Title: Rival [amazon] [indie bound]
Author: Sara Bennett Wealer [website] [facebook] [twitter]
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Harper Teen
Series: None
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Reviewer: Andi
Parental Advisory: language, bullying, alcohol
Teachable Moments: popularity

“I could take care of Kathryn if I wanted to, just like I did then. After that Homecoming punch, people got the message: if they wanted to be friends with me then they couldn’t be friends with her. And that was all it took.”

Summary(from the publisher):

What if your worst enemy turned out to be the best friend you ever had?

Meet Brooke: Popular, powerful and hating every minute of it, she’s the “It” girl at Douglas High in Lake Champion, Minnesota. Her real ambition? Using her operatic mezzo as a ticket back to NYC, where her family lived before her dad ran off with an up and coming male movie star.

Now meet Kathryn: An overachieving soprano with an underachieving savings account, she’s been a leper ever since Brooke punched her at a party junior year. For Kath, music is the key to a much-needed college scholarship.

The stage is set for a high-stakes duet between the two seniors as they prepare for the prestigious Blackmore competition. Brooke and Kathryn work toward the Blackmore with eyes not just on first prize but on one another, each still stinging from a past that started with friendship and ended in betrayal. With competition day nearing, Brooke dreams of escaping the in-crowd for life as a professional singer, but her scheming BFF Chloe has other plans. And when Kathryn gets an unlikely invitation to Homecoming, she suspects Brooke of trying to sabotage her with one last public humiliation.

As pressures mount, Brooke starts to sense that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had. But Kathryn has a decision to make. Can she forgive? Or are some rivalries for life?

Opinion:
If any of you have been following my reading progress on Goodreads it was made very very clear that this book and I did not get along.  I didn’t hide my disdain while reading it, but I finished it to give it the benefit of the doubt. Sadly my opinion did not change by the end.  I found the whole story, the characters and the plot points, underwhelming, annoying and a tad predictable. I must apologize if this is slightly spoilerish.

Rival is about two girls, Brooke and Kathryn, that dream of winning a highly respected singing competition in their small town in Minnesota.  As freshman they are both accepted into the honors choir program(something basically unheard off), but that is their only connection.  They are from two different worlds, Brooke being popular and Kathryn a loner.  But that all changed Junior year when Brooke’s friend Chloe comes up with the an immature idea to “draft” new friends. Because of this Brooke and Kathryn become fast friends and even sooner they are each others worst enemies.  Thanks to a lot of outside sources and incorrect information and selfish acts they are officially rivals and only one can win the competition.  Bet you didn’t see that coming.

The book is told from alternate view points(which I normally enjoy) and alternate time periods, from Junior year to Senior year.  Through the switch you learn not only what lead to the fight and how they not only became friends but what each girl is thinking and feeling as the friendship falls apart. With this style of story telling normally you can really get to know both characters the author is trying to showcase.  You get to see what is going on in their lives and what is in their heads.  It is a highly effective way to progress the story in most instances, a way to really get to know the characters.  The problem is I didn’t really like what I got to know.

To be honest I couldn’t stand either girl.  I could tell that I was supposed to like Kathryn because she was the one being “bullied” and I was supposed to feel bad for Brooke because she was just trying to save face, but both girls were so self centered and juvenile that I found myself rolling my eyes and wanting to throw my NOOK.  Kathryn thought everything Brooke did revolved around her. Sure Brooke embarrassed her when she ended their friendship, but Kathryn took it too far.  It was like the world revolved around her and she was waiting for her just due. She treated her best friend Matt like crap, was somewhat rude to her parents and was so paranoid it made me crazy!  And then there was Brooke. Her brothers were immature and kept hanging at high school parties even though they were in like their 3rd year of college, her mom thought she was one of the “kids” letting all Brooke’s friends drink and party at the house and her dad ran away with a famous actor forcing the whole family to move from NYC to Minnesota.  Fine, she had the poor little rich girl thing down. The problem was I didn’t believe it.  She kept saying music was what she wanted but never would stand up to her over the top, annoyingly sneaky best friend Chloe.  Brooke thought she deserved things like understanding and respect, but she never gave any to get any.  They both just rubbed me the wrong way and made it impossible for me to believe in their once friendship or their rivalry.

