The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

One Epic Love Story

From Goodreads:

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all. 

Rating: 5 Stars

When it comes to fairytale retellings, there is no one more excited than I am. As a child, I was always reading stories, listening to stories on old vinyl, or being told stories by my grandfather. One of my favorites was the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves; the story is one of the many stories in A Thousand and One Nights, also known as The Arabian Nights. The Wrath and the Dawn is an extraordinary retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Arabic folk tales in which a king marries a new girl each day only to kill them at dawn the following day.

Renee Ahdieh re-created a magical world that I never wanted to leave. Ahdieh is a remarkable storyteller with outstanding world building skills and an astonishing ability to develop unforgettable characters. I don’t think that my review could ever do this book justice. I am writing this review a few weeks after I finished reading the book, and I am still thinking of it. I think the wait for the sequel is going to be brutal and I have a feeling I will have to re-read the novel in order to fill the void.

At its core The Wrath and the Dawn is a love story unlike any other; it is a magnificently beautiful love story, but extremely painful at times. I felt the story more than I read it. The world Ahdieh described felt enchanted; she spared no details about the palace, the clothing, and the food: she described the vivid colors of different attires, the most meticulous details of the palace rooms, and the smell of foods, making it very easy for the reader to transport themselves into the world she created.

Khalid, the Caliph of Kjorasan, the King of Kings, the monster boy-king, seems to be a ruthless killer. He is introduced to the reader as a monster who kills innocent women every dawn with no remorse or consideration for the girls or their families. Not only does he kill innocent women, but he seems to be oblivious to his people living in fear under his rule. I didn’t want to grow to love him, I didn’t want to excuse his behavior because I found killing women each night to be inexcusable. However, as the story progressed and more of his past and character developed, I found myself rooting for him. And I think that the reason I grew so attached to him was the fact that, besides all that was happening on the surface, deep down he is a feminist. I think the way he treated Sharzi proved that time and time again. He never saw her as his property in a culture where that seems to be the norm, he stood up for her at times, but also left her to fight her own battles. She becomes his everything but he allows her to be herself, with all of her fiery personality. He doesn’t want to tame her and turn her into a compliant wife. He respects and loves her for who she is.

Shahrzad, known as Sharzi to those who love her, is a girl who lost her best friend (Shiva) to the Caliph. She volunteers to marry the Caliph in order to kill him and revenge not only her best friend, but also all the other brides that came before her. During her first night (and what is supposed to be the only night) as the Caliph’s wife, she captures his attention and curiosity with her absorbing storytelling abilities thus earning a few extra dawns and soon Kaliph’s heart.  Ahdieh created an amazing protagonist in Sharzi; she is smart, fiery, and extremely brave. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning, although as the book progressed I was worried about her “mission” as I was swooning over Khalid. I can’t say much about her without spoiling some of the major story twists, but I can tell you that she is extremely strong and I was impressed with her ability to see past her own revenge and try to understand the bigger picture. She knew that some of her choices would lead her to betray her family and those she cared for, but her pursuit of the truth was more important. She was always able to read a situation and make quick decisions, which we rarely get to see in characters. All in all, she is quickly becoming one of my favorite female characters.

In addition to the two main characters, Ahdieh created many side characters that were equally well developed; Jalal and Despina were two of my favorites as they provided great comedic relief and managed to perfectly balance out the dark aspects of the story. I think one of the best things Ahdieh did was give a voice to several of her characters by writing the story from multiple characters point of view. This allowed the reader to get to know and form their own opinion about them.  

At the end of the story there were many things left unanswered; and, there were many things that Ahdieh introduced and hinted at but never fully developed, that will leave readers longing for the sequel.

One word of advice: there are many terms the author uses in the story that I was not familiar with; and, while for some the meaning could easily be deduced from the context, a glossary of terms has been included at the end. Make sure to bookmark it and refer back to it as necessary. I found it extremely helpful as I read along.

The Wrath and the Dawn is without a doubt one of the best debuts for 2015 and one of my new all-time favorite novels. Ahdieh’s writing style is absolutely flawless, allowing the reader to be transported to a wonderful world full of romance, adventure, action, magic, and so much more. I would recommend this novel to everyone who likes to read; probably even those who think they don’t like to read might change their minds when they are done with this novel. Absolutely fantastic!

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

An Unforgettable Read

From Goodreads:

Defiance by C. J. Redwine is rich postapocalyptic YA fantasy perfect for fans of Graceling and Tamora Pierce.

