Monday, December 30, 2013

Release Day Giveaway!


Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, LIKE their Facebook page, and join the Book Club.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Covet's December releases:


Beg Me to Slay by Lisa Kessler

He’ll slay her demons, but it may cost her heart…

Four years ago Tegan Ashton was attacked. Determined never to be a victim again, she devotes her life to martial arts and self-defense. When her assailant returns to finish what he started, only one person can help her.

Gabe is a private investigator by day and demon slayer by night. After losing loved ones, he vows to defend people from a threat they don’t realize exists.

The relationship is supposed to be strictly business, but fighting demons together stirs up emotions they never expected. Turns out demon slaying is a breeze compared to facing their scarred pasts and even worse - hearts.




Ashes by Sarah Gilman

Journalist Ambrosia Pellerin accepts an assignment involving the legendary phoenix, expecting, if nothing else, a little entertainment. Instead, she winds up pregnant—by a surprisingly human-looking firebird, Reece Bennu.

As the Phoenix prince, Reece is next in line to the throne and expected to marry a purebred royal. A common human such as Ambrosia is not in the cards. He swears, though, he’ll never be an absentee father.

As Ambrosia’s due date grows closer, so do the soon-to-be parents. But will their tentative love survive the prejudice of Reece’s grandmother, who will stop at nothing to tear the two apart?



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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

The Magic of Christmas Past




Now that I am an adult and all the magic happens in books for me I love to watch my children at Christmas. Their since of wonder and excitement never ceases to amaze me. They are my favorite part of Christmas now.


What is you favorite childhood Christmas memory?

Mine was Christmas of second grade. I had asked for a horse all year long. Every time my mom or dad would ask me what I wanted Santa to bring me I would look at them and say “a horse!” (Yes, I totally believed in Santa.) Christmas morning came and I really believed when I walked into the living room my horse would be there standing beside the tree. I went into the living room and tried really hard to not be disappointed. My horse was not standing beside the tree.

We went about our regular ritual of opening our presents, I can remember being happy about a drawing set I received from my parents and was looking through it when my dad said “Rebecca, what is that in the tree?”

I took the note down from the tree and read it. It was from Santa! It said the horse was to big to leave in the living roomSmileMy horse’s name was Charley! I was told in the note that I could go see him later that afternoon. All I could do was yell “I got a horse” over and over again.

I don’t think Christmas is all about the presents. But, I believed in the magic that surrounds Christmas that year. To this day I have no idea how my parents afforded such a gift (we never had a lot of money) but they made magic happen for the animal fanatic little girl me.

Do you have a favorite Christmas memory from childhood?

Let me know below.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Charter internet service sucks!

Lately every time I go to write a new post our internet goes down. This is driving me crazy! We have had service people out to "fix" the problem more than once, but as I am posting this from my phone you can see nothing has been fixed.  I  usually never post any type of rant on Bending The Spine  but as you can tell I'm fed up. Have any of you had this problem? What internet service do you use? And are you happy with it?

Monday, December 16, 2013

Audio Review: Phantom Evil by Heather Graham

Phantom Evil (Krewe of Hunters, #1)
Phantom Evil
Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters
Listening Length: 10 hours and 11 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: March 29, 2011

A secret government unit is formed under the oversight of Adam Harrison, famed paranormal investigator. The six members he's gathered know a little of the otherworldly ? each has honed a psychic talent of their own. Jackson Crow, part English, part Cheyenne, heads the group. Haunted by his experience with an ancestral ghost who saved his life as a child, and the recent murders of two previous teammates, Jackson can't tell if Adam's demoted him or given him an extraordinary opportunity. Despite his link to the realm of spirits, he's well aware that the living commit the most heinous crimes, with spiritualist charlatans existing merely to fool and seduce the unwary. To counterbalance Jackson's careful skepticism, Adam Harrison has paired him with Angela Hawkins, a young woman who learned the painful lesson of loss at an early age. A police officer utilizing her paranormal intuition in Virginia, she already has her hands full. But Adam's call to New Orleans is strong. The case: In a historic mansion in New Orleans? French Quarter, a senator's wife falls to her death from a balcony. Most think she jumped, distraught over the loss of her young son. Some say she was pushed. And yet others believe she was beckoned by the ghostly spirits that inhabit the house ? once the site of a serial killer's grisly work. Whether supernatural or all too human, crimes of passion, greed, and desire will cast the pair into danger of losing their lives... and their immortal souls. Graham does a great job of blending just a bit of paranormal with real, human evil.? ?Miami Herald Graham wields a deftly sexy and convincing pen.? ?Publishers Weekly An incredible storyteller.? ?Los Angeles Daily News Hear more about Adam Harrison's secret government unit in the Krewe of Hunters trilogy.


Review

This is the first of Graham’s novels that I’ve tried [EDIT: WRONG!  This is the second Graham novel I've read.  *face-palms*].  I liked it, for the most part.  I liked that it was a paranormal-crime novel.  That there were the usual and unusual suspects.  I liked that you never knew what was coming next, and that it was ever so slightly predictable.  I liked the Krewe of Hunters—they were all unique, had their own voice, and added something extra to the story.  I liked how unique Phantom Evil was.

I liked that I didn’t figure out who dunnit.

Now, on to what I didn’t like…

  • We got off to a very choppy start.  I felt like I was starting the second book in a series without having read the first one.  I actually double-checked to make sure that Phantom Evil was the first!  Felt that there was major character development that happened elsewhere, and I was trying to catch up to get with the program.  Graham did answer a lot of the questions as you progressed through the story, but some of it I would have liked up front.
  • Jackson’s skepticism is very tiring.  I just wanted him to be like, “OK, so maybe there is a possibility of something otherworldly.  Now prove it to me.”  Which at one point he was, but geez, he really just got on my nerves!  His character was comical at times and felt hard to relate to.
  • There were two VERY graphic sex scenes.  I fast-forwarded through the second because I couldn’t handle another one.  They were gratuitous and unnecessary to the plot.  They were sex-for-the-sake-of-sex, and I didn’t appreciate it.

More of what I did like…

New Orleans as a setting is pretty great for this book.  There’s the whole voodoo/mysticism that is inherent in New Orleans that makes this story seem very possible.  Graham was very light on the details, giving just enough to set the place without talking about the grain on the hardwood floors.  If you catch my drift.  I got confused as times about the actual footprint of the house, where all the rooms were, etc.  It was a big house, so I can understand why I got a little lost.

Overall, this is a great read, I highly recommend it.

4 Moons

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Friday, December 13, 2013

Stacking The Shelves #31


Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a post for bloggers to share what books they've received to review, bought, won, borrowed or were gifted.


What I got this week


Purchased as Christmas gifts
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The Disenchantments and So Much Closer are going to my baby sister, who happens to be in high school, and loves to read:)


Purchased for myself
Seven Years (Seven, #1)
I saw @DannikaDar tweet about her PNR Seven Series and decided to give Seven Years a try. I LOVE shifters, they are probably my favorite of all the paranormanl, so I hope this will really hit the spot:)


For Review
The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant (V, #1)
The Unseemly Education Of Anne Merchant has an incredibly creepy cover that drew me in right away! It also sounds like it is going to be a very quick read. Thanks so much to Netgalley and BenBella Books for this eARC.

Have you read any of the books above?
Can’t wait to see what you got!
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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Poison Dance by Livia Blackburne



Poison Dance: A Novella


Poison Dance
Livia Blackburne
Publisher: Lion's Quill Press
Release Date: September 12, 2013

James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild. Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out—if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman. With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. But when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison. Poison dance is approximately 14,000 words, or 54 printed pages.


Review


A few weeks ago I featured Midnight Thief as my Waiting on Wednesday. At that time I had no idea Midnight Thief had a prequel I just knew it sounded amazing and that I wanted to read it. After tweeting Livia Blackburn my WOW post she offered to send me Poison Dance and I am so happy she did.

Going into this I was a bit worried. I have never started a series with a prequel novella before. I wondered if I wouldn’t connect with the characters in this short amount of pages, or if I would feel like the story was cut off abruptly. I didn’t feel that way on either account. I was sucked into this fantasy world of dangerous assassins that can trust almost no one not even their own guild.

