Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend #1)
by Marie LuRelease: November 29th, 2011Pages: 336 (hardcover)Publisher: Putnam JuvenileSource: Unsolicited from publisherSummary:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death.....read more at Goodreads.

June is the hunter, and Day is the hunted. A military prodigy from the upper ranks, June has known no other life than the one she's had with her brother, Metias. A criminal mastermind from the slums, Day's constantly on the run. When June is charged with the task to capture Day - the only suspect in her brother's murder - she makes it her mission to succeed. But the more June submerses herself into the hunt for Day, the more secrets revolving around the Republic begin to surface...  
Utilizing a dual narrative in Legend, Lu gives readers two opposing extremes of the Republic through the perspectives of Day and June. Day's kindhearted nature and affinity for very dramatic escapes help make him an exciting character. He's no fool, and it's amusing to see how he keeps June on her toes. June's superior attitude is slightly off-putting in the beginning, but more likable aspects of her personality begin to slowly appear as the novel progresses, and I quickly found myself rooting for her as well. The closer Day and June came to finding answers, the harder I found it to set this story aside. Legend can be summed up into three words: thrilling, captivating, and spectacular. 
Highlights: Conspiracies, fight scenes, action, (likely improbable but still awesome) escapes, fast-paced writing, and plenty of twists and surprises to make up for the ones I discovered early on. The setting itself is intriguing, whether it's the slums or the richer districts. Characters came to life with every turn of the page, and a good deal of the relationships that were formed seemed authentic. I loved how much Day cared for his family, it made him even more endearing to me. 
Lowlights: June and Day can, at times, almost seem like the exact same person¹ when reading. Also, just a couple moments required a bit of suspension-of-disbelief in order for me to move past it. Rating:   

1 If it weren't for the very obvious differences in font/font color, I would've gotten confused during a couple points. There are some personality differences, but also a good deal of similarities too. However, this can be somewhat explained by something important that they have in common.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went (If I Stay #2)
by Gayle Forman
Release: April 5th, 2011
Pages: 208 (hardcover)Publisher: Dutton JuvenileSource: Unsolicited copy - PublisherSummary: 

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

I've been thinking about this novel for a few months now, reflecting on the story and my reaction to it¹...and in the end, I realized that Where She Went must have been pretty spectacular to remain in my thoughts for so long. 
After three long years, Adam and his band are on top of the world and he's a famous rock star. But despite how great everything seems, Adam's less than thrilled with his life. Even his relationships with his band-mates aren't what they used to be. Everyday, he runs through the motions of his rock-star life while staving off nervous breakdowns with a bottle of pills. Honestly, it was so heartbreaking to read Adam narrative and to see his character so sad. Even with Mia's appearance, the changes in her both pleased and saddened me as I followed Adam's narration.

Forman's writing evoked different emotions in me with words that were poetic, beautiful, and heartbreaking. It is so easy to get lost in the story and emotion of Where She Went, and to just let the pages turn as the story unfolds. The story itself takes place quickly, for the most part in a matter of a full day, as Adam and Mia spend time trying to understand each other, themselves, the past, and coming to terms with each of their futures. 
Highlights: Adam's voice is achingly familiar, yet fresh and compelling - I was worried he would sound like Mia. However, Adam is different, broken² in a different way than Mia once was. And thankfully, he still has some of his lovable charm and humor. I love how Forman shows how her characters have changed in three years, how they've evolved and grown. Even though it was initially a challenge for me to dive into Adam's mindset, Adam's words and the emotion behind them resonated with me long after the final page. 
Lowlights: The first half of the novel was difficult to get through because Adam really is in such a down place, and not entirely the man he used to be. It's difficult to see a character you adore be in a place like that. But, the last half made everything worthwhile. Rating:   
1 I even had to reread it, because I was not quite sure the first time around how I even felt. 2 He's a bit like a lit firecracker in this novel, just seconds away from exploding emotionally...Adam is just so vibrant as a character. 

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

Release: June 9, 2011

Pages: 352 (paperback)

Publisher: Speak (Penguin USA)

Source: Publisher

Summary: 

While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis...read more at Goodreads.

Review: Fairy Bad Day is a lighthearted and charming novel that entertains from start to finish!

Written in third person, Emma Jones knows right from the beginning that she's meant to be a dragon slayer, just like her mother was...which is why she's beyond surprised and stunned when she ends up becoming the first fairy slayer ever. But Emma makes the most of it as she hunts down fairies at her local mall, while simultaneously trying to find a way to become a dragon slayer. Until, that is, a giant killer fairy steps into the picture, and she's the only the one who can see it. Well, and Curtis, the boy who took her dragon slayer spot. Now it's up to Emma, Curtis, and her BFF's Loni and Tyler to stop it before something terrible happens.

Ashby delves into this story fully, and makes sure each of her characters and settings are realistic. Especially the slayer info, from the "sight" the teens all have, the skills they need to learn, and as well as where these mystical creatures are coming from. The setting jumps from the school, the mall (where those pesky fairies hang out) and a few other places for a brief periods of time, but each felt well described. The action is exciting, and I especially loved how amusing and creative some of Emma's fairy fighting techniques were. This is definitely a quick book to read through, but it has a lot of heart. If you're looking for a light, banter-filled story with kick-butt slayers, check out Fairy Bad Day!

Highlights: Ashby made this story fun and surprisingly realistic. I love how Emma's BFF Loni is smart and useful, her stepmom isn't really that bad, and et cetera (instead of falling into cliches, Ashby made them realistic and unique from one another). Even better, I adore how her family actually knows about everything Emma's doing at her school, including the slaying. I also really love how simple Emma's "romance" is - it isn't love at first sight, just a crush that takes some time to develop.

Lowlights: Maybe a bit too obvious at times, regarding the "surprise" moments. Emma's attitude was also a bit annoying at first, but I grew to enjoy her character as she developed more. 

Rating: 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
April 6th, 2010
Publisher - Speak
Pages: 208 (kindle e-book)
Source: Bought
Summary:

A critically acclaimed novel that will change the way you look at life, love, and family.

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

"I realize now that dying is easy. Living is hard." (Forman 146).

Unique and touching, Mia's journey is an emotional ride that readers everywhere will find pulling at their heartstrings. Mia, cellist and essential good-girl to the core, finds herself standing on the sidelines of a car accident -- her family's car accident. From this moment to the hospital, I realized that Forman truly did a wonderful job with this beginning stage. It could have easily been over or under-done, but it was perfectly effective and heartbreaking. The rollercoaster of emotions that Mia goes through while witnessing everything from the side is realistic and touching. Each flashback of her life before this moment provides a good source of depth to every character and Mia's life, really showing how much she has to lose if things don't work out.

It's easy to get caught up in Forman's words and compare Mia's story to your own life - What if that was me? What if there was nothing I could do but watch my life unravel? I wasn't expecting such a thoughtful story that really pulled me in emotionally - I was up, down and really diving into Mia's hectic life. If I Stay can be described and summed up into one word - memorable.

Highlights: If I Stay is written so beautifully and poignantly. I knew going into this story that would be sad, and it was, but there's so much more to the words than I expected. I loved how the relationship between Mia and Adam wasn't easily begun, because they really are different people with unique likes/dislikes. And the "play me" scene? Hot.

Lowlights: There were a couple times when I questioned some of the words "Mia" would use - they didn't seem to match her voice quite right, but these moments were rare. Also a few moments where the story was pushed a bit too hard, and some of these moments could have been more touching if they'd been reigned in a bit.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Thoughts: I have to respectfully disagree with the quotation on the new paperback cover - this novel is very different from Twilight, and that comparison does not suit the story's style. Compare it instead to Thirteen Reasons Why or Before I Fall - those better match the subject and writing style.

Waiting on Wednesday (Times Two!)

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Release: October 2011

Summary: 

Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool. But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.

YA murder mystery? YAY! And as a side note, those intense eyes are kind of freaking me out ;)

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Release: July 2011

Summary: 

This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended.Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered.  

But then the Searchers make her an offer,one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack and the man she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Despite my immediate dislike of this cover (and the new paperback - both of which make me think "Adult Urban Fantasy"), I'm still really looking forward to this book. 

Besides, it's not the cover that matters - it's the wonderful story that the author creates beneath the cover! I loved Nightshade so much, and wish Wolfsbane was out now! I need to know what happens next!!

What are you waiting on this week?