Release Day Review: This Song Will Save Your Life

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales



Age Range: 12 and up


Hardcover: 288 pages


Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 17, 2013)


Genre: Young Adult contemporary


Source: Publisher via NetGalley (thank you!)


Rating: 3 of 5 stars

About the Book:

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All
throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider
in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise
nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she
meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet
mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most
importantly, a love for DJing.


Told in a refreshingly genuine and
laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an
exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to
bring people together.

About the Author:

Leila Sales grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 2006. Now she lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works in the mostly glamorous world of children's book publishing. Leila spends most of her time thinking about sleeping, kittens, dance parties, and stories that she wants to write.



Website

My Thoughts:

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


This is a tough review for me to write. First, let me say what I loved about the book.  It was well written, interesting, and addictive. I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with Elise and her story and I just had to see how things turned out for her. I felt like she was a very believable character and I became very invested in her.  I loved, loved, loved her interest in DJing and the way it affected her emotionally and socially.

I really enjoyed the way she tries to make herself over to fit in with everyone else, only to have it backfire.  Then she remakes herself over again, but the time, as herself. She discovers who she is and realizes that she's known it all along.  The writing, the plot, and the characters are all fantastic. 

I love the cover. Brilliant, gorgeous cover. I want to make a poster out of it and hang it on my wall so I can look at it every day.

So why 3 stars? Language.  I was shocked at how many F-words (among other words) were in these pages.  I kept thinking, good grief, this is a teen novel?  The other reason was the sexual content.  It's not overly detailed, and "it" doesn't technically happen, but I don't have a better word for what does happen.  I think that sometimes authors forget how young their audience really is.

While I loved this book for many reasons, I still have to say that it contains too much adult content for me to recommend it to a teen audience.  I would have doled out a whole-hearted 5 star rating if it hadn't been for the language and sexual content.

Content: graphic language and sexual situations.  

Amazon | Goodreads

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Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality - Review

Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg

Age Range: 12 and up

Grade Level: 7 and up

Hardcover: 272 pages

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc (March 1, 2013)

Series: None

Genre: Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

About the Book:

A hilarious new novel from Elizabeth Eulberg about taking the wall out of the wallflower so she can bloom.

Don't mess with a girl with a Great Personality.

Everybody loves Lexi. She's popular, smart, funny...but she's never been one of those girls, the pretty ones who get all the attention from guys. And on top of that, her seven-year-old sister, Mackenzie, is a terror in a tiara, and part of a pageant scene where she gets praised for her beauty (with the help of fake hair and tons of makeup).

Lexi's sick of it. She's sick of being the girl who hears about kisses instead of getting them. She's sick of being ignored by her longtime crush, Logan. She's sick of being taken for granted by her pageant-obsessed mom. And she's sick of having all her family's money wasted on a phony pursuit of perfection.

The time has come for Lexi to step out from the sidelines. Girls without great personalities aren't going to know what hit them. Because Lexi's going to play the beauty game - and she's in it to win it.

Amazon | Goodreads | Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to college at Syracuse University and making a career in the New York City book biz. Now a full-time writer, she is the author of The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, and Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick.

Website | Twitter | Facebook 

My Thoughts:

I thought this book was going to be funny, so I picked it up while I was in the mood for something humorous. Initially I was disappointed that it wasn't a laugh out loud type of book, especially since the blurb claims it is "hilarious", but it was still very entertaining.

Lexi is a sweet girl with a great personality, but she is tired of being stuck in the friend zone. Eventually, she accepts a friend's challenge to put more effort into her appearance. She then has to start navigating the tricky world of boys, jealous baby sisters, and insecure popular girls. The story itself is interesting, and the inclusion of beauty pageants and the behind-the-scenes look at the pageant families adds something fresh to an otherwise formulaic plot.

My biggest gripe with the story is Logan. This is a bit of a spoiler, so don't read this if you don't want to know anything. All through the book, Logan comes across as sweet, caring, and sincere. He is desperately clinging on to the last shreds of his relationship with his girlfriend, and he is super nice to Lexi. As soon as he and Lexi go out, he suddenly turns into a jerk. I just didn't find the way that whole thing played out to be very believable. I did love Taylor and I thought he was a great addition to the story. He was a good example of how a boy should treat a girl. I am interested to see if this will turn into a series.