Now with all of that said I want to make it clear that it really wasn’t a bad book.  It was written well and a fast read.  And I’m more then positive that it would be enjoyable for others.  It just wasn’t the book for me.  I didn’t connect with it no matter how much I tried.  So don’t take my word for it.  Try it out and you be the judge. Maybe it will be the book for you.

Title: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Lish McBride [website] [twitter] [facebook]
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Series: Necromancer
Format: Print
Source: library
Reviewer: Laura
Parental Advisory: violence, sex, death
Teachable Moments: Family Pride, self confidence

“No wonder I’d always felt lost. I actually was. The knowledge felt terrible, but in a strange way, it also felt good. Now I knew why I’d never connected to anything. Why I felt like I was outside the world around me, moving at a different speed from everyone else.”

Summary (from the publisher):
Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he’s doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak.

Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . . . or else.

With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?

Opinion:
Where is the number one spot to successfully stash a severed head? What makes pressed jeans SO creepy? And where can I get homemade waffles right now? These are just a few of the many fun questions that rolled around in my head and made me laugh while reading Lish McBride’s Hold Me Closer, Necromancer.

Ms. McBride’s tone and playful attitude throughout this tale hit the spot and really tickled my funny bone. The characters find themselves in some painfully awkward conversations and dangerous situations, but they always seem to come up with a smart-alecky, whip-smart comment or response. The story moved along and possessed a quick, sarcastic, fun, laid back feel and pace that made every page, adventure, interaction, and fall out of bed hilarious! The humor eases the reader into this world of darkness filled with werewolves, fairies, magic, and more. A world Sam has a connection with in his past and within himself.

Our hero, Samhain LaCroix, is struggling to find his place in this world. He has always felt a little incomplete or outside looking in, but a big missing piece of his life just fell into place when Douglas Montgomery comes walking through his door. Douglas is the most powerful necromancer (aka “ghostmaster” or “dead wrangler”) in town, who recognizes Sam’s power and potential as a fellow necromancer within seconds of meeting him. Can you imagine how frustrating and disconcerting that must have felt for Sam? Struggling his whole life to find a place or meaning and this guy just walks in, gives it a name, and pretty much challenges him for control of his powers. Let the showdown begin! Sam finds himself in a struggle filled with dark magic and new powers he will have to learn about and use in a hurry to defeat Douglas. Troubles even more terrifying than a life as a bitter fast food warrior fighting to survive the lunch rush with his soul intact! It’s a good thing Sam has his friends and family for support and to issue a good slap upside his head!

Even with all the sarcasm and smart-ass comments, the love and warmth all the characters feel for each other jumps off the page. I truly adored every character and how their love, fierce loyalty, and pride shined through in every situation. Sam, Ramon, Frank, Brooke, Brid (worst name ever), Haley, the Moms, and so many more were the backbone of this book for me. I just knew and felt they all had each other’s backs! A small to “could-develop-into-a-huge” crush has begun to burn for Sean! Hehe….He made me giggle and he wasn’t even in there all that much! Can’t wait for more scene stealing from that guy!

One of my favorite aspects of horror and fantasy is the “yes we have been right here in front of your face” angle. This tale does a beautiful job of creating a matter-of-fact vibe about the whole monster world with leaders, councils, bitter rivalries and even paperwork under the surface of everyday society. Sam is so “yeah-so-what” about the whole hanging out with werewolves, fairies, seers, and the undead. It makes me giggle. It notches up the pay attention to your surroundings to a whole new level. I so want to gossip about some of my favorite parts, but I feel like even explaining the setting will spoil some of the fun. Readers should just dive in and discover the giggles all on their own!