Thalia is a girl who not many take notice in when she is not dancing on stage, being just a pretty face helps her get a slew of information from men who forget she has ears. This would work out fine for Thalia if she where just an information trader, but no she is out for vengeance and her target is just out of reach. I ended up with so much compassion for Thalia. She does not enjoy the life she is living, but she is driven to serve justice to a man that killed someone Thalia loved.

As he turned away she called after him. “Wait!” For the first time, a hint of desperation crept in her voice. “If you wont kill him for me, at least help me.”
So the girl wasn’t quite as cool and calm as she’d appeared. “How?” He asked.
Thalia swallowed. She was trying to compose herself again, with only partial success. “Sho me how to kill him myself.”    

James has worked as an assassin from a young age and is good at what he does. He is strong quiet and deadly. James doesn't care to be involved in stupid politics or dramas that go on around him in the Assassin’s Guild at the moment. He and his friends just want to live. Of course Thalia messes all of that up for him. The romance between these two characters is not typical due to the dangerous circumstances James and Thalia are surrounded by but I rooted for them from the first time they spoke together.

If you are on the fence about this novella jump off right now to the reading side. Reading Poison Dance was a fast paced ride with amazing characters and wonderful world building. Reading this short assassin filled fantasy just made me that much more hungry to read Midnight Thief. I want to know so much more about these characters and can't wait to read them again!

Happy Reading,
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4 Moons: I am impatiently waiting for more from Livia Blackburne

Bonus: Poison Dance is $0.99! Right now!!!


Giveaway

Buy Poison Dance at: Ebook: Kindle (US) | Nook | Kobo | iBooks Paperback: Amazon Check out eleven other fantasy romance books also on sale for .99 cents here. And enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday: Hollow City (Miss Peregrine #2) by Ransom Riggs

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"Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at “Breaking the Spine”, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

What I’m waiting on

Hollow City (Miss Peregrine, #2)
  • Hollow City
  • Ransom Riggs
  • Series: Miss Peregrine's Children
  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Quirk Books
  • Release Date: January 14, 2014
 
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was the surprise best seller of 2011—an unprecedented mix of YA fantasy and vintage photography that enthralled readers and critics alike. Publishers Weekly called it “an enjoyable, eccentric read, distinguished by well-developed characters, a believable Welsh setting, and some very creepy monsters.”

This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.



What I’m thinking

I don’t think I can express just how excited I am about this sequel! I recently purchased Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel to read as a refresher to get myself in the right mindset for Hollow City. Thankfully I don’t have that much longer to wait. If you are one of those who has not yet read Miss Peregrine go do it now!!!! You will not be disappointed.

Is Hollow City on your to read list?
Can’t wait to see what books you are wanting this week?
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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Two Reviews for the Price of One: The Selection & The Elite by Kiera Cass

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The Selection
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The Elite
The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestsellerThe Selection.
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.
America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.
Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Review

Ok.  It’s confession time.  I “borrowed” Cana’s (A Place of Reads) Audible account ‘cause I was in a pinch and needed something to read.  She had these.  And I’ve heard good and bad things about them.  And I do love a little drama from time to time…but I digress.  So, I gave ‘em a shot.

I don’t normally like cliffhangers, but I like that Cass ended each of these that way.  It makes you that much more eager to see what trouble America is going to get herself into in the next part of the story (and she’s always getting into some sort of trouble).  And this surprises me somewhat, since nothing really happens in either of these.  Many people have said this series reminds them of a combination of The Hunger Games and ________ (fill in the silly romance book of your choice—for me, it was Matched by Ally Condie).  I thought the same thing at first, but soon realized that The Selection is absolutely NOTHING like The Hunger Games.  There is no death, no killing, no fighting tooth and nail for survival.  Let’s be honest:The Selection is a YA novel based on The Bachelor, set in an unrealistic post-dystopian world.

