Waiting On Wednesday: The Program by Suzanne Young

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It is an opportunity for us to show books we can't wait to get our hands on.

This week, my pick is:

The Program by Suzanne Young

Release Date: April 30th, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program. 

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories. 

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

This sounds really intriguing and creppy. I'm really curious to read about this program that leaves teenager blank, and this suicide epidemic. I'm really curious about it.

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Waiting On Wednesday: Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It is an opportunity for us to show books we can't wait to get our hands on.

This week, my pick is:

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

Let the Sky Fall #1

March 2013

Simon Pulse

A broken past and a divided future can’t stop the electric connection of two teens in this “charged and romantic” (Becca Fitzpatrick), lush novel. Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

I just like the sound of it. Of course, the cover really makes me want to pick up the book, since I find it gorgeous.

Review: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shade Trilogy #1

Release Date: May 4^th, 2010

Number of Pages: 309

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Bought

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart. 

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

  

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. "Almost."

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding--and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

 

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

I didn’t really know what to expect when I first started reading Shade, but one thing is for sure: I didn’t think I would read it in one sitting, yet I did. I quite enjoy the story Jeri Smith-Ready created here, with the Shift, and the post-shifter being able to see ghosts. I’m really curious about why that is, and it’s one of the reasons why I liked that the characters don’t even know what created the Shift. It’s like we all have something to discover together, which add something to the romance and the ‘quest’ to save Logan from turning into a Shade.

I quite liked Aura. I could easily understand where she was coming from and why she was acting the way she did, especially with Logan and Zachary. I could understand why it was so hard for her to move on after Logan’s death, especially since he was still hanging around her. I may not really like Logan (I mean, the way he sometimes acted with Aura slightly annoyed me.), but she loves him, and she physically lost him. I could understand that she wouldn’t want to let his ghost go at first. On the other hand, Zachary was simply amazing in my opinion. Okay, he may have some secrets up his sleeves, but still. I liked the way he acted with Aura, how patient he seems to be.

Jeri Smith-Ready blew my mind with this book. The world she created hooked me form page one, and I have trouble resisting the urge to run to the nearest bookstore to get my hands on the sequel. This book is more than just a book about ghost. It is more than just a love story. The book has so many things going one, it is unbelievably captivating. There might be a love triangle in this book, but even if you don’t usually enjoy those, try it. I felt like the love triangle was more about moving on from one lost love (because after all, Logan’s dead. He isn’t ever going be able to completely be there) to a new one, a living one.

Overall, it is a book really worth giving a chance. It is simply captivating and addicting. I already can’t wait to get my hands on Shift, so I can know what will happen next. The ending may not have a cliffhanger, but it was intense. It leaves you begging for more.

Review: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Release Date: June 26^th, 2012

Number of Pages: 358

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Simon & Schuster Canada

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult and her teenage daughter present their first-ever novel for teens, filled with romance, adventure, and humor. 

What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?     

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.     

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.     

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.

I should probably start by staying that I haven’t read anything by Jodi Picoult before, meaning I can’t compare this book with her adult work. I have to say I was quite surprised to see this book appear in my mailbox, as it didn’t sound that much like something I usually read. Maybe that’s why I didn’t love this book, or maybe it was the fact that I found it to be somehow childish for YA (personal opinion.) I do feel like it will please younger readers, but to me, it just didn’t make the cut. Sure, it was a really cute story. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

If there’s one thing though that I have to say really caught my eyes when I was reading it, it’s the illustrations. Those were only the sketches (making me really curious to see the final version) and I thought they were beautiful.

Now, to the story. The book has this fairy tale vibe, as the story within the story is one. We have Delilah, who’s complete in love with this book, and with the main character, Oliver. Delilah, who’s kind of a loner, is shocked when the charming prince she likes (she seems to fall for him because they have both lost their father. This seem like a strange reason for what seems to be insta-love) starts talking to her. One thing I did like about the book was that we got to see both Oliver’s and Delilah’s point of view. The fact that one is from the real world and the other from the fairy tale made it even more interesting to get both sides of the story.

