The Secret Year

Jennifer R. Hubbard

Publishing in January 2010

208 pages

Rating: B/B+

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend.When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal she left behind. But he is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept.

My review

I received this ARC in the mail awhile ago and I finally got around to reading and reviewing it! The book sounded good, so I was expecting it to be good. The book was pretty good but it definitely was not captivating enough for me.

The story is about two secret lovers, Colt and Julia, who have complete separate lives and are very different from one another. Julia is rich and lives a fabulous life with great friends, a great boyfriend, a big house, a fancy car, etc. Colt lives an okay life with good friends, no girlfriend, a small house, a broken down car, etc. The point is that they're not meant to be together, yet they can't seem to get enough of each other. When Julia suddenly dies, Colt doesn't know how to get over her without revealing their relationship to everybody. And then there's Julia's diary that holds all her feelings about their relationship. What did she write on her last day....?

I can't say that I loved this book but it was pretty good and I enjoyed reading it. It was a great love story that could definitely relate to the Romeo and Juliet story. I do think that the story captured my interest from the first page but it unfortunately took awhile for me to really get into the plot. The book was very simple and beautifully written and I liked Colt a lot because he's an average guy but he's also very deep and mysterious. I loved reading the story from his POV.

One thing that did keep me reading was Julia's diary entries. I was dying to know what she thought of their relationship and what she wrote in her last entry. I thought the diary was a very original and interesting way of keeping Julia present throughout the book. Although I do feel like the end of the book was a bit rushed and unsatisfying but it's not that big of a deal.

I think this book would be a cute summer read when you have a lot of time on your hands. For her first novel, I give Jennifer Hubbard a well deserved round of applause.

-Marisa

A Map of the Known World

Lisa Ann Sandell

Published April 2009

272 pages

Rating: B/B+

Synopsis

Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt suffocated by her small town and high school. She seeks solace in drawing beautiful maps, envisioning herself in exotic locales. When Cora begins to fall for Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died, she uncovers her brother's secret artistic life and realizes she had more in common with him than she ever imagined. With stunning lyricism, Sandell weaves a tale of one girl's journey through the redemptive powers of art, friendship, and love. They say no land remains to be discovered, no continent is left unexplored. But the whole world is out there, waiting, just waiting for me. I want to do things-I want to walk the rain-soaked streets of London, and drink mint tea in Casablanca. I want to wander the wastelands of the Gobi desert and see a yak. I think my life's ambition is to see a yak. I want to bargain for trinkets in an Arab market in some distant, dusty land. There's so much. But, most of all, I want to do things that will mean something.-- From A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD.

My review

A Map of the Known World was a very short, cute and inspirational read. I loved the whole feel about the book and enjoyed every minute of reading it. The plot was very creative, rich and intricate and kept me interested in what would happen throughout the book. It's a story about moving on and dreaming big; of never giving up on what you want.

I really loved Cora. I felt that she had a very promising future and a miserable past, which makes her a very interesting and captivating character. She was very strong and inspiring while trying to get over the death of her brother and the love she feels for his best friend, Damian. AND dealing with teenage issues like best friends and strict parents. I also loved reading about Cora and Damian's relationship grow throughout the story.

There were few bad things about the book but I did feel like the whole high school "group" thing was a bit overdone. It's not usually how it actually is in high school. The book didn't exceed my expectations but I wasn't disappointed either. Recommended? Sure! Read it when you have the time. I enjoyed Lisa's other novel, Song of the Sparrow (which I also reviewed), a lot more though.

-Marisa

In My Mailbox (26)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

Marisa: I got one book for review and I also bought a book this week.



The Hollow by Jessica Verday

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special. Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

I'm really happy that I got this book for review! It sounds great and I love the cover.


Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens. Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer. Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires. Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.

I FINALLY bought a copy of this book. I've wanted to read it for SO long.

(Arielle and Briana may post later.)

Song of the Sparrow

Lisa Ann Sandell

Published May 2007

416 pages

Rating: A-

Synopsis
Since the days of King Arthur, there have been poems and paintings created in her name. She is Elaine of Ascolat, the Lady of Shalott, and now there is a book all her own. The year is 490 A.D. and 16-year-old Elaine has a temperament to match her fiery red hair. Living on a military base with her father, brothers, and the rest of Arthur's army, Elaine pines for the handsome Lancelot, and longs for a female friend. But when the cruel, beautiful Gwynivere arrives, Elaine is confronted with startling emotions of jealousy and rivalry. Can Elaine find the strength to survive the birth of a kingdom?

