The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley, set in Elizabethan England, is the story of Katherine Bab, an orphan and talented embroiderer who longs to know her true history. On the day that her best friend, a farmer boy named Christian, proposes to her, a strange, sick woman shows up at her house and demands that Kat’s caretaker, Grace, give her a mysterious necklace. Both the mysterious woman and Grace die of the plague the next day, and Kat finds the hidden necklace with the help of Grace’s deaf daughter, Anna. Against Grace’s last wishes, Kat leaves for London with Anna in an attempt to find out more about herself and to escape from Christian’s startling proposal. When Kat arrives in London, her flaming red hair and beautiful embroidery quickly get her summoned before Queen Elizabeth, and she is made one of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting. As Kat gets closer to the queen, rumors swirl about their very similar appearances, and Kat begins to uncover the truth about the necklace and her heritage. All the while, surrounded by suitors, Kat just can’t keep her mind off a certain sheep farmer…

This book, full of romance, intrigue, and beautiful dresses, will especially satisfy anyone who loves historical fiction or the Elizabethan Age. The clothing and setting are lavishly described, and the many historical facts make this book a fun learning experience as well. The Seymour family especially is explored in great detail, as apparently there is a missing daughter in the family (who knew?).

As for the heroine, Kat is spunky, determined, and likable. Her “sister” Anna is sweet, but doesn’t have much importance in the story besides making Kat feel guilty. Kat is pursued at court by two charming gentlemen, Nicholas and Rafael. Nicholas is the stereotypical pretty-boy, but Rafael has an intriguing storyline that is unfortunately left mostly undeveloped. Queen Elizabeth is actually one of the main characters in the story, adding a unique twist to the book. She is portrayed as both powerful and vulnerable, a combination that makes her seem human and realistic. Christian is, of course, the requisite sweet, caring farmer boy who has loved Kat her entire life.

I really enjoyed The Stolen One. The story is interesting and moves along quickly, especially as Kat finds out more about herself. Making Queen Elizabeth an important character really added depth to the story. However, the only complaint I have about the book is Kat’s apparent bipolar-ness. When she leaves Christian, she claims she could care less about him, but two chapters later, she longs to return to him all the way from London just because he breaks his foot. Also, she claims to care so much about Anna, but completely ignores her once she is accepted at court. Besides this, The Stolen One was a very enjoyable historical mystery/romance that I would recommend to any YA reader.

~Angela

P.S. You can buy The Stolen One here.

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Just in time for hot chocolate and mini marshmallows, I’m reviewing a sweet novel perfect for the holidays, Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors. The book, set in the Norwegian-influenced town of Nordby, Washington, revolves around Katrina Svenson and her grandmother’s coffee shop. Katrina, who spends every afternoon working in the coffeehouse, feels like she doesn’t have a direction in life. Her best friends, Vincent and Elizabeth, already have their futures planned out, but she doesn’t even know what she likes to do, besides work in the coffeehouse. However, her life turns upside down when she nonchalantly gives some food to a guy she finds sleeping in the alley beside the coffee shop. The guy, Malcolm, finds her at school the next day, begging her to be able to grant her greatest desire, but Katrina just thinks he’s crazy. To get him to leave her alone, she lies to him, resulting in two wishes that cause unhappiness in her life. Malcolm refuses to leave until he finds out Katrina’s “true desire”, and she begins to realize that Malcolm isn’t exactly human, but possibly an angel. In addition to giant rats, traitorous best friends, and villainous next-door neighbors, Katrina now has to deal with something even crazier: falling in love with an angel.

While often sweet and heartwarming, this book has both its upsides and downsides. When I first saw the cover, I felt like it was screaming I AM CLICHÉ at me. However, you should ignore the strange long-haired, glowing boy on the cover, as the book is not actually that bad. As I began to read, I found that I actually did like it. Katrina is sweet and realistic, and her two best friends are developed well. The plot is an interesting concept, and the small-town setting really adds to the book. However, as I continued reading, a few things started to bother me. Katrina began to seem whiny, as she constantly moans about her “lack of talent” and uncertain future. Since when is everyone supposed to know exactly what they want to do with their life when they’re only in 10th grade? The rest of the book is enjoyable, even though it can be a bit uneven. It’s hard to believe that a book that features such hilarious thoughts as “Is it easier to kick a guy in the balls if he’s wearing a kilt?” could be the same book that contains the horrendous sentence “His thighs spread out like corduroy logs”. The only other thing that bothered me was the ending. Everything works out much too perfectly, giving the ending an almost fake feel. However, Coffeehouse Angel was a fun, quick read, and I would recommend it for anyone with some extra time on their hands.

