Waiting on Wednesday: The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:

Title: The Walls Around Us
Author: Nova Ren Suma
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Release Date: 24th March 2015
Find on: Goodreads

“Ori’s dead because of what happened out behind the theater, in the tunnel made out of trees. She’s dead because she got sent to that place upstate, locked up with those monsters. And she got sent there because of me.”


The Walls Around Us is a ghostly story of suspense told in two voices—one still living and one long dead. On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement. On the inside, within the walls of a girls’ juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom. Tying these two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries.

We hear Amber’s story and Violet’s, and through them Orianna’s, first from one angle, then from another, until gradually we begin to get the whole picture—which is not necessarily the one that either Amber or Violet wants us to see.
Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and innocence, and what happens when one is mistaken for the other.

These types of creepy stories are my favourite because they definitely don't bore me and I'd definitely like to see how the author manages to tell the story from the POV of a dead girl. I heard she does it quite well :p Did I mention the cover is beautiful? I believe it really captures the book's overall atmosphere!! This will be my first Nova Ren Suma book and I can't wait! P.S. I got approved for an e-galley of this book on NetGalley and can't wait to dig in!!!

Teaser Tuesday #7

@ Should Be Reading

Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's been a while since I've done a teaser!!! Here's one, taken from Invisible by Dawn Metcalf, which is the second book in a series called the Twixt. I'm currently enjoying it so far!!! :) Please share the links to your teasers in the comments below, or if you don't have a blog, just your teaser.

'There was no use trying to deny it. Joy blew the blade clean, just like Ink, watching the tiny droplets of red lift and disappear under her breath- pg117

ARC Review: Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander

Title: Love and Other Unkown Variables
Author: Shannon Lee Alexander
Release Date: 7th October 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. 

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. 

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

Detailed Review: Detailed Review: <<I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback>>

Sorry for the really delayed review! Apologies to the publisher and author. I've been so busy nowadays that I can hardly find time to blog! 

Love and Other Unknown Variables was pretty much a book for John Green fans. It was a cross between The Fault in our Stars and Looking for Alaska. And a bit of Am Abundance of Katherines as well. And if you're wondering, I have read every John Green book except Let It Snow.

So you have this really smart and logical guy and this mysterious girl who is terminally ill? Instant sparks and then a love story. And considerably very John Green-ish. 

Oh, but it's so much more than that. It's not JUST a love story, it's a story of a logical person's perception of love. It tells a story about love shaking your world to its very core, causing you to lose certainty of your life and future. In the end, it doesn't even matter.

I didn't even realise the effect this book had on me until one particular part that linked to the very first chapter. Here's an idea of how it was like. The chapter headers weren't common ones like Chapter 1. It was more of a logical idea, like Charlie's personality. 

I will give you a taste of the first chapter.

1.0

Beginnings are tricky things. I've been staring at this blank page for forty-seven minutes. It is infinite with possibilities. Once I begin, they diminish.

Scientifically, I know beginnings don't exist. The world is made of energy, which is neither created nor destroyed. Everything she is was here before me. Everything she was will always remain. Her existence touches both my past and future at one point- infinity.

Lifelines aren't lines at all. They're more like circles.

It's safe to start anywhere and the story will curve its way back to the starting point. Eventually.

In other words, it doesn't matter where I begin. It doesn't change the end.

And so it begins, from 1.0 on the circle up to 1.0 again. It really does happen in the book, when the circle reaches 0.0. I just lost it then. And no, it wasn't the beginning. Is there really any real beginning in a circle? You won't understand, but if you read this book, you will. 

My favourite character wasn't Charlie or Charlotte; it was a character who, although didn't appear as often as the main characters, played a vital role in the book and liven it up. She is Mrs Dunwitty, whose garden Charlie ran over in his car when he was daydreaming about Charlotte. This means that he has to come back every afternoon after school to repair the garden until its whole again. The old woman was like a reminder to me that it was ok to stand out in the crowd, with her house door painted flamingo-ass pink, and her own species of roses, the Harvest Moon. She definitely wins an award for best supporting character. Greta comes a close second. Friendship is as important as romance in this book.

The plot, was not how John Green would have structured it, so it did have a sense of originality I liked. It was ordinary, primarily, but it didn't play down the love Charlie and Charlotte had for each other. I believe it did the exact opposite. The story instead augmented their love. I liked the fact that it showed the power of first love, and how it was its own force, independent of any variables- except for Charlotte's sickness, of course, but does it even matter if she's sick? I don't think so. I believe it would be the same thing even if Charlotte wasn't sick.

