Review: This is Where it Ends

Title: This is Where it Ends
Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Publication Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads | Book Depository 

10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03
The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05
Someone starts shooting.

Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

This book gutted me in a quiet and unexpected way.

           

            The actual story is told over the span of 54 minutes, yet there is so much history encompassed in these pages; the kind of history that speaks to what kind fo town Opportunity is, the legacy of its families, and, of course, the intimate lives of the narrators of this event. There are multiple POVs but it was never confusing and I felt like I was not only able to get to know each character but really connect with them. By the end of the book, felt regret, mournful, and relief alongside them- a rare feat for any author to accomplish, especially in such a short amount of pages. I’ll be honest, I’m usually quite picky about books that have a lot of flashbacks but this one pulled it off amazingly well.

I really enjoyed this story, not only because it was gripping in a horrifying can’t-look-away kind of way. The author did a great job fleshing out all of the characters and I wanted to applaud the different representations she included to give a true multifaceted view of how all of this came to happen.

There are tough themes in the book like bullying, abuse, and sexual assault and by the end there is so much regret and heartbreak. This book is dark, diverse, maybe controversial, and hauntingly real. A powerful debut by Marieke Nijkamp, and one that has me looking forward to her future works. 

Review: Don't Tell

Title: Don't Tell
Author: Mercy Amare
Publication date: September 21, 2012
Synopsis:

I could be surrounded by a million people, but I would still feel alone. I smile on the outside, but inside I feel like I’m slowly dying. I cry out for help, but nobody sees me, at least not the real me. They see a façade, a mask that I put on to hide the pain.

I pretend that I’m normal, but really, what is normal? Maybe what I’m feeling is normal. The hurt, the disappointment, the loneliness… it could be all just be a part of life. Maybe I will never know what normal is.

I put on long sleeves and makeup to hide the bruises, but they only mask the outside. What happens when I can’t carry my burden alone any longer? What would happen if I told somebody the truth?

This book was the perfect blend of gritty and sweet.

Lucy is a girl who, on the outside appears to have a perfect life, but in reality, behind closed doors, she suffers from abuse inflicted by her alcoholic father. I liked that this book tackled a tough and serious issue, but didn't let it dominate the whole story. This story is also about falling in love and exploring the limits of what someone would do for the person they loved.

This book is written from the dual POVs of Lucy, the girl who is suffering when no one is looking, and Ian, the golden boy of school who has been in love with Lucy for almost his entire life. I'm normally not crazy about dual POVs, but I really enjoyed getting to know both of these characters. My heart went out to Lucy for what she was going through. At times, I wanted to reach into the book and give her a big hug. I love how good Lucy was despite all that she was going through; her life was hell, but she still managed to be a kind person and a good friend. Ian was super sweet, the kind of perfect guy who could have easily become a cliché but didn't. Ian is honest, kind, and quite mature for a high school boy. He's the kind of guy that any girl would be lucky to date.

This book was quite short, but I thing so much was covered in the span of 66 pages. The story was concise, getting right down to the core of the story without any unnecessary drama. Overall, I thought the pacing was nice, however, due to its length, the point of view switched very frequently and the romance felt brisk at times. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by how well I felt I got to know the characters despite the story's brevity, and there was actual character development happening! In only 66 pages! I've seen 300-some page books who never achieved the character development that this book did.

The only thing that really bothered me was how Lucy's beauty was emphasized over and over again. Yes, I understand that she is a beautiful girl, but there's no need to remind me every single time Ian lays eyes on her! She's pretty, yes, but she was also a beautiful person on the inside, always very caring and nice. I wish that had been emphasized more than her physical attributes.

Rating: 3.75 stars*

I think any fan of YA contemporary and romance would like reading this. Literally, you could read this in one sitting, and believe me, it's hard to put this book down. The only thing that's keeping me from giving this a full four stars is because I just feel like I'm missing that extra oomph that probably could've been achieved with some more time for development and transition.

On a random note: 
You want to know the weirdest thing about this book? The fact that the blurb says Lucy always wears long sleeves to cover the bruises, but the girl on the cover is wearing a tank top! O__o

*I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Review: Rape Girl

Title: Rape Girl
Author: Alina Klein
Publication date: June 5th, 2012
Publisher: namelos

Rating: 4 stars*

Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.

But not the rape girl.

That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same.

