Young Adult

Allison: The Look | Sophia Bennett | Book Review & Giveaway

by Allison L

When a modeling agency tells fifteen year old Edwina (Ted) Trout that she has “the look” that they looking for and offers her a brand new career, she cannot believe her luck. But just as her career is put into motion, her older sister Ava is diagnosed with cancer. With their worlds turned upside down in more ways than they could ever imagine, two girls are forced to look deep inside, and figure out who they truly are, and what actually matters.

When I first picked up The Look by Sophia Bennett, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect even after reading the synopsis. Was this going to be a sugary-sweet story of a girl trying to make it in the modeling world while dealing with some personal things on the home front? Or was it going to be a heart felt story about the relationship between two sisters and the choices that come from that relationship? Ultimately, it was more the second option, which was wonderful but yet it was also so much more than that. It is a well thought out story that will bring laughter to your heart and tears to your eyes in so many different ways.

Ted has spent a majority of her life in the shadow of her older sister Ava who has always been the more popular, the more outwardly beautiful, and the more outgoing of the two sisters. Ava is also the more fashion conscious as well. So, it is a big surprise to both of them when Ted is spotted and asked if she would be interested in becoming a model. At first, Ted is completely willing to brush it off, and believe that it was a joke or a scam but, then her sister is diagnosed with cancer and she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to cheer her up, even becoming a model.

I really loved Ted as a character. She is quirky and fun and she really has no idea what she is getting herself into when it comes to this modeling business. All she cares about is making her sister happy, and helping take her sisters mind off of what is happening to her. The relationship between the two sisters is beautiful. There are so many scenes in the book that brought tears to my eyes because of the way that the two of them were bonded together. This is a cancer story but it is not entirely a sad cancer story. It has points of optimism and hope as well as truths and realities which hit you head on and make you think.

Another reason I really enjoyed the character of Ted was the fact that she was so heartfelt. She takes the rejection and the sting of the modeling industry to heart even as she is saying that it doesn’t really matter to her. She has always been insecure about her looks and being in the modeling industry pushes those insecurities even more to the forefront of her mind. The truth is that it does matter to her but how much it matters to her is all part of the journey that she goes on as she gets further and further into the business of modeling. I really liked the glimpse into the world of fashion and modeling because I felt that it was a very realistic viewpoint of modeling. Ted is not an overnight sensation by any means, and the journey that she goes on allows her to discover more about herself than she could have ever imagined. It makes her think, it makes her feel, and it also makes the reader think and feel as well.

I also enjoyed the character of Ava as well. At first, it appears as if Ava is living vicariously through Ted (just as Ted lived vicariously through her for many years prior) but in reality Ava is really using Ted’s modeling as a way to cope with her cancer. This is what Ted initially wanted but I don’t think either sister realized the magnitude of what was going on because even as Ava is trying to mask her emotions she is still going through a life changing event, and is still forced to decide the type of person she will be through it. I really loved the way that this was approached, and the different events that occurred because of it. It is very nicely done!

To say that I loved The Look would be an understatement. It is a wonderful story to read, and one that I think really pulls at your heart strings and makes you really think about the things you value most in life. I highly recommend you check it out!

Disclosure: Received advanced copy from Oblong Books for attending a signing

Other reviews of The Look by Sophia Bennett:

Queen of Contemporary Books: “Personally, I think every teen should read this heart-wrenching novel!”

Abby The Librarian: “This story hit just the right blend of fluffy and serious, of fashion-y fun and cancer drama, and it’s all told in a believable narrative voice.”

Books, Biscuits, and Tea: “The Look is without a doubt one of those books that will make you roar with laughter one minute, shed a few tears the next but most importantly, it will make you think and re-evaluate your life.”

As a way of promoting my love for The Look by Sophia Bennett, I am going to be giving away my advanced copy to one lucky winner! This contest will be US only and will end March 7th, 2013. Good luck!

Enter here to win a copy of The Look by Sophia Bennett

The Indigo Spell | Richelle Mead | Audiobook Review

by April (Books&Wine)

You probably should NOT read beyond the first paragraph if you don’t want to be spoiled for Bloodlines or The Golden Lily, just an FYI.

I am one of those people who is compulsive about the form I encounter a book or series in. For example, I’ve been reading Richelle Mead’s Bloodlines series strictly in print and had no plans to change that. HOWEVER, when I was offered an advance audiobook copy of The Indigo Spell I was on the fence. Do I change up my routine and try to encounter Sydney and Adrian in different form — or do I wait for an agonizing amount of time for the print version? You guys, it’s a lot to consider — you know a poorly done audio can ruin the experience of a much anticipated book. I ended up quite lucky though — the audiobook of The Indigo Spell is very, very good.

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead | Good Books And Good Wine

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Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets | Evan Roskos | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Evan Roskos’s young adult debut, Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets is a YAWP!-worthy book. Depicting the awkwardness of unrequited crushes, an unstable home life and mental illness, this a a book that deserves a place in school and classroom libraries. Roskos brings a unique voice to the contemporary young adult genre as he weaves the tried and true poetry of Walt Whitman, and especially Song Of Myself in with the poetry of his main character James Whitman.

Dr. Bird's Advice For Sad Poets by Evan Roskos | Good Books And Good Wine

James Whitman does not have the easiest life. His older sister Jorie was kicked out of the house by his parents. Unfortunately, his family refuses to delve into the issue further. This just serves to fuel James’s anxiety and depression. To alleviate his internal pain, James has made it his mission to get the school to allow Jorie to finish out her senior year and walk in graduation. He also wants to convince his parents to let Jorie come home. However, his parents are the abusive sort and refuse to let Jorie come back. Matters are complicated even further when James finds himself pulled into helping with the school literary journal in order to impress a girl. Thankfully, Roskos effortlessly weaves in complex themes and issues, but the plot never feels convoluted.

James Whitman is a perfect blend of gawky and earnest. He is a weird kid, but Roskos never presents him in a mocking light. You see, when James is stressed he hugs trees and he talks to an imaginary pigeon psychiatrist named Dr. Bird – hence the title. James also is quite obsessed with Walt Whitman because they share a last name. He uses poetry as a creative outlet and a way to express his internal strife. In all, I found James Whitman to be the sort of character that I simultaneously rooted for but was also glad to not be in his situation. However, if you were or currently are an angsty and lonely teenager, chances are you will be able to relate to the main character of Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets by Evan Roskos.

It’s also important for me to mention James’s sister Jorie. Although she’s largely absent from the book – - we hear more about her than we interact with her, she’s sort of the central force behind the story. She is James’s catalyst to seek therapy and answers. Rather than turning Jorie into a cliche, she’s fascinating in that she has secrets of her own. We discover that although Jorie is the black sheep of the family, she and James have more in common than originally thought. I especially loved reading the emails and texts between Jorie and James, as she would often encourage James’s creativity.

Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets does a bang up job depicting the theme of teenage depression without being a totally buzz kill. Instead, Roskos weaves a thread of hope and humor throughout the book. We get to see different types of depression — one type that manifests in talking to imaginary things and suicidal ideation, the other sort that manifests in cutting. It is sad and hard to read about, but Roskos shows the possibility of happiness for both of the characters. Further, there are secondary characters which do add a light touch to the book as well as a positive support system.

Evan Roskos’s debut novel comes across as quite literary in style. If you are a fan of Where Things Come Back chances are you will enjoy Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets. The writing is sophisticated, but accessible. What I mean by this is that Roskos has effortlessly placed Song Of Myself within a teenage context and it does not feel awkward. I’d recommend this book to anyone with a penchant for poetry, angst, and quirky but earnest characters.

Okay, and I had to put this at the end, for the part that isn’t going into the Amazon Vine review because I try to make those seem a bit more formal and professional. So, I used to be in poetry elective and poetry club when I was in high school. What this meant was that I helped with the yearly poetry journal AND I did things like poetry slams and won an award at a competition for public speaking. #humblebrag. Anyways, I just was thinking the entire time reading this that I would have LOVED Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets as a teenager because I could relate to James and his love of Song Of Myself and his YAWP-ing. And being awkward around people I liked. And a few of the more personal things that I won’t share. Anyways, suffice to say, this legit would have been the perfect book for teenage me, and thus I really do wholeheartedly recommend it. It seems to have a sort of quiet buzz around it, but trust if you can get your hands on Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets, you absolutely should read it.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine

Other reviews of Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets by Evan Roskos:

Haven’t seen any in my google search of the book blogosphere, so if you review this PLEASE drop your link in the comments so I can add it up here.

Also Known As | Robin Benway | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

I am solidly in the camp that as an author, Robin Benway can do no wrong. Also Known As was the third book I’ve read by Benway, and like her previous two it was an absolute hit with me. Also? Holy moly I was clicking the pages so fast (I read this on my Kindle on the bike). Benway brings her trade mark humor and sass to her latest story of spies, espionage and boo, high school with Also Known As. Seriously, if you aren’t already on the bandwagon of RB love, you will be after reading this book, it is MAR-VEL-LOUS!

Also Known As by Robin Benway | Good Books And Good Wine

Maggie’s parents are spies AND SO IS SHE. Her family works for this shadowy agency called The Collective that takes them all over the world where they basically bust human trafficking rings and even take down dictators. Pretty much her family has the best job ever. Of course, Maggie isn’t a useless lump content to ride on her parents’ coattails. Instead, she brings her own talent of safecracking to the table — and what that means is she’s kind of a master lock picker. Girl can work a bobby pin, yo. Anyways, Maggie is about to get her first assignment, and so her family packs up from Iceland and heads to Manhattan. Maggie must get close to this boy, Jesse Oliver and somehow prevent his dad, Armand, from running a story in his newspaper that he owns that would dox members of the Collective. OH? And? Maggie still has to do calculus homework while trying to save the world. What a life, eh?

Even though Maggie is very new at the whole school and friendship thing, I think that for the most part I’d totally give her a friendship bracelet. She’s got this crazy awesome sense of humor. Further, when it really matters she is there for her first friend ever ROUX and I love that. Y’all, Maggie was so compelling to read about. First off, she is not at all angsty like other teenagers that I usually end up reading about. Secondly, she actually has an interesting backstory. Third, omg Maggie is FUN. You guys, fun. And hahaha I am dorky but I feel I could read about her safecracking all day.

