Review: RED AT NIGHT by Katie McGarry

Red At Night
by Katie McGarry
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Published April 1st 2014 by Harlequin Special Releases
Format Acquired: Kindle Edition
Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle
Purchase Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo

In Red at Night, Stella and Jonah are total opposites. She's the girl with purple hair from the wrong part of town. He's a high school senior who hangs with the cool crowd. Until a car accident leaves him haunted by guilt, and Jonah starts spending time at Stella's favorite refuge…the local cemetery.

Stella knows she should keep her distance—after all, she spent her girlhood being bullied by Jonah's friends. Once he's sorted out his tangled emotions, Jonah won't have time for her anymore. Too bad she's already fallen for him.

MY REVIEW

I was so lucky to get a chance to have this while it was free on amazon. I love Katie McGarry's works (even though I haven't reviewed one, yet) so I didn't hesitate to one-click this.

Stella's favorite hangout place is the local cemetery. It might be spooky but it's where she finds peace and silence. And this is where she met Jonah, who happened to be friends with the kids who bullied her before, and well, Jonah didn't recognize her at first. That's when they started to hang out at the cemetery and they became like "secret" friends since Jonah doesn't mind his best friend, Cooper, to make fun of Stella in front of her. Whereas Jonah has his personal issues, a tragic experience that he can't move on, Stella was there for him.

Later on, they developed feeling for each other. This time, Jonah's no longer cool about Cooper making fun of Stella. But Stella was worried about how deep her feelings might be if they don't stop. She's got no plans on going to college and work instead.

Red At Night is full of feeling and emotions, if you might ask. This is a beautiful story but I it felt incomplete. There were times where my feelings were left hanging. Although this is an 84 pages novella, I think the author can still pull it off. I KNOW she can do better. I just hope she did. Anyway, I know other Katie McGarry fans will enjoy this!

MY RATING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie McGarry

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Author Links:

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

{Blog Tour} Book Review: ROOMIES by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Roomies
by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format Acquired: e-ARC
Source: NetGalley
Published December 24th 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Purchase Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

MY REVIEW

When I saw this at NetGalley, I just knew I have to read it. And so far, I'm not regretting it. I won't regret reading it. I can relate so much to these ladies, moving out for college. I just never felt the best part: having a roommate, or should I say, I roomie.

Roomies is a fun, light read contemporary with dual POV from Elizabeth (or EB) and Lauren. Elizabeth is basically living with her mom who dates guys who were married. And her dad is gay. She's having a problem with it since she knows the son of the guy her mom is currently dating. She can't tell her friend and she just want to go away from all of this. Whereas Lauren lives with her family, and she's got a lot of siblings. There were also times like she just want to take a break from her responsibilities at home. 

That is when EB decided to reach out to her assigned roomie. Not to blab about her problems, but to ask about the things they should bring into the new room they'll be sharing for the next four years. Well, that's what they're supposed to talk about over the e-mail, but they haven't realized how open they became to each other, to a stranger they won't meet until classes start. I love how open they are to each other, and that they care for what each other would think of the other. I understand that they were careful of what they say over the internet, since they might be misunderstood by each other. Of course you wouldn't want to unintentionally hurt someone you're supposed to be with for your whole college life.

They became comfortable telling each other some of their secrets and shared some about their lives. Like all friendship, they reached the point where conflicts came in. EB went mad to Lauren about something and Lauren was confused on why she became the bad guy in the first place. They even thought about having another roomie! But eventually, time heals. They finally understood each other and said sorry, gaining back the friendship they had before.

I totally enjoyed reading Roomies. Especially the part where they moved on to their college dorm. It felt like the day I felt the first time I moved away from my parents. I cried for months (yeah, I'm a crybaby) because I miss my family so much, especially my siblings. I miss our talks during dinner, the toys scattered around, everything about them. But now, I'm okay with it. I moved on, and call them every other night or whenever I'm free just to hear their voices.

Anyway, would I recommend Roomies? Totally! Especially to you who are going to college and thinking of what to expect in having a roommate!

MY RATING

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Sara Zarr

Sara Zarr is the acclaimed author of five novels for young adults, most recently The Lucy Variations, which the New York Times called “an elegant novel.” Her sixth, a collaborative novel with Tara Altebrando, came out December 2013. She’s a National Book Award finalist and two-time Utah Book Award winner. Her books have been variously named to annual best books lists of the American Library Association, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, the Guardian, the International Reading Association, the New York Public Library and Los Angeles Public Library, and have been translated into many languages. Born in Cleveland and raised in San Francisco, she currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, and online at www.sarazarr.com.

Author Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Tara Altebrando

In addition to my most recent novel, THE BEST NIGHT OF YOUR (PATHETIC) LIFE, I’m the author of three previous books for Young Adults, including DREAMLAND SOCIAL CLUB, which was a Kirkus Reviews Best Books for Teens of 2011, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS and WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

Next up is ROOMIES, a novel I cowrote with Sara Zarr (Little Brown, December) and then my middle-grade debut, THE BATTLE OF DARCY LANE (Running Press Kids, May 2014).

I live in Queens, New York, with my husband and two young daughters, Ellie and Violet.