~Angela

P.S. You can buy Coffeehouse Angel here.

Green Books Campaign: Only Milo

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.

Only Milo, by Barry Smith, is printed on FSC-certified paper to support the environment.

Credit for the Green Books Logo goes to Susan Newman.

Synopsis:
Meet Milo, a closet writer who emerges from his dull, SPAM-flavored retirement to become an unseen force in the literary world. But when Milo's illicit ghostwriting is nearly exposed on national television, his options are limited. In a world of egotistical, no-talent authors and duplicitous, back-stabbing publishers, how can Milo achieve the recognition he deserves?

Review:
Completely unpredictable, Only Milo is a highly shocking and enjoyable read. The novel is simple to read, but has enough surprises and thrills to keep any reader enthralled. Readers gain insight into the twisted mind of a murderer through a riveting and brilliantly executed plot.

It is no wonder that Hitchcock comparisons have been made.

However, while Only Milo is easy to praise, it does have a few weaker points. One that stood out to me was just how far-fetched the murders became. Personally, I found this distracting. Even so, the escalating absurdity of the homicides could have been used for satirical means, so I'll leave this particular point for the reader to interpret.

Like all strong novels, Only Milo pushes the reader to question things they usually overlook. I began to question the effect that murder TV shows (such as Dexter) could have on society. These shows aided in the murder plans in Only Milo.

Overall? A strong novel that suspense/conspiracy fans will certainly adore.

~bella aire~

An Interview with PJ Hoover! (Questions by Jeannie Jones)

This interview was conducted by Jeannie Jones, our newest and youngest reviewer. She enjoys all types of fiction and is a member of our new NSCG middle grade branch. See her review of PJ Hoover's The Emerald Tablet here. For those who have already read The Emerald Tablet, look for it's sequel, The Navel of the World.

1. When you were a kid, did you enjoy writing as much as you do now?

No way! I never wanted to write as a kid. I didn't think I was very good, and all I wanted to write were humorous poems. I thought I could never find enough words to make up an entire novel and was always astounded by authors and their ability to do just this.

2. Which do you enjoy more- writing or reading?

Writing when the words are flowing, and reading when they aren't. Actually, I think it's important to have a great mix of the two. Reading makes my writing better, and writing makes my reading more interesting.

3. What are the books you’ve published since The Emerald Tablet about?

THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD is the second book in the trilogy that started with THE EMERALD TABLET. It just came out in October 2009. That's the only one published so far, but here's to keeping fingers crossed! And the most fun part about THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD is time travel :)

4. Does your real life ever inspire your books and writing? If so, how?

I love finding inspiration everywhere I can. I use books, TV, music, and hobbies, just to name a handful or inspirational sources. I love Rubik's Cubes, and so I created the Kinetic Orb in my books. I loved the song ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK, and so I set a scene in THE EMERALD TABLET in Bangkok. Finding inspiration everywhere is one of the most fun parts of being a writer.

5. When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?

I only realized I REALLY wanted to be a writer after the birth of my second kid. I was an electrical engineer for fifteen years, but had a hard time balancing the demands of engineering and giving my kids all the attention I wanted to give them. I started writing to see how it would go, and I found I loved it. It suited my personality super well, and I enjoy the heck out of it.

6. How did you get your first book published?

I met an editor at the SCBWI conference in New York one year who offered to read my manuscript. She gave me amazing feedback, and once I revised, I asked her if she'd read it again. She did, and after a couple more rounds, she bought the entire trilogy.

7. What are your favorite books to read?

In middle grade, I loved the PERCY JACKSON series and am enjoying the GREGOR series immensely. In YA, I loved THE HUNGER GAMES and THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH. These are books I would have loved to have written!

8. How did you pick the names of the characters in The Emerald Tablet?

There were various ways. For some of the more common names, I looked to my yearbooks. For the more unusual ones, I had fun using a random name generator. For example, Proteus Ajax came up via a random name generator. Pretty cool, huh?

9. Are there any special locations where you like to write best?

I have an office in my house, so at home, that's the only place I write. When I need to escape from the house, I head to the library. I find getting away from distractions like laundry and the dishwasher help me get more done.

Thank you so much for having me!

-PJ Hoover

The Emerald Tablet by PJ Hoover (review by Jeannie Jones)

For our first review in our middle grade branch, Jeannie Jones has reviewed PJ Hoover's The Emerald Tablet. Later today an interview with the author will be posted. Make sure to stop by!

Note: All MG reviews and interviews are composed by MG-aged NSCGs.

The book, The Emerald Tablet, is one of the best books I have ever read. The thing I love most about it is the fantasy and suspense. It is about a boy whose name is Benjamin, and he thinks he is just as normal as everyone else. But one day his mom disappears into a pinprick of light, and Benjamin doesn’t know what happened to her. Then a man appears on Benjamin’s mirror.

What do you think will happen to Benjamin and his mom? Join Benjamin on his wild journey to find out.

Lovers of books full of fun and action will enjoy this novel. They won’t want to put it down. Trust me!

JEANNIE JONES

Upcoming: The Unveiling of a New NSCG Branch and a Green Books Campaign

Some exciting events are coming up for the NSCGs.

1. Thursday, Nov. 5: The Unveiling of a New NSCG Branch- While we typically do reviews for YA and older, there has been so much interest in Middle Grade fiction that the NSCGs have added a MG Branch. This branch will feature MG books reviewed by MG-aged readers. Our first review will be of PJ Hoover's The Emerald Tablet. An interview will be included. Both the review and interview were conducted by a middle grade reviewer. (Note: If any MG publishers/authors are interesting in sending us a book for review, send an email to not_so_cg@yahoo.com)
   
2. Tuesday, Nov. 10: Green Books Campaign- NSCG goes green in the Green Books Campaign. We will be reviewing the environmentally-friendly Only Milo in support of this campaign.

Make sure to stop by for both events!
~bella aire~

An NSCG Return

Phew! After a very eventful summer, the NSCGs are ready to get back to reviewing. We have plenty of material in our To-Be-Reviewed pile and can't wait to get started.

Much more later,
~bella aire~

Meet a Blogger...Krista of Tower of Books

Hello, readers! Meet Krista of Tower of Books. My favorite thing about her site is how many new books you can discover there.! The following is a short interview so that you can learn more about her. If you have any questions, just leave them in comments.

What inspired you to begin a blog?
I've wanted to have a review blog for quite some time, so when I stumbled upon a few book blogs last year, I realized a book blog would be perfect me.

What is your favorite classic book?
Do plays count? If so, I would have to say MacBeth. I absolutely loved the ending and the characters.

What is your favorite "guilty pleasure" book?
I don't really have a guilty pleasure read. I'm not embarrassed by any of the books I've read.

If you had to pick a song to describe this past week, what would it be?
Weightless by All Time Low because of these lyrics:
"And maybe it's not my weekend
But it's gonna be my year
I'm so sick of watching while the minutes pass
As I go nowhere"

I'm been spending way too much time at home lately. :-P

And last, but certainly not least...what makes you a geek?
I love to find out random facts whenever I can and mention them when the time is right. There's just so many interesting facts out there that I want others to know about!


Thanks, Krista!
And readers- don't forget to stop by Tower of Books here.


always,
~bella aire~

My Big Nose (And Other Natural Disasters) by Sydney Salter (review by Bella Aire)

Synopsis:
It’s the end of junior year, and summer is about to begin. The Summer of Passion, to be exact, when Jory Michaels plans to explore all the possibilities of the future--and, with any luck, score a boyfriend in the process. But Jory has a problem. A big problem. A curvy, honking, bumpy, problem in the form of her Super Schnozz, the one thing standing between Jory and happiness. And now, with the Summer of Passion stretched before her like an open road, she's determined for Super Schnozz to disappear. Jory takes a job delivering wedding cakes to save up for a nose job at the end of the summer; she even keeps a book filled with magazine cutouts of perfect noses to show the doctor. But nothing is ever easy for accident-prone Jory--and before she knows it, her Summer of Passion falls apart faster than the delivery van she crashes. In her hilarious and heartbreaking debut novel, Sydney Salter delivers a story about broadening your horizons, accepting yourself, and finding love right under your nose.

Review:

My Big Nose (And Other Natural Disasters) is a heartfelt and hilarious tale of one teen’s torments and troubles.

At first I was worried that Jory, the narrator, would be a whiny/angsty/cliché teen…but I didn’t have to worry long. Jory’s sarcastic marks were witty and her concerns genuine, if somewhat exaggerated. The author (Sydney Salter) proves her genius in the awkward but side-splitting situations that Jory finds herself in throughout the novel.

Not one to shirk on relationships, Salter thoroughly develops the familial, camaraderie, and romantic based connections in My Big Nose. The male characters are an absolute delight- each one with a distinct and unique personality.

Jory’s preoccupation with her features can be sometimes overwhelming and off-putting. However, with the external obsession that society displays today, it does not come off as a far-fetched plot point. Though I felt that the nose-fixation dragged at points in the novel and sometimes distracted from the amusing tales of Jory’s summer, beauty fixation is an important issue that needs to be addressed to reverse much of the damage that modern magazines and “perfect girl” images have done to female teens. Jory’s interaction with her mother moved me most regarding the beauty topic.

Wrapping up with a superb and beautiful ending, My Big Nose was truly a lovely coming-of-age novel.

always,

~bella aire~

Purchase My Big Nose (And Other Natural Disasters) here.

Meet a New Blogger...Reggie of The Undercover Book Lover

Hey, readers! Meet a fellow geek and book blogger, Reggie of The Undercover Book Lover. I'm loving the organization and set-up of her blog and reviews. Reggie is a bit new to the blogging world, so I've asked the following questions so we can get to her a bit better:


What gave you the idea of beginning a book blog?
I saw a blog called A Garden of Books. It's by Iryna. I loved it and thought that I could share how FANTABULOUS books are. I wanted to show people how talented people (authors) can be.

What was your favorite book as a child?
I HATED books as a child. Up until the fourth grade, I hated them with a passion but my dad and my aunt pushed and pushed me until I learned to love them. Now, I'm a total book nutt!

What is your current favorite genre?
My favorite genre is YA paranormal romance. It seems cliche, but many of the debut 2009 authors have amazing fantasy(ish) books! Of course, I also love verse novels (*ahem* Lisa Schroeder).

What is your favorite time period to read about?
My favorite time period to read about is the present. I'm not really into old, medieval and futuristic times. One exception is Academy 7. I LOVED it!

If you had to pick a favorite song based on lyrics alone, what would it be?
It would have to be Ready to Fly by Amy Pearson. She's Australian and she isn't that well known but she is the BEST!

And, last but certainly not least...what makes you a geek?
You should ask my family. They think I'm a total book geek. I actually joined this contest in our local bookstore called Book-Geek of the Month. I qualified, but I didn't win. But what truly makes me a book geek is that I have at least three books in my bag. Anytime, anywhere.


Thanks for stopping by, Reggie! Keep up the good work.

Don't forget to visit Reggie here at The Undercover Book Lover. And if you have any additional questions for Reggie, just leave a comment, and I'll make sure that she gets it.

always,
~bella aire~

New Winners for Suite Scarlett

Unfortunately, out of our five winners, two did not respond in time! So now the new winners are:

Sarah Brooke
and
MssJos

I will be sending out an email shortly- please respond within 3 days. Thanks for entering!

Suite Contest Winners!

'Ello luvs. Guess what made me so absent for the majority of this month?

England! What a wonderful country. But more on that later. Right now it's time to announce the winners of our contest. Each winner will receive a copy of Maureen Johnson's Suite Scarlett.

Robby
Cynthia
Nicole
Ninja Fanpire
Reese

Thank you all for participating in the contest.

I've contacted each of the winners in some way, and they have a week to send me their addys before a new winner is picked.

~bella aire~

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (comment for an extra contest entry)

Synopsis:
Her new summer job comes with baggage

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.

When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.

Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off.

Review:

Suite Scarlett is a bright addition to Maureen Johnson's already fabulous list of works. Fun and bubbly, but with a capacity for more serious subject matter, this novel is filled with a wonderful range of character and emotion. Readers will quickly grasp Scarlett's delightful sense of humor as the novel progresses. However, our narrator isn't the only character well fleshed-out. There is the older brother Spencer who, though charming, has some faults. And who could forget about our romantic interest- the delectable Eric? Though he may seem flat at first (a stereotyped southern gentleman), his secrets and somewhat odd sense of logic add depth to his personality.

