Mini-Review: THE DREAM THIEVES by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Dream Thieves
Author: Maggie Stiefvater (@mstiefvater)
Published: September 17th, 2013
Series: The Raven Cycle #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
POV: 3rd, multiple
Pages: 439
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: eARC / Hardcover
Source: Netgalley / Purchased
Rating: Loved

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.

Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life.

Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

I can easily sum up my thoughts on The Dream Thieves in one tweet:

I finally finished THE DREAM THIEVES, and I can't decide if I should praise or curse @mstiefvater. And now I really wish I had BL,LB...
— Lea J. (@YABookQueen) September 16, 2014

To say a little more, while keeping this spoiler-free, The Dream Thieves is evocative, surprising, and incredibly emotional (for the characters, and for the reader). The best part of this story is Ronan, a character I never fully understood in The Raven Boys, and perhaps still do not fully understand now. But, with this novel, Stiefvater reveals sides to Ronan that I never would have imagined. Mysteries and secrets are explained and revealed, while more questions surface as the search for Glendower continues. But now, it's not only Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Noah, and Adam who are looking, but a mysterious hit man arrives in search for something very important to Cabeswater. 

Highlights: Stiefvater focuses this novel on Ronan, but still switches to other character points-of-view. Despite the constant bouncing around, it never becomes confusing, and it always feels like the right move. Stiefvater even manages to make me care for characters who I shouldn't sympathize for. Luckily, she also gave me a character to hate¹, and continued to develop the characters I already adored from the last novel. But, it is the surprises, the reveals, the oh-my-gosh-what-is-going-to-happen-next moments that makes this story shine. 

Lowlights: THAT ENDING². Darn you, cliffhanger. I almost yelled at the book. OKAY, I might have yelled at the book. *sighs* 

Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf: Loved, 5 out of 5. It took me a year to read simply because I was enjoying it so much and didn't want it to end. This is a magnificent sequel. The Dream Thieves moves slowly, easing you into the still water before pulling you deep into a rushing river of emotions, surprises, and so much more. 

1 Kavinsky, you are a terrible person.
2 WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME, STIEFVATER?! I'm trying to resist the urge to read BL,LB right away, because I know it will make me desperately want the last still-needs-to-be-published novel. 

Review: LIV, FOREVER by Amy Talkington

Title: Liv, Forever
Author: Amy Talkington (@amytalkington)
Published: March 2014
Series: N/A
Genre: YA Paranormal
POV: 1st person
Pages: 280
Publisher: Soho Teen
Format: Print ARC
Source: Vine Program
Rating: The Royal Library, Bottom Shelf

When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it’s her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn’t sure what to make of the school’s weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn’t be happier. For the first time ever, she has her own studio, her own supply of paints. Everything she could want.

Then she meets Malcolm Astor, a legacy student, a fellow artist, and the one person who’s ever been able to melt her defenses. Liv’s only friend at Wickham, fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols, warns her not to get involved, but life is finally going Liv’s way, and all she wants to do is enjoy the ride.

But Liv’s bliss is doomed. Weeks after arriving, she is viciously murdered and, in death, she discovers that she’s the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that has claimed many lives. Cursed with the ability to see the many ghosts on Wickham’s campus, Gabe is now Liv’s only link to the world of the living. To Malcolm.

Together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham. But Liv must fight alone to come to grips with the ultimate star-crossed love.

Initially, my expectations were incredibly low for this book. For whatever reason, the combination of the cover and summary only made me roll my eyes. The only reason I decided to read this story is because I read a glowing review from Melissa at I Swim For Oceans. I think she has fabulous taste in stories, so I took a chance. Even so, I entered with the feeling I might be disappointed, and was pleasantly surprised. Liv Bloom is only at her ritzy school for a short time – long enough to fall in love with legacy Malcolm Astor, start her art work, and unfortunately become murdered. Awakening as a ghost, she's determined to find out what happened to her with a little help from Gabe – a student who sees all of the ghosts of girls who have been killed at Wickham Hall – and Malcolm, the three of them seek the truth.

While a few aspects are a bit transparent regarding the mystery, Talkington's novel is still undeniably entertaining. Liv is a protagonist you want to succeed, and the horror aspects of this story are written in the just the right way to give you chills. The relationships within Liv, Forever sold this novel for me. Liv and Malcolm are a surprisingly sweet couple, and Liv's friendship with Gabe is wonderful too. There's plenty of small moments of humor mixed in with the serious, and Liv, Forever proves to be a book that will keep you reading long after you meant to set it aside for the day.

Highlights: The rules of being a ghost were interesting to discover – Liv can interact with the world around her, somewhat, but it's limited. The pages detailing the deaths of the other girls were incredibly eerie, and set the right tone for the story. Liv's a great protagonist, and her artistic nature shows through (I liked her references to other artist's works). The mystery was interesting, and the ending was a surprise. Descriptions were fantastic, Talkington excelled at bringing her setting and characters to life. 

