Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen Book Review

I am a huge fan of fantasy and sci-fi books. I mean, I read to escape my life, so why not go somewhere completely out-there? The idea of reading “YA contemporary fiction” didn’t used to appeal to me. I remember going to this secondhand bookshop when I was about 16 and asking the shop lady if she had any young adult books. “We have some Sarah Dessen books. Those are pretty popular with the young crowd,” she said, then proceeded to show me a stack of contemporary fiction novels. *sigh*

Honestly, one of the reasons why I was hesitant to read YA contemporary fiction was because I had this idea that they were filled with and fueled by sex, drugs, alcohol, parties. After all, that’s what’s popular.

It wasn’t until a few years later that I read one of Dessen’s books. My mom had picked up a few of her books at the Goodwill so I had them on my shelves, but I didn’t read any until I joined a book club during my senior year of high school. The first book we read for the book club was Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, which was one that I owned. It didn’t sound too horrible, so I decided to give it a go.

I loved it.

Dessen gets the struggle of being a teenager; the struggle of being old enough, but not old enough (you know, when you’re a “big girl/boy” who’s expected to be responsible but no one really takes you seriously?). Don’t get me wrong, there are elements of “popular” themes (ie alcohol, parties, etc.) in her books, but they aren’t a main focus. The characters might drink, but they aren’t the obnoxious “Hey, let’s go out and get smashed!” kind of characters. The characters are human beings, with flaws and strengths and actual personalities. They are people.

I found Dessen’s latest novel, Saint Anything, during a trip to Target. It sounded interesting, but I needed to save my money for a new summer wardrobe (apparently my 20-year-old self does not share the same style as my 16-year-old self), and I am always hesitant to buy books that I haven’t read yet. So, even though it was 20% of the cover price and it was a signed copy, I put the book down and requested it from the library. 

I finished it about a week after checking it out, and went back to Target to claim that signed copy as mine (deciding that thrift shopping for new clothes was good enough for me).

Sydney has always lived in the shadow of her older brother, Peyton – a situation that becomes even worse when Peyton hits a kid when drunk driving, sentencing the kid to a life of lower body paralysis. Rather than dealing with the stares, whispers, and opinions of her classmates, Sydney decides to transfer to a new school, leaving all associations with Peyton behind her – or so she hopes (and her mother hopes not). A new school brings a new scene – including a new after school scene. Soon, Sydney finds herself drawn out of her Peyton-centered family and into the Chatham family, where she finally feels like she belongs, even if they are just barely more put together than her own family, with Layla’s knack for dating losers, Rosie’s history with drugs, and Mrs. Chatham’s failing health. And then there’s Mac, who Sydney might be falling for, despite Layla’s “no dating the best friend’s brother!” rule. As the front flap says: Saint Anything is Sarah Dessen’s deepest and most psychologically probing novel yet, telling an engrossing story of a girl discovering friendship, love, and herself.

My description barely does it justice, and the front flap barely does it justice. The plot is good, yes, but it’s the entire theme of the book that pulls it together; it’s the characters themselves, and their struggles and battles and victories and losses and journeys. 

It’s not just a book about a girl with a brother who has screwed up big time – it’s a book about a girl who feels invisible in her brother’s shadow because everything he does, whether good or bad, is more important than anything that she does. It’s not just a book about a girl finding a cute guy to crush on, fantasize about, and then, finally, go out with – it’s a book about a girl who finds a guy who accepts her and her baggage, and shows her his own baggage, hoping that she’ll accept him, too. It’s not just a book about finding friendship and a “niche” – it’s a book about finding a family that accepts you, flaws and all. As New York Times bestselling novelist Jodi Picoult says, Saint Anything is a poignant and honest story.

Saint Anything resonated with me even though my brother never made a mistake so huge that it landed him in prison, and I believe that it will resonate with many others, too. After all, who hasn’t suffered at the expense of someone else’s poor choices (no matter how big or small)? And who doesn’t want to find that niche – that family – where they and their baggage are welcomed with open arms? I highly recommend this book, especially to teenagers/young adults, and adults who remember what it’s like being a teenager.

Happy reading!