While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.

When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Rating: 5 Stars

Defiance is C.J Redwine’s debut novel, the first book of a trilogy, and a must read for YA fans. The novel is an extraordinary blend of dystopian, fantasy, adventure, and steampunk. There are so many different aspects I loved in this novel that I struggle with finding a good place to start. Redwine is a remarkable storyteller with striking world building skills and an impressive ability to develop unforgettable characters.

One of my favorite things about this book is the abrupt way it started. From the very first page I had the feeling that this would be an extremely fast paced novel, and I wasn’t wrong. Even though the book is 400+ pages, the fast pace of the story made it end sooner than I wanted. I read this book in two sittings, and I was unable to stop thinking about it while not reading it.

The world created was absolutely fascinating; it had a historic feel, yet it was completely original and unique. Redwine provided many detailed explanations of the world she envisioned, which painted a crystal clear picture of Baalboden and the Wasteland. Also, a great deal of time was spent on building a very detailed political system. Baalboden is ruled by Commander Jason Chase, a terrible and controlling man that keeps his people oppressed, under the false pretense of keeping them safe from the dangers outside the city walls.

In order to avoid spoilers, I will refrain from mentioning all the secondary characters that were introduced as the novel progressed, but I will, however, say that each and every character was very well developed. I will instead focus on the main two characters; Rachel and Logan, who were easy to love from the very beginning. The book is written in alternating view points between Rachel and Logan, both narrating in first person, making it easy for the reader to get to know them in an intimate way.

Rachel is a very strong female character; she is fierce, fiery, impulsive, smart, and she loves the people in her life more than anything. She is willing to go to extreme lengths for others and sacrifice herself in order to protect the people she loves. Logan is fiercely intelligent, methodical, meticulous, and calculated. He would do anything to keep his loved ones safe, even if the price is his own life. Words cannot express how much I adored Logan. There is a huge contrast between the two characters; we get a very good sense of who Rachel is very early in the story. She has a lot of emotional walls built that we get to see crumble as the story progresses. Logan on the other hand, develops much slower, but I loved his journey to a fierce protector. In the beginning he is very insecure and we get to see a vulnerability in him that we hardly ever see in male protagonists. He finds himself in the most hysterical situations and we get a sense of how shy and awkward he is in social interactions. He is the ultimate nerd, which is what I loved most about him. I am a huge math and science nerd, and Logan made me fall in love with him when he said: “I wait until their footsteps fade. Until the door at the entrance closes. Until I’ve silently recounted everything I know about the Pythagorean theorem. The conductive propertied copper. The relationship between negative mass and negative energy. […] I clench my teeth and tell myself pain is just a state of mind. I can rise above it. My body doesn’t agree with my theory, so I force myself to recite the periodic table […]”

The story does have romance, but not the insta love we so often find in YA. Redwine took her time in developing all relationships in the book. The connections and relationships are extremely deep and beautifully written. Because I was so invested in the characters and their relationships, as the book progressed and events unfolded, I sometimes wanted to just crawl in a corner, curl into a ball, and cry. I often found myself gasping, laughing, cringing, grinning, and crying with each turning of the page.

Overall, Defiance was an exciting read that kept me captivated until the very last sentence; it was an outstanding read, unique in its composition, with amazingly strong characters.  I cannot wait to read the sequel!

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Great Summer Read

From Goodreads:

It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list.

On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back?

Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger? Um... 

Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go skinny-dipping? Wait...what?

Rating: 4 Stars

Since You’ve Been Gone was my first read by Morgan Matson and I can say with certainty that it won’t be my last.

The story stars quite suddenly, with Emily finding that her best friend, Sloane, is gone. There was no notice, no goodbye message, and no note explaining her sudden departure. But things take a turn when one day Emily receives a to-do list from Sloane. After weeks of worry, she finally receives something from Sloane. Emily believes that by completing all the items on the list she will somehow get her best friend back. And so begins Emily’s most epic summer, filled with new friends, self-discovery, and adventure.

Morgan Matson has developed great characters that were very genuine and memorable. I found most of the characters to be very relatable, Emily in particular. She was very shy and socially clumsy. I am quite shy and tend to be quite awkward in social situations, so I found her very endearing and was able to instantly connect with her.

