(BLOG TOUR) Book Review and Giveaway: ETERNAL STARLING

ETERNAL STARLING by Angela Corbett

Publication Information: 6 December 2011 by Pendrell Publishing
Previous Titles in Series: None

Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang. All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men.

For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie—but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society—the soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance—the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn’t understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren’t the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

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ETERNAL STARLING description and cover art courtesy of ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT.

I received an electronic ARC of ETERNAL STARLING as part of a blog tour arranged by ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT.

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THE TWEET
ETERNAL STARLING: Teen girl is caught between love of 2 boys. Who she chooses will affect her future & an eternal battle that's being waged.


WHAT WORKED
First off, the character of Evie is one of the coolest female young adult characters I have read in a long time. She drives a 1966 Mustang, goes four wheeling and isn't afraid to state her opinions. My favorite scene is when she first meets Alex and is too stubborn to admit that she is lost and needs his help. Maybe not the best course of action, but I admired her gumption (yeah, I just used the word gumption) and right away I wanted to learn more about her.

I'll be the first to admit (and I have said so in other reviews) that I am not a fan of the love triangle trope in young adult literature. However, I think that Corbett wrote the love triangle between Evie, Alex and Emil well. It was much more than just a love triangle, it was about love that transcended time and how Evie had to decide not only who she would choose, but which path she would take and what her future would hold.


OVERALL
ETERNAL STARLING is a wonderful debut novel from Angela Corbett. I can't wait to read more of this series!


MY RATING IS:

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Just fill out the Rafflecopter info below and you're entered. GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. Congratulations to the lucky winner:

DORIS


Also, author Angela Corbett will be hosting a pre-order contest to win a kindle. Anyone who pre-orders ETERNAL STARLING can be entered to win. Just EMAIL Angela a photo of the receipt or a copy of the email receipt for proof of purchase. Enter from now until the ETERNAL STARLING's release date on 6 December 2011.

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AUTHOR BIO:
As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator on the stereo and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own. She started writing poetry in elementary school and worked as a journalist in high school and college, but could never leave her love for writing fiction behind.

She is a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She loves classic cars, traveling, and escaping in a good book. She lives in Utah with her incredibly supportive husband and their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin, whose following of fangirls could rival Justin Bieber's.

For more information on ETERNAL STARLING and author Angela Corbett visit:




TWITTER | GOODREADS | BLOG | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK

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Find ETERNAL STARLING at your local indie bookstore.

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(BLOG TOUR) Book Review: BRIDGER

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Ashlyn McVean doesn't believe in fairy tales.

That is, until she's thrown into the crosshairs of grudges her grandmother created long ago. After finding out she is one of two people able to cross between faerie realms, Ashlyn is faced with trying to understand her abilities, along with navigating a new relationship with her boyfriend, Liam.

As if being on a centuries old hit list and dealing with crazed pixies isn't enough, her new abilities mean trouble for Liam. Knowing her new life puts everyone she loves in danger, Ashlyn must decide what's most important in her life between friends, family, love, and ultimately, realms.

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BRIDGER description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS

I received an electronic copy of BRIDGER as part of a blog tour arranged by Julie at A TALE OF MANY REVIEWS

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THE TWEET
Legend of changelings, Irish folk lore & an age old grudge combine to make BRIDGER a unique story about a teen girl finding her true self.


WHAT WORKED
BRIDGER starts out with a splash, literally. The main character, Ashlyn and her brother have just witnessed their father drowning to death. Author Megan Curd, wastes no time in introducing the plot line here when Ashlyn is able to exert strength she shouldn't have on one of the EMT's who have responded. I liked how this engaged me as a reader right away and made me want to read on to find out what was going on and who (and what) Ashlyn really was.