What I loved most about Suite Scarlett, though, is it's focus on family. Many novels today make the romantic interest everything. The crushes/boyfriends/husbands/heroes become the entire reason for the novel...and the heroine's entire reason for existence. While I like romance as much as the next girl, too many novels of such a variety could create a skewed and dangerous outlook on life. And that is what makes Suite Scarlett so refreshing. This is a novel where family is more important than the romantic interest.

Interested? Purchase Suite Scarlett here.

Or...you could enter the NSCG 5 Copy Giveaway. Don't forget to leave a comment here for an extra entry!

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender (review by Viola)

Synopsis:
Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude.

When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in.

Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?

Review:

So I wish Bella had told this book was a bit on the scary side before I started reading it at around 2 AM by myself and got completely caught off guard! Nevertheless, I ended up liking her choice for me, as usual.

Katie Alender named her book, Bad Girls Don't Die, well. No matter how many times you try, they just don't die. They just end up possessing teenager Alexis' young little sister, Kasey, who does the world's evil with a smile. Thanks to their residence's creepy history of a teased little girl falling to her death, the house is pretty much haunted. As if this wasn't bad enough, the only way to stop Kasey from murdering people is for pink-haired Alexis to get along with the super snotty popular girl in school who scared off her best friend by calling her fat. Now think about this... Is that really worth it?

No, this book really isn't that creepy. Promise. So don't let that scare you off from reading this. My only complaint? That everything worked out so perfectly... Otherwise you're in for a really great paranormal adventure!

Purchase Bad Girls Don't Die via Amazon here.

5 Copy GIVEAWAY! Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

In celebration of Suite Scarlett's paperback release (today!), we are giving away 5 paperback copies of Suite Scarlett. (Isn't the new cover adorable?!)

What others have said:

"I can't wait until my room at the Hopewell is ready." - Meg Cabot

"This book is made of funny and smart and whimsical deliciousness (really, lick a page and taste for yourself)" - Libba Bray

"I couldn't put it down." - Michele Jaffe

"I loved it!" - E. Lockhart

"An utterly winning, madcap Manhattan farce, crafted with a winking, urbane narrative and tight, wry dialogue." - ALA Booklist, starred review.

Synopsis:
Her new summer job comes with baggage

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.

When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.

Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off.

About the author:
Maureen Johnson is one of my all-time favorite authors. The first Maureen Johnson I read was The Key to the Golden Firebird. A book as moving as that leaves a lasting impression. My favorite of all her works (so far) is Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes.

Maureen's blog is so much fun and definitely one of my favorites, so don't miss that. Or, if you'd like to check out her website, stop by here.

Want to learn a bit more about Maureen and Scarlett? Check out this video here.

And last but not least, a direct link to Amazon here if you'd like to puchase Suite Scarlett right now.

The Rules:
Enter by leaving a comment below including your email address. Five (5) winners will receive a copy of Suite Scarlett! If you are uncomfortable leaving your email address below, feel free to shoot me an email at not_so_cg[at]yahoo[dot]com instead with the subject "Suite Contest". This is a contest for US only.

Extra Entries:
+1 Leave a comment on the NSCG review of Suite Scarlett
+1 Visit Maureen's website or blog and tell me about one thing you learned there about Maureen or her books in your comment (do your best not to use a fact already mentioned in a previous comment)
+1 If you become a NSCG follower
+2 If you were a follower before June 22nd
+4 If you link to this contest in a post, sidebar, etc (a link to this must be left in your comment)

Make sure to leave all extra entries specifics in your comment/email.

This contest closes one month from today (July 20). The winners will be announced and contacted soon after.

NOTE: Only one comment per entrant, please. If you need to post a second comment, etc. because of an error/change, make sure to delete your previous comment(s).

One Lonely Degree by C. K. Kelly Martin (Review by Karilee)

Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It all started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn's best friend, her witness to everything and the only person (under thirty) Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn's childhood friend Jersy moves back into town—reckless, beautiful boy Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you'd want to dip your fingers into it if you weren't careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. After all, how could she possibly say no to Audrey?

With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time since September, for the first time in her life maybe, something feels right—absolutely, stunningly right. But Finn can't be the girl who does this to her best friend...can she?