Molly

Confession: I didn't originally like the title or the cover art. Then I read the book and I think both are brilliant. Sarah Dessen's books always have a way of surprising me!

Into the Dark Book 3 News (and a Contest!)

Good news, fellow book lovers! Bree Despain's latest series, Into the Dark, will, in fact, have three books. It was uncertain whether or not the third book would be published because of a publishing conflict (Despain's original publisher Egmont went out of business, and it was uncertain whether her new publisher, Lerner Books, would agree to contract a third book).

According to Bree Despain, "Yes, there will be a third book in the Into The Dark series! Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Lerner Books, will be publishing Book 3 (most likely in Fall 2016). That means Haden and Daphne will get the ending to their story that I always envisioned!"

That also means that the fans (myself included) will get to read the ending that Daphne and Haden deserve. Yay!

To celebrate this announcement (and her excitement), Bree Despain is hosting a contest.

One lucky winner will receive the Grand Prize, which consists of:
Having a character named after you in Into The Dark Book 3.
A Cupid's Arrow Ring.
And (because Daphne and Haden love music so much): a $25 iTunes giftcard.

Three runners up will win:
A Cupid's Arrow Ring and an Into The Dark swag pack.

All you have to do to enter is solve the following anagram and then use the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

A SHARE UNTOLD

Hints:
3 words
Reading THE ETERNITY KEY will help you solve the puzzle.
Daphne's gifts. 

Rules:
U.S. Residents only.
The contest is open until May 26, 2015 (so if you need a little help solving the puzzle, you have enough time to read THE ETERNITY KEY).
The winners names will be posted on Bree Despain's blog on May 28th. Winners will have 30 days to claim their prize or else their prize will be forfeit.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book of the Month - May 2015

This month's book of the month is none other than The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain. If you've been following along with my posts and social media, this really shouldn't come as a surprise. My mom was selected to be a Series Ambassador for Bree Despain's Into the Dark series, and I, as her self-proclaimed junior helper, have taken on the responsibility of promoting this new-found favorite series of mine.

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails.  As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

A pulsating romance of epic proportions, Bree Despain’s The Shadow Prince will leave her fans breathless for the next book in the Into The Dark series.

Synopsis via Bree Despain's website.

In addition to the fact that I am helping promote the Into the Dark series, I have selected The Shadow Prince as May's book of the month for two other reasons.

• The elements of the book are a good representation of how YA fiction is evolving, which I believe makes it a good book to kick off summer. Instead of the typical, underrated teenage girl who falls in love with the mysterious new guy (who is usually a modern version of the Byronic Hero), The Shadow Prince has Daphne Raines, an independent girl with a plan that doesn't include distractions. Also, the mysterious new guy is more Thor-like than Batman-like.
• Bree Despain has managed to write a retelling of the Hades/Persephone myth without creating a story that's been told a thousand times before. I really enjoy this retelling and I think Bree Despain deserves praise for avoiding falling into cliche territory.

You can read my full review of the book here.

Happy reading!

Molly

THE SHADOW PRINCE by Bree Despain Book Review

What do you get when you combine a disgraced prince, an unwilling damsel in distress, the myth of Hades and Persephone, and the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice all into one book? You could get a story that’s been told before, or you could get a magical concoction that comes off as cute, spunky, and intriguing rather than cliché. Bree Despain manages to do the latter in The Shadow Prince, the first book in her latest series, Into the Dark.

Lord Haden of the Underrealm has finally been offered his one chance at redemption – of gaining back his title of Heir to the Throne, and, he hopes, his father’s love – but he soon learns that instead of a gift, Fate has bestowed him with a genuine challenge: win the heart of Daphne Raines, a girl with a plan and no desire for distractions, and convince her to give up everything to follow him back to the Underrealm. Haden eventually begins to realize that Daphne isn’t the typical Boon that the Champions are sent to bring back to the harem, and he discovers that bringing her into the dark will have more consequences than the fact that Daphne will never get to see sunlight again. Haden’s Challenge is definitely a challenge: in the end, it’s Haden that falls in love, and Daphne, to say the least, is not very keen on letting him drag her into the Underrealm.