Rape Girl is the compelling story of a survivor who does the right thing and suffers for it. It is also the story of a young woman’s struggle to find the strength to fight back.

Shell-shocked. Amazed. Appalled. Dumb-founded.

These were all adjectives that described me upon finishing Rape Girl. 

Wow. Just...wow.

This is the story of Valerie, the "rape girl," as she's called by the people who don't believe her story. Why is that, you might ask? Because her rapist is an upstanding member of the community, whose dream, I might add, is to become a mormon missionary.Not exactly the sexually deviant type, and because of that, Valerie gets alienated and ridiculed as the girl who cried rape.

First off, I would just like to applaud Alina Klein for not being afraid to be in-your-face about this. I'm not saying this book is very graphic--it's not. However, from the bold title and the synopsis, Klein does not shy away from the sensitive subject about this book. She could have chosen a less-subtle title. But she didn't.

This book grabs your attention and the story keeps you captivated--whether in a good way or a bad way, that's for you to decide.

Rape Girl was very real. There were no false pretenses that rapists are always violent and scary, or that victims always get justice. Klein depicted the situation, the status quo, as it really is, however disappointing that reality might be. This book is an unflinchingly honest account of a horrible crime and it. Is. Worth. Reading.

All in all: This wasn't a light or happy read. But ultimately I am glad I read it because this book tackles a very tough issue, one that happens all too often, with amazing honesty. This isn't a very long book, but it says exactly what needs to be said.

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Review: Speechless

 Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Publication Date: August 28th, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there's strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself.

Fact #1: Clichés in YA are annoying to read about.

Fact #2: Hannah Harrington is an amazing author and can make the most overused clichés work.

Speechless is a unique blend of commonly-used themes, such as high school and bullying, and a very refreshing, new idea: a vow of silence.

The high school environment in Speechless is a huge cliché: the popular kids rule and there's a gorgeous queen bee that can make your life miserable if she chooses. Seriously though, whose high school is actually like that?! I know mine's not. This is a cliché used time and time again in YA, and while I wasn't crazy about it in this book, Harrington still managed to win me over with her magnificent characters. 

Chelsea Knot starts off as the typical popular mean girl--the gossiper, the follower. In the beginning, she's the type of character you love to hate. However, as the novel progressed, I fell more and more in love with Chelsea's character. This girl is funny, sassy, and tough as nails. Yes, she made a bad decision, but she chose to do the right thing, despite what it would cost her, and in the face of all the bullying she endured, she kept her head high and she never let it break her. 

Despite the fact that she doesn't actually talk to anyone for most of the novel--vow of silence, remember?--I loved her voice. It's so distinct and utterly relatable and very realistic. Chelsea underwent so much character growth throughout the novel and I loved seeing the inner Chelsea overcome the years of social conforming she did to please her so-called best friend.

The side characters were also fantastic. Chelsea's new friends were super cool people that I wished I could meet in real life and while the romance was a bit slow, I liked the development between Chelsea and Sam.  
But guys. More importantly... HARPER AND JAKE MAKE A CAMEO APPEARANCE!! 
That one little excerpt literally made my day as I read this.  :D

My Rating: 4.5 stars*
This is a powerful and emotional book and even inspirational book, with interspersed moments of utter hilariousness and garnished with sparkling wit. Hannah Harrington had such a strong debut novel that I worried Speechless wouldn't be able to live up to, but she did it. She's crafted an another spectacular must-read novel that I can't wait to add to my shelf!

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review

Review: Looking for Alaska

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Publication Date: December 28th, 2006
Publisher: Speak

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

"I go to seek a Great Perhaps."

Like a lot of people, my first John Green book was actually The Fault in Our Stars. Needless to say, I fell in love with TFIOS, and a few months later, I discovered John’s youtube channel.

Oh. My. Gosh. John Green is quite possibly the most awesome person ever.

Aside from joining Nerdfighteria, I also became obsessed with reading more John Green awesomeness.

So I went to my local library and got Looking for Alaska, read it, and….

French. The. Llama.

This books is um kinda AMAZING.

I was absolutely floored by the fact that this was a debut novel because it is just so beautifully written and the characters are all magnificently complex and relatable and it just seemed so incredible that someone’s first-ever novel could be SO fantastic. 

John Green has this uncanny ability to make his stories and characters very REAL. Not as in this-happened-in-real-life kind of thing (though this book was inspired by his own time in boarding school) but real as in I could actually see these characters as being people I wish I could meet in real life. These characters are pretty quite quirky, very hilarious, and richly complex with emotional depth. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

All in all: This book is an enjoyable mishmash of humor and craziness, but also darker emotions such as guilt and grief. I had no problem relating to and becoming invested in the characters and I think that this book is a must-read for any YA enthusiast!  

Review: In Honor

In Honor
By Jessi Kirby
Published May 8th, 2012 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

"Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

     Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?"

-Goodreads

Rating: 3.5 stars

My first thought when I got this book was “Oh. It’s thinner than I thought it’d be.”

This pretty much sums up my overall response to this book: I wish there’d been MORE.

It’s not that I didn’t like this book because I did. It’s got a road trip, a swoon-worthy boy, good humor, and good relationship build-up… but I just feel like it could’ve been a lot better. I wish there could have been more depth, more character development, more romance… just more.

As a protagonist, Honor was great, maybe not always relatable, but definitely likeable. She goes through a lot in the story, what with coping with her brother’s death. She’s lost and confused and a tad angry. The whole road trip helped her come to terms and find herself again. She underwent some character growth, but I felt like throughout the entire book, all I really saw was one facet, two at most, of Honor, and I didn’t really know who she was beyond a grief-stricken and confused sister.

The romance in this book was more build-up than actual romance. Rusty was a great (pretty swoon-worthy) character—the more I read, the more I liked him. Believe me, when it comes to Rusty, first impressions are not very accurate; he’s full of surprises. However, while I felt like I got to know what kind of a person he was, I didn’t really get to know him. I wish I could've known more of what he was thinking.

Finn, Honor’s brother, while deceased and not actually physically present throughout the entire book, was a character I really wish I could’ve gotten to know more about. He’s the kind of guy that all girls wish they could meet and a character that I wish an author would write a prequel about.

The prose in this book was good, very descriptive at times, but it didn’t captivate me. I wasn’t hanging on to the author’s every word—sometimes my eyes would just skim a paragraph instead of reading and savoring every word. I was hoping that a story like this would invoke emotion in me--like say, turn me into a sobbing mess or something--and while it may have happened for some people, it unfortunately fell a bit flat for me.

All in all, this book was a good contemporary read. Maybe not great, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.   

Review: The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green

Published January 10th 2012 by Dutton Books

 Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

~goodreads

Rating: 5 stars
Review: 

This is by far the most unique YA cancer novel I've ever read (though not to say I've read very very many).
Hazel and Augustus were both such distinct, quirky, unique characters. A lot of people have complained that they don't talk like regular teens, and yeah, they would be right. I have never met any teenager that talks as intellectually or metaphorically as Augustus Waters--or describes a swing set as "pedophilic" for that matter. They are both shockingly mature for their age and everything out of their mouth sounds like a perfect, quotable, well-planned speech. So no, they're not exactly normal, everyday teenagers, but I think their individuality is really what gives the novel its spark.

Hazel is definitely a character that will stay with me for a long time. What really drew me in to her was her view on cancer patients--how they are the collateral damage of evolution--and the fact that, unlike most people, she didn't particularly care about leaving some big mark on the world after her death. Augustus, on the other hand, was just so sweet and hilarious in his love of metaphors! I honestly could not think of a more suitable couple than the two of them. They complement each other in the best way.

I also loved how John Greene incorporated the fictional novel, An Imperial Affliction (by Peter van Houten) as such a central part of the novel. In a way, the girl in the fake book mirrors Hazel. AIA is also a driving force for the plot of this novel and connecting thread for Hazel and Augusts. (Admittedly, I was terrified in the beginning that The Fault in Our Stars would have a similar ending to that of An Imperial Affliction...) Plus, it's always nice to see a character super passionate (might I say, obsessed?) with a book (so I know I'm not alone on that front!)

I wish I could think of the perfect way to describe this story, but I think Jodi Picoult summed it up best when she said that this book was "filled with staccato bursts of humor and tragedy." Usually, when I'm least expecting it, the most hilarious dialogue will suddenly pop out and make me laugh out loud. Then, in the course of just a few sentences, the author can shift the mood to one of somberness! John Greene is so talented at this, I've found, and this story of his is so written so poignantly that I got quite emotional myself.

