did a complete 180˚ on me, and I adored her development! Enki was great too. I didn't know what to think of him at first, but June and Enki together are unstoppable. Phenomenal!

And wow, the ending was insane! I had no clue what would happen next, and I couldn't help but tear through The Summer Prince. I dare you to try to stop reading - it's impossible! That ending was brilliant and very fast-paced. So good!

Overall, The Summer Prince is unique, original, and stands out from other fantasies. Totally original!

 M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: 3rd Generation and Beyond by Danna Pycher {Blog Tour}

3RD GENERATION AND BEYOND
Published: January 20, 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Format: Ebook 
Page Count: 154 pages
Source: Blog Tour Stop

3rd Generation and Beyond is a book of powerful life philosophies according to a Third Generation Holocaust descendant. Each chapter gives a little more insight into how we, as individuals, can empower ourselves and the world around us. By this time, you would think we would have learned our lesson. By now, you would think humankind would have found a way to live together peacefully. For some reason that is not the case. 3rd Generation takes us on a journey through the perspective of a young woman who wants to know why we can't seem to find common ground. Her insightful life philosophies are all inspired by her view of the world as a Third Generation descendant of the Holocaust. Her grandparents experienced the worst of times, yet still held onto the belief that life can and should be beautiful. Their life lessons will help you discover how we can all create a better world. ... a treasure of inspiring, thoughtful life lessons interwoven with what Danna learned from her grandparents who were Holocaust survivors.

3rd Generation and Beyond is a heartbreaking, heartwarming read that left me shocked and stunned. Emotionally brutal and wonderfully executed, 3rd Generation and Beyond shines.

I stepped out of my normal comfort zone when reading this book - I've never read a nonfiction book (crazy, right?), especially one about the Holocaust. And since I'm only a freshman in school, I haven't studied much about the Holocaust. What I learned from this book really opened my eyes. Pycher's description and way she told the story sent chills crawling across my skin and left me shocked. If you're looking for a tearjerker book, this book is the way to go!

I loved the inspiring part of the book - the part that tries to create a better world. I really appreciated that it was thrown into 3rd Generation and Beyond, and since the author's grandparents were actually Holocaust survivors, we get even more depth and insight into this terrifying and brutal time period. And I agree with loads of things in the book! "Her grandparents experienced the worst of times, yet still held onto the belief that like can and should be beautiful." Absolutely. 

Overall, 3rd Generation and Beyond wasn't a typical book that I would pick up, but I'm very happy that I did! 3rd Generation and Beyond stands out.

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Teacher's Pest by Charles Gilman

Read on March 30, 2013

TEACHER'S PEST
Expected Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Quirk
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 176 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: Lovecraft Middle School, #3

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't started this series.

Read my reviews for previous books in this series:

Professor Gargoyle • The Slither Sisters

Teacher's Pest is a haunting, chilling and fun read! Gilman has created another middle grade masterpiece and knocked it out of the ballpark with Teacher's Pest! Definitely the best book of the series!

If you're looking for a fun and fresh series, look no further - the Lovecraft Middle School series is the perfect choice. Yes, they're creepy, and yes, they're eerie, but they are so. much. fun! I believe that this series will be the next Series of Unfortunate Events - it's sure to be a hit! The entire school of Lovecraft is so weird and different, but Gilman does a fantastic job at bringing the school to life for the reader.

Teacher's Pest definitely has the most unique plot. Bugs are everywhere, and the wonderful illustrations made these freaky creatures even more vivid in my mind! While I'm not scared of bugs, I'm not a fan of them, and I actually got scared at one scene towards the end of the book! Two words: Bug. Pile.

The character development is just as great. Robert becomes stronger and more daring in this third book, and I really appreciated that. The author himself is actually more daring! I didn't expect quite a lot of things to occur in Teacher's Pest, and my jaw was open for the majority of the book! Which is why this book is my favorite of the series thus far - I love it when a book has me in suspense and not having a clue what will happen next. Teacher's Pest is mind-boggling!

Overall, this series is a must-read for fans of middle grade. Creepy, eerie and a bucket of fun, Teacher's Pest was awesome!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Lost Code by Kevin Emerson

Read from April 12 to 13, 2013

THE LOST CODE
Published: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (Harper)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 435 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: The Atlanteans, #1

In the year 2086, Camp Eden promises summer “the way things used to be,” back before the oceans rose, the sun became a daily enemy, and modern civilization sank into chaos. Located inside the EdenWest BioDome, the camp is an oasis of pine trees, cool water, and rustic charm.

But all at Camp Eden is not what it seems.No one will know this better than 15-year-old Owen Parker. A strange underwater vision, even stranger wounds on Owen’s neck, and a cryptic warning from the enchanting lifeguard Lilly hint at a mystery that will take Owen deep beneath Lake Eden and even deeper into the past. What he discovers could give him the chance to save the tattered planet. But first, Owen will have to escape Camp Eden alive…

The Lost Code is an energetic, thrilling read that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book shines out!

What I love the most about The Lost Code is the world-building. The world has basically been torn-apart, but this book isn't totally dystopian. I loved reading the descriptions of this pretty much wasteland of a world (oceans rising, the sun a deadly enemy). It was simply awesome! Plus, Camp Eden is cool. I love anything to do with water, and since the camp and this book is centered around water, The Lost Code and I were a perfect match. 