In addition to the two point of view, we also get to read about the original fairy tale Oliver is from. I was happy to know what was going in Oliver’s world, as we wouldn’t learn the whole story otherwise.  One thing that did disappoint me was the ending. I felt it wasn’t realistic for even this fairy tale like novel (that means something, no?) I would just have preferred something different.

Overall, I think this book will charm a younger audience, especially those who enjoys the beauty of fairy tales. I’m quite curious to see the final copy of this book, as the art looks gorgeous, even just as sketches. 

Review: Beautiful by Amy Reed

Beautiful by Amy Reed

Release Date: October 6th, 2009

Number of Pages: 232

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Bought

When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie’s chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who’s worth noticing.

 Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined… one moment, one choice, changes everything.  

Cassie’s new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life… but she can’t sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.

 Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now.

Am I the only one who thought this book was similar to the movie Thirteen, with Nikki Reed and Evan Rachel Woods? There was something in it that really reminded me of this movie. After all, Cassie goes from being a good girl, to being a ‘bad” girl, caught in a world of lies, drug, sex, alcohol and abuse.

This is not a light read, that’s for sure. There is something really troubling in reading about a thirteen-years-old going through all Cassie is going through. Your heart breaks while reading everything she is faced with, everything she does to leave her good girl images she seems to loathe at first. It’s really hard to stop reading, as you’re aching for her life to go easier. Most of her descent to hell starts when she meets Alex, the ‘bad’ girl of her school. She’s the one that introduce her to most of the drugs, alcohol and sex. I have to say that couldn’t believe this character (not as in ‘she’s unbelievable”, but more like “how can she do something like that AT THAT AGE!!”). Sarah, on the other end, was a character I wish Cassie could have spent more time with. I really wanted to know more about her. There was something heartbreaking about her too.

This book left me wondering were the world is going. Is it what we should expect for the future generation? Starting drugs, sex, alcohol and lies so young? That’s the one thing that really me unsure about the book. The fact that Cassie is only thirteen was really troubling, especially because I have cousins coming to that age. Amy Reed really took the story to the limit; never being shy of really describing what is going on. I wouldn’t recommend this book to a younger audience, as some aspect can be a little explicit for the thirteen-years-old that I know.

Review: Changeling by Philippa Gregory

Changeling by Philippa Gregory

The Order of Darkness #1

Release Date: May 29^th, 2012

Nuber of Pages: 266

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Simon & Schuster Canada

Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.     

Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.    

Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.     

The first in a series, this epic and richly detailed drama is grounded in historical communities and their mythic beliefs.

I hadn’t read anything by Philippa Gregory before getting my hands on this book. I didn’t really know what to expect when it came down to the writing, to the story, but I was happy with what I was given. The Story was interesting. I love historical novel, even though I don’t read enough of them.

Luca, one of the main characters was really interesting. He is intelligent, and he seems able to think for himself, which is always important when you’re given that much power over people by the Church. Still, there were moments in the book that I really got the feeling he was a little full of himself, mostly because of the way he acted with Freize. Isolde, the second main character, was really interesting to me, even more than Luca. We got to see a little of her life before she is sent to the nunnery.  She seemed strong, intelligent and well spoken. Then came the arrival of Luca at the nunnery, where Isolde already is. We then meet a different Isolde, who seemed really isolated. It made me unsure of whom she really was. I like that in a character. I don’t need to be told flatly everything about her to know her.

There weren’t only those two characters, of course. Where I liked Isolde, it took me a while to really like Ishrap, mostly because we aren’t told much about her. Well, we’re not told that many good things about her. One of the characters that I really liked was Freize. He was funny and I liked that he was ready to do right thing even if it meant trouble for him.