I’ve been fascinated by the Greek myths ever since I learned about them in grade school, and I’m especially interested in the myths of the gods and goddesses. The myth of Persephone wasn’t one that I really got until I was older. “What kind of a creep drags a girl into the underworld and then tricks her into staying there?” However, as I got older, I learned to look at stories from different perspectives, and I began to realize that maybe there's more to the myth than meets the eye. Maybe Persephone wanted to live with Hades and rule the Underworld. Maybe Persephone loved Hades. She definitely wouldn’t be the only female to fall for the “bad boy” (something I definitely didn’t understand until I was older).

The idea that even a goddess isn’t immune to the Byronic Hero is one that has shown up time and time again in recent novels, so much so that it’s difficult to keep the story genuine and avoid falling into cliché territory. When I found out that Bree Despain’s latest series was based on this myth, I was torn. I’ve been a fan of Bree Despain ever since reading The Dark Divine. The idea of reading a new series by her was tempting, but I didn’t want to be disappointed by yet another retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth.

Of course, I ended up reading The Shadow Prince. After all, I do love the Greek myths, no matter how many times they’ve been retold. Plus, it’s Bree Despain. How could I pass up the chance to read her latest series? But not only did I end up reading it, I also ended up loving it.

The Shadow Prince might be based off of a story that’s been retold over and over again, but Bree Despain has managed to avoid writing a cliché novel by incorporating fresh elements into one of the oldest stories out there. I don’t want to spoil the plot for you readers, so I’ll keep my summary brief.

• Haden is not supposed to be Hades, nor is he a son of Hades, or even a grandson of Hades. Daphne isn’t all-too willing to follow him to the ends of the earth; she’s a leader, not a follower. In fact, Daphne is disgusted, not attracted, to this dark and mysterious character. 
• In addition to the myth of Hades and Persephone, the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice plays a major role in The Shadow Prince, which definitely helps make the plot fresh. 
• I don’t know if Despain found different version of the Greek myths while researching, or if she just put her own spin on them, but the myths featured in The Shadow Prince aren’t the ones I’m familiar with (although they are similar), so I wasn’t forced to read through a 400-page novel filled with stories that I’ve heard countless times before.

Needless to say, I’m very glad that I decided to read The Shadow Prince.

The good news about waiting so long to read The Shadow Prince is that I don’t have to wait so long to read its sequel, The Eternity Key, which was just recently released. Hooray for procrastination!

I highly recommend this book. Not only is it a fresh retelling of an old story, but it’s also an example of how YA novels have been evolving. Instead of having the typical, underrated teenage girl who falls in love with the dark and mysterious new guy, The Shadow Prince boasts a heroine who isn’t willing to follow along just because it’s what’s expected of her, and Haden is more Thor-like than Batman- or Superman-like (a comparison I thoroughly enjoyed when it came up in the novel itself).

Happy reading!

Molly

P.S. In case you need a refresher on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth before reading The Shadow Prince, check out Bree Despain's homemade video ("The Orpheus Myth in 4 Minutes") below!

INTO THE DARK Book 2 THE ETERNITY KEY Teasers

If you are a returning reader, you probably already know that my mom is a Series Ambassador for Bree Despain's Into the Dark series, and I am her self-proclaimed junior helper. If you are new (or just didn't know), now you know! To celebrate Bree Despain's Into the Dark book 2 The Eternity Key's upcoming release, Despain sent out three teasers for the book that I was able to share with the world via social media. Below you will find said teasers.

Craving more? I know I am. And I've got good news and bad news.

The good news: The Eternity Key was officially released today, so you can go out and satisfy those cravings!

The bad news: If you're like me, you'll finish the book within a week, and then you'll have to wait a while to satisfy your cravings with book three.

If you need to order your copy, you can do so at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Indie Bound, and The King's English Bookshop.

Happy Reading!

Molly

BONUS:

Check out the book trailer below!

THE SHADOW PRINCE - Character Profiles

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

If you missed it, my mom is an Ambassador for Bree Despain’s Into the Dark series and I am her self-proclaimed junior helper. You can get all of the details by reading my post here.