I also really liked the relationship between Ashlyn and her grandmother. Though not the friendliest, nor the most loving, of relationships, it's somewhat antagonistic nature was interesting to read about. In the beginning of BRIDGER, I didn't like the grandmother at all because of how she seemed to treat Ashlyn, but after discovering that Ashlyn was a changeling, it was easier for me to connect with the grandmother's character's feelings and actions. I never totally excused how she treated Ashlyn at the start of the novel, but it definitely put things in perspective.


WHAT DIDN'T WORK
I didn't like how some scenes were written in the book as a clear foreshadowing to the plot, but then never followed up on. Weird coincidences and events would occur, but then seemed to fall flat and weren't alluded to anytime later in the story.


OVERALL
BRIDGER is a good story with an engaging and interesting cast of characters. I loved how the author blended Irish folk lore with a modern, contemporary setting and came up with a unique plot that explored the legend of changelings.


MY RATING IS:

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(ARC TOUR) Book Review: SWEETLY

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia molds candied magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak, and Sophia?

Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

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THE TWEET
SWEETLY mixes the sweetness of new romance with the bitterness of loss to create a new take on the HANSEL AND GRETEL fairytale.


WHAT WORKED
Author Jackson Pearce can take a story everyone knows and turn it into something completely fresh and new, while still maintaining the original premise of the story. In SWEETLY, Pearce retells the story of HANSEL AND GRETEL, but adds her unique blend of writing and storytelling to the tale.

What captured me most about SWEETLY was the interconnection of characters and the sibling relationship between Gretchen and Ansel. The loss of Gretchen's twin and Ansel's sister created this remarkable bond between the two and while it was sad that this came about because of the sister's disappearance, it was touching to see how they looked after each other. On the other hand, I liked how Pearce developed Gretchen's character into being more independent, more of a different person from her brother, as the story progressed. It was great seeing Gretchen face her fears, become more self sufficient and less scared of her shadow, so to speak. This was spurred on in part by Ansel developing a romantic relationship with Sophia and Gretchen's wish to let her brother have some happiness and to not be a third wheel in their encounters.

I loved the introduction and inclusion of Samuel in SWEETLY. If you've read SISTERS RED, the companion novel to SWEETLY, you'll recognize Samuel as Silas' brother. In SWEETLY, Samuel helps (perhaps unwittingly) Gretchen to gain independence and to face the fears and guilt she has carried since the disappearance of her twin sister. Samuel and the lore surrounding him and his family become an integral part of the plot of SWEETLY, as it connects SISTERS RED to it's companion novel, yet doesn't detract from the fact that two different stories are being told in each book.


OVERALL
SWEETLY is a novel of loss and love, but more importantly it's about the relationship that exists between siblings and how they will do whatever is necessary to protect their loved ones.


MEMORABLE PASSAGES / SCENES:
Neither of us says anything, but there's a second, a tiny moment, where we stand in the darkness, hands intertwined, and I know he's as fully aware of my skin on his as I am.
p. 185*

Killing a werewolf is no small task. You'd think I would remember every last moment - the scent, the feeling, the sight of a monster leaping toward me. But that's all blurred in my m ind, overpowered by the sensation of kissing Samuel.
p. 236*

*Quotes taken from ARC of SWEETLY and are subject to change at publication.


MY RATING IS:

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SWEETLY description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS

I received an ARC of SWEETLY from AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS.

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Find SWEETLY at your local indie bookstore.

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(ARC TOUR) Book Review: INGENUE

PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: VIXEN

Power . . . love . . . scandal . . .

There’s never enough to go around.

In the city that never sleeps, Lorraine Dyer is wide awake. Ever since she exposed Clara Knowles for the tramp she was—and lost her closest confidante in the process—Lorraine has spent every second scheming to make her selfish, lovesick ex–best friend pay for what she did. No one crosses Lorraine. Not even Gloria.

True love conquers everything—or so Gloria Carmody crazily believed. She and Jerome Johnson can barely scrape together cash for their rent, let alone have a moment to whisper sweet nothings in the dark. And if they thought escaping Chicago meant they’d get away with murder . . . they were dead wrong.