3 STARS

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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YA Review: The look by Sophia Bennett

The Look by Sophia Bennett


Age Range: 12 and up

Series: None

Genre: Contemporary

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Scholastic/Chicken House (March 1, 2013)

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (thank you!)

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

About the Book:

Can she be a supermodel and a super-sister? She finds her answer in just one look.

Two sisters, both beautiful in different ways: Fifteen-year-old Ted has got "The Look." That's what the scout for the modeling agency tells her, and she can't believe her luck. But just as Ted's jet-setting off on her new career, Ava is diagnosed with cancer. Can Ted be a supermodel and a super-sister? Or will she have to choose between family and fame? With their worlds turned upside down, the girls have to look past appearances, look deep inside, to figure out what really matters.

About the Author:

Sophia Bennett won first place in the second annual LONDON TIMES/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition with her debut, SEQUINS, SECRETS, AND SILVER LININGS, a novel that combines her long-standing obsession with fashion with her keen desire to write for young readers. Sophia lives with her husband and children in cosmopolitan London, England. 

Website | Twitter

My Thoughts:

This book is NOT what I was prepared for. I expected a light, fluffy, humorous story about a girl stumbling into becoming a model. And for the first few pages, that's exactly what it is. But there is so much more to the story. Even though cancer is mentioned in the synopsis, I was not prepared for it when it showed up.  As a result, I spent a couple of really late nights bawling my eyes out.

The characters are wonderful. I love them all. Ted is such a sweetheart and she develops such a wonderful relationship with her sister, Ava. I love the journey that Ted goes on, how she finds herself, and how she refuses to compromise her standards.

The book is well researched and it's obvious that the author has done her homework. I haven't read many cancer books, but modeling seems to be a very popular topic right now. Combining the two creates this amazing, tension filled world that Ted and her sister must learn to navigate. The sisterhood in this story is simply beautiful.

I loved it. I loved it. I loved it!

Amazon | Goodreads

  

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison

The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison

Age Range: 12 and up

Series: The Rose Throne #1

Genre: Fantasy

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Egmont USA (May 14, 2013)

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (thank you!)

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

 About the Book:

Richly-imagined fantasy romance from the author of Princess and the Hound, a tale of two princesses--one with magic, one with none--who dare seek love in a world where real choice can never be theirs. For fans of Megan Whalen Turner, Catherine Fisher, and Cassandra Clare. 

Ailsbet loves nothing more than music; tall and red-haired, she's impatient with the artifice and ceremony of her father's court. Marissa adores the world of her island home and feels she has much to offer when she finally inherits the throne from her wise, good-tempered father. The trouble is that neither princess has the power--or the magic--to rule alone, and if the kingdoms can be united, which princess will end up ruling the joint land? For both, the only goal would seem to be a strategic marriage to a man who can bring his own brand of power to the throne. But will either girl be able to marry for love? And can either of these two princesses, rivals though they have never met, afford to let the other live?

About the Author:

My name is pronounced "Metty" like my mother's "Betty." It is Danish, and we were all named after ancestors. I guess by the time they got to number nine (out of eleven), it was getting tricky. So I got the funny Danish name no one knew how to prounounce. In Denmark, it should be "meta" like "metaphysical." It's from the Greek for "pearl." And no, it's not short for anything. Not even Mediterannean.

My first book, THE MONSTER IN ME was accepted for publication in 1999 and was published in 2002. My second book, MIRA, MIRROR was published in 2004. The latest book, THE PRINCESS AND THE HOUND , was published in 2007. A sequel, THE PRINCESS AND THE BEAR, came out in April of 2009.

I now live in Utah with my husband and 5 children, ages 5 to 14. I write during nap time, or at 4 in the morning, or while the broccoli for dinner is burning. Whenever I get a chance. I love to write the kind of books that I love to read. And I love to discover what is going to happen next, just like a reader would. I also do some racing in triathlon.