The novel is filled with flashbacks on Emily and Sloane’s friendship, how they met, and how their relationship evolved over the years. In the flashbacks, we get a sense that Emily is quite dependent on Sloane. She appears to live vicariously through Sloane. She is more confident when Sloane is around because she allows Sloane to take the lead; but when Sloane disappears, she finds herself quite lost. People don’t seem to really know her in school except as the girl who is always with Sloane. Additionally, the flashbacks provide an insight into what kind of person Sloane is; she is portrayed as very outgoing, friendly, and thirsty for adventure and mischief. While reading, at first I was convinced that Emily relied too much on Sloane, but as the story developed I understood just how much Sloane relied on Emily as well.

As Emily starts completing tasks from the list, with the much unexpected help from Frank Porter, she manages to make new friends. At first the friends she makes are almost by accident because she doesn’t know how to handle or avoid certain situations. However, throughout the book we get to see Emily find her own voice, grow more confident, make new friends, make mistakes and learn from them, build new relationships, and most importantly find her own identity.

The book was a great journey of self-growth and self-discovery. I really liked that while the book did have some romance, it was not the main focus. I loved the relationship Emily had with her parents and her brother, and all the relationships and friendships she built over the summer. The book expressed how important it is to surround ourselves with worthy people, because the people in our live have a huge effect on us. The book starts with Emily being completely lost, and in a slight state of depression, but with each page she finds herself and becomes a much stronger person; she does so with the help of the people she has around her. 

The items on the list that Emily had to complete were very funny. There were many times I found myself laughing out loud, earning me quite a few curious glances from those around me.

Since You’ve Been Gone was the perfect start to my summer reading; it was a fun and easy read. It is one of the best books featuring friendships that I have ever read. I found Morgan Matson’s writing style to be just wonderful; she is an incredible storyteller and I cannot wait to read her other works, as I am convinced that they are equally amazing.

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Quick Lighthearted Read

From Goodreads:

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Rating: 4 Stars

Jackson Pearce’s debut novel, As You Wish, is a quick, fun, heartwarming read that will leave readers wanting to grab her other novels. With this being her debut novel, she has managed to set the bar quite high for herself.

As You Wish has just the right amount of romance and humor, perfect for a rainy day read. I particularly loved that the story is told in alternating view points between Viola and Jinn, both narrating in first person, making it very easy for the reader to get to know both of their deepest feelings.

From the very beginning of As You Wish, the main thing that Viola wants is to belong. The book is centered on the struggles we all face at some point in life, wanting to belong, to be loved, and to not be “invisible”. Ever since she broke up with her best friend turned boyfriend, Lawrence, Viola feels like she has become an “Invisible Girl”. She constantly feels overlooked and out of place in school, her art projects, and even her home. She and Lawrence are still good friends, but at times that is more of a hardship; she still sometimes longs for him, but knows things can never be the same.

Jinn(not really his name), is a jinn (genie), that lives in Caliban, where he believes everything is perfect compared to earth, a magical place where jinns live in harmony with no worries and where no one ages. But being a jinn, he must take frequent trips to grant wishes to humans who unknowingly summon them. While on earth the jinns age just like a regular human, so his main goal is to always grant the 3 wishes the human makes in as little time as possible, so that he can return to Caliban. But when Viola becomes his master and refuses to hastily wish on things he is forced to spend more time than intended on earth.

As time passes, Viola and Jinn become closer until the lines of genie and master are blurred. There is only one problem, when Viola makes her final wish, Jinn must leave and she will lose all memories of him. Viola and Jinn come from two extremely different worlds, but as the story develops we see just how much they need each other.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the friendship between Viola and Lawrence. Despite their breakup, the friendship that was there before the romance and the friendship that came after the breakup was just amazing.

Even though the book was quite short (less than 300 pages), the characters were very well developed. Pearce took her time to develop each character just enough to get me emotionally committed to their happiness. She developed beautiful friendships that left me awed. I found myself quickly attached to most of the characters and I wanted to know what happened to them in the end, which Pearce managed to deliver flawlessly.

As You Wish was an insanely fun read that tackled very realistic struggles in a non-preachy way. I am looking forward to reading more from Jackson Pearce; I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed. 

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

One Word Review: Perfection

From Goodreads:

John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park in this beautifully written, incredibly honest, and emotionally poignant novel. Cammie McGovern's insightful young adult debut is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about how we can all feel lost until we find someone who loves us because of our faults, not in spite of them.

Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.

When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. As they begin to spend time with each other, what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into something neither expected. 