Finally, the pairing couldn't have been more perfect. Charlie is a logical person, anchored by his planned future. Charlotte was more like drifter, drifting from one place to another and finding solace and herself in art. And as they say, opposites attract.

There was one part where there was a painting in Charlotte's house of a barn with holes. A girl was looking through it. The girl was Charlotte's sister, Jo and the barn was Charlotte. 

Get it ? GET IT? 

Oh lord, another book of metaphors. Another person has risen up to continue John Green's legacy. But I don't mind. I really don't mind.

Brief Review: In Love And Other Unknown Variables, we see Charlie's perspective of love firsthand, mixed in with biological references of reactions to love. With characters like Charlie and Charlotte, sparks will instantly fly between the both of them. This book shows the power of first love and how it defies even science and logic, mixed in with new friendships and life lessons. It certainly shines as bright as a John Green book, or possibly even brighter!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE:

 I'm going to use a quote featured in the book, which I believe highlights the theme in the book so well,

How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?--- Albert Einstein

Your Reviewer:

Waiting on Wednesday: The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:

Title: The Last Time We Say Goodbye
Author: Cynthia Hand
Release Date: 10th February 2015
Publisher: Harper Teen
Find on: Goodreads

There's death all around us.
We just don't pay attention.
Until we do.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.

Why do I want to read this book? Pfft, Cynthia Hand is writing this book! I love her so so so much because Unearthly was beautiful and amazing. I'd love to see how Hand's first contemporary comes out!

ARC Review: Floating Boy and The Girl Who Couldn't Fly by P.T. Jones

Title: Floating Boy and The Girl Who Couldn't Fly
Authors: Stephen Graham Jones & Paul Tremblay
Release Date: 11th November 2014
Publisher: Chizine Publications
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Mary's life is going fine. Except for being a freshman in high school. And having anxiety attacks. And her dad having no job. So, introduce one boy who can fly, kidnap the little brother she's supposed to be babysitting, and drop a military quarantine on her town and that should make her anxiety completely disappear, right? Wrong!

Detailed Review: I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

This is possibly the most negative review I've ever written. Frankly, it's the first bad review I've written so far in my blogging career.

Everything in this book ticked me off. Especially the main character, Mary. I get that she has anxiety, a mental disorder which I understand can be really bad plus the anxiety attacks. But, was it really necessary to bring it up all the time throughout the book? This just served to make me think that the writers wanted to make us think Mary was weak. I understand that anxiety can make you feel weak or helpless at times but I was hoping that maybe the obstacles that Mary had to go through could change something in her, somehow. The authors' attempt at depicting anxiety didn't go quite well.

Mary did possess some heroine in her at times, but those times were rare and I still didn't like her.

The rest of the characters were just a blur, like static in the background and I didn't even focus of them. It was just all over the place.

And the storytelling was just. I can't even describe it. There wasn't even a proper climax. There were some plot twists, but they didn't really do much to alter the course of the story. They weren't life-changing.

In the current YA industry, non life-altering plot twists simply wouldn't do it for many. When you've read lots of good books, your expectations will be higher, which is unfortunate for books like this.

All I could think was that two authors had this brilliant idea they thought could be used in a story and that was all. They seemed to give no thought to climaxes and resolutions or build-ups.

Don't get me wrong. Part of the reason why I requested this book on NetGalley was that I liked the idea as it seemed original and would be a really good and light break from all the heavy reading I'd done. But no matter how good the idea is, it's success also depends on the story telling and characters.

The authors didn't pull the story-telling and characters off quite well as they did with the original idea. Their writing style also dragged the story endlessly at times and this made me wonder at the point of continuing to read it, but I was persistent. Their attempt at using some humourous adjectives didn't go unnoticed but they were very much unappreciated. More straightforward writing would have done the trick. Sometimes simplicity is the key. I did almost DNF this book a few times, mind you.

There actually is romance, but to me it was pretty non-existent because like the characters, there was no development and lacked depth. It was exactly like all those romances that happen suddenly with no background and things building up to THAT moment. I know the authors really tried to make the romance seem more real, but I think the romance was unneccesary. A close friendship between Mary and Floating Boy would be so much more believable.