Website

My Thoughts:

This is such an interesting book. There are many characters that hold a lot of sway in how the story turns out. It is a well developed fantasy with feminist undertones. It surprised me that I didn't get irritated by this. But the author weaves it into the story in such a way that it doesn't feel preachy or awkward. In fact, many of those aspects make the book more interesting and give the characters life.

The characters are diverse in their personalities, desires, and abilities. There are many different levels of danger, ambition, and motivation for each of them.  Generally, they are likable, with the exception of the ones you are supposed to dislike. While Ailsbet's self-pity party does get annoying, she grows into herself and learns to control her own destiny as much as she can.

The ending hints that this will become a series, and I can't wait to see where the story goes after this.

Amazon | Goodreads

   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Geek Girl by Holly Smale


Age Range: 12 and up

Genre: Contemporary

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Paperback: 378 pages

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books (February 28th 2013)

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (thank you!)

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars!

 

 

About the Book:

“My name is Harriet Manners, and I am a geek.”

Harriet Manners knows that a cat has 32 muscles in each ear, a “jiffy”
lasts 1/100th of a second, and the average person laughs 15 times per
day. She knows that bats always turn left when exiting a cave and that
peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.



But she doesn’t know why nobody at school seems to like her.



So when Harriet is spotted by a top model agent, she grabs the chance to
reinvent herself. Even if it means stealing her best friend's dream,
incurring the wrath of her arch enemy Alexa, and repeatedly humiliating
herself in front of impossibly handsome model Nick. Even if it means
lying to the people she loves.


Veering from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly
enthusiastic father and her uber-geeky stalker, Toby, Harriet begins to realize that the world of fashion doesn't seem to like her any more than
the real world did.


As her old life starts to fall apart, will Harriet be able to transform herself before she ruins everything? 

Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook

About the Author:

Holly fell in love with writing at five years old, when she realized that books didn't grow on trees like apples. A passion for travel, adventure and wearing no shoes
has since led her all over the world: she has visited 20 countries, spent two years working as an English teacher in Japan, volunteered in Nepal, been bartered for in Jamaica and had a number of ear-plugs stolen in Australia, Indonesia and India.

As a teenager, she also did a little modelling in the hope that eventually she would be sent somewhere exciting.


She wasn't.


Holly has a BA in English Literature, an MA in Shakespeare, and currently lives either in London or @holsmale.


Website | Twitter

My Thoughts:

This is what a young adult novel should be. It's laugh out loud funny
with a quirky, totally adorable and geeky heroine that sees the world
differently.  Oh my goodness, I just love this book!


Harriet is a wonderful character to read about and she has some
fantastic light-bulb moments throughout the course of the story. She
learns to accept and love herself the way she is, no excuses and no
apologies.  The other characters are fun and quirky in their own way and
add to the humor and insight of the book.


There are a couple of mild expletives, but everything else is very
clean. If you like clean young adult humor, then this is a good choice.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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Review: Fallen Angel by Molly Snow

Fallen Angel by Molly Snow

Age Range: 12 and up

Publisher: Breezy Reads (May 17, 2013)

Publisher Website: http://www.breezyreads.com/

Genre: Young Adult romance

Source: Copy from author for review

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

About the Book:

Teen angel, Persephone, is the only one in all of Heaven who can’t sing. In fact, her name literally means “Voice of Destruction.” So diving down one of Heaven’s portals, straight into singer Taylor Hamilton’s bedroom, seems like a good idea at the time. Maybe, just maybe, he can help. Plus, he is sooo cute!

While it can be fun swooning over a mortal, it can also be frustrating. Angels aren’t supposed to fall for mortals. Then there’s Taylor’s guardian angel, who is ready to sabotage the budding romance at every turn. Will Persephone learn to sing before Heaven calls her back? And, most importantly, can love prevail for an angel who has fallen head-over-wings for a mortal?