Also known as Amy & Matthew: A Love Story

Rating: 5 Stars

This is a young adult contemporary romance novel unlike anything I’ve read before. Cammie McGovern has managed to make me laugh, cry, get angry, cry some more, and still feel hopeful. The characters she created are absolutely brilliant; I adored Amy and Matthew, the struggles they faced, the outcome of the story, and the strong message the book offered its readers.

Amy is not your typical YA heroine. She was born with cerebral palsy, she is unable to walk without a walker, she is unable to talk without a voice computer, and she can’t control her own facial expressions. She does not have any friends mostly because she always needed a helper that has been an adult. At the same time, Matthew is not your typical YA male protagonist either. Matthew struggles with a very aggressive form of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), he hears voices, has certain rituals he must follow, and is crippled by fear. Ever since developing OCD Matthew has become more isolated and has found himself a senior in high school with no friends or social life.  

One of my favorite things about this book is the fact that while both characters have severe disabilities, the novel is not about disabilities and disorders. The main focus of the novel is the struggles that each teenager faces: love, friendship, acceptance, relationships with parents, and becoming independent adults.

The book is written from both Amy’s and Matthew’s point of view, alternating beautifully between the two. McGovern has managed to give her characters splendid voices, making readers fall in love and root for them. The struggles and situations they face along the road are heart wrenching, keeping readers constantly emotionally involved.

The story begins during Amy and Matthew’s senior year in high school, when Amy decides to hire peer aides, people from her own high school and the same age to assist her with getting around. She hopes that this will help her in preparing for college life when she plans to live on her own on campus. One of the aides Amy chooses is Matthew and this marks the beginning of one of the most epic relationships I have ever read. While they face different challenges, they develop a wonderful relationship that allows them to grow, be accepted for who they are, and learn together how to live as normal of a life as possible.

The novel spans their senior year in high school along with the first year after graduation, thus allowing them to develop, make mistakes, learn from their mistakes, and grow as the readers hungrily turn each page.

This is a novel that left me emotionally drained in the best possible way. I am not sure I can adequately express in words how much I adored this book. Cammie McGovern has created a masterpiece that will tug at the heart of its readers, reach in the depths of their soul and challenge them not to get emotionally attached.  If I had to describe Say What You Will in only one word I would choose: perfection.

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

A Great Conclusion to an Amazing Trilogy!

From Goodreads:

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along. Emerald Green is the stunning conclusion to Kerstin Gier's Ruby Red Trilogy, picking up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

Rating: 4 Stars

Emerald Green is the third and final book in the Ruby Red Trilogy, also known as the Precious Stone Trilogy. Just like I did with the first two books in the trilogy, Ruby Red (review) and Sapphire Blue (review), I would like to start the review by addressing the beautiful covers. Both the paperback and hardcover are designed beautifully; however, I prefer the hardcover. The colors are again very vibrant and deep, and the intricate design around the front cover is very elegant.  The green marks in the design are raised and they are made to look and feel like emeralds.

I will try and be as vague as possible in order to avoid spoilers, especially for those of you who didn’t read the first two books in the trilogy yet. The story in Emerald Green picks up where Sapphire Blue left off. The entirety of the trilogy spans over only a few weeks, so the conclusion was fast paced. This book addressed the many things left unanswered by the first two books. Each and every trip in time has a purpose. Gwen and Gideon must find out the ultimate goal that the Count of Saint Germain has in order to defeat him.

I think one of my favorite things about this book was the history that Gier managed to beautifully weave into the story. The beautiful word building made the reader feel like they were transported into another period themselves. I also loved the details shared on the outfits that both Gwen and Gideon had to wear during different trips.

Overall, I was very happy with the character growth in both Gwen and Gideon. I think that although the trilogy spans a mere few weeks, both of them matured and learned from their mistakes as the story progressed. They both seemed to be more grounded in the most extreme of situations. That being said, there were a few instances I found myself quite angry with both. I think that the issues I had with their characters throughout this book only emphasized their overall growth in the end.

Lesley and Xemerius still have huge parts to play in this book. If you read my Ruby Red and Sapphire Blue reviews, you know just how much I adore them. I don’t think that Gwen would have been able to overcome all the obstacles she faced without her best friend Lesley. The bond of friendship between Gwen and Lesley is stronger than ever in this book. Xemerius, the ever so awesome gargoyle ghost, was as funny as ever. He is the one that will have readers laughing out loud at his witty comebacks and sarcastic remarks. In addition to his usual funny self, we get to also see a softer side of him and the love he has for Gwen.