My review

I've never read a book about medieval times before because to be honest, I thought they would be quite boring. I usually read paranormal romance novels but I decided to broaden my book interest and try out a totally different book type. I read the synopsis for this book and it sounded great and I definitely was not disappointed. The book is about war, love, honor and friendship. It starts off interesting and as the story progresses, it just gets better and better. I loved going through this gripping adventure with Elaine. She's a heroic female character; one of my favorites. She's very loving, strong and courageous. That being said, I felt like the characters' relationships lacked in depth a little bit.

The story is very beautiful, touching and Lisa did an excellent job of creating a new version of an old story, The Lady of Shalott. The original story is pretty depressing and sad but this story has a light, happy feel about it. The entire story had a lot of action, suspense and twists that kept me begging for more. The only thing I didn't like about the book is that it wasn't long enough! I was sad when it ended but satisfied with the outcome.

I recommend this book to history fans, romance fans, action fans etc. This book is very imaginative and charming; a must-read. Loved it!

-Marisa

In My Mailbox (25)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

Marisa: I know I haven't been contributing to the blog lately and I want to apologize for that but I'm just so darn busy! Anyway, I got a few good books this week.



The Line by Teri Hall

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line. Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help. Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

I just got this ARC in the mail for review and I'm so happy! It sounds so intriguing and mysterious! Can't wait!!!



Spell Hunter (Faery Rebels, #1) by R.J. Anderson

Forget everything you think you know about faeries. . . . Creatures full of magic and whimsy? Not in the Oakenwyld. Not anymore. Deep inside the great Oak lies a dying faery realm, bursting with secrets instead of magic. Long ago the faeries mysteriously lost their magic. Robbed of their powers, they have become selfish and dull-witted. Now their numbers are dwindling and their very survival is at stake. Only one young faery—Knife—is determined to find out where her people's magic has gone and try to get it back. Unlike her sisters, Knife is fierce and independent. She's not afraid of anything—not the vicious crows, the strict Faery Queen, or the fascinating humans living nearby. But when Knife disobeys the Faery Queen and befriends a human named Paul, her quest becomes more dangerous than she realizes. Can Knife trust Paul to help, or has she brought the faeries even closer to the brink of destruction? Talented newcomer R. J. Anderson creates an extraordinary new fantasy world and weaves a gripping tale of lost magic, high adventure, and surprising friendship in which the fate of an entire realm rests on the shoulders of one brave faery rebel.

I was pretty happy when I received this for review because it sounds great and I loooveee the cover!


Bite Me! by Melissa Francis

AJ Ashe isn't your typical seventeen-year-old vampire—as if there is such a thing! She's stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend—whom she's still totally in love with, by the way—is now her stepbrother. A former classmate—who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire—is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?

This sounds like a cute read and I can't to read/review it!

P.S I CAN'T BELIEVE NEW MOON IS FINALLY OUT!!!!! YEAAAAHHH!

(Arielle and Briana may post later.)

Reading Challenges??

Okay, so lately I haven't really been part of the book blogging world thanks to school, family, and other obligations, but I still check out the "Dashboard" from time to time to see what is happening. And lately I have been seeing 2010 Reading Challenges. I have always wanted to do a reading challenge, but for some reason..I don't do them. I think that I am kind of scared that I wont finish it, or forget about it, and etc. But for 2010 I feel like I NEED to do one. Dont ask me why, because I dont really know why, but they seem fun, and I am finally up for the challenge. lol.

So with that, I am curious to see who is planning on doing a 2010 Reading Challenge, and if so, which one are you doing?

I know there are many out there, and there will probably be more coming into the book blogging light over the next few weeks as 2009 turns into 2010 (crazy, I know!). I have just seen a good hand-full of them lately, but if you could post a comment about if you are doing one, why you are doing one, and which one..that would be greatly appreciated.

I am just wondering who is up for a Reading Challenge. I am hoping to sign up for one, but I want to find the one that is right for me..so if you guys could help me out and point me in the direction of some good ones, or the one you are doing, that would be fantastic!

Thanks :)

-Arielle

Contest

For those of you who are wanting to get your hands on a copy of Fallen by Lauren Kate, check out Kari's blog, A Good Addiction, where she is currently holding a contest where there will be 5 winners of Fallen! :)

If you do enter, please let her know that I refferred you, since we would both get 5 extra entries!

-Arielle

P.S. For all of you who think that I am being selfish by entering this contest (since I do already have my own copy of Fallen), please dont think that. I am entering for my friend, well she doesnt know about it, but if I do so happen to win, the book would go to her. Not me.

Wishlist Wednesday (23)

Arielle:

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends — her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

I have seen this in Barnes and Noble so many times, yet I never pick it up. I know it just recently came out, and I really really want it! But I am trying not to buy books :-/ since I have so many already that are just dying to be read!

What is on your wishlist!?

(Marisa and Briana may post later)