We’re gonna do a quick list on my peeves:

  • It was very silly. I kept waiting for some test that would equate this to and make it worthy of the comparison to The Hunger Games, and yet nothing happened.
  • The caste system is ridiculous (no American, no matter what we had been through, would stand for that)—Suzanne Collins got this concept right in The Hunger Games.
  • It seems that the provinces that make up the new USA seems very poorly thought out.  America comes from Carolina, but none of the other provinces have recognizable regional names.  Why is Carolina the only one?
  • America’s wishy-washiness was so tiresome.  I very often hated her.  As a main character, I shouldn’t dislike her so much.  I don’t know if Cass was being funny, but at one point in The Elite, America says of herself: “my fickle heart.”  That’s a very accurate description of her—she never could decide what she wanted.

Next confession: I actually enjoyed the first two installments of The Selection series.  I’m no teenage girl, but I wanted to know what happened next.  I usually wouldn’t have been absorbed in a seemingly action-less plot, but I was fairly riveted.  I even just bought The Prince, a prequel to the series and am looking forward to reading it!  For all the flaws, it is enjoyable story.  The pacing is really good.  Cass does weave a good tale.

Honestly, I don’t think anyone is more amazed than I am that I actually enjoyed these books!  They’re not what I expected, but I was so completely and utterly drawn into the story, and rooting so hard for Maxon.  And wishing I could punch America.  Hard.

If you’re on the fence, give ‘em a try.  You might end up surprising yourself and having a good time with them.

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4 Moons
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Saturday, December 7, 2013

The Forgotten Ones Excerpt & Giveaway

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I am very excited to share an excerpt from The Forgotten Ones with you today. I recently acquired this book myself and hope to get to it very soon! I hope you enjoy the excerpt, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post.

tfo
Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember. What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone.

Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

The Forgotten Ones Danaan Trilogy Book One Genre: New Adult Fantasy 197 Pages Click here to add The Forgotten Ones to your Goodreads shelf! PURCHASE LINKS Amazon  


EXCERPT
 
“Allison?” His voice was soft and serious, sounding warning bells in my mind.
 
“Mm-hmm?” I was afraid to look at him, afraid of the way he said my name, so I kept looking at the sky.
 
“I want to know why you never date,” he said.
 
I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t come up with an appropriate answer so I closed it.
 
“You could have anyone you wanted. Why is it you’re always alone?” I could feel his eyes on me as I stared into the star-studded night.
 
“Anyone I wanted? That’s a little excessive.”
 
“Come on, I’m being serious.”
 
I sighed, trying to think of the right response, one he would understand. “I guess I’m just always busy.”
 
He chuckled. “Everyone is busy. You have to give me a better reason than that.”
 
My mouth felt like cotton. Why did I have such a hard time forming coherent sentences when he was looking at me like that? I licked my lips and looked over at him. He stared directly into my eyes, the question still hanging between us.
 
“I want to take care of my mother. It’s all I want. So, I need to make that happen.” I curled my fingers into fists and pulled my shoulders back, looking back up at the stars. I’d had this conversation countless times with Nicole over the years.
 
“I know you do,” he said softly. I glanced back at him, surprised he wasn’t telling me that what I wanted was ridiculous. “But...who will take care of you?”
 
“I will take care of me.” I shook my head sadly. “My whole life everyone has had to take care of me. My grandparents, my aunt and uncle. They all sacrificed so much for me.”
 
“You act like it’s your fault, but it’s not.”
 
Now I was back in familiar territory. “My mother was normal before I was born, Ethan. When I came along she began her descent into schizophrenia. You don’t think that’s connected?”
 
He shifted in his seat. “I just know sometimes things happen, things that can’t be explained. But you still deserve to be happy.”
 
I glanced over at him before looking down at my hands. I uncurled my fingers. “I am happy. I’m enrolling in grad school, working and saving the money I make at the store. It’s what I want.”
 
“But what about friends? What about fun?”
 
“My idea of fun is just different from yours, I guess. I don’t need to be with a lot of people to be happy.” I hoped he would pick up the double entendre of my answer.
 