Clara was sure that once handsome, charming Marcus Eastman discovered her shameful secret, he’d drop her like a bad habit. Instead, he swept her off her feet and whisked her away to New York. Being with Marcus is a breath of fresh air—and a chance for Clara to leave her wild flapper ways firmly in the past. Except the dazzling parties and bright lights won’t stop whispering her name. . . .

INGENUE is the second novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic Flappers series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . where revenge is a dish best served cold.

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INGENUE description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS

I received an ARC of INGENUE from AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

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THE TWEET
Parties, Prohibition, Power. In INGENUE, the young women from VIXEN are back in this sequel where love may not be able to conquer all.

WHAT WORKED
INGENUE continues the story set out in VIXEN of three young women living, loving and partying during The Roaring Twenties. The setting has changed from Chicago to New York City and Vera, Jerome's sister, who was briefly introduced in VIXEN, becomes a more developed character.

What I liked the best about INGENUE (and VIXEN as well) was the different characters and perspectives the author presents. Readers are able to experience historical New York City from the eyes of four very different girls. We get to see how Gloria and Jerome's relationship has progressed now that they are dependent on each other for everything. We see the difficulties Clara has with fully renouncing her past ways and how this affects her relationship with Marcus. We see Vera finding friendship and possible love while looking desperately for her brother, Jerome. And finally Loraine, working for the very man Jerome and Gloria are running from, hoping to get revenge against Gloria. All these wonderfully developed characters and interwoven relationships made for a great story amid the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties.

WHAT DIDN'T WORKED
I would have liked to see the girls reunited earlier into the story. Each chapter, I kept thinking, this must be when Vera finds Jerome, or when Gloria sees Loraine, or even that one of the girls sees Clara's picture in the paper, but no such luck. The girls' reunion is kept until the very end of the book and while I understood the impact Larkin was going for with the scene, it just seemed a little too unrealistic that one of the girls wouldn't run into another. I've traveled halfway across the country and run into someone who lives minutes away from me.

OVERALL
Author Jillian Larkin has written a good followup to VIXEN. She expands on her characters' relationships, their ambitions, their feelings. Although fictional, Larkin has created an engaging and intriguing story about the era of Prohibition, the Roaring Twenties, and historical New York City.

MEMORABLE PASSAGES / QUOTES / SCENES:
When life gives you lemons, sometimes you need to stash them in the icebox and make a martini with olives instead. p. 286

"Well, between you and me, I'm not sure the cheese is still firmly on Spark's cracker." p. 308

"Come on Lorraine. I already told you - this is work for me. Besides, look at yourself. You've got no moral center, babe. You're just a dizzy opportunist." p. 322


MY RATING IS:

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Find INGENUE at your local indie bookstore.

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(ARC TOUR) Book Review: WANT TO GO PRIVATE?

TITLE: WANT TO GO PRIVATE?

AUTHOR: Sarah Darer Littman

IMPRINT: Scholastic Press

PUBLICATION DATE: 1 August 2011

PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone

Abby and Luke chat online. They've never met. But they are going to. Soon.

Abby is starting high school—it should be exciting, so why doesn't she care? Everyone tells her to "make an effort," but why can't she just be herself? Abby quickly feels like she's losing a grip on her once-happy life. The only thing she cares about anymore is talking to Luke, a guy she met online, who understands. It feels dangerous and yet good to chat with Luke—he is her secret, and she's his. Then Luke asks her to meet him, and she does. But Luke isn't who he says he is. When Abby goes missing, everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don't, they'll never see Abby again.

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WANT TO GO PRIVATE? description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received an ARC of WANT TO GO PRIVATE? from AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

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THE TWEET
WANT TO GO PRIVATE? Explores the world of internet predators and how even a smart girl can get duped into believing a web of lies.


WHAT WORKED/DIDN'T WORK
I had a really hard time writing this review because I had mixed feelings about WANT TO GO PRIVATE? On the one hand, this book is an excellently crafted cautionary tale about internet predators. On the other hand, I could not connect to or sympathize much with the main character Abby.

The one thing I liked the most was how the first part of the story, where Abby meets Luke online and establishes a disturbing relationship with him, is told from Abby's point of view. Which is natural and really allowed me as a reader to get inside Abby's head. But the second part of the story, after Abby gets into Luke's car and disappears, is told from the of view of Abby's sister, Lily, her friend, Faith and Billy, the boy who likes her. I loved how this allowed readers to see Abby's actions (and how they affected so many people) from a different vantage point.

As a 14 year old high school freshman, Abby starts off the school year with her best friend, Faith, by her side. However, before long Faith has made a new friend and Abby is left feeling left out. Not to mention the pressure her mother and (younger) sister put on her to wear makeup and more feminine clothing. With this is mind, I could well understand why Abby turns to internet chatting and ultimately finds Luke.

What I couldn't understand was the amount of personal and completely inappropriate information Abby shares with Luke, under the guise that he is an online friend only and she will never actually meet him. Even with this in mind, I just couldn't imagine being in her place. And to me, that's what makes a good book, being able to imagine yourself in the story, experiencing what the characters do and feel.

Granted, when I was 14, the internet was not such a pervasive part of my everyday life as it seems it is for teens today (I'm not that old, but still...), but I can't see my teen self being taken in by a "Luke" as easily as Abby was. And I'm not ashamed to admit that even though I had good friends in high school, I had low self esteem and suffered from depression. And I definitely could not understand Abby's motivation behind running away with Luke. It's just unfathomable to me that she would meet and get into a car with someone who she met online and knew was significantly older than her. On the face of it, it seems extremely sketchy that a 20 something year old would be interested in a 14 year old. No matter how much older she may seem, look or act, that would ring GIANT alarm bells for me, especially if I was a smart girl like Abby (seemed) to be.


OVERALL
In the end though, when I really think about it objectively, there is a big difference between the academic and emotional intelligence that Abby possessed. And this is what made it easy for Luke to dupe her into thinking they had a real relationship and not that he was preying on her. Abby's insecurities, feelings of being left out and that people didn't like her for who she really was, made her the perfect target for Luke.

All personal feelings aside, WANT TO GO PRIVATE? is a well written story of the dangers of internet predators and how even those girls who are smart and have been warned can be susceptible. My rating for WANT TO GO PRIVATE? takes this into account and is based more on the story and content of the book itself, than my personal feelings about the character of Abby.


MEMORABLE QUOTE(S)
"I want to know how you could go off with some creep from the internet that you never met before in your life. How someone as smart as you could do something that stupid." (p. 265*)

"Like I said, you were busy and I guess I was feeling, I don't know lonely and... like... well, Luke listened to me. It was like he knew me better than anybody, and understood exactly what I was going through." (p. 266*)

"The thing is, you really don't know them at all. And the reason they're listening to you, and being so understanding isn't because they're real friends. It's because they're getting you to rely on them and trust them so they can take advantage of that trust and...hurt you." (p.326*)


*Quotes are taken from the ARC of WANT TO GO PRIVATE? and are subject to change at publication.




MY RATING IS

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(ARC TOUR) Book Review: RIPPLE

TITLE: RIPPLE

AUTHOR: Mandy Hubbard

IMPRINT: Razorbill/Penguin

PUBLICATION DATE: 21 July 2011

PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone



Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

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RIPPLE description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received an ARC of RIPPLE from AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

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THE TWEET
RIPPLE: Modern day teen siren caught between new love, past tragedy & possible end to dark and isolating existence. What will her choice be?


WHAT WORKED
Author Hubbard did a great job of making Lexi a character that readers could connect to and empathize with, even as we learn she has committed a big, albeit accidental, crime. I could imagine the self imposed isolation and loneliness that Lexi put herself through in order to protect others from getting hurt by her.