Raising and communicating with the dead is not all fun and games though. Several strong messages of loyalty, finding your way, and facing your past run deep through these pages. As we all know, history always has a way of catching up, repeating herself, or just plain beating the sense out of us eventually if it is not dealt with. Sam must find his past before he can fight for his future.

My only disappointment with the book was the big confrontation. I felt like it lacked bite! Come on! That’s all you got for me? The scene and Douglas himself felt a little reigned in at times, but that could just be my bloodlust calling out. Next time—I hope Ms. McBride knows her readers can take it. Bring it on!

Have fun with Necromancer and all the gang! I cannot wait for more!

Title:  The Beginning of After [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Jennifer Castle [website] [twitter] [facebook]
Genre:  Contemporary
Publisher: Harper Teen
Series: None
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher (via BEA)
Parental Advisory: death, language
Teachable Moments: dealing with grief

Describing Venus (from publisher):
Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident.  As she tries to piece together the shards of what remains in the eerie stillness of life after the tragedy, DAvid — the son of the man responsible — swoops in an out of her life.  Laurel finds herself attracted to him against her better judgment, and their connection will change them both in unexpected ways.

How Mars & Venus Don’t Meet:
Oh how I wish I loved this book.  I really wanted to, a lot.  The copy on the back had me hooked months in advance of publication.  I mean, I’m a fan of emotional and angsty stories like this.  Sadly, The Beginning of After fell short on both.

To start, there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of originality to the story.  Though I wasn’t expecting it to be wildly unique I was hopeful that there would be a few twists and turns that made it stand out a bit.  But that didn’t happen.  Furthermore, what would have helped would have been dynamic characters that built strong connections which also were not present.  Laurel and David were bland and their romance lacked the spark or chemistry needed to make it understandable given the circumstances.

With the exception of the last several chapters of the book, where there was some remote emotional connection for me, this book felt flat.  That it took well over 200 pages to get to a place of significance; a place where it wasn’t just completely benign didn’t work for me.  Now, this may have been a conscious choice on the part of the author.  Perhaps she wanted readers to feel as numb to the situation as Laurel was. In that way, I suppose it was successful.  But as a person who likes to feel hopeful and inspired or at the very least have the ability to root for things to get better I was left feeling at a loss.

The Beginning of After wasn’t a book I had to put down completely. It was easy to read and I was interested enough in it to see how it all ended.  It just fell short of my expectations and desires.

Maybe your Mars & Venus Align:
My inability to get into this book should not be the only thing you hear.  I’d much prefer you end on a positive note.  Please visit these reviews to get more information and make a more informed choice:

The Allure of Books
Miss Remmers’ Reviews
Books with Bite
Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf
A Musing Reviews

Title:  Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares [amazon] [indie bound]
Author: Rachel Cohn, David Levithan [Cohn's website] [Cohn's twitter][Levithan's websiste] [Levithan's facebook]
Genre:  Contemporary
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books
Series: None
Format: hardcover
Source: purchased
Reviewer: Andi
Parental Advisory: language, adult situations
Teachable Moments: taking chances

“I want to believe there is a somebody out there for me. I want to believe that I exist to be there for that somebody.”

Summary (from the publisher):
“I’ve left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Opinion:
The age old question…is there someone out there for everyone?  We’ve all thought it or asked it out loud or discussed it with friends, but have we ever actively gone out and searched for the answer?  I’ve always assumed the answer is yes, that there is someone for everyone.  I never went on the hunt for it though.  I never sought it out on my own, went out of my comfort zone for it.  I was never as brave as 16 year olds Lily and Dash.

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is a story of two teens in New York at Christmas time searching for something. They are lonely and alone for the holiday and want something more then their average existence. They want a connection of some sort.  It starts out with a notebook, with a dare, left in a book store for someone to find and evolves into so much more.  It evolves into opening yourself up to someone and seeing where it could go.  Dash is the first one to take the bait and from that point on he and Lily have a connection that can’t be explained.  They pass the notebook back and forth traipsing through the streets of New York.

Through a series of bizarre dares and occurrences Dash and Lily get to know each other and themselves in a way they couldn’t have imagined.  Lily had always lived a very sheltered life, being watched closely by her overbearing grandfather.  She was considered the baby of the family so she was just never allowed to do things on her own.  No dates, no boys, no freedom.  She was kind of timid and unsure at the beginning but blossomed into a confident, capable teen as each dare pushed her farther and farther out of her comfort zone.  Dash on the other hand learned how to not be so serious.  Did he have a sense of humor through the whole thing, sure, but there was also a ‘wise beyond his years’ feel to him.  He seemed to stuffy at points, but with each of Lily’s dares he got to know the silly side of himself and for that I was appreciative.

Although I enjoyed Dash and Lily’s voices, their use of random SAT words, their snark and humor, their all around weirdness, and I loved how they connected the way they did through a form of trust and a notebook, the main part of this book that I loved was the role New York played. From the bookstore where you could actually smell the books to FAO Schwartz where you could feel the holiday crowd congestion to a neighborhood in Brooklyn twinkling in Christmas lights, I felt like I was in that red moleskin notebook. I felt like Dash and Lily were bringing me with them as they opened themselves up and learned more and more about each other.

There was a part of this book that left me cold.  Toward the end Cohn and Levithan added an pointless gimmick that gets Dash and Lily into trouble with a group of mothers and the cops and really should have had no part in the book.  It was silly and contrived because it wasn’t needed or necessary, the voices given to Dash and Lily were enough without a random gimmick.  It took something away from the book instead of adding something which is a cardinal mistake. But besides that, all in all a fun, really quick enjoyable story about friendship and young love.

Title:  Juliet Immortal [indie bound] [amazon]
Author: Stacey Jay [website] [twitter] [facebook]
Genre:  Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Series: Juliet Immortal
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Source: Amazon Vine
Reviewer: Michelle
Parental Advisory: language, violence, criminal activity, death
Teachable Moments: loyalty, freedom of choice, trust

“He has to be safe. What will I do if he isn’t? What will I do if I’m too late? What if Romeo has — “

Summary (from the publisher):
Juliet Capulet didn’t take her own life.  She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, who made the sacrifice to ensure his own immortality.  But Romeo didn’t anticipate that Juliet would be granted eternal life as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light.

For seven hundred years, Juliet has struggled to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent, while Romeo has fought for the dark side, seeking to destroy the human heart.  Until now.

Now Juliet has found her own forbidden love, and Romeo, O Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy their happiness.

Opinion:
I loved this book!  Loved, loved, loved it.  So very well written in a poetic yet straightforward prose.  The dialogue was modern and succinct but still provided that air of Shakespearean romance of the original.

So lets start there.  The concept of re-visioning the story of Romeo and Juliet in a more modern time but in a paranormalish way.  Now, for those of you who aren’t paranormal lovers don’t worry it’s not overwhelming.  It’s really just a means to an end.  This is a character driven read and an interesting one at that.  To see Juliet as a modern day savior of love while Romeo is the evil foe who is bound and determined to ruin it is a fantastic twist on their story.  They travel over time again and again to battle against each other — Juliet to bring soul mates together while Romeo is charged with keeping them apart.

In this story Juliet is a high-schooler who is setting forth to bring together her best friend and the boy she presumes to love.  The problem is that Juliet herself is falling in love with the same boy. Naturally this makes Romeo angry for a variety of reasons. One because he needs to keep the boy away from the girl but two because his best way to do so is to encourage his former wife and lover to be with the boy.  Jealousy ensues.

But there is a sub-plot as part of this as well.  Because the two of them are trying to finally find eternal peace where they no longer have to serve their supernatural masters.  Romeo (who Juliet doesn’t trust) has a plan to get them out of their respective purgatories.  Only it requires a lot of faith and trust on Juliet’s part….both of which are in limited supply where he is concerned.

There is romance and passion.  Plenty of it from a variety of sources and there is mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing as I was reading.  Basically this is a great action filled story with originality and fantastic characters that don’t lose their original essence while being modernized.

Fantastic read that I highly recommend.