Are you all about the contemporary books that have different types of relationships, each POSITIVE? Then friend, Also Known As should totally be on your to be read list (and also Benway’s other books). Seriously, okay as with Audrey, Wait! there’s a fantastic best friend. You see, Maggie makes friends with this social outcast named Roux on her first day of school. Roux is sarcastic and loud and my spirit animal. LOL, at one point Maggie is feeling down, so Roux offers her this clear drink and Maggie is like, oh thanks for the water. BUT IT IS VODKA. ROUX, I LOVE YOU. Of course, there aren’t just friend relationships, but also romantic relationships. Y’all, yes Jesse Oliver is the mark, but of course, Maggie develops feelings for him. I can’t blame her. Like other Benway dudes, Jesse is NICE and sweet and kind. ALSO, he banters with Maggie like constantly. Seriously, I just loved reading the conversations between the two and was like, please please banter for the whole book AND THEN have a three way banter session with Roux.

One trademark that you can usually count on with Benway’s books are that she usually does not portray her adults as bumbling idiots. Instead, Maggie’s parents are portrayed as quite realistic but without much dysfunction. Her parents are slightly goofy and weird, but what parents aren’t? Further, Maggie’s mom and dad actually really do give a crap about her and are protective of her but still give her room to grow. Also Known As might not have typical parents, in that they are spies, yet, Benway does a great job portraying a healthy relationship between Maggie and her parents. ALSO? There’s this other adult character named Angelo who rocks a lot of suits like Barney from How I Met Your Mother only he’s totally not a womanizer, but awesome, regardless. He was one of my favorite side characters.

The pacing is aces. Seriously, there is not a single dull moment in Also Known As where I was like urgh this book is going nowhere. Of course, yes there are suspenseful moments where I worried about Maggie, but that’s different and good. If you’re looking for a quick read that’s great for working out, then Robin Benway’s Also Known As is a great choice. It has humor, heart and strongly drawn characters. I could not recommend this book more. I also would suggest checking out Benway’s other two books.

Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley, however I will be purchasing a signed copy on March 2nd.

Other reviews of Also Known As by Robin Benway:

Great Imaginations – “I recommend the book to someone looking for fun and a few good laughs”

Quinn’s Book Nook – “a hilarious book with an amazing main character, fabulous, well-developed secondary characters”

Rather Be Reading – “Benway brought more comedy to this story than I expected”

Books by Robin Benway:

Audrey, Wait!
The Extraordinary Secrets Of April, May And June

BONUS: You can order a signed copies of Robin Benway’s books through Oblong Books. HOWEVER, I think that you have to order by 3/1/13 if you want them personalized.

Wild Awake | Hilary T. Smith | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

When all of your twitter friends are reading and discussing the same book, the pressure to read it kind of becomes expotential, especially when they are reading an early copy and you find that you also have that same book in your posession. Y’all, I read Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith because I WANTED TO FIT IN WITH MY TWITTER FRIENDS. Thankfully, this was the good sort of peer pressure, and not the type that gets you arrested. I ended up mostly pleased with Wild Awake, a book that has one of the strongest voices I have read in a long time. Now, not everyone is going to fall head over heels for this book, as I think there’s a certain demographic that will love it and one that just won’t dig it. Personally, I liked Smith’s debut but have a few reservations.

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith | Good Books And Good Wine

After smoking weed in her best friend Lukas’s basement, Kiri heads to her parent-less home where she receives a mysterious phone call from an older man asking her to pick up her sister Suki’s things from the dangerous part of the city. As Kiri’s parents are on a cruise, she decides, hey why not. And so, putting herself at considerable risk, she goes to get deceased Suki’s things and thus unleashes a chain of events that will uncover the true circumstances about Suki’s death. OH OH and there is a boy too, who is decidedly not Lukas. And a lot of music and piano playing. And really, that’s Wild Awake in a super nut shell. Obviously more things go on and happen but you totally should go into without spoilers.Like I went in only knowing that my friends were flipping the frick out and OMG-ing all over the place.

I wouldn’t say that Kiri is the sort of strong, kick ass heroine that I love. HOWEVER, I liked her for the most part. She is quite determined and stubborn. She has a huge heart, as evidenced by her treatment of Doug, a junkie who basically lives in the really bad part of town (he knew Suki). I think that Kiri is the sort of teenager who definitely does not have her shit together and that’s perfectly fine. Not every teen does. And well, Kiri is dealing with absentee parents who seem to want her to be the perfect kid to make up for how much of a problem Suki was. Kiri is also pretty manic — like she doesn’t sleep, she thinks she can play piano in her head, she is quite trusting of strangers. Oh and she definitely smokes a lot of j’s in Wild Awake. She’s DEFINITELY realistic,gritty, raw and true, ya know? And yes, those are the absolute most cliche words ever to describe a contemporary, but I honestly think in this case, it applies.

Kiri has a love interest. Which to be 100% honest didn’t entirely make me swoon. Yet, if you’re a fan of those books where two totally fucked up people fall in love, I think you’ll like this. Personally, there were some things that her love interest did that were dealbreakers to me. And no, he’s not a bad boy or the abusive sort AT all, just for ME and me alone, I was like eh, I could take you or leave you after that. However, there were some pretty sweet moments, and okay I won’t lie a kissing scene where I definitely underlined the page.