Overall, I really enjoyed that book. It was well written; it interesting and it made me curious about what will happen next. The only thing I have to say I was disappointed in was how it was developed. The thing is, there are two stories in this book. There is what happens at the nunnery, and then there’s what we could call the werewolf story. Was I the only who felt that it should have been two books? I wish it had been that way, and that because of that, the story had been more developed. I wanted to know more. The book isn’t that long (under 300 pages).  It would have felt more complete that way. I don’t like getting the feeling in the middle of the book that the story is done.  I think that’s why I felt like there was something wrong that I couldn’t find at first, something missing. Other than that, I was really satisfied with my first book by Philippa Gregory. I’m still looking forward to read more.

The Trailer

Review: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Title: Forbidden

Author: Tabitha Suzuma

Release Date: June 28^th, 2011

Series: None

Number of Pages: 454

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Bought

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

Forbidden was one book I was really curious to read. I had heard so many praises, so many raving reviews that I simply couldn’t wait to finally read it. Yet, the subject left me a little unsure. After having been told numerous times how great it was, I bought it and read it.

The first comparison that came to my mind after reading this book was a car crash. Now, let me explain why. The thing is, the whole incestuous relationship wasn’t’ something I really wanted to know that much about, mostly because it made me feel uncomfortable, yet I couldn’t stop reading until I knew how it would end. I really wanted to know what would happen to Lochan and Maya, as their relationship is considered illegal.

I felt heartbroken by all the struggles they had to face. Yet, I couldn’t shake the awkwardness I felt reading about this incestuous love. I do consider myself open minded, yet all I could think about was the fact that Lochan and Maya were brother and sister. They grew up together. They were so close. I felt like I would have found it easier if they had appeared a little less brother and sister like. It would have me it easier for me to really feel like there relation was right.

This is why I feel like I can't really criticize this novel without feeling that this would weight in the balance. That's why I won't talk about characters and the story. Yes, I hated the mother. Yes, I loved Lochan, Maya and their siblings. 

Still, I have to give it to Tabitha Suzuma. Her book is incredibly well written and it sure made me want to read more of her books. She took such a touchy subject and was able to create a breathtaking novel. Many will enjoy it fully. It simply was too hard for me to get past the strange way it made me feel. I do think it is worth reading though.

Review: Thirst by Christopher Pike

Instead of doing my essay for my Italian class, I've decided to write about what I really enjoy, books!

So here is my first review, hopefully, there are more to come!

Thirst 1 (including The Last Vampire, Black Blood and Red Dice) by Christopher Pike

Release Date: August 4th, 2009
Number of pages: 594

Publisher: Simon & Pulse
Source: Bought

As to blood-Ah, blood, the whole subject fascinates me. I do like that as well, warm and dripping, when I am thirsty. And I am often thirsty…
            Alisa has been in control of her urges for the five thousand years she has been a vampire. She feeds but does not kill, and she lives her life on the fringe to maintain her secret. But when her creator returns to hunt her, she must break her own rules in order to survive.            Her quest leads her to Ray. He is the only person who can help her; he also has every reason to fear her. Alisa must get closer to him to ensure her immortality. But as she begins to fall in love with Ray, suddenly there is more at stake than her own life…

Last month, I started reading the first bind-up of Thirst, which includes The Last Vampire, Black Blood and Red Dice. I was quite disappointed. I had heard so many good comments about this book, that I was really excited to read it. Maybe that’s why I was expecting more. It took me a week to read the first two parts. I had no will to read the third one, as I had just bought many other books. Two days ago, I decided to pick it up and finish it. I actually liked the third part. Maybe it is because I expected less, but I enjoyed reading it. It is still not on my favorite list, but now I want to read the second and third book.

One of the things I didn’t like about the story was the main character. There are characters that you love to hate, but I just ended up hating her. I really wished I could have liked her, but everything about her got on my nerves. The way she expressed herself and acted seemed to me like a bad written character. I hate to say that, because I had read Remember Me by Christopher Pike and had adored it. Unfortunately, the main character really killed it for me. I like the plot, the way he writes things, except his characters.

I’ll try reading the second book, to see if it gets better, and I will review it soon.

Peace, love and lots of books!