Title:  Breaking Beautiful [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Jennifer Shaw Wolf [website] [twitter]  [facebook]
Genre:  Contemporary
Publisher: Walker and Company
Series: None
Format: eBook (ARC) (via Net Galley)
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Michelle
Parental Advisory: alcohol, sexual situations, language, criminal activity
Teachable Moments: physical and emotional abuse

“I touch the wound that’s morphing into a scar on the back of my head.  Coarse new hair pokes through where the stitches used to be.  It itches.  I guess that means it’s healing.”

Summary (from the publisher):
Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip died in a horrible car accident — including her memory of the event.  As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town.  Allie knows she must tell the truth.  Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free?

Opinion:
After a deadly accident has claimed the life of her boyfriend Allie struggles to regain her memory as her own traumatic head injury begins to heal.  Told in varying perspectives (present and flashbacks to the past) the mystery of what happened between she and Trip is revealed.  In these revelations the reader experiences the discovery of Trip’s escalating abuse, begins to understand Allie’s involvement in the accident that has killed him and the watches as she rebuilds relationships she’d let fall away.

I have read quite a few books in which the female lead has lost her memory of certain events and the reader follows as she starts to put the pieces back together.  Though it would seem a simple enough plot I’ve seen it executed poorly and I’ve seen it done well.  Breaking Beautiful is one such story that is put together exceptionally well.  Even though I found small portions predictable I enjoyed the progression of the story as it unfolded.  This is due to the pacing Wolf employed.  I never found it too slow nor did I find it excitably rushed to get to the big reveal. To that end, it was written with enough prose and background information that it didn’t give too much away while still avoiding the potential to leave the reader in the dark flailing for direction.

The greatest strength of this book is it’s characters.  Allie is well drawn — she felt equal parts guilty for her role in Trip’s death, mystified and confused by the same, and then as she starts rebuilding her life without him she begins to open up to the many possibilities stretched out before her.  In particular, I found the parts where she is tentatively rebuilding relationships with her friends (most notably Blake) to be particularly realistic.  She feel remorse for how she has treated them and though there is discomfort she finds their reactions and behavior in response to be understandable.  She takes her abuse (despite it’s upsetting nature) with grace and in the end is afforded great respect and forgiven her transgressions.

Trip and his parents are typically one note.  Monied, privileged, arrogant, self-absorbed and all sorts of high-and-mighty they definitely think everyone outside of their family is placed on the earth to do their bidding.  They close ranks quickly and protect themselves no matter what the cost.  This is exactly the behavior that spurns some of the mysterious elements surrounding Trip’s accident.  I’m not particularly compelled by any of them, but in the end that isn’t a detriment to the overall story.  Trip’s abusive behavior is merely the catalyst for Allie’s development as an individual as well the progression of her relationships with others.  He (and his parents by proxy in the aftermath) is also what spurns the focus not only on the abuse storyline but also the mystery that surrounds the accident.

The romantic elements of the story are appropriately focused.  Blake as the former best friend who wants more is a good distraction from the darker abuse focused elements.  His relationship with Allie is never easy and at times the difficulty they experience is uncomfortable.  The growing shift from former best friends who know everything about each other, to acquaintances, then back to friends again, then ultimately building a budding romance felt honest and true.  It isn’t rushed and it isn’t the primary focus of the story.  I appreciate that he didn’t solve all of Allie’s problems, that he has a troubled past of his own that impacts how he is treated by those around him.  It’s not easy for Blake at school, at home or at work.  Thankfully he finally has the support of his friend back and it’s at a time that Allie needed someone to defend and hold on to outside of her own problems.

One of the high points of Breaking Beautiful was the relationship between Allie and her disabled twin brother Andrew.  Many authors will lean a bit more towards the schmoopy or overwrought but Wolf develops their relationship as one that is not only caring but distant at times.  Allie is fiercely protective of Andrew , but even so she is still the sister who isn’t afraid to treat him like a pain in the ass when he’s being one.  Furthermore, I enjoyed that even though Andrew is disabled he is shown to be strong, independent and leading a normal life (going to public high school, attending social events, dating) just like his peers.  To his credit Andrew is equally protective of Ally.  Even though he does not always follow his heart and act upon the suspicions he has he does his best to be the support that she needs.

I’m so pleased that I wasn’t jostled around from plot to plot.  Typically when there are as many sub-plots to a story going on it gets choppy and feels manically focussed.  Fortunately, Breaking Beautiful doesn’t succumb to this problem.  The plots fuse together wonderfully and the transitions in focus from one to others as they story progresses is smooth.  Overall, Breaking Beautiful is a decent mystery with depth of character; one you should put on your list of must reads.

Title: Irises [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Francisco X. Stork [website]  [facebook]
Genre:  Contemporary
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Series: None
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Michelle
Parental Advisory: alcohol, sexual situations, language
Teachable Moments: individuality, sacrifice, faith

“But the thought that she wanted to let Mama go for her own convenience stuck in her head like a painful splinter she could not remove. She’s no longer alive. Reverend Soto’s words kept coming back to her.”

Summary (from the publisher):
Two sisters: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. — if her family will let her go.  mary wants only to stay home and paint.  When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegitative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.

Three young men: Then three men sway their lives: Kate’s boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much needed stability.  Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own.

One agonizing choice: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom.  But it’s Mama’s life that might divide them for good — the question of if she lives, and what’s worth living for.

Opinion:
Two very understated teen-aged sisters are suddenly faced with responsibility of taking care of themselves and their incapacitated mother after the unexpected death of their Pastor father.  An unassuming gentleman, who is quite devout in his faith, was overbearing in his care-taking of the girls. Some might say domineering in his expectations of their behavior and choices for the future. His laser focus and tight hold on them is certainly influenced by his faith but he is also guided by the fact that his beloved wife is incapacitated.  As such his expectation that the girls be her primary care takers while he tends to his church assures that one or both of them will be required to change their future plans to assure their mothers continued well-being.

Ugh, so, yea….I totally didn’t connect with this book. At all.

First, the writing style (while very good) was so particular.  It took me a great deal of time to wade through the prose to get to the point of it’s meaning.  A great deal of work.  Further it was so slowly paced that I had a difficult time caring for the characters or the plot.  I just wanted to get somewhere.  The very intense and somber tone of the story also contributed to the feeling that I was slogging through it.

I had as much difficulty connecting to Mary and Kate.  Each of them were so distant and closed off that I couldn’t bring myself to root for them.  I wanted to have some sort of light at the end of the tunnel for each of them.  Something positive or hopeful, yet I never felt as if that came to fruition.  It was one horrible event or decision after another.  Kate in particular rubbed me the wrong way with her complete and total selfishness.  She very clearly wanted her life to play out in a certain way and if that meant throwing Mary to the wolves she was going to do it.  Mary, being the subservient daughter who always does as she’s told was an easy mark.  She never quite got to the point where she was completely able to stand up for herself or what she wanted.  Even when she did speak out or embrace her own desires she was left guilt-ridden.

Having heard such raves for Stork’s prior work I admit I had high expectations for this book.  It could be that, given those high hopes, my disappointment in this book stems a great deal from that anticipation and hope.  This can’t be disregarded as a major impact on my opinion to be sure.

I do think it’s important to note that this book is ideal for the classroom.  There are so many aspects that can be discussed.  Outside of the difficult relationship the sisters had with each other there is the relationship they both shared with their mother.  Her presence in their lives was overwhelming.  Outside of the love they held for her there is this pull for both that if they let her go they would be truly free to chase their own dreams.  Such starts the debate (and at times heated argument) about whether to turn off life support or not.  The philosophical debates of what constitutes life and whether their mother really is there with them at all. This tied into some of the faith-based undertones in the story as well.

While Irises was not necessarily the best fit for me I do believe it to be a well written book that has the ability to impact a great many readers.  I’d be interested to hear from people who really enjoyed it.  Perhaps their experience can enlighten mine.

Title: The Future of Us [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Jay Asher [website] [twitter] [facebook] Carolyn Mackler [website] [twitter] [facebook]
Genre:  Science Fiction
Publisher: Razorbill
Series: None
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Michelle
Parental Advisory: language, alcohol, sex (all references)
Teachable Moments: making good choices

“I miss Emma.  Even if we didn’t say anything to each other, even if she remained asleep, I wish I could be sitting on that couch with her right now.”

Summary (from the publisher):
It’s 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives.  They’ve been best friends almost as long — at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything.  Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh’s family gets a free AOL CD in the mail, his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer.  When they sign on, they’re automatically logged onto their Facebook pages.  But Facebook hasn’t been invented yet.  And they’re looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later.  And as they grapple with the ups and down of what their futures hold, they’re forced to confront what they’re doing right — and wrong — in the present.

Opinion:
Gah, this is one of those books that I can’t quite review.  Mainly because I’m ambivalent about it.  I didn’t dislike it, in fact I though it was quite fun, but I didn’t love it either.  It had some major problems — lack of chemistry for the romance, not depth of plot — but again, it was fun!

So the question becomes, does a fun book light on depth = bad.  I’d argue no.  I’d say that there is a place for the fun and fluffy book that is The Future of Us.  The kind of book that makes a woman like me (one who lived through all the pop culture references) look back fondly to the post-collegiate days of AOL and the dawn of the internet age.  But then I wonder how fun this book would be for younger generations.  Sure, they’ll get the references to current technology and culture (i.e. Facebook) but a good portion of what it provided in the way of historical references will likely not instill much interest or caring.  Anyway, back to the point.  I do think there is value to the entertainment factor over loads and loads of moral substance.

This is not to say that The Future of Us doesn’t have any substance or morality.  It does, Asher and Mackler portray the concept of how one’s actions in the present will shape and affect outcomes in the future well.  It’s made clear that Emma and Josh are dealing with a situation where cause and effect plays a large role.  In this way, The Future of Us has the potential to be a good learning tool.  A tool that helps readers in making more effective choices for the long-term.  But then, the periphery focus overall does keep the story from living up to it’s greatest potential.

The characters are a bit vanilla.  Neither seems to be outstanding in any way.  Josh is an emo skateboarder who is in love with the girl next door.  Emma is a bit of a nerd who doesn’t want their friendship to change.  Which in itself isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that together they have no romantic chemistry.  This, of course, is a shame since much of the plot revolves around how their future selves turned out and how that impacts the decisions they (more particularly Emma) make today in regards to their relationship.

Another aspect that provides conflicted feelings is that I can’t quite decide if it falls into the genre of science fiction or magical realism.  I polled twitter and feedback I got was solidly on the side of Sci-Fi but I still can’t brush off the idea that it’s magical realism.  I can’t explain why without spoiling some of the book so if you haven’t read it and plan to stop reading now because, here I go.  For me, it falls less on the side of sci-fi because even though there is an element of time-shifting involved these kids aren’t actually traveling through time.  They are privy to their future via Facebook which is somehow miraculously accessible years before it’s invention.  That makes it feel magical to me.  But then, computers are technology which is definitely in the realm of sci-fi.  So, yea, conflicted.  In the end, I suppose I find the sci-fi descriptor more plausible.

So…..Fun! Entertaining! Kitchy!….The Future of Us is certainly worth the read.  It’s a book that can cleanse your pallet after a particularly dark or trying read.  One that fits the bill if you’re looking for something light and enjoyable.

Title:  Eve [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Anna Carey [website] [twitter] [facebook #1] [facebook #2]
Genre:  Dystopian
Publisher: Harper Teen
Series: Eve
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Michelle
Parental Advisory: language, criminal activity
Teachable Moments: survival, community, gender dynamics

“I knew only sadness as he rode through the woods, shrinking on the horizon until the night swallowed him whole.”

Summary (from the publisher):
The night before Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school, she discovers what really happens to new graduates — and the horrifying fate that awaits her.  Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive.  Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild.  Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust…and her heart.  When soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Opinion:
Eve lives in a post-apocalyptic time where a virus has wiped out most of the world’s population.  Living in an all girls school she is taught that men are the scourge of the Earth and should be avoided at all costs.  That upon graduation (which is looming soon for Eve) she will be off for a better life.  But then, Eve discovers what that life truly is and it isn’t all that better.  Knowing what’s in store she resigns herself to escaping school and setting out into an unknown land filled with the people and places she’d always been warned against.

Eve is an action based story that moves swiftly through the plot. Thrilling from the jump she is almost instantaneously aware of the horrors that she and her friends face and is quick to action.  As she navigates her escape and subsequent encounters with the wilds and it’s inhabitants there isn’t any shortage of discomfort.  Both for Eve and for the reader.  It’s rough terrain she travels and it is not easily born.

Light on the world-building, Eve is a more character based story.  It delves into the dynamics of communication (specifically cross gender lines) and relationship-building.  What most interested me wasn’t that there was a romantic element to the story — which I’ll delve into later — but the time spent in the wild.  I most enjoyed the time Eve spent with the group of survivalists in the wild.  Reminiscent of the lost boys they varied in age and personality.  They were hungry for female attention and looked up to Eve as a mother figure.  A role she embraced readily.  This, I felt, was a much more realistic and plausible way to infuse Eve into the unknown culture of the male dynamic.  Giving her the ability to encourage and nurture.  I also found the conflict that her being there created to be energizing to the story.  The ultimate betrayal of members of this community allowed for the most intriguing parts of the story and built up the catalyst for the coming sequel.

Sadly, this story is one where insta-love strikes.  I didn’t loathe the idea that Eve was so quick to long for Caleb, I just found it unrealistic.  Here is a girl who has been taught since a very young age that men are evil and not to be trusted.  Then, after very little time she does exactly that, she trusts him.  I do get that there would be a level of attraction, wanting what you’ve never before experienced or being compelled to reach for the unknown, but it felt off that she would express her feelings in outward actions so quickly.  I do wish that there were a slower build there, particularly given the fact that there is a second book in the series.  Sure, I get the need to compel people to read it but still, I think there was enough in the plot to allow for a more leisurely build up in the romance department.