The plot was so interesting as well. It did start off a bit slow and confusing, but after chapter two, I was ready to go. I love the idea of a dystopian/post-apocalytpic world where a society is trying to find Atlantis. And Emerson pulled off the plot flawlessly. I was hooked in and intrigued with every page, and believe me when I say that there are twists in The Lost Code that I didn't see coming! My jaw fell open especially during the final 30 pages. I can't wait to see what will happen in the sequel, The Dark Shore!

And the characters were great! Owen was a fantastic protagonist. Strong, determined and fighting for survival, he's everything you'd want in a book. And Lilly was amazing! She annoyed me at first, but as the novel progresses, we get to understand her more. I truly connected to her character, and I love it when an author can create a character with so much emotion!

Overall, The Lost Code is a standout read for 2013. If you're looking for an adventure like no other, this is a must read!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Until I Die by Amy Plum

Read from April 8 to 9, 2013

UNTIL I DIE
Published: May 8, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 353 pages
Source: Revenants, #2
Source: Amazon.com

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read the first book, Die for Me.

Talk about an amazing sequel. I can't express how much I loved everything about Until I Die - bursting with true love and a climatic, explosive plot, Amy Plum nailed it with this second book!

The character development is probably my most favorite part about Until I Die. All the characters grow, especially Kate and Vincent. I fell in love with Kate even more - she became strong and fierce, and wow, she was awesome! - and characters I didn't care for in the first book (*cough* Georgia *cough*), I adored in the second book! The sophomore slump passed right over Plum, because Until I Die was fantastic.

And the stakes are so much higher. I couldn't believe some of the events that happened in the book, but they made for a very fast-paced and interesting plot! I was actually scared of the Revenants, even the good ones! I had no idea what to expect or what was going to happen, and I couldn't contain myself from zooming through this book.

Plus, you can never go wrong with a story set in Paris. The way that Amy Plum describes France and its setting was easy to visualize in my mind, and it looked beautiful! I fell in love with it even more in Until I Die, and I can't wait to see what will happen to our characters in book three!

Speaking of which...

That ending. Oh gosh, Amy Plum, why must you do this to our souls? Needless to say, I am so pumped for If I Should Die. Oh that ending was evil.

Overall, Until I Die is a marvelous sequel. Lush, radiant and chilling, this series is one of the best YA series I've read!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Read on April 21, 2013

CREWEL

Published: October 16, 2012

Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 368 pages

Source: Amazon.com

Series: Crewel World, #1

Enter a tangled world of secrets and intrigue where a girl is in charge of other’s destinies, but not her own.

 Sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has always been special. When her parents discover her gift—the ability to weave the very fabric of reality—they train her to hide it. For good reason, they don’t want her to become a Spinster — one of the elite, beautiful, and deadly women who determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die. Thrust into the opulent Western Coventry, Adelice will be tried, tested and tempted as she navigates the deadly politics at play behind its walls.  Now caught in a web of lies and forbidden romance, she must unravel the sinister truth behind her own unspeakable power.  Her world is hanging by a thread, and Adelice, alone, can decide to save it — or destroy it.

What a tangled world she weaves.

Stunning! Crewel blew my mind in every single way possible. One of my new favorite books!

The plot... oh my gosh, the plot of Crewel is fantastic. I have never read a book like this before, and wow, it was so good. A world where people can weave time? Yes please. There's one scene I remember so vividly from Crewel where it is described what time feels like and how to spin it - it literally gave me chills. It was haunting and beautiful, to say the least. I would love it if Crewel were made into a movie one day, because I so want to see time being spun! 

Adelice is such a unique protagonist. I liked her because she's not perfect, but she's thrust into a strange and dark world. I absolutely adored her character growth. She develops so much throughout the book, and it's incredible! But she wasn't the only great character. Erik and Jost were just as great. They were so kind and great to Adelice, and I honestly couldn't decipher who she would choose! And I love it when a book can shock me.

And there are tons are parts where I was shocked. Stunned, even. This book is so chilling; the atmosphere surrounding it emerged me into this evil, twisted and gorgeous world of the Guild, and wow, I never wanted to leave. To be honest, I have no idea what else to say besides "this book is amazing". I am truly, truly speechless. If you haven't picked up Crewel, do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece. It's become one of my new favorites of all time!

Overall, Crewel... oh man, Crewel was phenomenal. Luminous and worthy of all the hype surrounding, Crewel is a debut that shines out. It's brilliant! I am so excited for Altered!

M Y   R A T I N G

Waiting on Wednesday (20): Find Me by Romily Bernard

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine!

This week, I'm waiting on...

Find Me - Romily Bernard

Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

Page Count: 288 pages

"Find Me." These are the words written on Tessa Waye's diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa's just been found...dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target. Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick.

Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick's deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she's going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

This book sounds fantastic! I love the idea of avenging a death and finding out what happened to a person - plus, I'm a sucker for murder mysteries. I can't get enough of them! Find Me is definitely on my radar, and I can't wait to pick up a hardcover copy! I have it from Edelweiss, and I just might have to read it soon!

What are you waiting on this week? Leave links to your WoW post below!

Happy reading!