Lowlights: I saw a few aspects coming, and a few more seemed a bit cliched. But, still a highly entertaining story.

Rating: The Royal Library, Bottom Shelf (4 out of 5). Liv, Forever was much better than I expected, and I think this is a story worth reading. It's dark, mysterious, amusing, and full of surprises. 

I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

This is no way affected my opinion of the novel.

Review: NIL by Lynne Matson

Title: NIL
Author: Lynne Matson
Release: March 4th, 2014
Genre: YA thriller/sci-fi
Pages: 384
POV: 1st, dual, alternating
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co. BYR
Format: Print ARC
Source: Publicist
Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that she has to find a way to beat the clock, and quickly.

Nil begins with a bang as Charley is swept away by a strange shimmer and lands on an even stranger island. That excitement and tension never ceases. Instead, it builds and evolves, keeping the reader hooked and curious. Matson teases her readers with the dangers and curiosities of the mysterious island Nil, and uses her two protagonists to ground her story in reality. The narration switches between Charley¹ and Thad², giving readers two different perspectives as both try to unravel Nil's mysteries and find a way home. As the days tick by, the danger and excitement levels increase, until the novel's surprising conclusion. An action-packed survival-romance story, Nil is a thrilling debut. 

Highlights: The best compliment I can give to Nil is that I never wanted to set this story aside. Nil is a thrilling adventure and mystery from start to finish. This is one of those books where you'll find yourself turning the pages, hours after promising yourself you'd stop at such-and-such chapter. The characters are fresh and easy to differentiate from one another. Nil's wildlife provided plenty of excitement and tension. Descriptions of the island were intriguing, and Nil was undeniably my favorite aspect of the novel - it was almost a character in its own right. 

Lowlights: The romance, while sweet, did seem a little insta-lovey. I do also think it's strange that only Charley was able to find a pattern when it came to Nil's curiosities. Initially, I felt like the dialogue seemed a bit forced (especially when it came to specific accents / dialects). 

Rating: The Royal Library, Bottom Shelf (4 out of 5).

1 Charley: a gorgeous Southern girl, with legs for days, who is quite determined to make it off this island, and is very resourceful. I liked her instantly, she has a strong personality.
2 Thad: leader of Nil city, Canadian, has a body like a Greek god, and a sweet disposition. It took a little time, but he grew on me. 

Highlights / Lowlights: FIND ME by Romily Bernard

Title: FIND ME
Author: Romily Bernard (Twitter)
Published: September 2013
Series: Find Me #1
Genre: YA mystery
Pages: 307
POV: 1st person
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: ARC
Source: Vine Program
Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

“Find Me.”

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

Highlights: Find Me is a story that readers will easily devour, thanks to the short chapters that are bursting with action. The romance was likable, if only because it did not overwhelm the story. This is first and foremost a mystery, and Bernard does not disappoint readers. Even though I guessed the culprit, a few red herrings made me second guess myself at every turn of the page. A strong sense of family (blood or not), and learning what it means to be family, is present. From the sugary sweet to the intimidatingly terrifying, characters were realistically written. Every single time I told myself I'd stop at the end of the chapter, I'd keep going. This was, truly, a hard novel to set aside. Wick's voice is sharp, fresh, and likable - she's no cookie-cutter heroine, and I enjoyed her character all the more for it. If you're looking for a fast-paced mystery that will keep you hooked, Find Me is the perfect story. 

Lowlights: I guessed the killer from the beginning¹. Sometimes it felt a bit too fast-paced, it would have been nice to slow things down and get to know the characters a bit more – connect with them more.

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf (high 4 out of 5). Find Me is fantastic, worth owning, and has earned a spot in the royal library. I enjoyed Find Me very much, despite a few small issues, and would recommend this story to other readers who want to read an intriguing and surprising YA mystery. 

1 But, I'm very good at solving mysteries in novels. I should be a detective!²
2 Okay, maybe not. I'd probably accuse a bunch of innocent people, and it would just be terrible. 

Review: CONJURED by Sarah Beth Durst

Title: CONJURED
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Released: September 3rd, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: YA paranormal / fantasy
Pages: 368
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: eARC
Source: Publicist
Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name—but no memories of her past. She’s been told that she's in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding serial killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there is something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access—and there is nothing they won’t say—or do—to her to get her to remember.

At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things—things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed—and she’s lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her—but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined.

Conjured is undoubtedly like nothing you've read before. The narration twists and shifts between different perspectives from Eve (her normal 3rd person POV, flashbacks in 1st person, and eventually, the novel shifts from 3rd to 1st person) as she attempts to come to terms with her current life in the paranormal witness protection program. But, she is haunted by memories of a twisted circus, a murderous magician, a terrifyingly captivating storyteller. None of her memories make the slightest bit of sense to her. To top it off, her peculiar abilities, when used, sometimes cause her black out and lose track of her recent memories, making it difficult to know who to trust and who is lying to her.

Durst continues to impress me with every story she writes. Her work always includes highly impressive and imaginative storylines, and Conjured is no exception. Eve's point-of-view is odd, peculiar, and the mystery surrounding her and the other characters in the paranormal witness protection program is a thrill to unravel. While I was not completely sold on the romance, the mystery and descriptive writing style make this a challenging story to set aside. With so much paranormal young adult literature, it can be difficult to differentiate between books, but this is one story that truly stands out. Darkly mysterious and eerily entrancing, Conjured is a dazzling tale that will surprise you in more ways than one.

Highlights: The twisted circus memories and realities kept me hooked. I was unable to guess the truth about Eve's origins, even though the hints were presented early on. This would be a fun book to reread, if only to see all of these hints again. Durst develops a fully realized world, both our "normal" world and the worlds in Eve's memories. The writing is lyrical at times, and wonderfully vivid.

Lowlights: The romance is underwhelming and very quick to form (or perhaps it only felt that way simply because of Eve's memory issues).

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf. Conjured is an eerily fantastic story that is worth owning, and  it has earned a spot in the royal library. I enjoyed Conjured very much, despite a one or two small issues, and would highly recommend this eerily magical story to other readers.

Review: THESE BROKEN STARS

Title: THESE BROKEN STARS
Authors: Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner
Published: December 2013
Series: Starbound #1
Genre: YA Sci-fi / Romance
Pages: 374
POV: 1st person, dual
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Format: Hardcover
Source: Vine Program
Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

I understand why many people compare this story to Titanic, because These Broken Stars strongly resembles that tragedy in more ways than one. Lilac and Tarver are two of the many current residents of the Icarus¹. But, Lilac and Tarver are from two very different worlds: Lilac is the daughter of one of the most wealthy and influential men, and Tarver is a war hero from a humble background. When tragedy strikes, these two seemingly polar opposites come to rely on each other as they explore a strange new world, struggle to survive, and maybe fall in love.

While there are initially a few predictable moments, These Broken Stars captivates from the beginning and features quite a few shocking moments in the latter portion of the story. It was easy to become swept away by the two very intriguing and authentic points-of-view, the budding romance between the two narrators, and the mystery revolving around their unfortunate situation. The initial familiarity became comforting as I started to get to know the two protagonists, and I soon found myself rooting for both of them to make it through such a traumatic experience. I was expecting a story with a heavy dose of romance, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this is more of a survivalist story, with a genuine romance on the side. Exciting and thrilling, These Broken Stars is a magnificent tale of love, survival, and discovering the truth.

Highlights: The dual POV is top notch: Lilac and Tarver have their own distinct voices and personalities. Humor, romance, mystery, and more, These Broken Stars doesn't disappoint. The setting descriptions were marvelous, and made everything easy to visualize. I liked the little interruptions between chapters, involving an interview with Tarver regarding the tragedy. The romance takes some time to begin, and I'm glad that it took that time. 

Lowlights: Initially, it is a bit predictable, but that fades as the story continues. I wish more time had been spent aboard the Icarus, though.

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf. These Broken Stars is fantastic, worth owning, and has earned a spot in the royal library. I enjoyed this story very much, despite a few small issues, and would recommend this book to other readers.

1 Only a fool would name a spaceship Icarus, considering the legend. I mean, really. It's asking for trouble when you name something that flies after Icarus.

Highlights / Lowlights: IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters

Title: IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS

Author: Cat Winters

Published: April 2013

Series: N/A

Genre: YA historical / paranormal

Publisher: Amulet Books

Pages: 387

POV: 1st person, past tense

Format: Kindle Book

Source: Purchased

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

Highlights: Mary Shelley Black¹ is smart, sharp-witted, independent, and completely fabulous as a narrator. She's not some weak-willed girl, and I adored her for that aspect of her personality. The conclusion was mostly a surprise, and even though I did guess a few small aspects, Winters threw a few more twists my way. The importance of family was wonderful, especially Aunt Eva's presence throughout the story. Even the very bittersweet romance was nicely portrayed. The ghost aspect was entirely different than what I assumed it would be, which caused this novel to become a very refreshing story. All in all, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS is likely incredibly different from what you may expect, and completely worth your time. 

Lowlights: I set it aside for a few weeks after reading a couple chapters. While there were many interesting moments, I was never 100% compelled to read straight-through. But, I was probably in a book slump at that time. 

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf. A wonderfully descriptive historical novel featuring a fabulous main character, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS is worth checking out. 

1 My gosh, her name is a mouthful (but still a very awesome literary name and a nice nod to Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein).

Review: TORCHED by Andrea Lynn Colt

Title: TORCHED
Author: Andrea Lynn Colt
Published: September 2012
Series: None
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: self-published
Pages: 370
POV: 1st person
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased
Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

"Cheerleader Rose Whitfield's senior year goes up in smoke when she's framed for arson.