Our lovely James is also part of this book, and I was extremely happy with the way things wrapped up for his character. In this book we got to see him more in his own element and as always he was extremely charming.

I can’t talk about the romance in this book without spoiling it, so I will just settle on saying that I was very satisfied with the way things wrapped up. 

The prophecies presented to us in the first two books slowly unravel and new clues emerge as the final book progresses. Traitors are discovered and we finally get answers to questions collected from the two previous books.

While the ending was quite satisfactory, there were a few things that I still wanted addressed. There were a few loose ends left, but not enough to ruin the story. There are a few characters that I wanted to know more about and also what became of them. Overall, I absolutely loved this series and was quite sad to finish it. It was a marvelous series to read! 

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

The Twistiest Faerie Tale 

From Goodreads:

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

Rating: 5 Stars

The Darkest Part of the Forest was one of my Most Anticipated Books for 2015. I previously read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and was blown away by Holly Black’s writing style. Having read both of these books, I now see a pattern. Not only does she write beautifully, but she has the ability to draw the reader into the world she creates. Her stories have a dark and twisted element that I must admit I love. I never thought I would be interested in reading a book about fae, but Black’s story had me hooked from the first blurb released for this book.

Black’s fae are beautifully written. She sometimes uses antonyms to describe them, and while that could be confusing, it actually works at providing a full picture. The fae are described to be beautiful, and creepy looking; they cannot lie but they have a way with words, playing a double meaning word game, and they are very cunning; they are peaceful but can be dangerous.

The story focuses on Hazel and her brother Ben, who live in Fairfold, a small strange town where fae and humans live alongside one another. The fae attract tourism, so the town people of Fairfold for the most part are not weary of the fae. However, perhaps they should be…

Hazel and Ben have lived in Fairfold for most of their lives. The small town of Fairfold is tucked away in a forest, which also holds a glass coffin. In the casket sleeps a horned boy, who Hazel and Ben have been in love with since early childhood. They both are very protective of the horned boy and they both like to share their stories with him. For many generations the boy has been a fixture of the forest in the little town of Fairfold. Until one day the coffin is empty. Nobody knows who opened the coffin,  how they managed to do it,  or where the horned boy is. Early in the book we are also introduced to Ben’s best friend, Jack, who is a changeling, but has been raised by a human family.

As the story develops, the town becomes more and more terrified of the faeries, friendships are tested, the bond between Hazel and Ben is tested as more and more secrets they hold come into light, and the peaceful relationship between the fae and humans becomes more strained.

Black’s characters are all flawed and broken in some ways which makes them easier to relate to. She does not shy away from equally highlighting their strengths and their weaknesses. All the characters she focused on are very well developed, making it impossible to pick favorites.

The story is filled with secrets, love, power, magic, and adventure. The underlying question at the core of the book is ‘what sacrifices are you willing to make for those you find worthy’? My only complaint about this book was the length. I did not want it to end as soon as it did; however, the book did offer a very satisfying ending. I found this book to be much darker than your typical young-adult novels, but it is something I came to expect from Holly Black. The combination of modern day with fairy folklore is absolutely fascinating. This is without a doubt one of the best reads of 2015 for me. 

Spelled Spotlight Tour and Gift Basket Giveaway

Spelled

By Betsy Schow

Sourcebooks Fire

June 2, 2015

Advance Praise for Spelled

“A cute adventure with romance set in a world full of fairy-tale mash-ups. Readers will love Dorthea’s evolution from spoiled princess to strong, confident heroine… For Oz fans, this work is a great clean-read alternative to Danielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die.” -School Library Journal

“This wickedly funny, fast-paced adventure has it all: brains, courage, and heart. (Plus a kickin’ pair of heels.) .” --Jen Calonita, author of The Secrets of My Hollywood Life and Fairy Tale Reform School series

“Fairy tale survival rule #1, do NOT read this book late at night. You will wake up your entire family with loud laughter. Fairy tale survival rule #2, if you love the Wizard of Oz, clever fairy tale mash-ups, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing what will happen until the very end, you MUST read Spelled.” --J Scott Savage, award winning author of Farworld, Case File 13, and the Mysteries of Cove series.