Honestly, this book was quite an emotional roller coaster. One minute you're laughing, the next you're probably going to be on the verge of tears, because the story is undoubtedly sad, but it so poignant. I especially loved the ending, how Greene concludes with the letter. It. Brought. Me. To. Tears.

I highly highly recommend this book--absolutely beautiful! And I guarantee that the story will stay with you for a long time.

Review: Out of Sight, Out of Time

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5)
By Ally Carter

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.


Rating: 5/5
Review: 

 Mind. Is. Blown.
Goodness gracious is it ever! Ally Carter has totally stepped it up with this book and raised the bar. I mean, the previous four books were great, starting off pretty light and fluffy, although the last two books showed signs of getting more serious and nitty-gritty, this book definitely raised it to a whole new level!


Cammie is no longer the naive and innocent spy girl who would sneak out to go on dates. She wakes up on the other side of the world with mysterious wounds all over her body, a total makeover, and absolutely no memory of what happened. She eventually returns to the Gallagher Academy, but she's not the same girl. There's a definite sense of paranoia as she tries to figure out what happened to her over the summer. At times, as the reader, I couldn't even be sure if she was in her right mind! 


At the same time, it was great seeing Bex, Macey, Liz, and especially Zach around the new her. MINI SPOILER: At the beginning, I know it looks like there might be a little something going on with Zach and Bex.... but fear not! It's not what you think! 


While Cammie's roommates are understandably upset and angry at her for leaving, they went all out to protect her once she returned. Carter does such a great job creating this wonderful sisterhood and family. 


And ZACH! *Sigh* if you've seen my book boyfriend post about him, you know that I am crazy about Zachary Goode! I absolutely loved how this book showed you a different side of Zach--one where he's not the one with all the secrets, where he's kept in the dark just like everyone else. Oh, you can definitely tell he does NOT like being in the dark, but this totally shows off his sweet side where Cammie's concerned. 


When the truth really did come out, I was... oh my. Flabbergasted. Shocked. Mind-blown. My heart really went out to Cammie for all the things she endured that summer and believe me, there was a certain someone I really really wanted to beat up.... Oh my lord, this book was absolutely hearwrenching! Like I said, on a COMPLETELY different level from all the previous ones. I was sucked in from page 1 and literally could not put it down until I was done! And now... I must endure more agonizing wait time as Ally Carter writes up the 6th (and final?!) book! 


(And does anyone else think there might be a little somethin'-somethin' happening between Abby and Townsend in the next book??? Or is it just me? Because I could totally see that happening, especially after this book!)

Review: Saving June

Saving June
by Hannah Harrington
Published May 1st 2011 by Harlequin Teen

‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.
-goodreads

Rating: 5/5 stars
Review:
Oh. My goodness.
To say that I loved this book would be a gross understatement. Argh! I can't even formulate into words just how much I fell in love with this book!

Have you ever had a book where, once you realize you're close to finishing, you actually dread the actual act of reading the last page?
 Yeah, that's me with regards to this book! I loved it so much I wished it would never end! Like one of those soap operas that go on forever. I really wouldn't mind that.
And THIS was me when I actually did finish...
(Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration--I actually didn't have any ice cream--but i was rather devastated)

This book was just so darn good! Great! Amazing! Fantastical!
I know that the premise of Saving June sounds quite depressing what with the dead sister and everything-- which, by the way, what is with all the dead sisters in YA lately?!--but really, there's is a lot of interspersed humor in this book, making it not a downright depressing read. This book is about death and suicide, but more than that it's about how people recover from that. To say that Saving June is an emotional roller coaster does not due the experience of reading it justice.

Harper Scott is officially my new favorite literary character.
She is full of imperfections. She's got a bad attitude at times, she's snarky and sarcastic, insecure because she feels like she can't measure up to her sister, isn't exactly coping well with said sister's death, and has a hard time feeling emotions. Absolutely cynical.

And that's why I adore her. She is clearly flawed, but so, so real. She is all those things I said above, but she's also incredibly strong and fiercely loyal and caring to people important to her. Plus, there's just something really honest about her narration--she really tells it like it is, no holds barred. (And personally, I loved the sarcasm and snark.)