NOTE: I'm not saying you shouldn't read this book because opinions can vary and I'd like to hear your opinion if you've read it!

Brief Review: This book was mainly a disappointment. Originality was present in this book, but good storytelling skills and characters were sadly not, thus making it rather dull and plain. I did understand that the book was about a girl who didn't fit in with the rest and teaches us about standing out in a world where everyone was the same, but the authors really overdid it. Simplicity would have done it for Floating Boy and The Girl Who Couldn't Fly.


Final Rating: 2/5 'It was OK...'

QUOTE: 

This would be my advice to Mary,

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them---Maya Angelou

Your Reviewer:

BLOGOVERSARY DAY 6: Danielle L. Jensen

Finally, we've reached the end!!! Today, I have an author who has been one of my favourites since her debut novel came out this year. She writes about trolls and prophecies and witches with some forbidden romance mixed in it... If you've got one author in mind, you may be right. If not, well let me introduce you to her.

Let's welcome Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird, the first book in the Malediction trilogy!!!

So here's the interview some of you must have been waiting for!!!

1. Trolls are not commonly featured in books. Why did you want to write about them in your books?

Stolen Songbird was inspired by a dream I had about the setting, and the trolls came into being as I built a story to fit my vision of Trollus. So they sort of created themselves rather than being creatures that I consciously set out to write about.

2. How would you feel if you were a troll?

Claustrophobic. I don’t like caves or confined spaces. But being magical would be pretty awesome. Sometimes I feel sad that I have no special powers.

3. What should we expect from Hidden Huntress?

It’s a lot darker than the first book. Stolen Songbird has many light-hearted moments, and Hidden Huntress doesn’t. All the characters have tough choices to make. It’s the hardest book I’ve ever written. I’ve posted the first page on my Goodreads blog, if anyone wants a bit of a teaser.  

4. How did you feel when you first published Stolen Songbird?

When I first found out that there were editors interested in my book, I cried. It’s really overwhelming to realize that a dream you’ve had for years is about to come true. Sometimes it still feels surreal.

5. What if Stolen Songbird was made into a movie? Which actors would you pick to act out your characters?

That would be pretty cool! I don’t like to say which actors resemble my vision of my characters, because I prefer readers to come up with their own mental images of what everyone looks like. But I LOVE hearing which actors readers think should be cast, so feel free to share your ideas ☺

6. Why did you pick a French background for Cecile in the trilogy?

Primarily because it provided the atmosphere I wanted. I had the 18th century court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and the French revolution in mind while I was writing.

7. Will Tristan suffer a lot in Hidden Huntress? (I seriously hope not.)

He suffers physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’m very hard on him in this book. *evil laugh*

8. I'm really curious. Do you plan to have a love triangle somewhere in the story? (PLEASE NO I SHIP CECILE AND TRISTAN)

No love triangle in this trilogy. Those two have enough obstacles to overcome without me throwing another love interest into the mix.

9. Who do you think is the best character in Stolen Songbird?

My favourite characters are Marc and Anaïs. Marc, because he is a total sweetie despite all the unfortunate things that have happened to him, and Anaïs, because she is even more complex than Tristan and a total badass. She deserves her own novel.

10. If you had the chance to kidnap an author, who would it be?

Maggie Stiefvater, and I’d demand she take me on a road trip in her Camaro.

Interesting answers to my questions!! I loved interviewing you, Danielle! Thanks for agreeing to participate in this!!!

If you'd like to read my review of Stolen Songbird, click HERE!

ABOUT DANIELLE

Danielle was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. At the insistence of the left side of her brain, she graduated in 2003 from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s degree in finance. But the right side of her brain has ever been mutinous; and in 2010, it sent her back to school to complete an entirely impractical English literature degree at Mount Royal University and to pursue publication. Much to her satisfaction, the right side shows no sign of relinquishing its domination.

You can find more about her and her books at her website: http://danielleljensen.com





And finally the last giveaway!!!! This is definitely something you wouldn't want to miss!!! Danielle will be giving away two signed Stolen Songbird swag packs!!! That sounds awfully delicious to me... Good luck! This is international!!!


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BLOGOVERSARY DAY 5: Diane Mannino

Finally, I'm back from vacation and I'm glad to announce the blogging hiatus ends NOW! Today, we have Diane Mannino on the blog today! If you're not familiar with that name, she is an indie author who wrote the YA contemporary romance series Running From Romeo. I've read all of her books and I loved them so much!