Author Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

“Live in the present. Take care of the relationships in front of you now. Most friendships have a natural life, and when they've lived that out, you'll know.” 

(ARC) Review: THE SUMMER I FOUND YOU by Jolene Perry

The Summer I Found You
by Jolene Perry
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Format Acquired: e-ARC
Source: NetGalley
Expected Publication March 1st 2014 by Albert Whitman Teen

All they have in common is that they're less than perfect. And all they're looking for is the perfect distraction.

Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Aidan planned on being a lifer in the army and went to Afghanistan straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life. When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all?

MY REVIEW

(Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review!)

This book brought butterflies in my stomach! Aidan and Kate were so sweet and they look so cute together! And actually, this is the first book I read with the guy, the hot, swoon worthy guy, having only one hand. Anyway, it doesn't really matter at all. Okay. It does matter, at some point. But with Aidan's features? You won't mind at all! You can imagine his lean, firm, muscular body with those dreamy abs since he came from the army. And here's Kate, freaking out about her diabetes like it's some kind of a cancer. I don't really get it why she takes it as a huge deal, but maybe, it really is. Especially when it came to the point that she 'almost' died because of it.

Their story didn't begin with the way other love stories do. It's like they used each other as some kind of distraction, taking them temporarily away from reality. Aidan, from his horrible experience that took his one arm, and Kate, who wants someone who won't have to check out her sugar level every time. Well, it kinda worked out, somehow. But this distraction, turned into attraction. They were attracted to each other without even knowing about it, and they don't want to admit it!

I have read some reviews giving it a low rating because of the grammar, use of punctuation, and the confusion between Aidan and Aiden. I didn't noticed these until I read some community reviews, because I was so hooked to the story. This pair made me blush all along! I'm so glad that Jen (Kate's bff and Aidan's cousin) tried to set them up. And I think Shelton is such a dumbass. I hate the way he broke up with Kate. Liar. Ugh!

The main reasons why I didn't give it a five-star rating is because: 1) The story didn't really happen during summer. I wonder why the title says so... 2) It's obvious the way they feel for each other but they never said the words. Yeah, I know actions speak louder than words, but... They just have to tell each other!

Overall, the story is great and I like the drama as well. So ladies, you might want to give this one a try. :)

MY RATING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jolene Perry

I wear juvenile T-shirts, worn-out chucks, and eat too much chocolate. I write. A lot. I make up words, drink Shirley Temples, and suffocate a little without my iPod.

Author Links:

Website / Blog / Tumblr / Twitter

(ARC) Book Review: WATERFELL by Amalie Howard

Waterfell
by Amalie Howard
Series: The Aquarathi #1
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Format Acquired: e-ARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Published: October 29th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

MY REVIEW

Once again, I found a book with a stunning cover! Yeah, I'm a sucker for blue.

Waterfell is about a girl who was supposed to take over the thrown her late father left, but instead, was taken over of the one who killed her father. At first, I thought this is a mermaid story. I once dressed up as a mermaid, and pretended I am one everytime I go to the beach. I love the sea. I love taking walks along the shore, I love the breeze, I love the water, I love collecting shells... I love everything about the ocean. That love pushed me to requesting this from NetGalley, and I am so thankful to Harlequin Teen for granting my request.

And as a sign of gratitude, I'm giving you this mermaid picture of mine:

"I'm a mermaid. Duh?" This photo was taken when I was in kindergarten school.

Okay. Sorry about that. Heh.

So it turned out that the sea creatures featured in this book were not mermaids/mermen. I thought this would somehow be a retelling of The Little Mermaid when I read the plot. But it's not. They're aliens. Water aliens? Yes, like aliens from another planet. Well, the way they were described in the book is just amazing. I can imagine those creatures, perfect combinations of colors blending on their bodies. The author did a great job on that one, huh.

The thing I didn't like in the book is the main character herself - Nerissa. She's very annoying. Aside from being a coward when she ran away from her duty and responsibility, she's kinda selfish, self-centered and disdainful. I didn't get why she hates Cara to death. As I went on with the story, I can't find any reason to hate Cara. Yes, she gave Nerissa death stares, but I think that's because of Nerissa's own actions. It was never really made clear about their past, so I didn't understand why Nerissa hated her that much. Like, WTF is wrong with the two of you? Can someone please tell me why?!

Alright, enough for the annoying main character. Let me just focus on the things, or rather, scenes that I loved in this book. I told you earlier that I love the ocean. And there is a very romantic scene in this book. The one wherein a mass of jellyfish, glowing underneath the water surrounded Nerissa and Lo... Such a beautiful scenery! I once saw a number of jellyfish glowing under the water when I spent one night by the sea. It's amazing. Really.

And for my favorite character, it'd be Jenna. She's Nerissa's bestfriend. And every girl in the world need a friend like her. She's trustworthy and she never left Nerissa's side. She had been there for her from the start, and even after she learned the whole truth. She's a true friend and Nerissa is lucky she had Jenna all along.

Overall, I liked the book not because of the main character or the story. I liked it because of the cover, the ocean and Jenna. Nothing more. I didn't even swoon over the male characters. I think I expected too much in this book and it just frustrated me. 