Laney and Jake. God, I loved both of them so much as well! Give me a BFF like Laney, and I'll be set for life! She is truly the best friend that all girls wish they could have. She is so supportive and loving towards Harper throughout this whole ordeal, despite her own fair share of problems! And Jake? Heck yeah I would road trip with him! All the characters, really, are just so well-rounded and three-dimensional and real, like they could just jump off the pages! They each have their own issues, which you don't see at first, but then you get to know them and before you know it, you are just completely in love with all three of them.

And the ROMANCE! Good God, the romance.
I. Loved. Every. Moment.
I've also discovered that I actually really like those love-hate type of relationships--you know the ones, where the boy and girl bicker and argue constantly, always challenging each other and getting on each others' nerves. But then of course, they're only falling deeper and deeper in love with each argument ; ) 
Anyways, that pretty much describes Jake and Harper---but I think what I loved most was that there was not instalove! Thank you, Hannah Harrington! I honestly cannot stand that sort of instant boy-and-girl-lock-eyes-and-girl-becomes-obsessed/infatuated-because-of-an-indescribable-connection-and-the-boy-is-extremely-attractive sort of thing. Jake and Harper's relationship was natural, if not slightly uncommon, and the buildup was just great! Oh Jake. I am seriously swooning here...  

I enjoy YA novels of all kind (thought, admittedly much more if there's romance...) but it's YA novels like this that are my absolute favorite. Books that deal with tough contemporary themes--stuff like drugs and alcohol and death and messed up things that have happened, which may shock some readers--books that just really grip you and refuse to let go. I can't really explain them, but I just love novels like these. (Ex: Jellicoe Road)

And plus, this is a road trip novel. I mean, really, can it get any better?!

Subliminal Message: READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS BOOK.

Review: Don't Breathe a Word

Don't Breathe a Word
by Holly Cupala
Published January 3rd 2012 by HarperTeen

Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.
-goodreads blurb

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review:
Wow. I like a good fluffy chick-lit as much as the next girl, but from time to time, I love reading a book like this: absolutely raw and emotional (I admit, I got a little emotional towards the end) and addresses some major contemporary problems. You don't normally see a book like this very often and as soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I was going to like it--but boy, I did not expect to like it this much!

This book tackles so many contemporary issues--like, really tough and intense issues--and does it so well that I don't even know where to begin!

Joy has a seemingly great life complete with a rich, popular boyfriend, but looks can be deceiving because the guy, Asher, is a total creep! At the end of the book I seriously wanted to smack him! Their relationship was unhealthy (practically poisonous!) from the start and only spirals downward, but Joy was quite amazing in how strong she was. Normally, when you think of a girl in an abusive relationship, you don't really picture her as being uber strong, but I thought she really was. She put up with his mind games and practically sacrificed herself to protect her family. But when it was finally too much to take, she left, choosing a solution that would not endanger her family. For that, I applaud her. Because really, I certainly wouldn't have had the courage to just give everything up and start living on the streets!

Then, enter Creed, Santos, and May. These guys eventually become a new family for Joy, reborn Triste. I loved every single one of them! Even May. Though it did take some time for me to warm up to her...but the more I got to know her, the more I liked her, especially when I realized how self-sacrificing she was. Santos was lovable to no end and I thought he was so sweet to teach Joy/Triste survival skills on the streets. And, of course, we can't forget about Creed! Loved him! He's the protector of the group who's always looking out for all three of them. His dream is to be a musician and like Joy, he didn't grow up on the streets. He ran away from something bad too and, honestly guys, the two of them are like kindred spirits!

It was so fascinating to read about how people on the streets survive---dumpster-diving, shoplifting, sleeping in abandoned houses or under a bridge (really), and making alliances on the streets, etc.--  and it really opened my eyes. In my opinion, there should definitely be more books like these!

Some people might think that the ending wraps itself up very nicely--a little too nicely. But I'm just going to come right out and say that I, for one, thought it was great. OK, yes, the happy ending isn't exactly reflective of most real-life scenarios, but I like my happy endings goshdarnit!

Bottom Line: READ THIS BOOK. GOOD GOD WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING SITTING THERE?! GO! GET THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!
(but I wouldn't recommend this to young kids due to risky topics such as theft, drug abuse, prostitution, and violence)

Quotes
"When the worst happens and you still survive, it sets you free from fear."


"ASHES.
He had reduced me to ashes.
And now I would rise."

“Maybe that's why he watched over all of us--because of the ones he couldn't protect, he took care of the ones he could.”  


