Waiting on Wednesday (Times Two!)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Pandemonium by Lauren OliverRelease: March 2012Summary:

Lauren Oliver captivated readers with Delirium, the first book in a thrilling dystopian trilogy in which Lena Haloway dared to fall in love with Alex and escape the cure, the government-mandated procedure that renders a person immune to the disease of love. Lena and Alex staked their lives on leaving their oppressive society, but only Lena broke free. 
Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again. 

Anything that's written by Lauren Oliver automatically captures my interest because I adore her books. I'm so very curious to see where Lena's story goes in this one...especially after how Delirium ended! *** 

When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat HellisenRelease: February 2012

Summary:

A girl fakes her own suicide to escape from the strict confines of her aristocratic family and a likely arranged marriage, only to be confronted with the harsh realities of living in the slums with the working class and the ultimate discovery that the boy she’s fallen in love with is plotting a rebellion to destroy her family. 

What are you waiting on?

Shadowland (The Mediator #1) by Meg Cabot

Shadowland by Meg Cabot 

(The Mediator #1)

Release: 2004

Pages: 304

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Bought

Summary:

Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations...read more at Goodreads.

Review: By and far some of Cabot's best work, Shadowland (the first installment of the Mediator series) is witty, fun, and full of heart. 

Susannah "Suze" Simon isn't your average teen: she can't drive, she wears a motorcycle jacket, and she's a mediator - a person who can see, speak and (if necessary) give ghosts that extra nudge (or shove) into the beyond. Giving up NYC life to go live in Carmel, California, Suze attempts to make the best of her new stepfather, Andy, and his three sons, Jake (Sleepy), Brad (Dopey) and David (Doc). But the moment she steps foot in her so-not-Suze bedroom, she realizes the move will be more difficult than she anticipated. Mostly because of the Spanish-speaking ghost that refuses move out of her bedroom. But in comparison to a ghostly Queen Bee named Heather waiting for Suze at her new school, he's the least of her problems. Being a mediator, it's up to Suze to deal with Heather, especially before someone gets hurt...or worse.

Every time I reread this book, I'm reminded why I love Cabot's writing (especially her earlier work) so much. Cabot includes intriguing storylines, characters you can't help but to adore, a strong/realistic heroine, and an abundance of amusing moments to keep your spirits up. Suze isn't some weak protagonist - she's not afraid to defend herself and the people she cares about. This is also one of the few paranormal stories that manages to keep family/friendship at the heart of the story, and I love how Cabot writes a light paranormal story where the family is present and cares about our protagonist (instead of killing off the family/making her parents completely suck like other books do). There's enough to keep a reader pleasantly surprised as well.

If you're looking for a lighter, amusing paranormal story for summer, then Shadowland is the perfect choice. 

Highlights: Suze's witticisms and attitude bring this story to another level. She is without a doubt one of my favorite book characters. Even her stubbornness makes her endearing. Many of the characters - from Father Dominic, Jesse, to the Ackerman family - are enjoyable and amusing because of how realistic and unique they are. I loved the California descriptions because it was a bit interesting to see Suze's reactions to the beach/palm trees/Cali life in comparison to NYC. 

Lowlights: Not quite enough is done with some of the supporting characters (especially Jesse, Ceecee, Father Dominic, and Adam), but it is only the first novel. Besides, I already know that all of these characters get more page-time later on. 

Rating: 


Read an excerpt at Meg Cabot's website

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Release: June 7th, 2011

Pages: 416 (hardcover)

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Netgalley

Summary: 

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death....read more at Goodreads.

Amelia doesn't know much, but she does know that she's dead. Spending her time trapped in terrible nightmares or just ghostly moving through the river, her afterlife has been nothing but loneliness and routine. But when Joshua almost dies in the river and Amelia somehow intervense, for the first time in her afterlife, someone can see her and touch her. Even better, he wants to get to know her and help her find out her past. But Joshua isn't the only one interested in Amelia - there's another ghost who will do anything he can to have her at his side.... 

Amelia captured my sympathy from the beginning - I can't even imagine a life where no one could see you, or hear you. She's grown so complacent with her (after)life that it's quite a surprise when the normalcy of it all gets turned upside down with Joshua's appearance. He's sweet, funny, and definitely interested in her. Hereafter truly surprised me with how easy it was to jump into, from the settings to how likable the characters were. Side characters like Jill (Joshua's sister) and their grandmother were both two of my favorites, and the scenery was always easily visualized. Hereafter is lighthearted ghost story filled with intrigue, humor and spectacular characters - definitely check it out! 

Highlights: I'm a huge insta-love hater, but Hudson made Amelia and Joshua's romance kind of adorable. I couldn't help but to root for these two. I also really enjoyed how Joshua's family has a relationship with ghosts (you'll understand when you read it), I wasn't expecting that. Even our villain, Eli, managed to become a highlight of the story with his manic-crazy, rock n' roll personality. This entire story surprised me with how utterly endearing it was - I didn't want it to end. 

Lowlights: It was easy enough to guess ahead about what was going to happen (and be right), although I do think there are a few moments that will surprise readers. I also really disliked how Amelia needed a guy in order for her to make a change in her (after)life, regarding discovering her past and her abilities as a ghost. 

Rating: