Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Title: Just Listen

Author: Sarah Dessen

Release Date/Publisher: February 28th 2008 by Penguin Group (USA) (first published April 6th 2006)

Finished: April 25th 2013

Pages: 400-eBook-Library

Synopsis:

Last year, Annabel was “the girl who has everything”—at least that’s the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf’s Department Store.This year, she’s the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to
truth-telling. With Owen’s help,maybe Annabel can face what happened
the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

What I thought:

I have to say that the cover for this is just so pretty, and I really wish that my digital copy from the library had it even if it wasn’t in colour but instead I just got text. At least I can admire it here!

This book was probably one of my favourite ones by Sarah so far. I usually don’t go for the books that involve music, but I can say I really enjoyed this one. As for the music, if you enjoy books that have that theme, definitely check this book out! I loved how the author used  it to bring people together and helped them to heal and move on.

Both main characters were likeable and I loved it when they got to know each other, although the circumstances of how they met were kind of sad at first. Annabel was friends with the popular girl, but something happened and they broke apart (I’m glad they stopped being friends since Sophie was a b*itch meanie, but what happened to start it was not something I’d wish on anyone). Usually in books where the popular girl falls from her popularity, I find that she tends to be kind of snobby, but Annabel was different. She was a model of course and had trouble with any kind of confrontation, but she seemed more human and a character I could like, and as if she just kind of hung around the popular people because of Sophie.

Owen had a few of his own issues with his anger, and used music not only to help that but he really did start to inspire Annabel the closer they got together. I loved how she slowly changed and felt complete and more in thouch with herself. Her family (especially sisters) also had some bad trauma, but through their own means they change too, which was so touching. And their romance was so cute too!

I honestly didn’t know how much I was going to like this book, but I highly recommend it for people who like young adult romance with a touch of music!

 

Review: Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers

Title: Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2)

Author: R.L. LaFevers

Release Date/Publisher: April 2nd 2013 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Finished: April 3rd 2013

Pages: 400-hardcover given for review

Series:

1. Grave Mercy
2. Dark Triumph
3. Mortal Heart

Synopsis:

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

What I thought:

I really loved Grave mercy when I first read it, and this book takes what I loved but changes i slightly. This story is seen through the eyes of Sybella, one of the other women who serves Death. She was mentioned in the first book and she seemed kind of wild but I was so happy to get to know her more in this. She really has a dark past and hides many secrets, and her ties to a certain family were crazy.

I liked that this story was a continuation of the battles from the first, but seen through another character. There were some slower moments compared to the first book too, since before the story and plot had to be set and described, but actually I really liked how it went from action packed fights to  more calm parts as I read. Sybella was definitely different but I liked her character, especially how she grows and changes in the book (you’ll see when you read it). Beast also returns in this one, and we get to find out a little more about him too which was awesome since I remember liking him in the first book.

In the author’s notes, she talks about how hard it is to create a story and still stay historically accurate  I liked getting that little glimpse into how she wrote this, and even though I don’t know much about the settings of this story I have to say it was very well written and I’m really excited to read the next book when it’s out!

If you want a good historical book with assassins and some romance definitely read this series!

Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Title: Lock and Key

Author: Sarah Dessen

Release Date/Publisher: June 2012 by Speak (first published April 22nd 2008)

Finished: April 22nd 2013

Pages: 422-Paperback-owned

Synopsis:

Ruby, where is your mother?

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

What I thought:

This was another great book by Sarah Dessen! It really focuses more on the development of the character, and mixes in some romance.

Ruby has gone through so much growing up, especially when you read more about her mother, who was pretty much barely even there for her. When she disappears yet again and hasn’t returned in a while, Ruby tries to get on with her life, living on her own and going to school until she can legally do it all when she’s 18.

Ruby’s very independent and doesn’t want to rely on anyone, let alone even get close to them. She just wants to be free and on her own, alone. When she’s caught trying to survive in a house by herself, she goes to live with her older sister who hasn’t had contact with her since she left for college. Ruby doesn’t want to be there at all, but once she starts to live differently and she talks to other people, the more she starts to change just a little bit. She not only learns more about herself but she makes friends and begins to care more for others. She also learns what family really means, and that part I really loved reading about. The romance was also really cute, although not as big a focus in this book, but there wasn’t an issue with that at all.

I really liked this book, it was different than what I thought it would be when I picked it up but it was very well written and a great story about change. Make sure to check it out!

 

Review: Imaginable by J. Meyers

Title: Imaginable (Intangible #2)

Author: J. Meyers

Release Date/Publisher: April 16th 2013

Finished: April 16th 2013

Pages: 209-eBook-given for review

Series:

1. Intangible
2. Imaginable

Synopsis:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees.

But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet.

Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her. As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers.

And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

What I thought:

A big thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this to read! I really liked the first book with all the supernatural people and their gifts, as well as the personalities of the characters. Make sure you read that review in my Series section!

I have to say that I liked this book just as much as the first, maybe even a tiny bit better. The story was great but it flowed even better than the first book. I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to see how things were going to work out and if everyone was going to make it through.

I loved the introduction of new characters in this, especially since they had some unique powers of their own as well. Raquel’s gift was pretty awesome, but I would have liked to see a little more of Brendan’s. The twins continue to grow too, not just with their powers but they become stronger with everything that goes on in this. And there’s definitely a lot going on, especially with everyone wanting to get their hands on Sera and her ability for healing.

This series is getting really interesting, and there is something that happens at the end that got me really excited to read the next book and find out what happens next! Check out this series when you get the chance!

 

Review: When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears by Kersten Hamilton

Title: When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears (Goblin Wars #3)

Author: Kersten Hamilton

Release Date/Publisher: August 6th 2013 by Clarion Books

Finished: April 7th 2013

Pages: 400-eBook-ARC given for review

Series:

1. Tyger, Tyger
2. In the Forests of the Night
3. When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears

Synopsis:

“People will die.”

Locked doors are opening, and uncanny creatures are tumbling through mysterious portals from Mag Mell, the world-between-worlds, into the streets of Chicago. The Dark Man has marked Aiden with a new song that’s scared him badly, and a frightening new group of sídhe is lurking nearby.

Teagan knows this is war, and she must protect her family. She leaves her flesh and bones behind to join Finn in hunting the evil beings across the city. Meanwhile, their relationship is heating up—almost faster than they can control. But he is still bound to fight goblins his entire life . . . and by blood she is one of them now.

Then the gateway to Mag Mell cracks open again, and the Wylltsons find themselves caught in a trap. As her loved ones begin to die, Teagan realizes that she must destroy the Dark Man and his minions once and for all in order to save those who remain . . .

. . . before it is too late.

What I thought:

I was so happy to be given a chance to read an advanced copy of this book from the author and publisher! I loved the first two books, with all their folklore about Irish travelers and the creatures of Mag Mell. This book sums up the series with a final battle to settle everything.

I have to admit that when I started the book it seemed slow, but what it really did was build up the suspense until the end and start to tie up the loose ends from the other books. There were many more fight scenes in this which were awesome, especially the last one! And of course the added humour was great. What drew me to this series at first was the myths and the goblins, but as you read you really get attached to all the characters and I found that I couldn’t stop reading until I found out how everything finally ended. And of course the ending was great, a perfect one for this series.

When I get a copy of the final version I plan on doing a re-read of all three at once. It’s been a while since I read the first two and I had trouble remembering little things at first, plus I think it would be fun! Definitely give this series a read if you want something a little different with goblins and other creatures. I think this series needs some more recognition, so go read it!