“At home, they'd clipped my wings and then caged me so I couldn't fall. Here, they bandaged one another's broken wings, helped each other fly.”

Review: The Piper's Son

The Piper's Son
by Melina Marchetta
published March 8th, 2011by Candlewick Press

Melina Marchetta's brilliant, heart-wrenching new novel takes up the story of the group of friends from her best-selling, much-loved book Saving Francesca - only this time it's five years later and Thomas Mackee is the one who needs saving.

Thomas Mackee wants oblivion. Wants to forget parents who leave and friends he used to care about and a string of one-night stands, and favorite uncles being blown to smithereens on their way to work on the other side of the world.

But when his flatmates turn him out of the house, Tom moves in with his single, pregnant aunt, Georgie. And starts working at the Union pub with his former friends. And winds up living with his grieving father again. And remembers how he abandoned Tara Finke two years ago, after his uncle's death.

And in a year when everything's broken, Tom realizes that his family and friends need him to help put the pieces back together as much as he needs them.            --goodreads


Rating: 5/5 


Review:  Oh gosh, I bet I know what you're thinking right now: "wait a minute, another Melina Marchetta book?!" 
YES. Another Melina Marchetta book. Honestly, if you've read my other reviews of Jellicoe Road and/or Saving Francesca, then you know that there are not enough good things I can say about Ms. Marchetta's books. They. Are. Effing. Amazing. 

So... naturally when I found out there was a "sequel" of sorts for to Saving Francesca, I HAD TO HAVE IT! (If you're a bibliophile and you're reading this, then you know what I'm talking about....hopefully...) While Jellicoe Road is still my absolute favorite (the absolute bastion of great writing--hee hee reference to Tara Finke), I still freakin' loved this book! 

This book was written about two characters: Tom (aka Thomas Mackee) and his aunt Georgie. This is the first of Marchetta's books that I've read where it was written in 3rd person---now I'm normally not a huge fan of 3rd person narratives because I have a hard time connecting with the characters, but believe me, that was not a problem here. Marchetta had me sympathizing, laughing, and crying with the characters in no time! Her book is just that powerful. It literally tugs at your heartstrings and you really can't help but be moved by the emotion and love in her books. But it's not even as though the emotional moments, the tearjerker ones, were blatantly obvious--not like a Love That Dog death scene or even The Notebook's kissing in the rain scene--Marchetta creates little moments, specific, undetectable lines throughout the book that really don't get to you at first, but boy, when it accumulates, it is a whopper of an emotional punch. 


Tom is a character you may have hated in Saving Francesca, but, trust me, you will surely love him by the end of this novel. He definitely has some butt-hole-ish moments which would make you want to smack some sense into him, but as the novel progresses, he really recovers from the nadir of life that he was in, from all the hurt he's been through, and you learn just how decent and disarmingly sweet he is. There were multiple moments when I just wanted to give him a big bear hug. 


I also really enjoyed reading about Georgie's life and her problems. Yes, she is in her 40s and is pregnant, and it's not really like I can relate to that, but the strange thing is, I kind of did relate. Not to the whole pregnant part obviously, but after learning about her past, her situation, and of course, Sam, you can understand why her decisions, her circumstances were so gray---Nothing was a clear cut black-or-white.

I absolutely adored the simple fact that Marchetta chose to continue the story of the gang from Saving Francesca--I loved seeing how Francesca and Will fared, five years later, loved learning the the story of Tom's life, and just plain melted at reading about the inner workings/feelings of their friendship as it grew over the years. 

This book was little confusing at first because you're introduced to so many family characters and literally, you are in medias res with little explanation of who anyone is, but then Marchetta works her magic and by the end, you will be able to know/keep straight every single character in this book.

The author really stretches the limits of YA fiction, considering the co-protagonist is a 40-ish year old pregnant woman--with lots of drama going on in her life. Marchetta has a schtick for tackling tough issue in her books---depression, death, abandonment, drugs, etc. In fact, if you think about it, the plot line of this book can actually be considered...soap-opera-ish. But it isn't actually.  She crafts a real story about loss, grief, redemption, forgiveness, and love.

Read this. 'Nuff said. Actually, I basically wrote paragraphs telling you why you should read this so "'nuff said" really isn't enough.... but now I'm done--OH! Except for now, I would really really really like another sequel--one about Jimmy! That would make me one VERY happy camper!