MY RATING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amalie Howard

AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, marketing representative, teen speaker and global sales executive. In between writing novels and indulging her love of reading, Amalie is also a books review editor for TheLoopNY, and blogs at amaliehoward.com. She is represented by the Liza Royce Agency.

Her debut novel, BLOODSPELL, was selected as a Seventeen Magazine Summer Club Read. She is also the author of The AQUARATHI series from Harlequin TEEN (WATERFELL Nov 2013 and OCEANBORN Aug 2014), THE ALMOST GIRL from Strange Chemistry Jan 2014, and ALPHA GODDESS from Skyhorse/Sky Pony Press Mar 2014.

For tour and upcoming events, check out amaliehoward.com for more information.

Author Links:
Website | Twitter

(ARC) Book Review: SKULK by Rosie Best

Skulk
by Rosie Best
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Expected Publication October 1st 2013 by Strange Chemistry
ARC Source: NetGalley

When Meg witnesses the dying moments of a shapeshifting fox and is given a beautiful and powerful stone, her life changes forever. She is plunged into the dark world of the Skulk, a group of shapeshifting foxes.

As she learns about the other groups of shapeshifters that lurk around London – the Rabble, the Horde, the Cluster and the Conspiracy – she becomes aware of a deadly threat against all the shapeshifters. They must put aside all their enmity and hostility and fight together to defeat it.

MY REVIEW

The plot caught me, shapeshifters? They're my kind of fantasy creatures aside from vampires! This is my first time to read something focused about humans shifting into ravens, spiders, butterflies, and rats. And I learned new collective terms like horde and rabble.

I like Meg's personality. How artistic she is by putting into art whatever she feels. Especially the portrait of her mother. I love how she left her artworks/graffiti on walls, bathroom doors and elsewhere she likes. I love to draw, too. But I still don't have the guts to leave my marks anywhere I like. And I salute Meg for that because for me, it's not vandalism. It's art.

Then, Meg became a fox shifter when she witnessed the death of one member of the Skulk. I don't understand how easily she was able to adjust with the change. She enjoyed it immediately, when in fact, she shouldn't. I mean, shouldn't she panic about it at first? Freak out? Get scared? Ask questions and seek answers out of nowhere?

There's a lot of bloody scenes in the story. And I don't like it because I don't get it. Why were those kids at school got killed? Who covered the whole story about it?

To be honest enough, half of the book bored me. Most of the scenes were about searching for some shifter and it's clear that there's an argument among the animal shifter but the reason was not stated. So I don't really know who I should dwell to. Plus, the villain was nearly lost in the book. It focused too much on the fight among the shifters which is not clear why.

Most of the scenes in the story wasn't clear and gave me a lot of questions.

Well, I love the part where Meg discovered who this "E3" is and what's the real meaning behind the artist's codename. Overall, it was okay. The writing and word building is good. I just hope there's a next installment that will make things better and clearer for me.

MY RATING

IT WAS OKAY.

(ARC) Book Review: HEREAFTER by Kate Brian

Hereafter
by Kate Brian
Series: Shadowlands #2
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Format Acquired: e-ARC from NetGalley
Expected Publication October 1st 2013 by Disney-Hyperion

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan. 

But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.

MY REVIEW

(Warning: This review might contain some spoilers to those who haven't read Shadowlands yet)

Here comes the next installment to Shadowlands, where we were left with a huge revelation and a number of questions in mind. Rory Miller is now a Lifer -- those who usher souls to their final destination, to the Light or to the Shadowlands. And the people on Juniper Landing, except Tristan's circle of friends, are in fact, dead.

It took a while before Rory was able to adjust to her new life, to her new family (although her father and Darcy were still there). She knew nothing will change from then on and there's nothing she can do about it. But when she discovered what she is, weird things started to happen in Juniper Landing, weirder than before. And the blame is on her. Rory started asking questions, investigating the real mystery behind the unusual events that happened in Juniper Landing. She can't accept the fact and give up, considering that the fate of her family.

Rory cannot tell her new secrets to her family, even if she's dying to. Although there are times that she looks like a huge paranoid, especially when they're outside their new home, I totally understand the trauma that the previous events gave her. Still, she stood strong and positive. She didn't let her weakness overpower her. She's braver than I thought. I just feel bad for Darcy, being jealous of her sister, because she's completely ignorant of whatever's happening around her.

I have to admit I love this book more than Shadowlands. There are so many exciting thing to look forward to this book: the things Rory can do now as a Lifer, the unusual thing that didn't happen at Juniper Landing for years, more revelations, and a cliffhanging ending! I never thought...

I will totally recommend this to YA mystery lovers out there. And I need the third book now, even if Hereafter is not yet published.

(Read my review of the first book in the series, Shadowlands here)

MY RATING

I REALLY LIKE IT!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Brian

Kate Brian is the prolific author of many books for teens including the Private series, the new Privilege series, and Sweet 16. She lives with her husband in New Jersey. She writes under the pseudonym Kate Brian, instead of using her real name: Kieran Scott.

Author Links:
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter