Exile

Author: Kevin Emerson
Series: Exiles # 1
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery (sort of)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Release Date: 29 April 2014
Summary: Catherine Summer Carlson knows how to manage bands like a professional—she’s a student at the PopArts Academy at Mount Hope High, where rock legends Allegiance to North got their start. Summer knows that falling for the lead singer of her latest band is the least professional thing a manager can do. But Caleb Daniels isn’t an ordinary band boy—he’s a hot, dreamy, sweet-singing, exiled-from-his-old-band, possibly-with-a-deep-dark-side band boy. And he can do that thing. That thing when someone sings a song and it inhabits you, possesses you, and moves you like a marionette to its will.
Summer also finds herself at the center of a mystery she never saw coming. When Caleb reveals a secret about his long-lost father, one band’s past becomes another’s present, and Summer finds it harder and harder to be both band manager and girlfriend. She knows what the well-mannered Catherine side of her would do, but she also knows what her heart is telling her. Maybe it’s time to accept who she really is, even if it means becoming an exile herself. . . .
Review:  You should know up front, I don't read a lot of novels about music - non-fiction yes.  I just finished Keith Richard's autobiography and it blew my mind - but novels?  Not so much.  The reason I don't tend to read a lot of novels where music is a central theme is because I judge from page one.  As a matter of fact, in recent memory, the only novels about music I remember distinctly enjoying were Gayle Forman's If I Stay and Where She Went, but then those weren't really about music were they? 
It is with that in mind, that bias I automatically have, that I went into this book; and let me tell you: Kevin Emerson knows music.  This guy gets it, he knows what it's like to feel the beat with every part of you.  To stand at the back of a converted-garage covered in sweat and smiling because you haven't felt this great in a while, because the music is flowing around and through you.  It's the beating of your heart, and the rumble in your fingers, its the thumping of the bass line in your heels, digging into the concrete, blowing you apart, and then piecing you back together.  I'll give him that, he knows music.
But, I constantly had one question going through my mind: why is this from a female perspective?  Caleb was the interesting character, Catherine/Summer felt stock.  She went through average high school troubles, and had average parent troubles, and average relationship troubles (hint: instant love is still annoying, even if you're acknowledging it through the entire book).  Whereas Caleb had all of these dimensions, he had a mystery surrounding him that I, personally, felt could have been better explored through turning him into the narrator - instead of turning him into the "broody love interest".  There was also something about Catherine/Summer's voice that felt sadly inauthentic.   Like she was trying to be every other young adult contemporary female out there, and unfortunately failing miserably.   
Don't mistake me: I loved the music, I loved reading about the music.  I just had a hard time standing the voice that told me about it, when I knew there were other characters in the story who were more passionate about not only the music, but what was happening to them.

Breakfast Served Anytime

Author: Sarah Combs
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: 8 April 2014
Summary: When Gloria sets out to spend the summer before her senior year at a camp for gifted and talented students, she doesn’t know quite what to expect. Fresh from the heartache of losing her grandmother and missing her best friend, Gloria resolves to make the best of her new circumstances. But some things are proving to be more challenging than she expected. Like the series of mysterious clues left by a certain Professor X before he even shows up to teach his class, Secrets of the Written Word. Or the very sweet, but very conservative, roommate whose coal-industry family champions mountaintop removal. Not to mention the obnoxious Mason, who dresses like the Mad Hatter and immediately gets on Gloria’s nerves — but somehow won’t escape her thoughts.
Beautifully told by debut author Sarah Combs, this honest and touching story of growing up is imbued with the serene atmosphere of Kentucky’s natural landscape.
Review:  Coming of age books sort of define what the Young Adult genre used to be (before Twilight).  At a recent book talk/conference event thingamajig, there was this term tossed around, "quiet literature"  this, at least to my limited understanding is talking about books that impact you, but you don't remember a lot of.  Like Judy Blume's Are You There God, It's Me Margaret.  It's books that are beautiful, and timely.  Breakfast Served Anytime is a book that falls into the category of quiet literature for me.  There aren't any overwhelming nuances, no magic, no vegetarian vampires, no cancer patients.   It's the story of a girl on the verge of something new, and it's lovely and heartbreaking and beautiful. 
The only downside was I felt like there wasn't enough.  It felt like one of those flash films where you get a ton of images in quick succession without having a pause button.  Although I really loved the overall tone of this book, I don't know that I'll remember most of it without a re-reading.  You'll read it in an afternoon, but I would give it to a 12-15 year old, even though the characters are 17, it's more suited to that age group, and it's very clean, and appropriate for kids in their middle school/junior high years.

The Chaos of Stars

Author: Kiersten White
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Mythology, Romance
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: 10 September 2013
Summary: Isadora's family is seriously screwed up—which comes with the territory when you're the human daughter of the ancient Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Isadora is tired of living with crazy relatives who think she's only worthy of a passing glance—so when she gets the chance to move to California with her brother, she jumps on it. But her new life comes with plenty of its own dramatic—and dangerous—complications . . . and Isadora quickly learns there's no such thing as a clean break from family.
Blending Ally Carter's humor and the romance of Cynthia Hand's Unearthly, The Chaos of Stars takes readers on an unforgettable journey halfway across the world and back, and proves there's no place like home
Review:  I read this book quite a long time ago, then went back and re-read some of it today as a refresher before writing this review.  Overall I really enjoyed this book, I always like it when I find a good young adult stand alone.  Funnily enough this novel made me realize why so many YA authors write series.  It's hard to fit a full, well rounded story with fleshed out characters into a YA novel.  I wouldn't have minded another 100-200 pages in this book.
I loved the character of Isadora. I thought she was funny and self centered and so much the epitome of teenager.  I spend a lot of time in schools, and although Isadora wasn't necessarily somebody I would want to be best friends with, I did think she had a very similar personality to a lot of girls in that age group.
I loved her friends, and her family (especially her family) the integration of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses was very well done, and in such a fun way that it made me want to read up on my Ancient Egyptian literature.  Growing up we always focused on Greek and Roman mythology, and it was refreshing to read about the Egyptians.
The only thing I had a hard time was the overall climax of the book, it was resolved so quickly.  I mean we just left Isadora and Ry hanging out, and all the ends were tied up but I still want something to happen next.  I would recommend checking this out from the library if you're in the mood for a quick fun read, but if you're thinking about buying it: wait for the paperback to come out - as long as the paperback has the same cover as the hardback that it (*swoon*).

We Were Liars

Author: E. Lockhart
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: 13 May 2014
Summary: A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
Review: This is a really hard book to review.
For a while I couldn't decide whether to give it a four star rating, or two.
The ending was twisted, but didn't come out of nowhere.
This is very sophisticated YA.
It will ensure a lot of discussion.
It is nothing like Lockhart's other work.
It is better.
It is worse.
It is different.
It is now.

Catch A Falling Star

Author: Kim Culbertson
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: 29 April 2014
Summary: Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?
Review: I enjoyed this novel immensely.  It was fun, and put a new spin on what I like to call the "fan fic" genre.  No, this isn't a knock off of another YA novel, but it does have a day dream quality to it, like there isn't any realm in known reality where this would ever happen, but I think it happens in a lot of teen and tween girl fantasies,  I mean spending a month with, say, Harry Styles?  Getting to show him around your neighborhood and pretend to date him?  Yeah, day dreams have been built on a lot less.  That being said, Culbertson's debut did have a little more to offer under the surface. 
Her depictions of the town of Little are gorgeous and very believable, and her characters and lovable and fleshed out.  I believed the characters, I believed (and have known) many girls that are just like Carter.  I believed in Adam as well, I liked the spin on his character, and  felt like it rang true with a lot of celebrities today.  I liked the distinct-ness of Culbertson's voice. There are a lot of these dreamy books out there (Angie Stanton has built her entire career writing books like this) but what those didn't have, that this one did was a whole lot of heart and conviction.  Carter is sassy and lovable, and yes she is the typical "I don't like Hollywood" but it's not just for the sake of it.  She has distinct real world reasons for not liking celebrity culture, but she doesn't completely shun it either.
I loved the complexity of Carter's family as well, it brought a different vibe to the story that I felt made the situation Carter is placed in to more believable, willing to work in order to try and help save a family member is very relatable. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief for the actual romance part of the book, which is a big selling point in YA these days.
Fun, yes. Worth reading, definitely.  Would I recommend it?  Yes, especially to young teen girls, or anyone looking for a fluffy read that explores social structures of a small town as well as Hollywood without loosing the day dreamy vibe.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one.  Perfect for wasting a summer afternoon as long as you're willing to suspend your beliefs for a bit.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before # 1
Genre: Contemporary, Coming of Age
Publisher: Simon and Shuster books for Young Readers
Released: 15 April 2014
Summary: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.
Review:  Dear Jenny Han,
Thank you for writing a book that was literally me in high school.  I actually have a box of letters I wrote to the boys who didn’t know I existed, but I loved anyway (though unfortunately not a hat box, just an old Keds shoebox).  I haven’t identified as much with a character like I did with Lara Jean in years.  As a matter of fact, this book made me go and read all of your other books to.  They all made me cry (although this one didn’t) and I loved them.  Really really loved them.  But I have to say, something about Lara Jean, and the Song sisters.  I just adored them the most.
So thanks, Jenny Han.  Don’t stop writing, ever.
E.

