Need by Carrie Jones

Series: Need Series, Book 1

Genre: YA, Paranormal

Copyright: 2008

Pages: 306

Rating: 3 / 5

Synopsis: Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.
She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.
In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you"d have to fear
 
Review:

"It's hard to save the world when you can't save yourself"
— Carrie Jones (Need)

I picked up Need after reading Alaine's awesome review of the book at her blog here. Need is a new age YA book with a dark twist to everything you knew about pixies. Zara has been on auto-pilot mode every since her step father died and to get her back to the land of the living, her mother sends her off to cold cold Maine to live with her step-Grandmother. Still grieving for her step-dad, Zara views her mothers packing her off as a betrayal, and she now has to deal with cold climate and a new school and environment. This is made easy with a hot Nick Colt and an over-achieving Ian, both of whom immediately vie for Zaras attentions. There's new friends to be made in the hyper-bubbly Issy and geeky Devyn; not to forget, no YA school story can do without the popular girl who doesn't like you from day one.

Now here's  where my problems with Need begin. Everythings fine so far, and then wham!! There's a pointing man in the woods, and everybody goes weird. One internet search and library trip later, we have a growling and protective Nick, and a theory on pixies stealing boys.

I liked this book, or i really tried to. That part that got to me was how easily everyone involved just accepted the whole supernatural angle. Zara especially. No subtle easing into the supernatural world, and as interesting as the rest of the book was, it made it real hard to read without a 'did i miss a few pages of Zara's introduction to things that go bump in the night' thought in my head.

Another thing that was a bit ridiculous and well, funny, were Zara's plans about the pixies. See, the pixies need her to survive, which means they're all out to get her. Zara dearest has plans on how to escape them, capture them, and at the end imprison them with forks. Yes, forks. See why this got a bit too much from someone who has every phobia in the world?

As a YA, this is still a good book. At times unintentionally funny too. There's not much character building, very little world building, but a good story and warm characters.

And one that note, i'll leave you with this:
I back into him and blurt " But you're so cute. Werewolves aren't supposed to be cute. Vampires are, i think. They are in the movies. But the werewolves are pretty much ugly and they wear leather jackets and are all dirty with these monster sideburns"
Edward would be proud of you Zara, although Jacob might have a lil something to say

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Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Genre: Young Adult

Copyright: 2009

Pages: 470

Rating: 4 / 5

Synopsis:
What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.
 
Review: 
Before I Fall is the kinda story that will stay with you for a long time after. Like most YA novels, this one is the story of Samantha Kings, a typical high school teen who has it all - the popular clique in school, the jockey boyfriend, and a happening life. And then it all ends one day in a tragic accident - only Samantha wakes up in the morning to realise she's reliving the same day all over again.

We see her going from denial to rebellion and anger and finally to acceptance of what should be over the seven times she relives the same day - and along the way she gains perspective on the people in her life, and tries to change things for the better.

You can picture the characters in this story real well, most probably cause we've all known some of them while growing up - the pretty girls, the football jocks, the wanna-bes, the nerds n geeks. Lauren's easy and free flowing writing makes it real easy to like this book and feel a part of it.

There were times i empathised with Sam, and times i wondered what the hell Sam was up to. I'm not sure i agreed with everything she did - even when she did apparently get it right. As much as i loved Sam and Kent together, for example, i wasn't happy with Sam's decision to change Kent's life the way she did. But that's the hallmark of a good book - it makes you think and debate.

As a YA, this one covers the usual sex, drugs and alcohol story..not to miss out peer pressure too. But it doesn't preach and, i think, handles these topics very well. The ending leaves you a bit surprised - i completely didn't expect it to happen that way. If you wanna know what i mean by that, you know what you have to do - go pick up this book. You won't be disappointed

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Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult

Pages: 391

Published: 2009

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Synopsis:
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along. 

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. 

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Review:
I've been looking forward to reading this book since last year. Mainly because of the awesome cover and all the hype surrounding it when the book initially released.

Hush Hush (great name for a book, btw) is the story of a Nora, a seemingly average girl and the strange boy in school - Patch (any Bella-Edward flashbacks?)
The paranormal or fantasy aspect of the book comes in the form of Fallen Angels.
I found the story line pretty intriguing - fallen angels haven't been covered much in novels before. Patch is depicted as mysterious, a wee bit creepy and obviously hot. I read most of this book to find out more about him and the story around him - a bit like Nora was doing actually.
Nora, and I'm sorry for being so blunt, but Nora is downright boring - the quiet studious girl who doesn’t get in any trouble, and looks out for everyone.