Sure that the culprit is her neighbor Paxton, with whom she's been feuding since middle school, she sets out to clear her name and take Paxton down hard--not necessarily in that order."

Rose Whitfield has it all: the perfect boyfriend, a popular BFF, the captain spot on the cheerleading squad and the top GPA at her high school. But, with a little fuel for the fire and the strike of a match, Rose's perfect life goes up in (actual) flames. Framed for arson, Rose quickly learns who her allies are when the people who should stand behind her – her boyfriend, best friend, and even her parents – don't seem to believe she's innocent. With only one person to rely on, and the absolute last person she ever expected to believe her, Rose digs for the truth. But thanks to her history of pranks that sometimes go awry, Rose discovers that she might have made more enemies during the last few years than she could have ever guessed.

A humorous and surprise-filled debut novel, TORCHED is an enjoyable mystery that will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish. Colt writes with plenty of humor, giving Rose an amusing voice that feels fresh and authentic. While the romantic aspect of the story is easy to see coming, it's an endearing inclusion that rounds out this mystery novel very nicely. Speaking of mystery, Colt keeps the suspense alive and burning throughout most of the novel – giving small hints here and there, but saving the reveal until much closer to the conclusion. Even when I originally guessed the culprit, Colt made me doubt my choice left me changing my mind repeatedly. If you're looking for a fun story with a dash of romance and plenty of mystery, I would highly suggest checking out TORCHED. 

Highlights: Colt's writing is fun, fresh, and very easy to enjoy. Rose's transformation and effort to be a better person was gradual and realistic. The romance was sweet and genuine. Each character was authentic in their own right. Honestly, as a whole, this book went above and beyond my admittedly low expectations. I usually equate low novel prices to low quality writing, but TORCHED is the exception. Also, I love that Rose named her car Cloudmonster. 

Lowlights: Rose spends a lot of time focusing on the (obviously) wrong person for a little more than a 100 pages, which I found a bit frustrating. OH! And Rose's parents. My gosh. What is wrong with them?!

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf. TORCHED is a fantastic story worth owning, and it has earned a spot in the royal library. I enjoyed this story very much, despite a few small issues, and would recommend TORCHED to other readers, especially if you're a fan of mystery, humor, and romance. 

Highlights / Lowlights: THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray

Title: THE DIVINERS
Author: Libba Bray
Published: September 2012
Genre: YA Mystery / Historical / Horror / Paranormal
Series: The Diviners #1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
POV: 3rd, alternating
Pages: 578
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

Highlights: Libba Bray books tend to be either a hit or a miss with me, so I was a bit anxious when I left my local library with the behemoth that is THE DIVINERS. But, it fortunately did deliver the eerie read I was promised. Atmospheric and rich in details, THE DIVINERS features a diverse cast of characters, a captivating mystery, and a wonderfully depicted setting. In addition, Bray knows how to write with humor, which allows a nice balance in regard to the horror aspect of the novel. Plus, it's written in 3rd person POV (which, obviously, I love)!

Lowlights: THE DIVINERS reads like a long book. It feels long, and certain moments seem utterly unnecessary. In the end, it doesn't seem like enough is accomplished, especially when taking into consideration the amount of "main" characters the story features. I probably would have loved this story more if it had narrowed it's focus to only one or two main characters. 

In the end, I would give THE DIVINERS a 3.8 out of 5 rating – I really, really liked it, but I also had a few issues with this novel. If you're looking for an eerie, historical novel with a large cast of characters, this book is perfect for you!

Review: THE INNOCENTS by Lili Peloquin

Title: THE INNOCENTS
Author: Lili Peloquin
Published: October 16th, 2012
Genre: YA contemporary, mystery
Publisher: Razorbill
POV: 3rd, alternating
Pages: 288
Format: ARC paperback
Source: unsolicited from Publisher
Rating: 3 out of 5

"Nothing ever came between sisters Alice and Charlie.

Friends didn't.

Boys couldn't.

Their family falling apart never would.

Until they got to Serenity Point.

"The Innocents" is the first in a new series of young adult novels that weave a saga of nail-biting drama, breathless romance, and gothic mystery."

THE INNOCENTS may move at a languid pace, but it provides all of the tantalizing drama and mysteries it promises in the summary. And, with an alternating 3rd person POV, Peloquin gives readers the chance to get to know both leading ladies – Alice and Charlie. While Charlie easily adjusts to living in luxury and befriends some of the most influential teens in their new hometown, Alice can't help but to dig a little deeper into their stepfather's past, including the mysteries surrounding his recently deceased wife and daughter. But, in Serenity Point, almost everyone has a secret that they would rather keep buried. 

I am a bit disappointed, because for all the intrigue THE INNOCENTS provides, it falls short in the character department and that hindered my experience with this story. While I wanted to love this story and the juicy drama, all of the characters were thoroughly difficult to enjoy and the protagonists were either utterly unlikable (Charlie) or boringly bland (Alice). However, the mysteries contained in the story itself are very tantalizing. With a better cast of characters and more character development, this could have been a gem. Yet, I'm sure many readers who are not as picky with their protagonists will happily devour and adore THE INNOCENTS – if it sounds like your kind of book, give it a shot!

Highlights: I may hate real-life drama, but I love fictional drama. The secrets! The twists! The surprises! Peloquin's debut delivers when it comes to the surprises at the conclusion, and I'm betting the sequel will have even more intriguing secrets to discover.

Lowlights: People who read actively will be able to interpret the clues early on and guess the ending twists. This story is very slowly paced. I couldn't connect with Alice and Charlie. The romance wasn't anything special. 

Review: PAPER VALENTINE by Brenna Yovanoff

Title: PAPER VALENTINE
Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Published: January 2013
Genre: YA, mystery, paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
POV: 1st person
Pages: 306
Format: Advanced Reader's Copy, paperback
Source: Unsolicited from Publisher

"The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.

For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.

With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again."

From the first chapter, it was easy to notice: Yovanoff's writing has a lovely yet strange flow / ring to it. At times, her word choice for certain descriptions was unexpectedly odd yet fitting as the words evoked the underlying emotion and meaning. Yovanoff gives the narrator, Hannah, a voice is decidedly "Hannah," unique to her personality and utterly captivating. I was worried that Hannah's budding relationship with Finny would detract from the mystery at hand, but it instead allowed the story and Hannah's character to grow a bit stronger. Hannah's relationships – familial, friendship, and romantic – all became intriguing plot points.

PAPER VALENTINE may meander along at a languid pace, but this allows the new string of murders to become all the more chilling and unsettling. With each new discovery, the tension grows until it is like a rubber band on the verge of snapping – but it never grows into too much. It's a soft yet unsettling eeriness that lingers in the background, perfectly mixed in with the surprising amount of more lighthearted moments. Also, while this story is a murder mystery, PAPER VALENTINE is also a ghost story centering around friendship. Hannah's best friend, Lillian, died six months ago, but Lillian's still hanging around as a ghost, pushing Hannah to dig deeper into the killings. These two bring out the best and worst in each other, and it was nice to see how they both evolved throughout the story. PAPER VALENTINE has a couple flaws, but is nonetheless an unexpected pleasant surprise that delivers in more ways than one. 

Highlights: Hannah's POV was similataneously expected and unexpected. On the one hand, she's what I expected from a YA novel heroine. On the other hand, her voice is very distinct and I enjoyed her peculiar descriptions and flashbacks. I like that Yovanoff didn't settle with only telling a murder mystery, but she instead built a community and inhabited it with imperfect, realistic characters that capture the reader's attention. I enjoyed the emphasis on family and sisterhood in this story. The Valentine Killer surprised me, because I was simultaneously incorrect and correct regarding the identity of the killer. 

Lowlights: Slightly predictable. The middle suffered a bit due to the slower pacing. I'm not a fan of the (sort of a spoiler - highlight to read) villain-confesses-all-before-trying-to-murder-the-hero(ine) ending, and that's unfortunately used here. It felt like a lot was happening in this story, which isn't necessarily bad, but it seemed like the story got off track a few times.

Review: OUT OF THE EASY by Ruta Sepetys

Title: OUT OF THE EASY
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Published: February 12th, 2013
Genre: YA, historical, mystery
Publisher: Philomel
POV: 1st person
Pages: 352
Format: Advanced Reader's Copy
Source: Unsolicited from Publisher

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

I highly enjoyed Sepetys's debut novel, BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, so I was naturally curious and nervous when it came to her sophomore novel. Could Sepetys bring a different time and place to life with as much emotion as her debut? I was skeptical, so I kept putting off reading this story until I finally read Christina's (Confessions of a Book Addict) review and was convinced that I needed to give it a chance. Fortunately, all of my worries about this novel were soothed and erased within first few chapters. Sepetys depicts New Orleans and this story's characters richly and vividly. OUT OF THE EASY is one of those stories where you find yourself eagerly flipping the pages as the mystery unfolds. This book even proves itself to be a touching, memorable story, largely because of the exceptional characters. 

I never thought I would love a book involving murder, brothels, terrible mothers, gangsters, and love triangles, but I was obviously wrong. The characters all prove themselves to be fully developed, and not quite the people you initially expect them to be. While there is a mystery to be solved within the story, I found Josie's growth and interpersonal relationships to be more fascinating. She's growing into herself, trying to decide who she is and where her future will take her. Despite everything that holds her back, she's one tough cookie and I was on Josie's side from the beginning. All in all, this is such a challenging story to review simply because it was incredible. If you love authentic historical novels, wonderful characters, coming of age moments, and a touch of mystery and romance, then you need to read OUT OF THE EASY. You won't regret it. 

Highlights: The characters, the setting, the writing....Sepetys portrays everything vividly and with the right amount of authenticity. She gives readers characters to love¹ and hate ², along with settings that burst to life with each and every word. These characters make this story something special. Even the love triangle is expertly written. Plus, Josie works in a bookstore and she's a total bookworm, which makes her instantly awesome. 

Lowlights: I want more? 

Cover: I like the shades of green that are used, since I don't usually see too many green covers. The symbolism is nice, too. It's a good cover, but it's not the best one I've ever seen.

1 Jesse! Josie! Cokie (what a sweet guy)! Willie! I could go on and on and on...
2 Oh my gosh, Josie's mother. I want to slap her.

Mini-Review: THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: THE RAVEN BOYS
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Published: September 18th, 2012
Series: Raven Cycle #1
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Scholastic Press
POV: Alternating 3rd person
Pages: 408
Format: ARC PDF
Source: Netgalley / Publisher

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

THE RAVEN BOYS is utterly unlike Maggie Stiefvater's previous works, which makes this story all the more intriguing. Fortunately, though the story and the POV are both very different than usual Stiefvater works, Stiefvater's writing remains evocative. Stiefvater's writing features words strung together in lovely, vivid ways that I've come to expect and enjoy. The characters, especially the leads, shine brightly with their vivid personalities - they demand your attention, and I was more than happy to give it. Yet, as much as I adored these characters, the story didn't quite turn out to be what I expected. Though it wasn't bad, it certainly didn't give me what the summary promised it would. Regardless, THE RAVEN BOYS is electric, mesmerizing, and somewhat strange (but in a good way). 

Highlights: Certain plot twists are almost unpredictable – especially one mind-blowing moment regarding one of the supporting characters. Speaking of characters, I could praise and adore them all day. They all feel different from one another, and I can't wait to read more about them in future installments. The settings are perfectly described. 

Lowlights: Slow going, like all Stiefvater stories. I feel like not enough was answered by the end, and the story cuts off in a very confusing moment. I expected a different story from reading the summary, so I was surprised when the whole Blue + Gansey romance ended up not being important (or even really present) in this book.

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits
Katie McGarry
July 31st, 2012
384 pages (hardcover)
Harlequin Teen
Source - Netgalley

"So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again."

In Pushing the Limits, a girl with a blurry past and a boy with an uncertain future collide. From the first page, Echo's strong voice drew me in and the full truth about her past kept me curious. While I was initially a bit put off with Noah, he proves himself to be a young man with a heart of gold that shines brilliantly when he's with his brothers and when he's with Echo. The alternating point of view could have been difficult to keep consistent, yet McGarry skillfully handled each character and never lost sight of each voice and each distinct personality. Whether it's the tantalizing mystery of Echo's past, the passionate romance, or even the sweet familial moments, this is one story that makes it easy to keep turning the pages. An emotionally charged story, Pushing the Limits is a standout summer debut.

Highlights: Suspense, humor, family, secrets, romance....All nicely done. The cast of characters were all developed with faults, quirks, and everything in between. While I guessed the truth about Echo's past early on, McGarry still kept me hooked by how expertly she handled the tantalizing buildup to the truth behind Echo's mystery. Great character growth, especially with Noah. And the scenes between Echo and Noah? So much chemistry, and their relationship was much more believable than I anticipated.

Lowlights: A little predictable. Also, I can't really put my finger on it, but it felt like something was missing. The story didn't make as big of an impact on me as I hoped it would (I could just be weird, since the story seemed to make an impact on many other readers). 

Rating: 

Review: Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Timepiece
Myra McEntire
June 12th 2012
336 pages (hardcover)
Egmont USA
Source - Netgalley

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The second installment in the Hourglass series, Timepiece introduces Kaleb Ballard as the narrator. Things have been a little crazy since the last book, especially Kaleb's relationships with his friends and family. He's still going out, getting drunk, spiraling downhill and self-destructing. But, Kaleb has more to worry about lately. The time ripples are getting worse and more intrusive, there's a girl he just can't win over, and everything he knows may cease to exist if Kaleb doesn't find Jack Landers soon. Now, Kaleb's left with only two options: Find Jack, or deal with the consequences. 

The risks are higher and the tension is palpable in Timepiece. Initially, I was wary of having Kaleb as a narrator, but there's more to this guy than meets the eye. The story sets off with a humorous moment that turns heart-pounding and somewhat terrifying. From there, the story only continues to grow and shine with each page and plot twist. While the plot alone is intriguing enough to capture a readers attention, Kaleb's voice (and character growth) is what brings this book to life. Timepiece is a solid and standout sequel -- I can't wait to see what happens next in Infinityglass.