ACTUAL REVIEW

The positives: The story, but more than the story: the letters.  The letters are what makes this book amazing, I actually ended up taking a photocopy of the Peter K letter and tucking it into my bag so whenever I’m feeling down I can read it and then laugh my butt of.  Imagine my surprise when that was what Jenny Han chose to read when I went to one of her author events a few weeks ago.  It was amazing to hear her talk about her inspiration for Lara Jean, and the Song girls, and it made the story that much more special.

I also loved the relationship that Lara Jean has with her sisters, where this book could have come off as the stereotypical YA Romance, there was a lot more depth.  Lara Jean has to grow up, and is trying so hard to take her place as the resident oldest kid in the house, the letters are just a way to move her into that.  I loved reading her grow, it was done in such a subtle beautiful way that only Jenny Han can.
And finally the comedy, this is, in my opinion, Jenny Han’s funniest novel yet.  There were so many small jokes and insights that show just how much Jenny Han knows about being a sister.   I loved the dialogue between Lara Jean and Kitty, and Lara Jean and Peter K.  Although Lara did act a little young for her age I felt like it fit perfectly with how she grew up, and how she was treated for most of her life by her sister, and the people around her.
The negatives: There are none.

Rebel Belle

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Untitled – but first in a planned series
Genre: Paranormal Comedy
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Released: 8 April 2014
Summary: Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.
Review:  Many of you probably already know this, but I was late to the Rachel Hawkins fan club.  I didn’t read Hex Hall until famed Goodreads YA reviewer Wendy Darling recommended it.  I had seen it on the shelf at the library, and just by passed it as ‘probably something like Twilight’ (it wasn’t, by the way.)  However, after reading Hex Hall I was officially a fan of Rachel Hawkins, a pretty big fan as a matter of fact, and when I heard the promo blurb for Rebel Belle I knew, just knew that it was going to lodge itself in my heart, and I would do whatever it took to get my hands on it ASAP (it doesn’t take much, btw.  Just the release day shipping option on Amazon.)
And, let me tell you something, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Like, you have no idea.  I loved the characters, I loved the setting, I loved the overall tone of the story.  It feels like summer, and it’s hilarious.  I’m not one to laugh out loud when I read, but man I was laughing so hard I almost cried when I read this.  
I loved Harper, I loved the incorporation of the Southern elements, I loved her interior monologue about David’s wardrobe, and I liked the love triangle (that was kind of non-existent, in my opinion.)
Now, I know what you’re going to say “another YA love triangle, are we serious here.”  Umm, yes?  I mean: yes.  We are serious.  This one is the same but different.  Overall there is never a doubt as to who Harper is going to end up with, and to be honest David’s mishaps are atypical high school boy.  I feel like I probably would have been like David in high school – heck I was like David in high school (expect for the fact that I was, you know, a girl.)  But my school was divided, and I didn’t like the stuck up kids who seemed to have air where their brains should be.  It was the realization that David comes to – that it’s okay to think seemingly superficial things are actually important, that made this story work for me.  Although nothing is told from David’s perspective, you can tell there is a lot going on with him as a character, as does Harper – but Harper wasn’t what really got me into this.  It was David.  Hand’s down – and don’t get me started on Ryan.  Hmmm, he really pulled through in the end – unexpectedly.
I recommend this to any and all fans of paranormal books, Hawkins’ other series, and comedy.  Or, you know, everyone who loves books in general.