The book had a real good storyline, but the characters weren't fleshed out as much as I would have liked them to be. I feel the author could have given them a whole lot more depth. It would have made the reader feel a part of the story. For me, there were a lot of parts missing in the book. The story did not cover why Patch and Nora  liked each other, They just seemed to. It did not explain, for example, what made Patch fall for Nora. We do know how and why he chooses her, but nothing as to why or what he likes in her, specially since i couldn't see what was so special in her.. And considering his dark and mysterious bad boy nature, I most definitely would have liked more lines on Patch.

There are some great lines in the book and at times I found myself laughing at their conversations and situations (mostly at 4 in the morning, so I'm sure I woke the neighbors up). I will most definitely want to read the next edition, if there is one. I like the idea of the fallen angels and the mystery behind them.

All in all, this was a great book. Although it could have been so much more. Very enjoyable, great lines, and awesome cover.  My cribbing aside you will want to read this book for the concept and feel good factor. Good for a Saturday afternoon.

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Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 1
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
392 pages
Published: 2009
My Rating: 5++ / 5 stars

Blurb:  For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review:
Shiver is a beautiful, poignant that did give me the shivers at times. The nice kind of shivers.

Grace lives in Mercy Falls with her parents who missed their classes to parental school and are more like hippies who bunk with Grace in the same house. Despite the lack of any parental support, she's independent and confident.

"I’m raising myself" she says…"It seemed like you ought to pick the sort of person you would be, no matter what your parents were like."

Grace has a thing for the wolves in Mercy Falls. She was mauled by wolves when she was younger, and saved by one yellow eyed wolf who she now thinks of as her own wolf. For six years now she's seen the wolf watch her from the shadows, there every winter and gone every summer. Until suddenly things change when a local boy is killed and a strange boy turns up at her porch.

The yellow-eyed cute boy is none other than her wolf. But its September and getting colder every day, and Sam shouldn’t be a human but in wolf form as the cold gets nearer. He knows he will change soon, but he doesn’t want to, now that he knows Grace. He also knows this may be his last year as a human, and he wants a lot more time with the girl he's watched over for so long and is in love with.

At times Sam seems from a generation gone by, with his polite ways, shy smiles and quiet words. And his poetry.

"A boy stuffed so full of words that they spilled out of me."

One thing different that worked well in this book was Sam's vulnerability and sensitivity. Almost emo for a werewolf, while Grace the human in the relationship was almost too independent. Two different people shaped into characters by their upbringing and surroundings, and yet joined by a delicate emotion - kinship and love. The scenes in Grace's bedroom, Beck's room the first time they go there and also the candy store will have you feeling like you're really there, experiencing the moment with Sam and Grace.

Maggie Stiefvater werewolves aren't the all powerful, long lived, moon changing variety that every other PNR book on werewolves depicts. Sam explains what happens to them not in a paranormal but more a scientific way, and rather than the qualities you read in other books, reading about the lives of these wolves will make you mourn for them and their loss of humanity. I wont say more, go read to find out what I mean.

The writing is beautiful and heartbreaking. Every chapter begins with the temperature of the day since this story is tied in with the seasons and the weather.
I went through a series of emotions while reading this book. Terror for the wolves, joy for Grace and Sam, sorrow for Sam and his future with Grace, touched by the sensitivity these two show for each other and specially by Sam trying to do the right thing for Grace. But mostly from somewhere in the middle of the book, I felt real scared about how this book was going to end. But it was all worth it. This one leaves you with a warm feeling inside and one reading wont be enough.

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According To Jane - Marilyn Brant

352 pages
Blurb: It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett's teacher is assigning Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". From nowhere comes a quiet 'tsk' of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who's teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author's ghost has taken up residence in Ellie's mind, and seems determined to stay there. Jane's wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own. Years and boyfriends come and go - sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane's counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham. Still, everyone has something to learn about love - perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie's head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending.

Rating: 5++ / 5

You need to read this book, it is absolutely delightful. I'm still a bit stunned and not quite sure where to start with this review.

The Book blurb really says it all perfectly in this one case.

Ellie is handed a copy of Pride and Prejudice in school, and behind her Sam is busy teasing her. And suddenly there's a voice in Ellie's head telling her to stay away from him. He is your Mr. Wickham says the voice of Jane Austen in her head.

And there it begins. Ellie's journey through life with Jane Austen as friend and counsellor for the next 20 odd years of her life - through her trials as a teenager, fitting in with her family, school and the years beyond, her hopes and dreams for the future and more importantly in her interactions with the men in her life.

Its hard to tell you what i felt for the other characters in this book without giving away any spoilers.

Ellie is a typical geek looking for a happy ending with prince charming. Along the way, you learn life lessons through Ellie's experiences and trial and error. And later through looking at past events with the fresh eyes of an adult

In school, Ellie likes Sam. She's attracted to him inspite of all Jane's warnings to pay him no attention - he's her first love. At the same time she hates Sam for his arrogant ways and confidence. And thus begins the boy trouble. And it continues for quite a while with a motley crew of men (who she tries to classify into her 6 categories of men)

Then there's Di - Ellie's elder sister who's a pain in her ass growing up. You want to hate her, and at the same time you want them to be close sisters.

As much as i wanted to hit Ellie on her head when it came to her choices in men specially when some weren't kicked out sooner - the girl is improving when it comes to who she picks. But i still wanted to hit her when it came to Sam. And hit Jane as well. Sam was too hot and too good to be blindsided for being confident.

Sam. I loved him. From the first time he was featured in page two where he called out Ellieeee

Whats bestest in this book is the writing. Its simple. Yet it has many layers. And it gives you that warm cosy feeling.  The characters are all very well written, you identify with Ellie. You want Sam. And you wish you had someone like Jane to lean on during the horrible times.

The only problem i had with this book was the ending wasnt as strong as i would have liked it to be. But it was a happy one and in its own way, a perfect one

A lil snippet of the beautiful writing:
On her failed relationships because of bad choices in men:

Ellie: Humans are complicated Jane. Really complicated. And I've made mistakes because I've repeatedly chosen not to see that.
Jane: It is more likely a result of the philosophy you persist in holding dear. Romanticism encourages an abandonment of restraint and, as you've so often wished to fall in love without regard to rationality, this invites the absurd. Your mistakes in judgement are not due to the complexity in humanity Ellie. They are due to the lens with which you view love
Ellie: You mean, i need to change the fairy take and not the man?
Jane: Precisely

This book is currently available for free at the sony e-book store

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Graceling - Kristin Cashore

471 pages

Genre: Fantasy / Young Adult
Awards: Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature 2009

Rating: 5/5

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight; she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king's thug. She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po. She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace--or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away. . .a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

Wow. Just wow.
This book was such a joy to read.

Gracelings are children gifted with special abilities and distinguished by their different coloured eyes. . Graceling is about Katsa, a girl ‘graced’ with the ability to kill. Extremely well. She’s her uncle, the king’s, enforcer – not something she enjoys at all. He makes her feel like a thug and a brute, and Katsa sometimes imagines herself to be the savage everyone thinks she is. But Katsa also sees the injustice of the kings and takes it upon herself to use her abilities to help where she can. On one such mission she meets Po. Prince Po. Prince of one of the other seven kingdoms, and also a Graceling who is a good fighter.

Both Gracelings understand how the other feels, with the uncomfortable stares and fear they arouse in people, and form a bond. Po and Katsa become sparring partners and then fast friends. When Po asks her why she doesn’t refuse being under her uncles’ control, Katsa begins thinking and making changes, which lead her to some hard decisions. ( "When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?") Their trail leads them to Po aunt’s kingdom and what follows is a secret that has the power to ruin all the 7 kingdoms.

This is a lovely story of fragile friendship with its own ups and downs and the strength of character that shines through from these two. You cannot help but love Po. (Despite his name) Katsa is someone who finds it hard to let people in, but cares for those she’s close to. It is heartbreaking when Katsa and Po finally discover their feelings for each other and share them. She has this weird thing about never getting married, which didn’t make sense seeing as she loved Po and agreed to be his lover but not his wife. Katsa has control issues.

There were no frivolous descriptions or filler in this book. Everything written worked towards giving the reader a sense of the characters frame of mind or what was happening around them. Cashore can make you picture a situation and the surroundings with a few short words, and get you completely involved in whats happening. There's whole cast of characters that you connect with. I loved Raffin, Oll, Bitterblue and even Giddon.

This book didn't have the typical ending with everything just falling in place, there was more left to do and still problems to overcome, and i was glad for that. Read this book. There's a reason this won a award people. There's 2 more books coming soon:

Fire, Graceling's prequel, is out in Ocotber 2009 and Bitterblue has no release date yet. Find out more here

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

Small book this, i finished it during my lunch break at work today.

Its ok, its not that great... but i'm guessing this is gonna be the last to come out of the Harry Potter Saga for a long long time which makes it much loved, though undeservingly.

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