Ethan sighed and turned his body to face mine. He reached up and lightly traced a finger down my cheek. A shiver ran through my body. I turned my face away and focused my attention on finishing my ice cream. There were people everywhere. I didn’t want anything that happened between me and Ethan to be the subject of town gossip.
 
“Thanks for coming tonight,” Ethan said, unaffected. He reached down and picked up my left hand, interlacing his strong fingers with mine. “It seems like I’ve been trying to get you to go out with me forever.”
 
I stared down at our joined hands, too shocked to move. “Ethan, you’ve never had a lack of dates. I’d even say you’ve had more than your fair share.”
 
He ducked his head and laughed. “You think I’m a jerk, don’t you?”
 
I looked at him and smiled. “No. I don’t, actually. What you did today, for my grandparents… that was really great. Thank you.”
 
“You’re welcome. It was no big deal.” He squeezed my hand and jumped down from the tailgate. “I’m going to take you home now, while you still think I’m so great.”


Sounds good right?!?! I want to know more about why she is the one taking care of all the parental figures in her life. I have also never met an Ethan I didn’t likeWinking smile 

About the author

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Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.  

AUTHOR LINKS
 WebsiteFacebookTwitter - Goodreads  


TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY
The author is doing three giveaway packages (three winners)!  Each package will contain a keychain, some swag, and a signed paperback copy of The Forgotten Ones!
 
Happy Reading,
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Friday, December 6, 2013

Review: Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor

Night of Cake & Puppets (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2.5)
Night of Cake and Puppets
Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2.5
Print Length: 79 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date:  November 26, 2013

In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him.


Review

ERMAGURD!  This novella is beauty.  It is sunlight.  It is the warm spring breeze clearing the chill out of the passing-winter air.  It is the smell of just-baked sugar cookies.  It is twinkly Christmas lights in the snow.

A Night of Cake & Puppets is the exact opposite of DoSB and DoBS—it’s full of hope, and joy, and wonder, and love.  It is one of those “you smile from beginning to end” but keeps you on the edge of your seat kind of books.  You know what happens, you know the end result, but getting there is so suspenseful!  Laini, I love you.  It left me breathless in the good way.  And, even though I don’t reread books often, I may just reread this soon, because it made me that overjoyed.

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5 Moons

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Other Books in this series:

{Click the covers to go to Goodreads}
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2)Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3)
You can read how much I gushed all over Daughter of Smoke & Bone and Days of Blood & Starlight HERE.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: October 18, 2007

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
 
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
 
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
 

 
Review
 
I’ve had emotional reactions to books before, but nothing quite like I have felt from reading Thirteen Reasons Why. 

I become instantly invested in this story.  I needed to know why Clay was one of the Thirteen Reasons as much as he did.

I became empathetically tied to Clay.  I hurt for him, and I was tortured with him.  He is the reason I continued to read this book, the reason I held on as long as I did.  He’s the only character that I felt sorry for.  He grew through the experience, and the goodness that was him permeated every word that Asher wrote about Clay.  He’s the true hero of the story, if there is one at all.  He’s the only character that I didn’t hate on some level.

I didn’t understand Hannah.  Sure, the stuff that happened to her and around her was bad.  She internalized so much of it, let it push her to the edge.  There were several times in her telling her story that she said things like this:

I think I’ve made myself very clear, but no one’s stepping forward to stop me. (page 280).

But I don’t think she did ever make herself clear.  I felt like she was blaming everyone else for her decision to end her life.  And that got on my nerves.  Hard.  I don’t like a “woe is me” pity party.  Man up, grow some balls and deal with it.  Learn from it.  Grow through it.  Hannah is my biggest issue with this story.  It’s possible, though, that I just don’t understand what it’s like to be in that place where suicide feels like your only way out.  I’ve never been there.

Thirteen Reasons Why is written so that we see both Hannah’s story via the tapes she leaves and Clay’s thoughts and memories as he’s listening to them.  It was a little confusing at first, but quickly enough I got with the program and made it through.  I devoured this book.  I don’t think I’ve read a book this fast.  Ever.  I mean it was addictive.

Do yourself a favor and read this book.

5 Moons: You don’t need 13 reasons why to read this book, just one: you will not be the same.

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