“A hilarious and snarky reimagining of the world of Oz, along with many other fairy tales injected throughout, "Spelled" is one fabulous read…Kick off those silver slippers and tuck in with this wonderful tale!” —Senator Sipes, Lil Book Bug (Palmdale, CA)

Book Info:

Talk about unhappily ever after. Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks—like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But a forced marriage to the not-so-charming prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future.

Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving Dorthea with hair made up of emerald flames and the kingdom in chaos. Her parents and everyone she loves are stuck in some place called “Kansas.” Now it’s up to Dorthea and her pixed-off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse…before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells The End for the world of Story.

Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kindle |  Nook

Betsy Schow:

Betsy Schow is the author of the memoir Finished Being Fat, and has been featured on The Today Show and in The Wall Street Journal. She lives in Utah, but travels the country with Color Me Rad 5k, and partners with nonprofits to teach kids creative thinking and how to reach their goals.

Website| Twitter

Excerpt from Spelled:

Most of the crowd had dispersed. The final few stragglers looked at me with the all­too-common look of fear mixed with trepidation. Pix ’em. They were just servants. It wasn’t like their opinion mattered.

Only one remained, watching me with open curiosity. He looked to be in his late teens or was magically enhanced to appear so. He could have been a hundred for all I knew. I’d never seen him before in my life. He was handsome enough, for a commoner, even in his worn leather pants and cracked work boots. A foreigner, his hair was unruly and dark auburn, which complemented his tanned but dirt-smudged complexion, though the tall, dark stranger vibe was ruined by his piercing pale blue eyes.

Well, I’d had enough of being a sideshow for the day. “If you’re the new gardener, the hedges are overgrown and in need of a trim.” I pointed in the direction of my father. “While you’re there, you can help the king with the wisps.”

The young man’s expression clouded over, but he didn’t move.

I stamped my foot and pointed more forcefully. “Off with you. Courtyard’s that way. Be sure to clean those awful boots before coming back in.”

“Someone told me I’d find a princess of great worth here. One with the strength to be the hero this realm needs.” He stared at me with those unsettling blue eyes. They were cold, like ice water—made me shiver from head to toe. Then his gaze seemed to search even deeper. Finally, he looked through me, like I was nothing.

In brisk steps, he strode across the marble to the courtyard. But before crossing the threshold, he turned back to glare at me with his lip curled ever so slightly. “It seems she was mistaken.”

Just like that, I had been sifted, weighed, and found wanting.

I felt my own lip curl in response. How rude! Who the Grimm was this peasant to judge me? I was wearing a Glenda original. Original! Not some fairy-godmother knockoff worn by those servant girls turned royal. I was a crown princess, for the love of fairy, and no one dismissed me.

Before I could put the boy in his place—down in the dirt, where he belonged—a clatter came from behind, making me nearly jump out of my shoes. I checked and was relieved that Sterling had simply dropped his sword. By the time I looked back, the gardener was gone.

After stowing his blade, Sterling held up his shield, not in defense of the entrance but so he could look at his reflection. “Clearly he’s blind and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

I didn’t ask for Sterling’s opinion, but it made me feel better.

Until he opened his mouth again.

“Worth, pffft. I mean, look around at all the jewels. Your palace has everything you could ever want. Honestly, I don’t know what you’re fussing about. Why would anyone want to leave?”

Because a cage is still a cage, no matter how big or glittering the bars are.

And I would find a way free, no matter the cost.

US/CAN only 

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Every Day by David Levithan

Mind blowingly amazing!

From Goodreads:

In his New York Times bestselling novel, David Levithan introduces readers to what Entertainment Weekly calls a "wise, wildly unique" love story about A, a teen who wakes up every morning in a different body, living a different life.

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

With his new novel, David Levithan, bestselling co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.

Rating: 5 stars

Every Day is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve ever read; I think this book has left its mark and years from now I will still talk about it and recommend it to everyone who listens. It is a captivating beautifully written story, full of depth and wisdom, which will leave readers pondering the lessons learned long after they finish.  This was my first David Levithan novel (I previously read his short story in “My True Love Gave to Me” and like it very much); I am now adding all of his books to my to be read list. I found the concept of the book to be a very unique mixture of contemporary fiction, romance, and science fiction. It’s a bittersweet love story that emphases the power of human connections and the importance of self-identity.

The book is filled with memorable quotes. I will post a few of my favorites throughout this review.

"Falling in love with someone doesn't mean you know any better how they feel. It only means you know how you feel."