I think that Wild Awake is it’s strongest in it’s voice. It’s not like anything I’ve read in a long time. The book is written in first person and yeah, getting inside Kiri’s head is kind of a trip. I’ll be honest, I thought a lot of it was weird — but in this case, I was fine with the weird. This is because the weird blended into utterly gorgeous prose that made me want to dog ear pages. As I was reading I kept thinking there’s a certain wild cadence to this book and I love that, love it so, so much. And ya know? Wild Awake is the sort of read where if you want a contemporary that isn’t cookie cutter, but a bit literary and kind of like beat poetry, you’ll like the writing style.

In all, Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith is an impressive debut. There were parts where I questioned Kiri’s life choices, but then I was like — hey I remember being a teenager and also making awful choices and sat back and let the book unfold. Kiri is an interesting heroine, and Wild Awake, a compelling story. I’d wholeheartedly recommend this to people who are fans of the off-beat and who don’t get all bent out of shape when a character doesn’t do what you want them to do. Seriously, this is a great book and utterly enjoyable.

Disclosure: Received for review

Other reviews of Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith:

Chick Loves Lit – “WILD AWAKE gives me more reason to shout about contemporary YA from the mountaintops”

The Perpetual Page Turner – “her energy just pulses through you and holds you captive.”

Real Men Read YA – “will go bat-shit crazy with the “I don’t read much” teenage crowd”

The Moon And More | Sarah Dessen | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

When I read a Sarah Dessen book, I feel that the experience is akin to a pair of sweatpants. Bear with me here. Sweatpants are the most comfortable article of clothing, ever, at least in my opinion. Sarah Dessen’s books are the most comfy YA books. By this, I mean that when you open up a book by Dessen, you know that you’re going to get a quality contemporary read about a girl who isn’t too out of whack, usually with a pretty level head, although not all the time with a problem. I LOVE her books and each one I read feels like coming home. Y’all, The Moon And More definitely lived up to my expectations, and then some.

The Moon And More by Sarah Dessen | Good Books And Good Wine

It’s summer, obvs, and Emaline is working for the family beach rental realty agency. She has a perfectly comfortable life, living with her mom and stepdad (whom she calls dad) and two sisters. She’s been dating the same guy, Luke, since 9th grade. Yet, as we all know — things won’t stay comfortable and cushy for long. Emaline’s estranged father shows up in Colby for the summer and we find out that there are a lot of unresolved issues between the two – mainly centering around Emaline’s potential for going to Columbia University. To further complicate matters, one of the renters is a famous documentary filmmaker named Ivy and she’s doing a documentary on Clyde, one of the island residents who used to be a well-regarded artist. Also. Ivy is a pain in the ass. BUT she also has a kind of socially awkward, cute assistant named Theo who thinks that Emaline is destined for bigger things than Colby.

Emaline is a total Dessen protagonist and I mean that in the greatest possible way. She has a good head on her shoulders, she has good friends, an interesting family, and is at a crossroads. She’s on the verge of leaving and becoming independent in college, East U. This is her last summer before school, to state the obvious. Emaline does a ton of internal reflection and we see that she’s making that awkward transition from past to future. I think if you’ve gone away to college or experienced a major life change that involved leaving home, you’ll understand what I mean. Anyways, on the one hand Theo and her father say that she’s too good for Colby, she’s too smart to stick around. On the other hand, there’s so much that Emaline LOVES about Colby and so she’s conflicted about her future. And well, I don’t want to go too much more in depth because spoilers are the worst for brand new books.

YOU GUYS! I am so excited to return to Colby. I absolutely loved Along For The Ride, so it was nice to return to a familiar location. We get to revisit the bike shop and the all night laundromat/cafe. It is awesome. PLUS! We get to see characters from Along For The Ride again. Anyways, this book made me want to take some of my vacation time and spend it on the beach riding bikes and eating shrimp burgers. I have to say, Dessen really does the beach setting very well. OH OH and while we’re talking about Easter eggs, our favorite fictional social network makes an appearance and there’s a few more you will spot and be glad to be in on the reference as the super fans you all are.

Of course, there are boys in The Moon And More, not just one but TWO! Luke is Emaline’s long time boyfriend and he’s pretty adorable. He’s apparently good looking without a shirt. Kids love him. And he gets along very, very well with others. However, the spark between Luke and Emaline seems to have faded out. Enter Theo. He’s pretty much a hipster, or that’s my impression of him because he wears girl jeans. Anyways, Theo is totally awkward, but he’s ambitious and has big dreams. He might be a contendor for Emaline’s heart, but yes, you’ll have to read to find out. Although, to be honest, I thought the love interests weren’t nearly as important as Emaline and her coming of age.

When it came to swooning and The Moon And More, I actually swooned WAY HARDER for the supporting couple of Daisy and Morris. They definitely are not the lead characters, however, their relationship is solid. PLUS, they are just so different. Morris is not exactly what you would call ambitious, he’s slow moving, but he’s a super nice guy and genuine. Daisy, on the other hand, is a super achiever and really into art and fashion. You’d think their coupling would be weird and off, but it’s actually quite sweet and one of my favorite things about Dessen’s latest.