RIPPLE begins after the death of Steven, therefore Hubbard tells the story of Lexi and Steven through flashbacks. I liked how this drew out the mystery of how his death occurred. I kept reading because I wanted to find out what had happened during the night of his death. Of course, RIPPLE is told through the eyes of Lexi, even the flashbacks, but I think that readers are able to see more through the flashbacks than through the present feelings of Lexi expressed throughout the rest of the novel.

Normally, I don't like the use of romantic triangles in novels, but I did like the introduction of Erik in RIPPLE. I never saw him as competition for Cole (Lexi's love interest), but as a possible means to end Lexi's curse. It was interesting to see how Lexi was so focused on protecting others and had so much guilt over accidentally causing the death of another, that she was willing to sacrifice her happiness and future to make sure it didn't happen again. In retrospect, I felt Lexi put too much trust in Erik and what he told her, but I can see how she willingly believed him because she had no one else to turn to.



OVERALL
RIPPLE is a welcome addition to the teen paranormal genre. It is a well written story that incorporates mystery, romance and legend.


MEMORABLE QUOTE(S)
I sit in my car in the driveway, gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles turn white. It only takes a second for the car to cool. Two years since I've been in that house. The last time was the night I killed Steven.
p. 96-97*

He turns to look at me, and with how close we're sitting, our noses are just inches apart. His voice lowers. "But I guess you're worth the risk." He leans in slowly, and I close my eyes.
p.126*

Relief floods through me as I rest my cheek against his shoulder, breathing in the fresh scent of his bar soap, the same scent that still lingers on my skin. His body is warm, soft, secure, and I could stand like this all day, ignoring the pain on my skin and in my heart.
p. 253*

*All quotes taken from ARC and are subject to change at publication.


MY RATING IS

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Find RIPPLE at your local indie bookstore

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(Blog Tour) Book Review and Giveaway: THE PRISM OF ASHLEI (THE GAILEAN QUARTET)

TITLE: THE PRISM OF ASHLEI

AUTHOR: Christine Schulze

IMPRINT: CreateSpace

PUBLICATION DATE: 26 February 2010

PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

Ashlei almost dropped the glass, for a reflection suddenly stared at her in the Prism, a face which was not her own. The person also possessed red-gold hair, thick waves cascading over her shoulders. A dark indigo cape pulled close around her shoulders; her lips shone a vibrant red, her eyes a vibrant violet. For a moment, Ashlei was reminded of herself, though this person was certainly someone of great importance. Yet she was also the closest thing Ashlei had ever seen to a Fyre. The impossibly beautiful person staring at her must be a Fyre. Ashlei's heart pounded as those piercingly solemn and commanding eyes stared right at her. Seeing she'd commanded Ashlei's full wonder and attention, those crimson lips parted to speak: "Hello, Ashlei."

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THE PRISM OF ASHLEI description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received an electronic copy of THE PRISM OF ASHLEI as part of a blog tour arranged by the TEEN BOOK SCENE.

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THE TWEET
Escape into the lush world of THE PRISM OF ASHLEI, where a young girl must complete a quest to stop the evil Rachendorf from taking over.

WHAT WORKED
THE PRISM OF ASHLEI is a wonderful story that is easy to escape into for a few hours. For me, it was the perfect "summer read." I loved the lush descriptions of Ashlei's world and the character interaction was great.

What drew me in to THE PRISM OF ASHLEI was the action right from the start. This is a classic adventure story, with a few twists thrown in, that pulls a reader in and doesn't let go until the conclusion of the story. It's fast paced, yet easy to read and understand, despite being set in a very different world from reality.

I liked how the author used a flashback to tell Ashlei's story to Aryl during their initial encounter. Since the story begins with Ashlei having already started on her journey, it was necessary for the author to give some sort of backstory to explain how Ashlei got to that point. The use of a flashback to do this kept the story interesting and was as far away from an info dump as possible.