About Molly Snow:

Molly Snow is a Top 10 Idaho Fiction Author, awarded by The Idaho Book Extravaganza. Her works include quirky teen romances BeSwitched and Fallen Angel. Also a speaker on writing, her school assemblies have been featured in The Contra Costa Times and The Brentwood Press. Snow is married to her high school crush, has a set of silly twin boys and a bobtail cat named Meow-Meow.

Blog

My Thoughts:

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is precisely what it looks like. It is a light, clean romance about a teenage angel falling to earth to be with a mortal boy.  The romance is sweet and perfectly clean.  There are a couple of very chaste kisses that happen. The characters are a bit shallow, but generally likeable.  The plot is predictable yet still enjoyable.

I would have liked to see the writing and the characters a little more developed.  While the feel of the book was very light and breezy, it almost felt under-developed.  Almost.  I still enjoyed the story quite a bit and I plan on reading more of Molly's work.

If you are looking for something light, clean, and fun, this is a good choice. This is a good book to read on an afternoon when you just want a feel-good story.   This book will appeal to tween and teen readers.

Content: clean.

The Cover: So adorable! I love the colors and the placement of the girl. The title design is perfect for the book, too.

Amazon | Goodreads

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Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau



Age Range: 12 and up

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (June 4, 2013)

Source: NetGalley (Thank you!)

Rating: 3 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?


The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.


Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.


But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

Praise:

"There is nothing standardized about this Testing. Charbonneau's imagination will surprise readers at every turn."

—Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness


"Action-packed and full of twists, The Testing will keep you guessing until the very last page—and desperate for the next book!"　

—Erica O'Rourke, author of the Torn Trilogy


"The rising tension, skillfully executed scenarios, and rich characterizations all contribute to an exciting story bound to capture readers' imaginations. . . . Charbonneau works action, romance, intrigue, and a plausible dystopian premise into a near-flawless
narrative."

—Publishers Weekly, starred review


"Charbonneau jumps into the packed dystopia field with a mashup of Veronica Roth's Divergent (2011) and Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy, but she successfully makes her story her own."

—Kirkus

About the Author:

I am a storyteller at heart. I have performed in a variety of operas, musical theatre and children's theatre productions across the Chicagoland area.


While I'm happy to perform for an audience, I am equally delighted to teach private voice lessons and use my experience from the stage to create compelling characters on the page. I am the author of the Rebecca Robbins mystery series (Minotaur Books), The Paige Marshall Glee Club mysteries (Berkley) and The Testing YA triology (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).


Website

My Thoughts:

I've never been a huge fan of dystopian novels, but there are some good ones out there. The Testing is okay. It's nothing new, and most of it is very generic.  While the plot and premise are both interesting, the characters aren't developed very well.  The writing lacks a distinctive voice, and most character interactions feel forced. I am not in love with the book, but I don't hate it either.  It falls right in the middle for me.  That being said, it is still a well planned novel that most dystopian fans will enjoy.


Content: violence and disturbing scenes.

Amazon | Goodreads

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Cover Reveal: Fallen Angel by Molly Snow

Fallen Angel by Molly Snow

Teen angel, Persephone, is the only one in all of Heaven who can't sing. In fact, her name literally means "Voice of Destruction." So diving down one of Heaven's portals, straight into singer Taylor Hamilton’s bedroom, seems like a good idea at the time. Maybe, just maybe, he can help. Plus, he is sooo cute!

While it can be fun swooning over a mortal, it can also be frustrating. Angels aren't supposed to fall for mortals. Then there's Taylor's guardian angel, who is ready to sabotage the budding romance at every turn. Will Persephone learn to sing before Heaven calls her back? And, most importantly, can love prevail for an angel who has fallen head-over-wings for a mortal?

 About Molly Snow:

 Molly Snow is a Top 10 Idaho Fiction Author, awarded by The Idaho Book Extravaganza. Her works include quirky teen romances BeSwitched and Fallen Angel. Also a speaker on writing, her school assemblies have been featured in The Contra Costa Times and The Brentwood Press. Snow is married to her high school crush, has a set of silly twin boys and a bobtail cat named Meow-Meow.

Author's Blog: http://www.mollysnowfiction.blogspot.com/

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