Review:
One of the first things I must note about C. K. Kelly Martin’s One Lonely Degree is that the whole concept of Finn stealing her best friend’s boyfriend is WRONG. However, it is also the most admirable thing to take into consideration. As a reader, I couldn’t help but take Finn’s side, despite the wrong-ness, and hope that she and Jersy eventually do end up together. Not only is it easy to identify with the narrator, but it is also very easy to sympathize. Her whole world is crumbling around her, and the only comfort she has is the love of her best (and only) friend’s boyfriend.

Despite the novel’s emotional control over the reader, there were many things that, as a picky reader, I was annoyed about. For about 150 pages I, for the life of me, had no idea what “HMV” (what I later found out is the title of the music store in the mall) was. It was probably just an error of an unobservant reader, however it must be noted that something so small distracted me from the actual plot. That is not to say that the book was boring, but that I expected what was happening next. Having read the back of the book, I knew that Finn would eventually fall for Jersy and vice versa, but what I did not know is how long that would take. The only thing the synopsis left for the reader to discover is what happens after they fall for each other. But, because it isn’t until the end that they do eventually betray Audrey, there is little information and plot that the reader is surprised about.

Even with my over-analyzation of the plot’s format, what was left for the reader to discover was very interesting and an enjoyable read. One Lonely Degree shows the reader that even though the world as you know it can completely change, it’s still possible to find happiness, even if it seems as though happiness is impossible.

I had a difficult choice between two songs to describe C. K. Kelly Martin’s One Lonely Degree. Although I made my decision, there is a quote from the song that didn’t make the cut. “Oh, instincts are misleading; you shouldn’t think what you’re feeling.” As much as Death Cab For Cutie’s line from “Lightness” captures the plot of the novel, the winner, “Run” by Snow Patrol (one of my all-time favorite songs!), I feel suits the feel of One Lonely Degree better.

Despite the negativity of the majority of my review, I truly did enjoy reading One Lonely Degree, and I can’t wait to read more from C. K. Kelly Martin. I hoped you enjoyed my review and that you get the chance to read One Lonely Degree.


Sincerely,
Karilee




One Lonely Degree by C. K. Kelly Martin can be purchased HERE.

Uninvited by Justine Musk (Review by Karilee)

Synopsis:

Kelly Ruland's world fell apart when her brother Jasper walked away the sole survivor of a car accident...and kept walking right out of town. She doesn't want to believe that Jasper was at fault - but then why did he run away? How could he abandon Kelly and her parents? Now, former star student and athlete Kelly struggles to care about anything anymore, sleepwalking through school and experimenting with dangerous behavior as she tries to fill the void inside her.

Then one night, Jaspers returns...but he's not alone. Someone has followed him home. Someone who hides in the space behind the truth, who hovers in the shadows between the known and the unknown. His name is Archie, and he is the stranger they never asked to know, the guest they never invited. And he's about to challenge Kelly and Jasper to a game that demands a price they may not be willing to pay...

Review:
I must confess that I cracked the spine of Justine Musk’s Uninvited with a GREAT deal of skepticism. The sci-fi feeling of the synopsis in addition to the “MTV Books” label both led me to believe that no matter how it turned out, it just wasn’t going to be something I’d read on my own. But, to my pleasure and surprise, Uninvited quickly contradicted my initial assumptions. It was unbelievably captivating and I found myself incapable of putting it down. The plot, the characters, and the setting were all fully developed and as a reader it was easy to visualize the novel, even in the parts that were sci-fi-ish.

It is very easy for a mystery novel to have many unsolved mysteries at the start that remain unsolved, even when the book comes to a close. Uninvited, however, pieced together every question posed earlier in the novel while still maintaining an original resolution that the reader could never predict.

Unlike previous novels I’ve had the joy of reviewing, there was nothing that was absolutely, positively, and obnoxiously wrong with it. There were some parts that dragged on for a bit, but were promptly followed by edge-of-your-seat parts. If there was one thing I had to find wrong with it, it would definitely be the resolution of the main character, Kelly’s, love life. However, for the sake of not giving anything away and not over-analyzing a miniscule aspect of the novel, I will not get into that.

All in all, I was thoroughly impressed, and, as always, I look forward to reading more from Justine Musk, and maybe more from “MTV Books.” I highly recommend Uninvited to anyone who loves a captivating mystery.