Yesterday was the paperback release day for Into the Dark Book One: The Shadow Prince! You can order your copy from The King’s English, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Indie Bound. The excerpt is below.

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.
 
Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.
 
Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails.  As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.
 
A pulsating romance of epic proportions, Bree Despain’s The Shadow Prince will leave her fans breathless for the next book in the Into The Dark series.

I haven’t had a chance to read The Shadow Prince yet, but it’s on the top of my to-be-read list. My copy will be coming in soon, and then I’ll get into it and be able to tell all you wonderful readers about how awesome it is (or if you happen to read it before I do, you can tell me how awesome it is!).

To celebrate the paperback release of The Shadow Prince, Bree Despain has posted profiles for characters from the book so you can get to know them better. Check them out by clicking the character names below.

Tobin

Daphne

Haden

Happy reading!

Molly

Into the Dark Teaser

It’s been a few months now since Egmont Publishing closed down, leaving many authors, fans, and booklovers heartbroken. The publishing world is a scary business, and definitely not a reliable one (desirable? Yes. Reliable? Not so much). Many authors were left publisher-less as well as heartbroken, and, unfortunately, there was no guarantee that their still-to-be-published novels would be picked up by another company. Thankfully, Lerner Publishing Group acquired many of Egmont’s titles, giving many of the previous Egmont-affiliated authors hope. Unfortunately, the publishing world is still a scary, unreliable place to reside.

Bree Despain, author of the Dark Divine trilogy and the Into the Dark series, was one of the authors who was unfortunate enough to be affected by Egmont’s closing but lucky enough to be picked up by Lerner. I absolutely LOVED her Dark Divine novels, and I was heartbroken when I heard of her publishing misfortune (and then very relieved to find out that her luck had taken a better turn). When I found out that she was asking for some social media moguls to help promote her books, I asked my mom to sign up for the campaign. My mom was chosen as one of Despain’s Ambassadors and I couldn’t be happier!

I haven’t read Despain’s Into the Dark series yet, but it’s on the top of my to-be-read list. My copies should be arriving soon, and I can’t wait to dig in and read them. As I said above, I am a huge fan of the Dark Divine novels, and I’m sure the Into the Dark series is going to be just as good! The excerpts have definitely gotten me excited. Check them out below!

Sounds like my type of guy!

Oh my goodness, that description! (Hey, I might not be a teenager anymore, but I can still fangirl as hard as a 13-year-old.)

Can I come?

I’m not an “official” Into the Dark Ambassador, but I’ll be acting as my mom’s junior helper (do I count as a junior at the age of 20?). Keep an eye out for future Into the Dark promotions. You can also follow along with my mom’s blog, twitter, and facebook page, where she’ll be promoting the Into the Dark series.

Cheers!

Molly

Book of the Month - April 2015

So I got a little off track and did not read a novel during February/March. I mean, I read, I just didn’t finish. I started reading Atlantia by Ally Condie in February but didn’t finish until about a week ago. I know, I know; for a bibliophile, I sure am slacking when it comes to consuming books. I’m giving bibliophiles a bad name.

*sigh*

HOWEVER, I did finally finish Atlantia and I have started reading a new novel. If you’re interested in experiencing what I did during February/March, then I recommend you read Atlantia by Ally Condie during April. Let me know what you think; I personally thought it was a bit… slow, but that could have been because I was so busy with everything else and it took me forever to finish because of said business.

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

 Atlantia takes place in the future, after our carbon footprints have finally destroyed the world. Rio and her family live Below, in the bubble-like, underwater world known as Atlantia, which was designed when it became clear that the Above was getting too dangerous to live in. Unfortunately, only a lucky few had the opportunity to live Below. Rio has always dreamed about living Above, but her one chance to leave Atlantia behind is thwarted by a betrayal she never saw coming. Now trapped in Atlantia, Rio must unravel a tangle of mysteries, including who she can trust, who she is, and what “family” really means.

If you're sick and tired of female leads worrying and obsessing over a guy, you're in luck: Rio is a strong female character who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. Atlantia does have romance in it, but not enough to make you roll your eyes (at least in my opinion).