This book didn’t feel a page over 200 — despite actually having over 400 pages. What I mean by this is that I inhaled Dessen’s prose, as one does when reading her books. I was so caught up in the drama between Emaline and her estranged father. But then I was also absorbed by all of the side characters, from Benji the awesome little brother to Amber, the dramatic hair stylist character, to Ivy and Clyde and Daisy and Morris. Seriously, one thing Dessen never skimps on is character. ALSO! The parent/child relationship in The Moon And More is wonderful. Emaline’s big crazy blended family all really care for one another and are supportive of each other when you get down to it. Also, you guys totally need to meet Emaline’s grandmother. She’s the bomb. (Well, if people still said THE BOMB)

Basically you can just boil this whole long review to this: you should definitely preorder The Moon And More by Sarah Dessen. Actually I am pretty sure that a few of you were already going to do that. It’s another great addition to your Dessen collection — especially if you loved Along For The Ride and Lock And Key. I fell in love with this book and really appreciate that it was about SO MUCH MORE than cute boys and swooning, but about actual things that matter, like the future and life and the paths we take.

Disclosure: Received for review
FYI: For more about The Moon And More, check out Sarah Dessen’s Blog Tour Stop HERE

Other reviews of The Moon And More by Sarah Dessen:

Chick Loves Lit – “Fans of Dessen won’t be disappointed”

Books by Sarah Dessen:
Along For The Ride

The Madman’s Daughter | Megan Shepherd | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

My interest in The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd was peaked at the Harper Teen BEA party event. Basically they held the event at this really cool bar and we got to learn all kinds of cool things. One of those things being the evolution of the book cover design for The Madman’s Daughter and the various iterations it went through. You guys, I am a total cover whore, I can’t pretend like I don’t pick what I read based off the cover. And of course, this is such a me cover — from the red color of the font, to the dreary landscape to that awesome dress to the brunette (holla brown haired girls), I love this cover. And so, OMFG, I could absolutely not wait to read The Madman’s Daughter. Y’all, this debut was TOTALLY worth the wait. TOTALLY.

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd | Good Books And Good Wine

SPOILER ALERT: Juliet’s father is a madman. Shocking, right? I bet you never would have guessed that. Anyways, he basically does somethings that society is not cool with (he’s a doctor of sorts) including vivisection, and so, a once prominent figure, he ends up falling from grace. He then ends up kind of disappearing, thus leaving Juliet and her mother with NOTHING, because he is a douchebag. Unfortunately, Juliet’s mom dies and well, she has to go into service, but it’s hard because of her dad’s reputation. When a blast from the past (her family’s old servant) crosses Juliet’s path, she discovers her dad is well and alive on an island. As Juliet’s life totally sucks in London, she decides to go to the Island of Doctor Moreau. And yes, it’s just as creepy as the original.

Juliet definitely deserves to be narrator. Like, she compelled me. Plus, she wasn’t boring or simpering. Nor was she a total weirdo despite her dad. AND OMG YOU GUYS THE FEELS. I totally had these emotions for Juliet because she’s been dealt an awful card in life, and seriously how much does it suck to have a parent who totally does not have their shit together and also a dead parent. YET. She is strong. She faces her problems head on, instead of taking the easy way out. You know me, I love a headstrong character and Juliet is totally one of those — whether she’s living impoverished in London, on the sketchiest boat journey ever or dealing with her misogynist dad, she has this well of inner strength.

I absolutely loved Megan Shepherd’s descriptions of the worlds that Juliet inhabits. Like, not just the island, but London. She describes a London that’s just getting electricity and kind of straddling the modern era while also there’s one foot firmly on the side of tradition — especially when it comes to society. I was dismayed at how society treated Juliet after all her family had been through, but I suppose scandal leaves no one untouched. I also really loved how the island was described. As a reader, I was feeling a scary sinister sort of undercurrent the whole entire time. And also, claustrophobic to be honest. I may call myself a hermit, but I could never survive on Moreau’s island where there’s only like 5 human residents. Forget that you guys. Anyways, it’s lush and so, so well done and easy to imagine the compound.

Fair warning, there is a love triangle in The Madman’s Daughter and it’s not really my favorite ever. I mean, okay okay I did have trouble deciding which team I was on. There’s Montgomery who is basically Juliet’s past. He knows so much about her and they really do have a shared history. However, he seems kind of distant on the island, yet also a bit valiant too so that makes him appealing. Then there is the mysterious Edward Prince, whom ultimately, I could take or leave. He’s got sort of a weird back story and just didn’t really bring the swoons. You’ll get why when you read the book.

I feel like The Madman’s Daughter starts off kind of slow, but honestly once you get on the sketchy ship that’s when the pacing truly picks up and when I felt utterly engaged. So, just putting that out there for those of you who need an immediate fast pace. Along those lines, Megan Shepherd’s word choice is actually pretty awesome because it gives this proper historical sort of feel to the book, but at the same time is totally accessible, so you aren’t reading it going uh can someone translate this for me. I really like it enhanced the feel of the book and engaged me as a reader. There’s a certain amount of buy in needed to really love this book — I mean buying into the concept of a madman who fuses people and animals, but for me that wasn’t so hard to do.

Friends, I’d actually really recommend The Madman’s Daughter to most of you. I mean, obviously if you hate historical fiction and love triangles, this is probably not going to be added to your favorites list. However if you like unique spins on old classics, lush backgrounds, strong world building and intriguing characters and social dynamics, chances are you’ll fall as hard for Megan Shepherd’s debut as I did.

Disclosure: Received for review

Other reviews of The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd:

Hobbitsies – “a delightfully creepy and horrific debut”

Makeshift Bookmark – “Can we please pause to raise the roof for a snarky badass of a heroine?”

The Perpetual Page Turner – “What a compelling story!”