Some favorite quotes
“Maybe she'd always been there. Maybe strangers enter your heart first and then you spent the rest of your life searching for them. ” 

"They used to talk about you a lot," Ned says. "Frankie said you had all waited forever to meet each other and that it was the real thing as far as friendships went. 'He'll come back to us,' she'd say. I heard every story in the world about every moment you all had and I remember once you came in and they pointed you out. 'That's him. That's our Thomas.'"

“Don't let anyone take care of you. Can you maybe leave that for me to do? I mean, take care of you? Feel free to take care of me in return... because I think I'll need you to do that.” ---Tom to Tara

“Her voice whispering love soothes him. They'd never done that before. Weren't that type of family. Except now he doesn't know what kind of family they are. What word is it that can define them? What would they call his family in the textbooks? Broken? He comes from a broken home. The Mackees can't be put back together again. There are too many pieces of them missing.” 

"P.S. I don't recall the word dick or head being in Frankie's text that day you turned up at the Union. As you pointed out, I have a brilliant memory, and the exact words were, I think we're getting our Tom back."             --Siobhan's email

Review: Saving Francesca

Saving Francesca
by Melina Marchetta
published May 9, 2006 by Random House Children's Books

Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastians, a boys' school that's pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom.  Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an an impossibly dorky accordion player.  The boys are no better, from Thomas who specializes in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can't seem to stop thinking about.

Then there's Francesca's mother, who always thinks she knows what's best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, along, and without an inkling who she really is.  Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.              -goodreads



Rating: 4.5/5
Review: Arghh I just simply can't get enough of Melina Marchetta's books! Ever since Jellicoe Road, I have been having these random moments of (for lack of better words) craving for Marchetta's books the same way pregnant people have random food cravings! Now while Saving Francesca did not have the same absolute profound/mind-blowing effect that Jellicoe Road did, I really really enjoyed it. 


DON'T let the cover fool you! This book is not as lighthearted and silly and chick-lit-y as this cover portrays it to be. This book tackles some pretty tough issues like depression and its impact on others. Marchetta executes this perfectly. Honestly, there's just something about her writing--her style isn't particularly extravagant or Dickens-esque, it's authentic and real-- but it packs such an emotional punch! Her words have a way of worming its way to your heart and then BAM! Before you know it, you are emotionally invested in the novel! Seriously, her stories just have a way of tugging at your heartstrings and it'll have you laughing and crying before you know it. 

And that's the thing--you don't actually realize how emotionally invested you are until it's too late! Saving Francesca started off a little...not slow exactly, but just not very exciting and engaging. Don't get me wrong, it was good and everything, but not wow! material. 

Then, and I have no clue how this happened, but events started to unfold and it's like suddenly I was along on this emotional roller coaster with the characters! I was laughing at Francesca's humor, loving her group of friends as much as she does, and having some pretty emotional moments myself when it came to her family.

I think it's fair to say that Melina Marchetta is the Ninja of Emotional Writing...

Not only that, but she is the master of creating realistic and complex characters. Gosh, I could go on and on about how much I loved all the characters and relationships in this story because they were just crafted sooo darn well! I was seriously wishing that her characters could be real so I could meet and befriend them. 

But enough of my ranting--bottom line: read this book! It's fantastic. But here, I'll let the book speak for itself...

"Do you think I look like Sophia Loren?" I ask him as we get into the car.
"I used to tell your mother she looked like Sophia Loren." He looks at me, frowning, and then it registers. "Oh God, some guy's using that line on you, isn't he?"
"Not just 'some guy,'" I tell him. "The guy."

“People with lost personalities will suffer a great deal more than those with lost virginities.” 


“I miss the Stella girls telling me what I am. That I'm sweet and placid and accommodating and loyal and nonthreatening and good to have around. And Mia. I want her to say, "Frankie, you're silly, you're lazy, you're talented, you're passionate, you're restrained, you're blossoming, you're contrary."
I want to be an adjective again. But I'm a noun.
A nothing. A nobody. A no one.”




“It's a weird smile, but it reaches his eyes and I bottle it. And I put it in my ammo pack that's kept right next to my soul and Justine's spirit and Siobham's hope and Tara's passions. Because if I'm going to wake up one morning and not be able to get out of bed, I'm going to need everything I've got to fight this disease that could be sleeping inside of me.” 

“Do you think people have noticed that I'm around?"
"I notice when you're not. Does that count?”