I encourage you to curl up with this book when the April showers leave you trapped inside with “nothing” to do. And, like I said above, let me know what you think once you’ve finished. I’m genuinely curious!

What are you waiting for? Hop to it! (And yes, that is my pathetic attempt at an Easter pun.)

Molly

Book of the Month - February 2015

Love is in the air!

Image courtesy of Google Images.

OK so I'm not THAT opposed to love. I just think it's over done. Especially when 12 year olds are like, "Baby I love you so much!" Guys. You're 12. But good job using the term "baby" correctly.

Alright, enough of my cynicism. Let's get on to something that I DO love: books!

This month I've got two book recommendations for you, just because I know February is the time of year when two different kinds of people emerge with opposing views of love.

For those of you who are hopeless romantics, your book of the month is Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen.

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

I honestly have not read this book since my senior year of high school (I graduated in '13), but I remember reading the book and falling in love with the characters, the setting, and Dessen herself (not to sound creepy or anything). This book is adorable and not full of [too many] romantic cliches. See the description below:

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

It's an adorable book and I highly recommend it.

For those of you who are romantic cynics, I'm going to recommend Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong.

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

This is the book that I read last month; you can read my review here. Even though it wasn't the greatest thing I've ever read, I believe its horrific content can help combat all of the lovey-dovey stuff that's floating around this month. DISCLAIMER: There is a bit of romance in it, but not enough to make you sick.

Of course, whether you're a hopeless romantic or not, you can read whichever book you choose. Let me know which one you're going to read (or if you're going to read both) and then, when you're finished, let me know what you think!

Happy reading!

Molly

Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong Book Review

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

Two young girls have the ability to talk to the spirits and a duty to protect their people from angry, unresolved spirits. Does this sound appealing to you? Then you might just want to check out Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong.

I love the Darkest Powers trilogy and am I fan of the Darkness Rising trilogy, both of which were written by Kelley Armstrong. When I found out that Armstrong had written a “breathtaking fantasy,” I knew I had to read it. The conviction that I needed to read it was solidified when I read the synopsis.

“In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.”

Forest of the Dead? Girls tasked with quieting the “enraged souls of the damned”? Monsters of legend? This book went right on my wish list. Thankfully Santa was nice enough to bring it for me and I was able to read it over winter break.

I will be honest: I expected more from Sea of Shadows than I actually got. The beginning and end were really intriguing, but I felt like the middle, even though full of interesting tidbits, was a bit slow.

Sea of Shadows jumps right into the action with Ashyn, the Seeker, heading into the Forest of the Dead to resolve the spirits of the damned. Spooky stuff happens; people disappear, things are seen, blood is spilled, and suddenly the dead are rising and wreaking havoc in the sisters’ town. Unfortunately, it’s when the sisters are separated and heading across the Wastes that things start to slow down. The death worms and the thunder hawks are interesting occurrences, but things are just… dull. And, might I say, a bit repetitive. The sisters are trying to find each other and both keep company with dubious individuals. They wander the desert. Things pick back up when the girls get into the Imperial City.

For me, a book can be intriguing by having one (or more) of the following: strong, believable characters; good romantic chemistry/tension between characters; great plot twists; an awesome ending. (I’m sure there are more things that I could add to that list, but it’s all I can think of for now.) I really like the ending of Sea of Shadows (and it also has good plot twists), so, even though the middle was a bit slow for me, I still like it. It’s a good story and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel, Empire of Night, which is supposed to come out in April (2015).

Molly

Book of the Month - January 2015

Image courtesy of Goodreads.com

Reading is a magical thing. You can go to far off places without even leaving the comfort of home (or wherever it is you’re reading). You can forget your troubles for a bit and escape into the world of whatever book you’re reading. Sadly, there are a lot of people (myself included) who let life get in the way of reading and don’t do much of it. This year I’ve resolved to do more personal reading and read at least one book each month.

If you would like to join me in discovering the magical world of books this year, keep a look out for my “book of the month” posts; I’ll hopefully get a new one up on the first Saturday of each month.