The Reece Malcolm List | Amy Spalding | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

I am so glad I read The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding, not just because the twitterati said it was great and I try to fit it, but because it is a genuinely awesome book that really does encapsulate coming of age. Dude, how cliche do I sound there? Ha ha, but it is true though. I came into The Reece Malcolm List expecting a girl being sent to a mom she’s never met and lots of tumultuousness, but what I got was way more. And really — Spalding’s debut reminded me why I love young adult contemporary books so much, PLUS PLUS there was so much about it that reminded me of what it’s really actually like to be a teenager beyond being in love triangles and leading revolutions and whatnot. ALSO! This book was totally deserving of the Courtney Summers cover blurb, like you guys, for once it’s actually not a misleading blurb.

The Reece Malcolm List Amy Spalding Book Cover

Devan has always moved all over the Midwest with her dad, who often felt like they needed a change and would pack up Devan and her stepmother to try living in a different town or city. Devan’s okay with this, she’s come to terms with being the perennial new girl.When her dad dies quite suddenly, Devan is sent to LA to live with her mother, Reece Malcolm. FYI Reece Malcolm is a famous kind of a big deal author and while that in itself is a big change, there’s also the fact that Devan has never spoken with or had any prior contact with her mother so in essence, she’s being sent to live with a stranger (and her awesome live in boyfriend). As Devan is used to being new it’s not a super huge deal for her, well besides the dead dad thing, but her narration makes it seem like she was kind of distant from her dad and stepmom Tracy. Anyways, living with Reece Malcolm has it’s advantages – including a baller new wardrobe and being enrolled in an amazing performing arts school. Essentially The Reece Malcolm List is all about Devan navigating her new life in LA, experiencing new romances and most importantly, forming a new relationship and bond with her mother after years of basically being strangers.

You would think Devan would be super emo and sad and mopey, but she’s actually quite awesome. Like this is a girl where, if I liked theater people, I’d probably be friends with her.She comes across as very real. She’s flawed, but not to the point where I was thinking she was a hot mess. Instead, she’s very much a real person, rough edges and all. I have to say, I didn’t really love all of Devan’s life choices, especially a few concerning her mother and their lack of communication, but she’s a teenager and honestly, teenagers do stupid things. Like I totally remember being a teenager and making awful life choices right and left. SO, despite me shaking my head going DEVAN COME ONNNN JUST SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND WANT, I still liked her.

Obviously, this review of The Reece Malcolm List would blow if I didn’t mention THE REECE MALCOLM in her own paragraph. You guys, I want to be Reece Malcolm when I grow up. She is awesome. She doesn’t cook. She isn’t a fan of getting all dressed up. Also? She has this amazing work ethic when it comes to writing and her books. When I started the book, I was under the impression that Reece would be horrible and evil, because what kind of mom doesn’t contact her kid until said child is proverbially dropped on her door step? Turns out I was so totally wrong, and well, this book stars Reece almost as much as Devan. I just, I loved reading about Reece learning to be a mother and how she actually seems to be a much better parent than Devan’s dad and stepmom. I actually thought the relationship was very well done and it’s kind of like Reece comes of age too.

If you’re looking for a young adult contemporary book to approximate something similar to what you experienced in high school, maybe The Reece Malcolm List will come close. I mean, not all of us have famous people for parents. Nor, god willing, do we all experience the death of a parent while still a kid. However, I think plenty of you can relate to spending lots of time doing extracurriculars and making pretty decent friends with the other people who were into the same after school activity or hobby. I loved that singing and musical theater feature so prominently in The Reece Malcolm List. Like, I was in choir for many, many years. I also did the school musical a few times. Not that I was any good, I wasn’t. Devan, though, is actually an awesome performer and well, it’s nice to read about a character who is so talented, but also really works at honing her skills and craft. ALSO! Just because she’s in an extracurricular doesn’t mean that homework disappears. I loved that Amy Spalding showed Devan doing things like homework and studying without making it boring, instead it all just seemed authentic. I just have to put it out there that I never get why in YA books set during the school year the characters never seem to be doing homework. ANYWAYS.

There is definitely kissing in The Reece Malcolm List, not a ton, this isn’t entirely a kissing book, but there was enough to leave me satisfied. Let’s just say that Devan has multiple suitors, but the very best one is Sai. Sai is another new kid, also from the midwest. However, he’s going through a few of his own problems. Unfortunately for Devan, she’s firmly in the friend zone despite there being chemistry between the two. I have to say, expect swooning for multiple dudes, much like being a teenager. And also expect Devan to change her mind, she’s young thus not tied down to one guy. And then! AH! There’s a moment where we truly see her growth and it has to do with the romance and the kissing and it is fantastic.

Friends, I absolutely loved The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding on multiple levels. It’s well-written. It’s funny. The main character has interests outside of herself and boys. Actually, I loved that this book was more than a romance — although I do like strictly romance books — but mainly about family relationships. I loved that people were illustrated with a touch of humanity, instead of you know totally quirky and perfect. I also loved that this book was so totally different from my expectations. Seriously, this was one awesome contemporary debut and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Amy Spalding. Likely something amazing.

Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley

Other reviews of The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding:

Makeshift Bookmark – “snappy and fresh with dialogue that hits all the right notes”

A Reader Of Fictions – “a deliciously funny and honest book about family, boys, and musical theater”

The Allure Of Books – “you have got to meet this girl for yourselves, y’all!”

Dark Triumph | Robin LaFevers | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Super vague spoilers for Grave Mercy, so read at your own risk but note this review is not riddled with all the big reveals and such.

I realize I might take some heat from other bloggers for posting my review of Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers so early, but you guys, I have that condition where when I love a book SO hard, I cannot for the life of me shut up about it, regardless of how early I’ve read the book. Also, I do what I want. YOLO. Friends, right now I am experiencing all of the feels because I clicked to the last page of Dark Triumph and all is as it should be with an utterly perfect ending where all comes together. Legit there is nary a second book in a series slump to be seen — which IDK about you all but seems like 2013 is the year of book 2 and thank god I haven’t read very many that don’t live up to book 1. Anyways, if you’ve come to His Fair Assassin book two, Dark Triumph looking to recapture the emotions and swoon and OH EM GEE OH EM GEE REVEALS from Grave Mercy then yo, you have come to the right place as I can vouch straight up Dark Triumph is a worthy book two and I fell hard for Sybella, as hard as I did for Ismae.

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers | Good Books And Good Wine

First things first, I need to put my inner bias out there so you can judge this review accordingly. I had originally read and reviewed Grave Mercy as an egalley. I loved it SO MUCH that I bought a hardcover, AT LIST PRICE, not at that Amazon Discount Pricing. Therefore, I was predisposed to like and desperately wait on Dark Triumph. YOU GUYS. I am in L-O-V-E with this book. Plus, I know for a fact that I will be buying it when it comes out AT LIST PRICE as well because it is worth it and you know this is one of those books that I need to have in hard cover form. Dark Triumph focuses on Death’s Handmaiden, Sybella. As you might remember from Grave Mercy, Sybella is the girl who came to the convent after going through some real shit. She’s kind of ‘damaged’ in book one. Well, in this book we get to see just why she’s so damaged. We open with her being sent to D’Albret’s house and Sybella is hell bent on killing D’Albret, only like a total douche he doesn’t have a marque, so it’s not exactly sanctioned by Mortain. Instead, Sybella finds that her mission is to rescue Beast (ILY ILY ILY) and get him to Rennes. You see, Beast is practically half dead from fighting some of D’Albret’s soldiers. ONLY he’s got the spirit of a total warrior and is one of St. Camulous’s own and so, together the two travel on to Rennes, to the duchess meeting plenty of interesting characters along the way. SHOUT OUT TO THE CHARBONNERIE, YOU KIDS ARE MY FAVORITE.

Sybella, Sybella, Sybella. Girl goes through so much pain and strife and ugh, you guys her life totally blows. And now I can see why she was Captain Emo in Grave Mercy. There is such a good reason for it, but I totally will not go into that because you do not deserve spoilers pre-Dark Triumph. Suffice to say, Sybella is a bit mopey, but in the book we actually understand why and it’s nothing that I can hold against her. I loved her character because she had what it takes to get the job done. Instead of agonizing over killing dudes with marques on them, she just does it. And it is legit and awesome. Sybella is very no nonsense and tough, and while yes she shows her vulnerable side to the readers, there’s a wall up to the other people in her life. It’s quite the interesting combination — tough as nails on the outside, soft on the inside.

What makes Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers so compelling is Sybella’s inner conflict. We get this exploration of Sybella’s inner landscape, you know like her feelings and emotions and such — I just wanted to sound smart with that line. Questions of whether evil is genetic or nurtured arise. I can’t tell you much about Sybella’s past without spoilers but I can say that her home environment sucks and she might as well live with the embodiment of evil. Further, she also consistently questions whether she is good enough or whether she really deserves love because of previous things that have happened to her. And what we really get is this awesome transformation from victim to survivor — it’s incredibly empowering, now that I think about it.

Of course, Dark Triumph is not all doom and gloom and depressing and well, dark. Beast from Grave Mercy features quite prominently in this companion book. You guys, Beast is awesome. He’s a bear of a man. Yet, despite his bulk, he has a lightness inside. He’s very charismatic and people are drawn to him. Where Sybella is brooding, Beast is laughing, ya know? Obviously based on the summary those of you with two brain cells to rub together can infer that Beast and Sybella hook up because come on, that is how these summaries and romances work. YOU GUYS maximum swoonage occurs within Dark Triumph and it’s a nice slow build over mutual antagonization and also definitely respect. What I love is that the two have issues to work through — their romance is not one that is easily won, thank goodness. Plus you guys, there is a kissing scene that you’ll totally want to highlight, and that’s the only bone I will throw you.

For such a long book, Robin Lafevers makes it so Dark Triumph is kind of impossible to set down. Y’all, I had intended Dark Triumph to be my work out book and we all see how great that one went. Instead of just reading it while on the bike, I carried it around with me reading my kindle like the wind. This noise is gripping in the best possible way. While it doesn’t quite focus on politics and machinations and intrigue like Grave Mercy, it does have that interesting focus on self-conflict. And I just loved that Sybella was such a dynamic character and seeing her have these epiphanies. It was definitely a treat to read about.

