This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp ~ #bookreview

Title: This Is Where It Ends
Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Published: 1/5/16
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Publisher via NetGalley for review

My Rating:

 

Synopsis

10:00 a.m. The principal of Opportunity High School finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m. The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03 a.m. The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05 a.m. Someone starts shooting.

Told from four different perspectives over the span of 10:00 a.m. The principal of Opportunity High School finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m. The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03 a.m. The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05 a.m. Someone starts shooting.

Told from four different perspectives over the span of fifty-four harrowing minutes, terror reigns as one student’s calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

Once I finished reading This Is Where It Ends, I thought,  Man. I'm still collecting my thoughts on this one. So much so that I don't know how I want to rate it. o.o

And it was true. I had no idea how to rate it, so I took a few days to think about it. There were things I liked about it, but they weren't enough to leave me raving. Instead, the book ended up being lackluster for me.

This Is Where It Ends is told from multiple characters' POV, and you end up finding out the ways they're connected besides simply going to the same school, which I really liked. I also appreciated the diverse cast of characters. It was refreshing to read about people different from me. For instance, one of the characters has lupus, and I researched it because I couldn't remember exactly what it is. I ended up learning quite a bit from my searches, and that likely wouldn't have happened without this book. 

There were times when the story lagged. One of the character's POV was the least interesting to me because she was outside of the action, plus I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters. The backstory of the shooter and the shooter's motivation were too pat, too cut and dry. That to me was completely unrealistic. While most of us can't fathom what would drive someone to shoot people, the reasons are messy and complicated.

I can't completely recommend This Is Where It Ends. My reasons for liking some of it while not liking other parts may be what you want from a book. Or it may not be. But if you're looking for emotional depth, then this isn't a book where you'll find that unfortunately.  

The Dogs by Allan Stratton ~ #bookreview

Title: The Dogs

Author: Allan Stratton

Publication Date: 9/1/15 (originally published 1/28/15) 

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire  

Source: Publisher via Netgalley for review

Rating:

Synopsis

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch something moving by the barn. 

When I look, it disappears. Wait. There it is again, at the cornfield. 

Some movement, some thing. 

Mom and I have been on the run for years. Every time he catches up with us, we move to a new place and start over. 

But this place is different. 

This place is full of secrets. And they won't leave me alone.

The Dogs was a super creepy read that I guarantee will spook you, especially if you read it at night. What I loved most about this book is how unsettled the story made me feel. I wasn't sure what was real and what was imagined, and I become positively giddy when an author achieves that.  

Cameron, the main character and narrator, has had a difficult time to say the least. Moving around all the time with a mom who's constantly on edge would be so hard. I empathized with him right away. How many times can a kid be expected to adjust to a new place with new people?

The Dogs is a well written book with a perfectly sized serving of the creep factor. What wasn't perfectly sized was the length of the novel. I think there was more story to tell but didn't get told and was skipped over. I wish Stratton had gone into more depth. I wanted more, which is a good thing.

The Dogs was a quick read, and while short, had a satisfying ending. No matter what time of year you choose to pick this book up, you're guaranteed to get the chills.  

Nemesis by Anna Banks ~ #bookreview

Title: Nemesis
Series: Nemesis #1 
Author: Anna Banks
Publication Date: 10/4/16 
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Rating:

Purchase: Amazon | B&N 

Synopsis

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king’s servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But Mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sepora's gift may be able to save Tarik’s kingdom. But should she risk exposing herself and her growing feelings for her nemesis?

Nemesis is the first book by Anna Banks I've read, and wow, she knocked it out of the park! This was a YA fantasy that was a really awesome read and excited me enough to want to delve into the genre again. It's been a while since a book in this genre has been able to do that for me.

Nemesis is told alternately from Sepora's 1st person POV and Tarik's 3rd person POV. Sepora and Tarik each have an ability that adds to their personalities and makes them even more interesting. Sepora is the last Forger, a person who can create a substance called spectorium. I'm still not 100% sure what it is, but I do know it's special and sounds like it would be pretty to see.  

Tarik is a Lingot, a person who can speak all languages and discern the truth from lies. One of the main problems the characters in Nemesis face is the plague sweeping through Tarik's kingdom, Theoria. It was nerve wracking to see how Sepora would get around Tarik's ability because she needed to keep the fact that she can Forge a secret as well as other aspects of her true identity she needed to keep hidden. She was cool and confident though she had every reason to sweat it every time she had to be around Tarik. I admired that about her.   

Then there's also the romantic tension between Sepora and Tarik. At first they can't stand each other, but slowly over time they grow closer. No instalove here though, so if that's something you don't like, there isn't anything to worry about. It was nice that the book's plot wasn't overtaken by romance, too. There were many more important things going on.  

I was really intrigued by the Parani, who are a kind of merfolk-type creatures with webbed hands and human-like faces. They guard Nefarite, a substance Theoria needs, and they are deeply feared and were captivating to read about. I'm not sure I'd want to meet one, though!

I took off one star for two reasons. There was a lot to remember in the beginning - names of people and kingdoms including which kingdom was known for what. I admit I had to take notes to keep everything straight.

The second reason is Sepora's name. Like other reviewers, I found myself pronouncing her name Sephora with an "h" after the beauty store, and it bugged me.

I personally love this cover. It's what attracted me to check out Nemesis because I believe it stands out from most other covers. Beneath the interesting cover lies a story that stands out just as much. Whether you already love YA fantasy, or you've been looking to try it out, start with Nemesis.  

The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner ~ #BookReview

Title: The Memory of Things

Author: Gae Polisner

Published: September 6, 2016

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis 

The powerful story of two teenagers finding friendship, comfort, and first love in the days following 9/11 as their fractured city tries to put itself back together.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, sixteen-year-old Kyle Donohue watches the first twin tower come down from the window of Stuyvesant High School. Moments later, terrified and fleeing home to safety across the Brooklyn Bridge, he stumbles across a girl perched in the shadows. She is covered in ash and wearing a pair of costume wings. With his mother and sister in California and unable to reach his father, a New York City detective likely on his way to the disaster, Kyle makes the split-second decision to bring the girl home. 

What follows is their story, told in alternating points of view, as Kyle tries to unravel the mystery of the girl so he can return her to her family. But what if the girl has forgotten everything, even her own name? And what if the more Kyle gets to know her, the less he wants her to go home? 

The Memory of Things tells a stunning story of friendship and first love and of carrying on with our day-to-day living in the midst of world-changing tragedy and unforgettable pain—it tells a story of hope.

The Memory of Things was so difficult to rate because I wanted to love it more than I did; however, a couple aspects of the story just didn't work for me. I should have been able to whip through this book in a couple of sittings, but a lack of time prevented me from accomplishing that. 

The Memory of Things presented me with a different kind of storytelling - it's told in alternating POVs between the two main characters, Kyle and the mystery girl. What's really interesting is that Kyle's POV is straight forward, but the girl's POV is told in a lyrical, almost poetic manner which I found that I liked. It added to the mystery and uncertainty of who she is and why she was at the place Kyle found her.

Due to the sensitive subject matter, I felt compelled to rate this at least 4 stars, but I ended up feeling I couldn't do that because it wouldn't be an honest representation of how I feel about the book. As I mentioned earlier, there were things about the story I wish had been different.

On September 11, Kyle is making his way home after the first tower goes down. He comes across an ash-covered girl wearing angel wings. She seems to have amnesia, and Kyle can't just leave her there by herself, so he has her go home with him. 

Kyle's uncle, who is disabled, lives with him and his family, and I liked the inclusion of a diverse character who isn't found in many books. Kyle's uncle wasn't disabled just for the sake of including diversity into the story - he had an important role to play in the story. I loved Kyle's relationship with him and how much Kyle looks up to him.  

Kyle is an awesome kid who somehow keeps it together throughout the terrifying events of a day that will live in the world's memory forever. He is strong and mature for his age; however I took off one star because I felt there was a lack of depth and emotion overall. There needed to be more. I get that he wasn't sure how to help the girl he found, but I was hoping for more about how these characters were affected by the events of that day.  

I also took off a star because the ending felt a little too pat for me. I think it should have had an open ending. I do give major props to Polisner for handling a national tragedy with the sensitivity and care that she did. I still recommend The Memory of Things because you might not be as picky as I was about the way the amount of emotion in the story and the way it ended. 

 

How Nick & Holly Wrecked...SAVED Christmas by Carla Rossi ~ #BookReview

Title: How Nick & Holly Wrecked Saved Christmas 
Author: Carla Rossi
Published: November 10, 2013
Source: Purchased myself

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis

Holly Moreau and Nick Zernigan aren’t friends at school – or anywhere else. Especially since Holly blames Nick for her broken nose after a freak accident. But when they find themselves unexpectedly dropped with older relatives at a retirement complex over Christmas break, they must make peace. They have to. It’s the only way to survive karaoke night and a senior citizen Christmas dance.

Holly thinks Nick is a careless loser. Nick thinks Holly is a too-serious choir nerd. Can one party and a crime spree change their minds about each other? And can Nick and Holly remember the miracle of Christmas and find the answers to some of their hidden questions? 

How Nick & Holly Wrecked Saved Christmas is a super sweet and humorous read. I loved it so much I've read it twice the last two years. It's a quick read at around 80 pages but not too quick although I would love to hang out with Nick and Holly some more.  

Holly has to stay with her "granny" for Christmas, and a guy she goes to school with has to stay with his aunt at the same building. At first she's annoyed by his presence because she blames him for her broken nose, but she gradually warms up to him. They begin developing a connection, and I liked their interactions, even the times Holly was snarky to Nick.

I love Holly's granny! She's one of my favorite characters of all time. I want her to adopt me. She's so cute and loves life and is aging gracefully. #goals

How Nick & Holly Wrecked Saved Christmas is a story that has stayed with me. I can remember most of it even though I haven't read it since last Christmas. I plan on reading it again for this Christmas, and I'm sure I'll love it as much as the first time I read it.

Operation White Christmas by Nicki Edwards ~ #BookReview

Title: Operation White Christmas

Series: Escape to the Country #2.5
Author: Nicki Edwards
Pages: 90 (printed)
Publisher: Pan Macmillan AU
Publication Date: 12/17/15
Source: Publisher via Netgalley 
Purchase: Amazon | B&N 

Synopsis

Hollie Douglas has dreamed of a White Christmas ever since she was a child, but her dream implodes when her fiance breaks her heart two months before their big day. Convinced by her best friend to go ahead with her planned honeymoon anyway, Hollie doesn't expect to find herself stuck in a snowstorm in rural Canada two days before Christmas.

Jim Bell has been dreading another Christmas without his wife. When one of his orphaned animals goes missing in the middle of a snowstorm, he didn't expect he'd be rescuing a stranded Australian tourist as well. He quickly realizes Hollie is carrying as much emotional baggage as him, and when she accepts his offer to seek shelter at his farm, he wonders if he's doing the right thing. 

As Jim helps Hollie fulfill her White Christmas dreams, the winter wonderland and spirit of Christmas work their healing magic on both of them. 

A sweet Christmas romance in the tradition of Melissa McClone and Alissa Callen.  

I LOVED Operation White Christmas so much at the beginning, but then somehow it lost its momentum and the dialogue turned cringe-worthy. 

While I realized from the get go that this was a short read at around 90 pages, I still felt like Hollie and Jim got together way too fast. It was unbelievable and unrealistic. Operation White Christmas really should have been expanded to give the characters more depth and the story more time to develop, then I think it would have been a better read.

There were still sweet moments here and there, and if you're willing to suspend your disbelief, you can enjoy this with a cozy blanket and mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day.

The Sugar Men by Ray Kingfisher ~ #BookReview

Title: The Sugar Men
Author: Ray Kingfisher
Published: August 9, 2016
First Published: September 28, 2013
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Source: ARC from the publisher via NetGalley

Synopsis

Sixty-four years ago, Susannah Morgan managed to flee the horrors of the Holocaust. But the memories of that childhood ordeal have proven impossible to sweep away.

For most of her new life spent settled in sleepy North Carolina, the flashbacks have been a lonely obsession—one she has hidden from her family, and about which her heart is torn. Because for all the pain and the cruelty of those terrible years, she harbours sweet memories too, of unexpected friends who risked their own lives in order to save hers. As Susannah’s time on earth draws to a close, her innermost thoughts of those long-gone days become questions—ones that demand answers.

Against the wishes of her children, Susannah returns to Germany and the scene of unspeakable crimes. There she will come face to face with the Holocaust’s terrible, wretched legacy, and will finally make peace with the ghosts of her past.

Revised edition: This edition of The Sugar Men includes editorial revisions.

As I recently wrote in a review for another book in which a fictional story was set during a real-life tragedy (in that case, 9/11), it's tricky writing fiction with a horrific real-life event as the main event. There's a balance to be struck between keeping the facts of what really happened and the story you're trying to tell.

I wanted to really love The Sugar Men but found I wasn't fully invested in it. While the beginning hooked me right away, I found parts of the story implausible and wasn't able to connect with the characters very well. The flashbacks were the most engaging parts of the novel, and I think the story would have fared better had the present been contained to the beginning and ending of the novel.  

What I found most implausible was Susannah's journey back to Germany. With her illness, I don't think she would have been able to travel alone. I couldn't understand why she insisted on going alone. Why didn't she ask at least one of her kids to go with her? I also was surprised at how little her kids knew about her past. I can understand how she'd want to bury her past, but how do you keep all of that pain and anguish bottled up from people you love? I'd imagine it would have eventually spilled out long before it did.

As I mentioned earlier, I had a difficult time connecting with Susannah and her kids, hence the 3 stars. Since her kids didn't know their mother as well as they thought, I felt as a reader I didn't, either. And her kids -- the reader learns very little about them. They were just kind of there almost as props. 

On the plus side, the author researched the Holocaust thoroughly. I wanted more of Susannah's story when she was a kid, and I felt disappointed when the story swung back to the present. The time Susannah spent in a  concentration camp was described in such vivid horrific detail that it didn't feel like fiction; however, the rest of the story wasn't nearly as engaging. The flashbacks were what I wanted to read about the most.

We hear so much about Auschwitz that it's easy to forget there were other camps with their own atrocities. The author did well with setting the story in a different concentration camp.  

Overall, I'd still recommend The Sugar Men to anyone who's interested in learning more about the Holocaust because while Susannah is a fictional character, the author was able to put a face to this real-life tragedy.