This month’s book is Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier. Drama, romance, mystery – this book has it all! The perfect thing to start off the New Year. You can at least be grateful that your life isn’t as hectic as poor Gwen’s – at least you aren’t randomly traveling through time completely unprepared. Although, if you’re like me, you might be a little disappointed that there is a lack of Gideon de Villiers in the real world….

From Goodreads (because they can probably explain it a lot better than I can):

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

 

Paperback cover of Ruby Red.
Image courtesy of Amazon.com

This book is full of drama as well as humor; even though I joked above about how it will make you feel better this New Year because poor Gwen’s situation is not your own, I do honestly believe that Ruby Red is a good book to start off the New Year. It’s a feel good book that leaves you wanting more.

So what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy at your local library or bookstore and get to reading!

Cheers! (And happy New Year!)

Molly

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick Book Review

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

There’s nothing like reading about characters who get stuck on a mountain in an awful snow storm to make one appreciate the little snow flurries they’d normally complain about. I know I am super grateful for the little snow that we’ve been getting compared to the tons of snow and ice that’s featured in Becca Fitzpatrick’s latest novel, Black Ice. Also, I've become an even bigger fan of my nice warm bed and fuzzy socks.

I was a bit hesitant to read Black Ice at first because I like to read fantasy and sci-fi novels, and I’ll only read just plain fiction books occasionally. However, because I’m such a fan of Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush saga, I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to put Black Ice on my wish list and give it a try. Now I am not just a fan of the Hush, Hush saga, but of Fitzpatrick herself.

My personal opinion of Fitzpatrick is that she has an amazing writing voice and has believable stories with believable characters. I am also a fan of the fact that she can write tactful romance; she balances on the line between naughty and nice without falling off into Naughty Land completely. If you ask me, Fitzpatrick knows how to write great Young Adult romance novels.

Black Ice follows the story of Britt Pfeiffer as she takes on the task of backpacking through the Teton Mountains with her best friend and her ex-boyfriend. So what if there’s been a few murders in the very same area? Britt is determined to go on this trip and either win her First Love back or spite him; she has yet to make up her mind when a giant snow storm hits and detains Britt from meeting up with him. Instead of cuddling by the fire with her sweetheart, Britt finds herself taken hostage and being forced to lead a couple of fugitives off of the mountain, wild weather be darned. It isn’t too long before Britt starts to feel a weird attraction to one of her kidnappers, who may or may not be involved with the murders.

Like I said, I was kind of hesitant to read Black Ice at first. The Hush, Hush novels are fantasy books, but there’s nothing fantastical about being trapped in a snow storm and being kidnapped by some fugitives. I’m very glad that my curiosity got the better of me and I ended up reading Black Ice. The genre might not always be my cup of tea, but the characters, their relationships, and the plot itself are developed so well that I wasn’t bored in the slightest. It did take me a couple weeks to finish, but that’s only because school got in the way. If I didn’t have a ton of homework, I probably would have finished the book within two or three days.

I was a bit concerned that Britt’s character wasn’t as developed as she could have been, but by the end of the novel I decided that she’s still a driving force. I might not fully appreciate her character during the first half of the book, but I think she develops nicely by the end (can you say, girl power?). The same goes for Mason’s character (minus girl power, of course...). I might not understand them completely at the beginning, but by the end I came to know them and accept them. I don't think they're as developed as the characters in Hush, Hush, but they suffice. However, the relationships between the characters are really well developed and I absolutely love them.

Besides the minor issues with the character development, I couldn’t really find anything that made me question why I was actually reading Black Ice. Fitzpatrick has concocted a wonderful suspense novel, and I couldn’t help but want more by the time I finished reading. I mean, come on, I need to know what happens next. Sadly, Black Ice has a wrapped up ending, so I don’t know if there’s going to be a sequel. However, I will be on the lookout for Fitzpatrick’s next novel, Sapphire Skies, which is supposed to be released in October 2015.

In case I haven’t made myself clear, I highly recommend Becca Fitzpatrick’s books. If you’re a bookworm, go check them out! And if you know a bookworm, you now know the perfect gift to get them for Christmas. (Also, if you or someone you know needs a new perspective on the awful winter weather, Black Ice is the novel to read!)

Happy reading!

Molly