“Some people think mental illness is a matter of mood, a matter of personality. They think depression is simply a form of being sad, that OCD is a form of being uptight. They think the soul is sick, not the body. It is, they believe, something that you have some choice over.

I know how wrong this is.

When I was a child, I didn't understand. I would wake up in a new body and wouldn't comprehend why things felt muted, dimmer. Or the opposite--I'd be supercharged, unfocused, like a radio at top volume flipping quickly from station to station. Since I didn't have access to the body's emotions, I assumed the ones I was feeling were my own. Eventually, though, I realized these inclinations, these compulsions, were as much a part of the body as its eye color or its voice. Yes, the feelings themselves were intangible, amorphous, but the cause of the feelings was a matter of chemistry, biology.

It is a hard cycle to conquer. The body is working against you. And because of this, you feel even more despair. Which only amplifies the imbalance. It takes uncommon strength to live with these things. But I have seen that strength over and over again.” 

The premise of Every Day is quite simple, sixteen year old named A wakes up every day in a different body. A is neither male nor female (I will refer to A as “he” as the review goes on just to avoid confusion); I think of him as a wandering soul. There are no set rules that A must follow and no patterns to the body he inhabits, there are no gender, ethnicity, or physical appearance restrictions; therefore, A has developed a self-identity that transcends each of these.  The only constant in his life is his age. A is aging at a normal pace and he inhabits bodies that are the same age as himself.

"I wanted love to conquer all. But love can't conquer anything. It can't do anything on its own. It relies on us to do the conquering on its behalf."

He has learned over time what he can and cannot do in surviving his day-by-day existence. I was very intrigued by A as he is able to maintain his own identity through the ever-changing beliefs and feelings that he has access to when inhabiting a body.  To aid with remembering and storing his memories he created an email account in which he can write to himself.

“I am a drifter, and as lonely as that can be, it is also remarkably freeing. I will never define myself in terms of anyone else. I will never feel the pressure of peers or the burden of parental expectation. I can view everyone as pieces of a whole, and focus on the whole, not the pieces. I have learned to observe, far better than most people observe. I am not blinded by the past or motivated by the future. I focus on the present because that is where I am destined to live.” 

“Self-preservation isn't worth it if you can't live with the self you're preserving”

The story starts with A inhabiting the body of a boy named Justin, who has a girlfriend, Rhiannon, that he very often mistreats. During his day in Justin’s body, A goes against the rules he set for himself (never get attached) and takes her to the beach and ends up falling in love with her. Desperate to hold on, he saves Justin’s email and password in his own account so that he can follow up with how Justin and Rhiannon are doing.

“People are rarely as attractive in reality as they are in the eyes of the people who are in love with them. Which is, I suppose, as it should be.” 

“If you stare at the center of the universe, there is coldness there. A blankness. Ultimately, the universe doesn't care about us. Time doesn't care about us. That's why we have to care about each other.” 

The next day he wakes up in a different body, but the love he has for Rhiannon is still there, getting stronger with each passing day. We are introduced to many different characters that have a great impact on the reader. There are many bodies that A inhabits, and each provides a unique insight and learning opportunity for the reader.

“If there's one thing I've learned, it's this: We all want everything to be okay. We don't even wish so much for fantastic or marvelous or outstanding. We will happily settle for okay, because most of the time, okay is enough.” 

“Kindness connects to who you are, while niceness connects to how you want to be seen.” 

I absolutely adored A! I thought of him as the gentlest of souls. He was respectful to his hosts, he tried to never harm them, left them as he found them, and carefully considered the impact of the decisions he made while inhabiting the bodies. He is intelligent, understanding, patient, opinionated, passionate, and so much more. He accepted his fate and tried to make the best of each and every day. At times I found it hard to accept the hopelessness of his situation; he is alone, no one knowing of his existence. Until one day when everything changes.

"People take love's continuity for granted, just as they take their body's continuity for granted. They don't realize that the best thing about love is its regular presence. Once you can establish that, it's an added foundation to your life."

An extremely powerful read that hopefully will change the readers’ perspective on life, love, and the power of human connections. David Levithan is an excellent writer that managed to break my heart and put it all back together without all the pieces fitting quite the same as before. I would recommend this book to all, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity, as it has the unique ability to touch everyone in a different way. Words cannot explain how much I adored this book.

“If you want to live within the definition of your own truth, you have to choose to go through the initially painful and ultimately comforting process of finding it.”