The song for Justine Musk’s Uninvited is “For Real” by Okkervil River.
Although lyrically it doesn’t necessarily fit Uninvited, I feel as if the tone and feel of it can easily be associated with the novel.

I hope you found my review helpful and that you decide to read Justine Musk’s Uninvited.

Sincerely,
Karilee

Uninvited by Justine Musk can be purchased HERE.

What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando (review by Liesel)

What happens when bffs cannot actually remain best friends, forever?


Tara Altebrando, in my opinion a highly underrated author, examines the complex double-standards set in all teenage friendships and the complex emotions of loss and despair in What Happens Here. Chloe and Lindsay had been the best of friends – they did everything together, and their lives were intertwined. They planned to travel the world and buy condos in several locations and complete their lives in happiness. When Chloe gets the opportunity of the lifetime to travel to Europe, she gets into a fight with Lindsay but sends her postcards from everywhere she goes, and finds a little romance of her own. Little did she know what would be awaiting her when she got home…


WARNING: Spoilers ahead!!!






Lindsay dies in a tragic murder, and Chloe wants to discover everything that happened that night; she feels guilty that she was not there when she was in Europe, and she finds herself clinging to her on/off crush on Lindsay’s brother Noah. More guilt is exposed as she believes that Lindsay would not approve of this liking, yet both of them work together to move past their terrible loss.






End of Spoilers


Similar to Sarah Dessen’s The Truth About Forever, this book examines the guilt associated with loss, and the idea of embracing imperfection when certain things can no longer be. That book is one of my favorites, and this one comes very close to that level. I feel that anyone looking for a compelling, emotional read should definitely check this one out!


xoxo, Liesel




Purchase What Happens Here via Amazon.

Sprout Review

Sprout by Dale Peck is the story of Daniel Bradford, a gay teenager who is nicknamed Sprout because he dyes his hair green. When Sprout’s mother dies, his grieving father decides to leave Long Island and take Sprout with him to Kansas. They buy a small trailer, and Sprout’s father drinks all day and starts collecting stumps, having no intention of getting a job. Sprout enters school and feels like an outsider until he meets Ruthie, a confident, outgoing girl determined to get what she wants and maybe help Sprout out too. Sprout, with Ruthie’s help, soon begins to dye his hair green, allowing him to stand out even more at school. Sprout’s writing abilities get him approached by Mrs. Miller, an English teacher inclined to drink a little too much who helps him develop his writing and encourages him to enter an essay writing contest. Two guys enter Sprout’s life, one who he only feels lust for, and the other who shows Sprout true love. Through all of this, Sprout struggles with who he really is and eventually learns more about himself.

This novel is so unique and well-written. The characters are all so realistic and well-developed, especially Sprout. The way he thinks and writes is very mature, yet believable and often funny at the same time. I like how the story revolves around his relationships with others and his struggle to understand himself, not his desire to come out as gay and be accepted (most people already know that he is gay, including his father and Mrs. Miller, and don’t really make a big deal out of it). Sprout’s unique voice always comes through, entertaining the reader and making the story more poignant. The other characters add to Sprout’s story and help him understand himself, even when they betray him (or he betrays them!). The ending was unexpected and a little unsatisfying, but it seemed to fit with the book. Sprout is definitely one of the most well-written and interesting novels I have read this year, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt, but also humorous, story.

~Angela

P.S. You can buy Sprout here.

Hidden Voices by Pat Lowry Collins (Review by Karilee)

Synopsis:

It is a longing and search for love that motivates three girls living in the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage renowned for its extraordinary musical program. But for Rosalba, Anetta, and Luisa, the love they seek is not where they expect to find it. Set in the early 1700s in the heart of Venice, this remarkable novel deftly weaves the history of Antonio Vivaldi’s early musical career into the lives of three young women who excel in voice and instrument. Under the composer’s tutelage and care, the orphans find expression, sustenance, and passion. But can the sheltered life of the orphanage prepare them for the unthinkable dangers outside its walls?

Review:

Although Hidden Voices is somewhat boring at the start, as the novel progresses it becomes very consuming. Each chapter is narrated by one of three main characters. At first, they are very indistinct, and I easily found myself doubling back to see who was narrating. However, as the reader learns more and more about the thoughts, actions, and lives of the three musicians their differences become apparent.

One of the most captivating aspects of the plot is how geographical separation is eventually the very thing that brings them all closer together. Annoyance, foolishness, and jealousy all turn into the true love and nurturing of undying friendships (and yes I know how cheesy that sounds, but it was all quite moving). Although the eventual outcomes are not ideal and “they-all-lived-happily-ever-after,” they are comforting in the sense that they are realistic, despite the fact that they are bittersweet.

Moving on to the critical portion of the review, there really isn’t much to be said. The slow start may turn off a wide variety of readers who lack the patience to read through the slow parts of Hidden Voices, but eventually the plot is captivating, thus making up for the semi-boring start. Another aspect of Hidden Voices to take into consideration is the musical jargon. Having been a dedicated musician for most of my life, it was easy for me to pick up on the instruments, voices, styles of pieces, and Italian words dealing with music. However, it would be fair to say that many would probably get lost in pages of words and phrases about the music of which they know nothing. So, in can simply be put that this book is well-suited for musicians just as there are girly books for girls and boyish books for boys.

To any musician, especially those who love the works of Vivaldi, I whole-heartedly recommend reading Hidden Voices by Pat Lowry Collins. And to people who know little of music, I still suggest trying to read it for the life-lessons it contains. I thoroughly enjoyed Collins’ style and use of language and I am looking forward to reading some of her other works.

As is my tradition I have chosen a song that I love and that I feel fits the attitude and plot of Hidden Voices. However, before revealing it, I must say that I had a very difficult time actually picking. I was torn between picking a song for each of the characters or avoiding excess and only choosing one; torn between being utterly cheesy and picking a piece by Vivaldi or “keepin-it-real” and finding a modern song with heart-felt lyrics. Eventually I went with the latter of both debates, deciding upon “All Will Be Well” by the Gabe Dixon Band.
I hope you enjoyed the review and that you get a chance to read Pat Lowry Collins’ Hidden Voices.

Sincerely,
Karilee

Hidden Voices by Pat Lowry Collins can be purchased HERE.

A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell (review by Bella Aire)

Summary (provided by Amazon):
Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt suffocated by her small town and high school. She seeks solace in drawing beautiful maps, envisioning herself in exotic locales. When Cora begins to fall for Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died, she uncovers her brother's secret artistic life and realizes she had more in common with him than she ever imagined. With stunning lyricism, Sandell weaves a tale of one girl's journey through the redemptive powers of art, friendship, and love.

They say no land remains to be discovered, no continent is left unexplored. But the whole world is out there, waiting, just waiting for me. I want to do things-I want to walk the rain-soaked streets of London, and drink mint tea in Casablanca. I want to wander the wastelands of the Gobi desert and see a yak. I think my life's ambition is to see a yak. I want to bargain for trinkets in an Arab market in some distant, dusty land. There's so much. But, most of all, I want to do things that will mean something.

-- From A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD.

NSCG Review:

Full of lyrical phasing, vivid memories, and honest feeling, A Map of the Known World is a beautifully written YA novel. Readers will be moved by the story of Cora dealing with the loss of her older brother, Nate. Her attempts to understand her brother and the rift that had grown between them before his death shows her struggle. Cora no longer seems to fit in the world she used to live in, and instead of turning to her old friends or family, she makes a connection with the most unlikely--or perhaps most likely--of people.

Damian, Nate’s rebellious best friend, survived the crash that Nate did not. Cora and Damian’s relationship does not start smooth due to the fact that Cora, following in her parents’ footsteps, blames Damian for being a “bad influence”. However, soon the two form an unusual bond through art. But will memories of Nate tear the bond apart…or make it stronger?

The strongest part of the novel is Cora’s recollections of her brother. Lisa Ann Sandell really deserves some praise for making them incredibly touching and heartfelt and just…beautiful. The only real problem I had with this novel was with the angry scenes. For some reason, the writing became stilted during shouting matches, etc. However, this didn’t prove a large enough hitch to distract from the novel’s focus.

Did I like it better than Song of the Sparrow (a favorite of mine and one of Sandell’s earlier works)? I can’t say for certain. It would be like comparing apples and oranges. World is very different from Sparrow in writing style, mood, and many other ways. The one constant seems to be Sandell’s lyricism. Both were wonderful, so I’d suggest reading both.

-Bella Aire

A Map of the Known World can be purchased here.

Visit the author at her website.

Lisa Ann Sandell is also a Geek Fest author! Check out her guest blog for the event here.