In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Things for review: 

No Safety in Numbers by Dayna Lorentz

A biological bomb has just been discovered in the air ducts of a busy suburban mall. At first nobody knows if it's even life threatening, but then the entire complex is quarantined, people start getting sick, supplies start running low, and there's no way out. Among the hundreds of trapped shoppers are four teens. 

These four different narrators, each with their own stories, must cope in unique, surprising styles, changing in ways they wouldn't have predicted, trying to find solace, safety, and escape at a time when the adults are behaving badly. 

This is a gripping look at people and how they can—and must—change under the most dire of circumstances. 

And not always for the better.

I hadn't even heard of this book before it showed up to my house, but it sounds crazy in the best way possible. 

Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglin

Sara Jane Rispoli is just a normal sixteen-year-old girl coping with school and a developing crush— until her parents and younger brother are kidnapped, and she discovers her family has been a key figure of Chicago’s Outfit (aka the mob) for decades. Her father, grandfather and great grandfather all used their special ability, cold fury, to settle disputes between the two mob factions—the muscle and the money. And unless Sara wants the mob to think her now missing family has turned state’s evidence, she will have to fill her father’s shoes as the mob’s peacemaker, using her own cold fury.

 I also hadn't heard of this one, but, oh my gosh, THE MOB! My favorite!

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near-impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one unlikely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life– a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha… and the secrets of her heart.

 I prefer my fantasy to be dark, and this one sounds like it will be.

Freshmen Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…

Because my own high school career is nearing its end, I anticipate that this book will make me feel all sorts of things.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

[description from goodreads]

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Review:

For some reason, I had a sinking feeling that I just wouldn't like The Catastrophic History of You and Me. I think what threw me off is that Brie dies from a literal broken heart-- I mean, how much more corny can you get? The ridiculous nature of that event never dwindled, but I actually enjoyed the book overall. I have plenty of issues with it, but even when I was rolling my eyes, I was enjoying myself. 

Since I already briefly mentioned the cheesiness of this book, it might as well be the first complaint I expand upon. Despite my affinity for Narrators From Beyond the Grave, I'm not a huge fan of Brie's afterlife. I never understood what exactly Brie's current home is-- heaven? purgatory? something else? Granted, Brie never seems to find out enough either, but the actions she was able to take there never made sense. I didn't understand what exactly she could change on Earth, or what a Lost Soul is, or how they thrive in Brie's new home, or how Brie would even spend all her time in this place. The book also seemed like it was trying to throw in too many big ideas about souls, eternity, and all that jazz; there were simply too many topics that just appeared instead of naturally being introduced and developed for them to seem like anything but random. 


However, despite how awkward I found most everything to be, there's just something about this book that I like. Brie often annoyed me with her overblown affection for the not-very-exciting Jacob, and her relationship with Patrick was similarly incomprehensibly deep, but she charmed me anyway. Her writing style is so easy to read and sprinkled with bits of humor that it always had me smiling, even in the sections where she went off on melodramatic tangents. I also enjoyed that even though she's stuck in one place, there is plenty of drama and new information she discovers about both her life and afterlife. It makes for an always exciting read, even though a lot of the action is more melodrama than anything. 


It's melodramatic and often nonsensical, but so charming and happy-making that I can safely say I do indeed like The Catastrophic History of You and Me despite its faults.


Book details: Dial/Hardcover/$17.99


Source: sent by publisher for review

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

[description from goodreads]

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

Review:

Retellings usually catch my attention, especially when they're retellings of stories I'm very familiar with. I don't think there's any tale I know better than "Cinderella," so I looked forward to this unique spin on the story. Cinder is predictable beyond even the parts lifted from the original "Cinderella," but its originality, intriguing characters, and promise for the quality of the future series installments more than make up for that.

It's hard for me to tell if my feelings on the setting of New Beijing are a result of my own natural desire to know everything or a lack of development on behalf of the novel. Because, while there is definitely a lot of information included about cyborgs and the Lunar enemies of the kingdom, I never really felt like I understood the full scope of their role in the society. It was nice that the included information seemed naturally given rather than dumped in chapters solely for exposition, but still, I think there is far more that never made it in to the story. However, while I never understood the entirety of the setting, I did at least enjoy what happened in it. Despite how predictable things were, even things not from the original "Cinderella," there's just so much always going on that it was hard for me not to always want to keep reading.

Although its the plot and premise are definitely the "selling point" of this book, the characters truly are the best parts. All the hardships Cinder herself faces as a cyborg make her both insanely tough but compassionate to those she cares for. It's this combination that makes her sympathetic as well, and thus always a treat to read about, especially in her more emotional moments. I liked most of the other characters too; although some, like the Lunar queen, are comical with their one-dimensional personalities, those who appear often are delightfully realistic. Prince Kai, for example, always managed to impress me with his kindness and acknowledgment that although he is capable of getting things done, he needs help as well.

Cinder may have lacked some development and surprise, but what's included is exciting, unique, and purely enjoyable in every sense of the word.

Book details: Feiwel & Friends/Hardcover/$17.99


Source: sent by publisher for review

And By the Way by Denise Deegan

[description from Book Depository]

At Strandbrook College, we are Kids Of. Kids of diplomats, media stars, musicians, artists, actors, oh, and wealthy people who aspire to all of that. I'm the kid of a rock star. Means nothing to me. When Mum died, six months ago, I didn't just lose her, I lost my dad - to work. The only thing he does now is annoy me. He hires people like 'The Stylist' who wears bullets in her belt and makes him look like a hobo. Seriously. But 'The Rockstar' isn't the only person who drives me mad. There's David McFadden, a guy in my class who could have helped but didn't. Now, it's too late. I don't want his help. Because I'm not going to trust anyone, love anyone, rely on anyone. That way I'll never be hurt again. If only I could solve the problem of Rachel, my best friend, who won't let me pull back just like that. Even David McFadden won't stay out of my face. But I'm not going to fall for his blue eyes, his windswept hair or the plaited leather on his wrist. And when he says he wants to help, I'm sure as hell not going to listen...

Review: 

Because And By the Way comes all the way from Ireland, I had not heard of it before it was offered to me for review. However, books involving celebrities are impossible for me to resist, so I happily accepted it. While it is by no means a mind-blowing read, I did really enjoy it.

Although there is plenty of angst present in Alex's life, the book manages to balance the sadder parts with the lighter sections quite well; it often seemed as if there was too much going on to give anything the deserved attention, such as Alex's relationship with her father, but in terms of tone, there's the nice balance between sad and calm. Despite the fact that many of Alex's problems seem underdeveloped in their brevity, there is always at the very least plenty of drama and explicitly detailed emotions that make this book constantly exciting and poignant to read. Even with all of Alex's intense emotion in mind, this book is by no means a depressing one, for certain things in her life, like her romance with David, and her conversational style make it light and fast.

Most of my qualms with this book I touched upon earlier-- there just didn't seem to be enough time spent on some of the smaller issues so that they seemed entirely believable. For example, Alex's friends, Rachel and Sarah, kind of come and go. Which does make sense in terms of the choices Alex makes, but it doesn't really lend to their being particularly well developed. Still, even the less realistic characters and story lines are amusing and provide Alex with another source of trouble that make this book an intense one.

Simultaneously light, emotional, sweet, and poignant, And By the Way is a truly enjoyable read despite my wishes for more development in certain areas.

Book details: Hatchette Ireland/Paperback

Source: sent by publisher for review

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Exciting things for review this week:

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

This one sounds ridiculously adorable.

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Between Noelle’s difficult home life and the bullying she endures at school, all she wants is to get out of her small town. Noelle would give anything to be with Julian Porter. But staying with her emotionally distant boyfriend is safer. When things heat up between Noelle and Julian, she has to decide whether she can be her true self with him.

 I've read all of Susane's Colasanti's books, so I'm excited to see how this one compares to the rest of them.

Wicked Jealous by Robin Palmer

Simone never saw herself as the “cute girl”—she was always the chunky, band tee wearing, France-obsessed smart girl. But now that Simone’s a few pounds lighter and sporting a new retro style, things have gotten, well, weird. Her crush Jason seems to actually know she exists. And when Simone’s soon-to-be stepmonster Hillary stops ignoring her, Simone knows something is up. When Simone’s brother offers to let her move in with him and his six roommates on the beach for the summer, Simone jumps at the chance. But living with seven very different college boys isn’t exactly helping her land her very own happily ever after.

 I've been meaning to read one of Robin Palmer's books, so I was very glad to receive this one. It sounds like a fun take on Snow White.

Favorite Retellings

The title says it all.

1. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (based on "The Six Swans")

I love this whole series but have to give most of my adoration to book one. Usually such high fantasy makes me want to run, but I'd gladly read all 500+ pages of this beautiful story in one setting.

2. Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook (based on The Count of Monte Cristo)

Based on that cover alone you know this book is going to be ridiculous, and it is, in the best way possible. It's such a fun book to read that I couldn't help but put it on this list.

3. Ash by Malinda Lo (based on "Cinderella")

Succinctly summarized as "a lesbian retelling of 'Cinderella,'" but it's also much more than that. It's wonderfully written and manages to be both complex but also beautifully, purely simple. 

4. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (based on, uh, "The Goose Girl")

Every word makes The Goose Girl seem like a true fairytale, and that's what makes it so magical.

5. Undercover by Beth Kephart (based on Cyrano de Bergerac)

Beth Kephart's writing blows everyone else's out of the water, hence my love for this book. Definitely my favorite Cyrano retelling (excluding maybe that one episode of Boy Meets World).

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

[description from goodreads]

Jill MacSweeny just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she's somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one. 

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she's sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It's harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?

As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy--or as difficult--as it seems.

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about the many roads that can lead us home.

 Review:

Because I know you're already singing it to yourself:



Now that we've got that out of the way, let me tell you how much more I love Sara Zarr's How to Save a Life than The Fray's. Not that I don't like the song, because I do, but I like Sara Zarr's books more than most things, including that tune.

Jill and Mandy have such different personalities that making them narrate the same book is both a delightful and slightly annoying thing. Although they're different, they have one thing in common: I can't take too much of either of them at once. Not necessarily in a bad way, though-- I think it's more that they are so human that I couldn't help but be annoyed at one point or another, like I am with most humans. Mandy, for example, speaks and acts in such a naive and optimistic manner that I often couldn't believe someone would be so hippie-like all the time. However, she also speaks so beautifully with her simplicity and optimism that even when I couldn't understand her actions, I could at least enjoy reading about them. Similarly, with Jill, she would often be so harsh to her friends that I didn't understand why she and they still stayed together. Her angst is so easy to relate to, though, and so detailed that I also couldn't help but love her narration. Together, they balance each other out superbly.

The rest of the book I am similarly love-hate about. This is definitely a character-driven novel, and thus the plot sometimes left a bit to be desired. I did like that there were so many issues for each character to deal with-- Jill and her friends, her dad, her mom and new living mate, for example; and Mandy with the prospect of having a child, giving the baby up, and her family life back home. However, despite all these various issues, sometimes things were a bit repetitive. The girls feel so many different things about each issue, but there are only so many actions that can be taken in regards to them that I often felt like I was reading the same thing. Still, there's a constant source of angst and drama, all of it beautifully written and emotional, which makes it always poignant to read.

Although it could have used a bit more varied and faster plot to make me completely love it, I still found How to Save a Life to be a wonderfully real, emotional, touching read.

Book details: Little, Brown/Hardcover/$17.99


Source: bought