1. Why did you choose to go into writing?

 I discovered my love for writing when I was young. I used to make up stories and English was always my favorite subject. I majored in English in college. I think I love writing so much because I love reading so much. There's nothing better than getting lost in a really great book. Do you feel that way? After college, I wrote for a couple magazines as well as a couple television shows. In a nutshell, I chose to go into writing because I always loved it!
2. You decided to self-publish your book. Why didn't you choose to publish your books through a major publishing house like Harper Collins? 

I'd love to publish through a major publishing house, but I know how hard it is. It can take years for an unknown author to get picked up by a major publisher. It took Kathryn Stockett three years to get "The Help" published. Self-publishing is a great way to get your book out there without waiting forever.

3. You've been mainly focused on romance in your books. Do you think books would be as good without romance in them?

 I love a good romance, but I also love books without it. Sometimes romance can get in the way of a good plot line. For example, there are plenty of thrillers (a genre I really enjoy) that are fantastic books and sometimes romance plays a part and it works. And other times, it's better if it's not developed. 
4. What do you think actually makes a good book? 

This questions ties in perfectly with my answer above because a good book may not have romance in it. A good book? Hmm...I think everyone has a different opinion on what makes a good book. But for me, a good book is one that draws me in from the first page, has well-developed characters, and a plot that makes you NOT want to put the book down. I also feel a really good book makes you feel a bit sad when you're done reading it. It makes you want more. :)

5. Friendship is also important in your books. Do you have friends like Chloe and Bryn in your life? 

I think we all want friends like Chloe and Bryn. I know some readers are bothered by Bryn, but she does and says everything because she's so protective of Emilia. She may come across as too overbearing, but in her heart, she only wants Emilia to be happy and safe. Don't we all want a friend like this? But I sort of went off topic! Yes, I have a couple girlfriends like them, but they drink more wine than margaritas. ;)
Haha, I absolutely get what you mean! 

6. Have you had ideas for any upcoming books?

 I wrote "Running from Romeo" and "Waiting for Romeo" with the intention of writing more books. I definitely left several unanswered questions in "Waiting for Romeo" that would be explained in future books. I hope to write more, but right now I'm busy being a mom to my two teenage daughters and I don't have much time to write at the moment! 

That is absolutely great news to hear from you!

7. How would you react if any of your books was made into a movie?

I think any author isn't being honest if they tell you they wouldn't be thrilled to have their book made into a movie! I would be super excited.

8. Will you try to venture into other genres like fantasy? 

I love the "Harry Potter" series and would absolutely love to write a series like that, but J.K. Rowling is a genius and my imagination isn't nearly as awesome as her's! I feel like my books kind of dabble a bit into other genres that I enjoy. I don't think it's strictly a "romance." There's some mystery and thriller elements to it so down the line I'd probably continue with those genres. 

9. If you could kidnap an author, who would it be and why?

 Lol! There's a couple I'd love to kidnap just to hang out with them and have a glass of wine with! Definitely J.K. Rowling, but only if she's okay with it! Stephen King would be another one and I'd have to say John Green. Why? They are all so incredibly talented!

10. What's your all-time favorite book?

 Yikes! Only one? I don't think I can choose just one. "The Great Gatsby," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Jane Eyre" are probably my favorite classics. My fave contemporary would be "Harry Potter." I'm sure I'm forgetting some...what's your fave? 

That's a hard question for me too, I'm afraid... All time favourite? Hmm... I'd have to agree with you on Harry Potter and To Kill a Mockingbird. I'll probably add The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare and Stolen Songbird by Danielle Jensen to the list! Of course, there are many more... (which I'm too lazy to list out one by one). Just go to my Goodreads profile and look at the 5-star books in my shelf; there IS a lot.

Thanks for answering my questions, Diane!

You can find my review for Running from Romeo HERE.

And HERE is my review of Waiting for Romeo!

I certainly didn't forget the giveaway, if you were wondering!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DIANE MANNINO graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in English Literature. She is a former writer for Museum and Arts Washington and Star Magazine as well as several television shows, including, Inside Edition, American Journal, and E! News Daily. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Running from Romeo is her first novel and she is currently working on the sequel.

Website: http://dianemannino.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningFromRomeo?fref=ts

HERE IS WHAT WE'LL BE GIVING AWAY IN THE GIVEAWAY!!!! IT IS INTERNATIONAL.

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