I also liked how, despite this being part of a series, THE PRISM OF ASHLEI is a complete story with a definite ending (no cliffhanger!). While I appreciate the use of cliffhangers to make readers want to continue with the series, I personally want to read a complete story with an ending. You can still hook readers without having to end a novel suddenly in the middle of an event or story arc.

OVERALL
Fans of fantasy and adventure will enjoy THE PRISM OF ASHLEI. The story itself may be a little conventional, but the fast paced action and adventure keep it interesting.

THE PRISM OF ASHLEI is appropriate for middle grade and teen readers alike.

MY RATING IS

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Want to win THE GAILEAN QUARTET and have a character named after you? Enter author Christine Schulze's contest HERE.

For more information on THE PRISM OF ASHLEI, THE GAILEAN QUARTET and author Christine Schulze, visit THE GOLDEN HEALER.

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(Blog Tour) Book Review: THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS

TITLE: THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS

AUTHOR: Jane George

IMPRINT: Red Willow Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: 15 April 2011

PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

When the enigmatic Ringmaster asks 15-year-old Evanja (Evan) Leane to run away and join the circus, she says yes. Anywhere’s got to be better than foster home Number Eight. Evan learns that this ragtag circus, a haven for throwaway teens, relies on more than spectacle and illusion. This circus is built on magic. Each of the teens possesses a donvrai, a true gift, that manifests only in the presence of the Ringmaster’s mysterious Ju-Ju. Unlike many of the other teens who must wait for their donvrai to emerge, Evan’s gift surfaces on her first night: she can read horses’ minds. This would be totally awesome except she has been deathly afraid of horses since foster home Number Three. But circus is a dying art. If Evan wants to save her beloved new-found home, she must concoct a brilliant horse act that will bring in the crowds. And she’d better get over herself and get on with it fast; there’s a traitor close to the Ringmaster who will stop at nothing to make sure she doesn’t succeed.

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THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received an electronic copy of THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE

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THE TWEET
THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS: an imaginative story of a magical circus, a teen girl w/a special ability & her journey to find a place to belong.

WHAT WORKED
I requested to be part of this tour because the book synopsis said it was about a teen girl who joins a magical circus to get away from an abusive life. Really, what could be better than a circus and a magical one at that? Nothing apparently! THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS was an adventurous novel that gave readers an inside look at circus life. And the magical aspect of the story really drew me into the plot and characters.

Evanje, a.k.a. Evan, is a wonderfully developed character. I was immediately drawn into her story and could empathize with her feelings of wanted to escape her abusive foster home and find a place where she would not only belong, but where she would be truly loved. And she found this at the circus. I especially liked the development of the unconventional family the circus members represented. Even though they were not all related by blood, they stood up for their fellow circus folk and were willing to do anything to help each other. This was a great contrast to the "family" situation that Evan escaped, where she was treated completely opposite.

THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS also contained black and white illustrations that made the story come alive for me. They made the imaginative and magical story seem more real because I would actually see an artist's rendition of the world and people existing in it.

OVERALL
I loved the circus atmosphere described in THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS. The individual characters and their special abilities, or donrovai, were interesting to read about and made THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS an exceptional story.

MY RATING IS

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For more information on THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS and author Jane George, visit
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER

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(Blog Tour) Book Review: STUPID FAST

TITLE: STUPID FAST

AUTHOR: Geoff Herbach

IMPRINT: Sourcebooks Fire

PUBLICATION DATE: 1 June 2011

PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone

Fifteen-year-old Felton Reinstein has always been on the smallish side, but in his sophomore year he starts growing...and growing.

During gym one day he smokes the football jocks in a 600-yard race. Felton has never been interested in sports, but there's no doubt-he is "stupid fast." As he juggles his newfound athletic prowess, his mom's sudden depression, an annoying little brother, and his first love, he discovers a shocking secret about his past which explains why he's turning out the way he is.

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STUPID FAST description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received an ARC of STUPID FAST as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE

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THE TWEET
STUPID FAST leads readers into the average life of a teenage boy and allows them to see into his thoughts and feelings.