I do wish there were more background history.  Though the story doesn’t need it to make sense or to progress I would have liked knowing more about the virus and how society got to where it is currently.  I’d also have preferred to see more in the world-building.  Though I did feel the dark, dank and rugged tone I would have liked to have seen a bit more of it laid out.

All in all I quite enjoyed the book, particularly the second half when the action really started to pick up.  Eve also ends on a note that encourages me to read the upcoming sequel “Once”.

Title: Deadly Cool [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Gemma Halliday [website] [facebook]
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher: Harper Teen
Series: Deadly Cool
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Michelle
Parental Advisory: language, criminal activity, sex
Teachable Moments: infidelity, girl-power, right vs. wrong

“For one terrifying moment, I was suspended in air above our crabgrassy lawn.  Then my hands connected with the tree branch, and I clamped on like my life depended on it (which it did).  I gave myself a two-count to collect my strength again, then shimmied down the branch, feet first, toward the center of the tree where the limbs converged.”

Summary (from the publisher):
First, Hartley finds out that her boyfriend, Josh, is cheating on her.  The, Josh is pegged as the number one suspect in a murder.  And now he’s begging Hartley to clear his name.

Josh won’t be winning Boyfriend of the Year anytime soon, but Hartley knows he’s no killer and she agrees to help.  Unfortunately Hartley seems to have developed a disturbing penchant for tripping over dead bodies, and it looks like she may be the killer’s next target.  One thing’s for sure: If she gets out of this alive, she is definitely going to choose a better boyfriend next time.

Opinion:
In my experience, a good teen-age focused mystery is hard to find.  Thankfully Gemma Halliday’s debut series Deadly Cool found it’s way to my bookshelves.  I’ll admit, I’m not a huge mystery fan (though I do like a suspenseful and unpredictable read) so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the first in the series.  When several of my trusted blogger friends read and enjoyed this book I knew it was going to be a go for me to pick it up.

I’m so glad I took the chance.  Deadly Cool was a fun and light read (contemporary fans you’re going to like this one too) that was a breeze to get through.  Don’t fret though, it’s being a breeze to get through doesn’t mean that it’s not a thoughtful read because it is.  Halliday creates a fantastic murder mystery that avoids being wholly predictable.  Sure, shrewd readers may pick up an idea here and there but ultimately it’s going to be a swiftly paced twisty read with the element of surprise.  Fun and witty dialogue lent itself to the book’s fast pace and made for an entertaining read.  It helped create a light reprieve from the darker more murderous angles.

Let me get to business here.  While the plot is fairly simple — girl gets cheated on by boy, boy’s girl-on-the-side ends up kaput, boy gets accused of said murder, former girlfriend defends boy — it’s execution and attention to detail allows for character and plot development beyond the obvious traps.  Hartley is both endearing and powerful.  Honestly, I was slightly worried that she was going to fall into the trap of being the jilted lover who pines away for the boy who did her wrong.  Thank you Ms. Halliday for shying away from that particular nugget.  Hartley was exactly the opposite, she managed to maintain her integrity while still being a good friend.  That she believed in Josh after his deception showed her strength and dedication.  I appreciated, however, that Halliday didn’t glaze over Josh’s wrong doing and showed how Hartley struggled with the question of if he did or didn’t do what the accusations flying claimed.  She wasn’t immediately forgiving of his actions but still managed to fight for what was right.

For Josh’s part I was thankful that he was remorseful of his actions.  Portrayed as the typical hormonal boy he lost his head and went for the physical over the prospect of waiting for his true love. This was unsurprising.  Also not in the land of the unexpected was the idea that he would crawl back to Hartley for help when he needed a reliable friend he could trust.  Even so, I didn’t dislike him.  Halliday expertly crafted a jerk that wasn’t completely detestable.

Chase as Hartley’s protector and new love interest was a welcomed addition to the plot as well.  As the resident somewhat bad boy he was an appealing alternative to a cheater.  Not without his flaws he had moments of irritation and annoyance.  He wasn’t any more perfect than Josh but his loyalty and dedication to helping Hartley was commendable. He made a good romantic interest too.

Speaking of which, there was a romantic element and I was thankful that it wasn’t one of those raging “who do I choose” debacles of a triangle.  There was a clear and definitive choice for Hartley.  Not only that but what drove the plot wasn’t the fact that she was trying to determine who she should be with.  Go Hartley!  Be yourself and prioritize the important things in life!

A good mystery with dark undertones, Deadly Cool, is the kind of book a reader can fly through and enjoy.  It encourages a person to do right and embrace their inner power.  I’m looking forward to the follow-up (which by the way is out now).