Obviously, I highly recommend this book. Robin LaFevers’ latest definitely adds more meat to the His Fair Assassin trilogy. Dark Triumph manages to not feel like a filler in any way shape or form. Instead, it was totally awesome, especially when everything just clicked for me and I had that AH-HA reader sort of moment. If you happen to have a copy, I recommend reading it now and totally talking it up because this is one series that deserves ALL OF THE SALES, seriously. All of them. I came, I saw, I swooned over Sybella, Beast, the Charbonnerie, Yanick and more. Definitely, definitely preorder LaFever’s Dark Triumph I promise you won’t regret one clicking it.

Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley

Other reviews of Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers:

Dark Faerie Tales – “Time escaped me, as I read through the story”

Carina’s Books – “So many things that made me cry. And smile.”

Sassyreads – “Dark, this one… and I liked it”

Books by Robin LaFevers:
Grave Mercy

Writing as RL LaFevers:
The Unicorn’s Tale

One Shot Away | T. Glen Coughlin | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

I am not sure about you, but as someone who grew up not very athletically inclined, but came to see the light when it comes to exercise as an adult, I find myself immensely attracted to young adult books where sports play a central role. I’ll admit I did participate in: cheerleading, swim team, and volleyball plus a few 3-on-3 basketball tournaments growing up. However, I was never very good at sports. In One Shot Away by T. Glen Coughlin, the three protagonists are actually very, very serious about their sport – wrestling – and definitely fall into an elite class of athlete. It was very interesting reading about the boys’ dedication to the sport. ALSO you know what ELSE caught my attention? The Harper Collins catalog blurb compared One Shot Away to Friday Night Lights, and so I knew I would have to give it a shot, because all the cool kids know that is one bombass TV show.

One Shot Away by T. Glen Coughlin | Good Books And Good Wine

Set in the part of New Jersey that isn’t the shore, One Shot Away focuses on Jimmy, Diggy, and Trevor – three wrestlers who want to have a winning season. Jimmy and Diggy are seniors and it’s important to both to get their names up on the wall. Jimmy was nearly undefeated last year and is expected to continue his streak. Diggy, on the other hand, wrestles dirty and finds that Trevor Crow is challenging him for his spot. There is drama aplenty in T. Glen Coughlin’s One Shot Away as we read about the three and their struggles – because each character has problems beyond winning and losing their individual matches.

Jimmy is the star of the wrestling team. He dates one of the more popular girls at school – Roxanne. From the outside looking in, he doesn’t have it quite so bad. Only, when we start One Shot Away, Jimmy is reluctantly accompanying his dad on a midnight ride to steal lumber. This is important because it basically messes with Jimmy’s life for the rest of the book. Like, we see the real stress having a dad who walks the wrong side of the law has on Jimmy. Then there is Diggy whose brother is a legacy. Diggy is from a wealthy family. He’s very entitled, yet there’s a lot of pressure on him. Diggy’s dad is kind of abusive and totally expects Diggy to equal his brother — who is away at college. Finally, the third point of view character is Trevor Crow. Trevor’s dealing with the pain of losing his dad to a freak car accident. Unfortunately Trevor’s mom is broke as a joke and so they end up moving to and working in a crappy motel. OH and Trevor has bulked up and wants Diggy’s weight class on varsity.

I liked that T. Glen Coughlin made use of alternating point of views in One Shot Away. I thought the various viewpoints provided diverse experiences of being on the team, and even more than that a look at the relationship between father and son. You guys, I didn’t even pick up on that until writing out this review ha ha, but that’s such a BIG theme. Like, Trevor has the dead father, Diggy the abusive domineering dad, and Jimmy’s Pops cares about him but has questionable morals. It’s a good look at dysfunction now that I think about it, and shows how that transcends class. As with most multi-main character books, I did wind up preferring certain points of view over others. Like, to be honest with you I thought Diggy was a total douche and even though he redeems himself, I still much preferred Trevor and Jimmy to Diggy.

Obviously wrestling plays a super huge role in One Shot Away. Like, we get to see the total discipline of the team. Plus, how important it is to make weight and the lengths the characters will go to. Various scenes depicted the matches and the atheleticsm involved. Granted, I am no expert in wrestling (although my uncle built a wrestling room in his house for my cousin wayyyy back when), I felt I could follow along with the pins and not be confused.I also think it’s interesting how wrestling is a very individual sport — it’s only two people against each other, yet the team was quite bonded.

Unfortunately, One Shot Away isn’t the greatest book I’ve ever read. I would say it’s good but not like a favorite or really great. For one, it took me a very long time to get into — however I also ended up making myself read 30 pages a day to finish it. That’s fine, but I just wasn’t always motivated to pick it up. I also found myself dreading a few parts. Also? It’s not entirely like Friday Night Lights but that’s more my own hang up and fault because I actually listened to a comparison. I guess I was waiting for a Tim Riggins and he never showed up to the book. OH OH and I could not get over my distaste for Diggy who seemed to have the most POV chapters.

Regardless, T. Glen Coughlin’s One Shot Away is not a bad book, but an interesting portrayal of high school sports and the drive and dedication involved. I’d recommend it if you want to know more about wrestling or maybe know someone who is super into sports and thus wouldn’t be adverse to reading about the love of the game.

Disclosure: Received for review

Other reviews of One Shot Away by T. Glen Coughlin:

Chick Loves Lit – “I’m an advocate for good sports focused books”

Once Upon A Twilight – “storyline is truly clever along with being a little edgy”

Wake Up At Seven – “This isn’t a book you’ll want to miss, especially for fans of wrestling”