Highlights: Kaleb's voice was engaging, amusing, endearing, and completely unlike what I expected from him. His interactions with Lily were hilarious. The mysteries in this book captivated me from start to finish. The romance was sweet and perfectly paced. Also, I love McEntire's inclusion of some architectural terms (the flying buttress scene was particularly amusing) and the overall descriptions because it helped me envision each scene. Also, character growth!

Lowlights: (Maybe a slight spoiler - highlight to read) You can't spend an entire novel talking about the Infinityglass, looking for the Infinityglass, and then never actually find it because you're saving it for book three. Nothing important was actually resolved in this book, so that was a bit frustrating.

Note: Reading Hourglass first is somewhat necessary when it comes to this novel. Even though these books have different narrators, the story in Timepiece will make more sense if you read Hourglass first. Thankfully, both books are thoroughly enjoyable. 

Rating:  

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Bitterblue
Kristin Cashore
1st May 2012
576 pages (hardcover)
Publisher - Dial
Source - Purchased

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

I enjoyed Graceling, adored Fire, and absolutely loved Bitterblue. Unlike the protagonists of Cashore's previous novels, Bitterblue is not Graced or a monster. Instead, she's a queen who enjoys numbers, ciphers and stories. Throughout the novel, her deceased father's terrible Grace and actions still linger in Monsea. Betrayal, secrets, and lies run deeper than imaginable. Her kingdom is filled with oddities that no one wants to explain or fix. Each new twist brings another round of suspects, questions, and ultimately creates even more doubts about everything and everyone.

Curious revelations, first love, and Bitterblue's transformation into the queen Monsea needs, Bitterblue gradually builds into a phenomenal story. Bitterblue herself is a remarkable young woman with a subtle strength, sharp humor, and a need for truth. It was intriguing to watch her character grow with each chapter. Bitterblue delves deeper and into darker places in order to unravel the mysteries in Monsea. There are lovely, lighthearted moments, along with others that will have you near (or in) tears. All in all, Bitterblue is an outstanding novel well worth the time it takes to read each page.

Highlights: It was nice to see characters from Cashore's previous books be present in this one, and through Bitterblue's very observant view of them. Characters as a whole were very well written (especially Death¹, Teddy, Saf, Po, Giddon, Leck, and Thiel). The extras at the end (cast of characters, drawings, et cetera) were fascinating. The ending, while a little bittersweet, was nicely done. 

Lowlights: I wanted more pages. Seriously. 

Note: As this is a sequel, reading Graceling is a must. I would recommend reading Fire since it will help make many moments more meaningful in the story. 

Rating:  

1 Coolest librarian ever. I kind of wish I had his Grace.

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Harbinger
Sara Wilson Etienne
February 2nd ,2012
320 pages (hardcover)
Putnam JuvenileSource - Publisher (unsolicited)

Plagued by waking visions and nightmares, inexplicably drawn to the bones of dead animals, Faye thinks she's going crazy. Fast. Her parents beleive Holbrook Academy might just be the solution. Dr. Mordoch tells her it's the only answer. But Faye knows that something's not quite right about Dr. Mordoch and her creepy, prisonlike school for disturbed teenagers. 
What's wrong with Holbrook goes beyond the Takers, sadistic guards who threaten the student body with Tasers and pepper spray; or Nurse, who doles out pills at bedtime and doses of solitary confinement when kids step out of line; or Rita, the strange girl who delivers ominous messages to Faye that never seem to make any sense. What's wrong with Holbrook begins and ends with Faye's red hands; she and her newfound friends--her Holbrook "family"--wake up every morning with their hands stained the terrible brown of dried blood. Faye has no idea what it means but fears she may be the cause....

At Holbrook Academy, students learn to become better. That might sound nice to some people, but Faye isn't interested, even if she does have constant and unusual hallucinations. And so, Harbinger begins with a little intrigue and plenty of excitement. The strict confines and rules of Holbrook succeed in creating an immediate bond between the reader and Faye (along with her Family, other Holbrook residents that she is grouped with). Nothing is what it seems at Holbrook. The deeper Faye delves into its secrets and walks on the edge of her sanity, the more shocking revelations she finds. 
Sara Wilson Etienne's debut exudes an eerie feel and a pull that keeps its readers flipping the pages and eager for so much more. In Harbinger, just when you figure something out, another surprise surfaces to take hold of you. However, the tone of the story changes in the second half, and it becomes somewhat tedious to continue as everything is revealed in ways you may (or may not) expect. In the end, the truth will likely either fully satisfy or slightly disappoint readers¹. 
Highlights: The eerie feel kept me glued to the pages. You never quite know what character to trust, or even what's going on. Faye is instantly easy to side with, as well as the members of her Holbrook Family, yet even they make you wonder if you can believe them. Faye's visions were detailed and fascinating. All in all, Harbinger is a great mystery. 
Lowlights: It seemed like answers came too fast - I kept backtracking because I felt like I missed something. The last hundred or so pages just weren't up to par with the rest of the book. I didn't enjoy the twist, and I didn't believe in Kel as a love interest. 
Rating: 

1 I wasn't particularly fond of the ending and twist, but the story was undeniably intriguing. 

Cover + Summary from Goodreads

Mini-Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

The Book of Blood and Shadow
Robin Wasserman
April 10th, 2012
448 pages (hardcover)
Publisher - Random House
Source - Netgalley

...When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love. When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead. His girlfriend Adriane, Nora’s best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora’s sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life.

The Book of Blood and Shadow rightly deserves to be referred to as The DaVinci Code for YA literature. It's smart, entertaining, and wonderfully written. Wasserman takes her time to build Nora's character (along with Adriane, Chris, Max, and eventually, Eli). When the story truly begins, you cannot help but to root for Nora and admire her tenacity as she delves deeper into the mystery at hand. Every letter leads to another exciting clue, as well as to more danger for the characters involved. If you love a good mystery with plenty of surprises, then definitely check this novel out. 

Highlights: The Book of Blood and Shadow captivated me from start to finish. Once the mysteries began, the intensity never let up. The best compliment I can pay this story is that everything felt real - the mystery and history, the clues, the emotions, the characters, and the settings. There's fun banter between characters. I enjoyed having a narrator with an exceptional vocabulary. Also, the surprises and twists! 

Lowlights: For the first half, this story feels like a very long book. I wish some parts had been shortened a bit. Also, the summary makes you think that Chris is dead when the book begins - but he's actually alive for quite some time, so I felt like that was misleading and frustrating (since I knew what was coming). 

Rating: 



Image + Summary from Goodreads

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Release: May 2011
Pages: 496 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Netgalley
Summary:

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history....read more at Goodreads.

Thoughts: Helen is a gorgeous-yet-insecure^{1} beauty with more gifts than she’s willing to find out about. But when the Delos family moves into town, Helen can’t hide from just how unique she really is. The first time she comes across Lucas Delos, he inspires nothing but the purest emotion of hatred…something that the Delos family seems to feel for her in turn. Then there are the mysterious three crying women who appear whenever she comes near the Delos family – three women that only they can see. From there, Starcrossed only gets more intriguing, dangerous, and downright surprising. 

While the Delos clan and Helen take center stage, supporting characters like Helen’s best friend Claire^{2} or her father manage to shine all their own – possibly even more than intended. Angelini puts her own spin on Greek mythology, creating an interesting backstory. Some aspects to the plot can easily be predicted, but the story still manages to slip in a few surprises. Starcrossed, simply put, is an exciting debut novel and Angelini has great potential.

Highlights: Lucas and Helen's first interactions^{3} with each other really put an interesting spin on YA – it was oddly nice to see the girl instantly dislike the guy. Despite my complaints about the Delos family, I adored how addictive and surprising Starcrossed turned out to be. Helen’s growth as a person was absolutely wonderful to see as well.

Lowlights: The POV switches didn't work for me at all, they seemed random and unnecessary. The Delos clan was too Twilight-esque; they needed to be far more unique and much less reminiscent of the Cullens.  The story starts off with strong creativity and stand-out appeal, but then slowly eases into more clichéd elements. Regardless, I have high hopes for the sequel.

Rating: 3.5 out 5

{Footnotes}

{1} Haven't I read about that girl before? Helen might even be a bit Bella-ish at first....yikes. 
{2} Claire is actually kind of bubbly/sassy/awesome. Very jump-off-the-page personality. I wish she had more page time. 
{3} Girl tries to kill boy at first sight. I want more books like that, it's interesting. Is that weird?

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Release: September, 2011

Pages: 304 (hardcover)

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Source: Netgalley

Summary:

"Once upon a time there was a girl who was special. 

This is not her story. 

Unless you count the part where I killed her."

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible....Read more at Goodreads.

Mini-Thoughts:  From the startling intro, it becomes obvious that Alison is different. Very different, especially in comparison to the myriad of other gals in YA lit out there. The details Alison notices about others (+ how she notices them) and her uniqueness really shines with Anderson's magnetizing writing. Despite Alison's obvious fear of herself, what she might be capable of, and her unusual condition, she was still so easy to like and enjoy. Regarding the storyline, I'm keeping quiet for the sake of the story. What I will say is that it genre-jumps quite a bit, but the constant what-comes-next quality this story has is what makes Ultraviolet incredible. 

Highlights: This story surprised me to no end, and in a great way. Character relations are realistic, and the characters themselves are so vibrant, developed. Anderson's writing is mesmerizing, especially regarding Alison's odd ability....Mysterious, creative and downright surprising, Ultraviolet is a story you will not be able to tear yourself away from. 

Lowlights: I have a personal, negative bias with genre-jumping books. It's a weird experience to read something that feels like genre, then turns into another, and then another. But I found that it didn't bother me too much in this story.

Rating: 4/5