WHAT WORKED
Felton is a somewhat dorky, somewhat nerdy boy, who one day hits the puberty lottery by becoming a tall, "stupid fast" teen. His story (told first person through the eyes of Felton) is genuine and heartfelt, though it can wonder off point at times, yet it really embodies the struggles a male teenager has to go through. Felton is by no means popular, but his fastness garners attention from the more popular crowd, specifically football players, who want to use his ability to their advantage in the game.

STUPID FAST is hardly just about sports though. In his home life, Felton is forced to take on adult responsibilities because of a, physically here, yet still absent, mother, who is struggling with the past and present. Felton takes on a kind of father-figure aspect for his brother, Andrew. I liked how the author, Geoff Herbach, was able to incorporate this serious family dynamic into STUPID FAST, yet still have a good deal of humor throughout the storyline.

OVERALL
STUPID FAST is a great addition to a genre that is lacking in stories based around a main male teenage character. While it may turn off some female readers, STUPID FAST is a good story with an authentic look into the mind of a teenage boy.


MY RATING IS

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To learn more about STUPID FAST and author Geoff Herbach, visit his WEBSITE

Click HERE to purchase STUPID FAST from The Book Depository.

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(Blog Tour) Book Review: THE SEXT CRIME

TITLE: THE SEXT CRIME (COVERT YOUTH AGENCY #2)

AUTHOR: Jason Ancona

IMPRINT: CreateSpace

PUBLICATION DATE: 1 March 2011

PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: THE CASE OF TANGLED LOVE

SNAP--a girl sexts racy pics of herself.
She thought the fun shots would stay between her and her boyfriend.

SNAP--an anonymous hacker hijacks her photos.
If she doesn't obey, she'll be exposed.

SNAP--the Covert Youth Agency takes the girl's case.
The agents jump headfirst into Operation: Sext Crime. Their new client has less than a week to surrender to the hacker's ultimatum. Or else the naughty photos go "wide."

SEND--a squad of goons are closing in on C.Y.A. members.
Agent identities may be unmasked.

REPLY ALL--end communication.
It's not safe.

WARNING--this book contains NO explicit sexual content.
Material suitable for ages 12 and above. May contain some humor.

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THE SEXT CRIME description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received an electronic copy of THE SEXT CRIME as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE.

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THE TWEET
The CYA gang is at it again in THE SEXT CRIME, a witty and hilarious novel that explores the serious phenomenon of "sexting" and blackmail.

WHAT WORKED
THE SEXT CRIME is such a great book because of it's rich character development and the interaction between said characters. Pi (Peter), the math nerd, Tollhouse, the field agent, and Lightman (do not call her Delilah!), the extraordinary computer hacker, are a great team because they fit so well together, despite their differences. The constant bickering between Lightman and Tollhouse create laugh out loud scenes. And Lightman has a way of using her intelligence to get adults to do whatever she wants, even with her sarcastic banter and attitude.

And dare I mention the important issue that Ancona has tackled with THE SEXT CRIME? Normally, I dislike books where the main storyline is the "issue" the author is trying to get across to readers. Ancona has done a great job of showing the dangers of "sexting" and the blackmail that can ensue from it, yet he has an actual story that is engaging and hilarious, and not too "Afterschool Special." (Those of you who don't recognize this reference: Ask your parents.)

OVERALL
Jason Ancona has created wonderful characters that draw readers into their story. The characters are realistic, funny and likable. Ancona has written yet another great novel that will appeal to teens and older middle graders. Check out the first book in the series, THE CASE OF TANGLED LOVE, for an introduction to the COVERT YOUTH AGENCY and it's members.


MY RATING IS

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For more information on THE SEXT CRIME and author Jason Ancona, visit:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK

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(Blog Tour) Book Review: QUEEN BEE OF BRIDGETON

TITLE: THE QUEEN BEE OF BRIDGETON
AUTHOR: Leslie DuBois
IMPRINT: Little Prince Publishing
PUBLICATION DATE: 17 May 2011
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

When fifteen-year-old Sonya Garrison is accepted into the prestigious Bridgeton Academy, she soon discovers that rich girls are just as dangerous as the thugs in her home of Venton Heights. Maybe more so. After catching the eye of the star, white basketball player and unwittingly becoming the most popular girl in school, she earns the hatred of the three most ruthless and vindictive girls at Bridgeton. Can she defeat the reigning high school royalty? Or will they succeed in ruining her lifelong dream of becoming a world class dancer?


THE QUEEN BEE OF BRIDGETON description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.
I received a finished copy of THE QUEEN BEE OF BRIDGETON as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE.

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THE TWEET
This is the story of a dedicated and talented teenage ballet dancer trying to find a place to belong in a privileged world unlike her own.

WHAT WORKED
I loved the character of Sonia! She's a talented ballet student who is determined to succeed and is not afraid to work hard to reach her goal of becoming a professional dancer. Sonia is caught between two worlds - that of her poverty stricken home life and her school life at a prestigious academy where the students are rich and privileged. As a reader, Sonia's character was easy to relate to and I was able to identify with her struggle to find a place to fit into, a place to belong.

OVERALL
THE QUEEN BEE OF BRIDGETON is a great contemporary story about a teen girl looking for her niche in life and finding love along the way. It's about navigating jealousy, prejudice and deceit and overcoming obstacles on the way to achieving a lifelong dream.

MY RATING IS

For more information on author Leslie DuBois and THE QUEEN BEE OF BRIDGETON, visit her WEBSITE.

(Blog Tour) Book Review: DREAMWALK

TITLE: DREAMWALK
AUTHOR: Sarah MacManus
IMPRINT: Young Rebel Publications
PUBLICATION DATE: 14 May 2011
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone

DREAMWALK is a romantic mixed beat of time travel and mythology for both teens and adults. After the death of her mother, Chloe Hawthorn is haunted by terrifying nighttime hallucinations. Determined to take control of her dreams, she uses them to find Shane Anderson, a charming and troubled musician whose online videos have been holding her in thrall. She finds him in the Dreamtime, sweating out heroin detox in a run-down rehab center.

Chloe sets out to find Shane in the waking world and discovers her dreams have been taking her into the past. Horrified, Chloe realizes Shane doesn't survive his addictions. In order to save him, Chloe must master her Australian mother's legacy — the secret of walking the Dreaming through time. But what price will Chloe pay for this Dreamwalk and will she save Shane only to lose him forever?


DREAMWALK description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.
I received an electronic copy of DREAMWALK as part of a book tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE .

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THE TWEET
Past, present and future is blended with Australian Aboriginal myth in DREAMWALK, a unique story about 2 teens connecting through dreams.

WHAT WORKED
I loved how DREAMWALK blended past and present to create a unique and interesting story. This blending gave the story a surreal quality and kept me guessing about whether Chloe and Shane's encounters were just a figment of one of their imaginations.

While the story was told from the point of view Chloe, author MacManus showed Shane's point of view through journal entries. I liked this tactic because it allowed me as a reader to learn more about Shane from a personal standpoint, rather than just through the filter of Chloe's feelings.

WHAT DIDN'T WORK
I thought that the development of Chloe and Shane's romance was way too rushed. I didn't like how fast they went from not knowing each other to making out and beyond. This rush made the story seem less realistic, especially with a teen protagonist. I could believe an adult woman possibly having a relationship similar to Chloe and Shane's, but for a teen with limited sexual experience, it didn't seem as believable.

OVERALL
I enjoyed reading DREAMWALK. MacManus obviously did extensive research about the beliefs and culture of the Australian Aboriginal people and this shows through in her storyline. One warning: Due to sexual content and drug use mentioned in DREAMWALK, I would recommend this story to older teens and adults.

MY RATING IS

For more information about Sarah MacManus and DREAMWALK, visit her WEBSITE.