Review: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Another great book courtesy of Jandy Nelson. The topics it deals with are harsh and real and there are moments in the book when you consider putting it down and never picking it back up for fear of what will happen next, but there are also moments that leave you grinning for hours and they make it worth it. And that's what this book is; well worth it.

***

Lennie was a loveable character that, at moments, you hated completely. Her obsession with Wuthering Heights, her clarinet playing and her poetry made her individual and different. She tried to deal with her sister's death alone, which made her so much more vulnerable and I couldn't help but want to help her, guide her, to the right decisions and right choices.

On romance, of course I wanted her to be with Joe and of course I wanted to throw the book across the room every time something happened with Toby, but in a way I understand her actions. Grief is confusing and painful and sometimes we don't know how to ease the pain so we mess up.

Overall, this is a beautiful  novel on love and grief that I would highly recommend. 

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Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

This book felt real. If I had picked someone out at random and taken a look at their life story, this could be it. It didn't try and shy away from the harsher topics, it understood that no matter how perfect someone presents their life to be, it probably isn't that way and the unusual style related to Greg's personality. However, the story never truly went anywhere and at the end, I was left feeling like something more could have happened within it.

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Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

An intriguing story that deals with a subject matter most other YA novels don't dare to touch, whilst also having a sci-fi element that makes you question the meaning of balance within our world. With a tantalising romance and a mix of loveable and detestable characters, 'The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer' is undeniably amazing.

***

I first read this book a few years ago and, though I enjoyed it, I was not overwhelmed by it and didn't find it necessary to continue on with the series. Looking back after having read the book again, I cannot understand what led me to that conclusion. I was captivated throughout the entire story and over the space of only a few chapters, came to love the main characters for their differing traits. As well as that, I don't understand how I could have stopped myself from purchasing the second book after that cliff-hanger ending!

The powers that were introduced in this novel really interested me. The idea of controlling life and death is one that many have obsessed over and it was good to see Mara's hatred of her power; she was able to realise the truth about that sort of power. Just because something is coveted, doesn't mean it is good.

Overall, this is a great book that I would recommend to teenage girls who are starting to broaden their reading span from contemporary fiction to other genres. 

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Review: The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss

This book is one of my favourite reads from this year, no doubt about it. With a heartbreaking story and characters you can't help but love, this book sets the standards high for YA fiction.

***

The concept of this book is one that I have never encountered before, but one that can be very relatable. When younger siblings are born, the attention gets diverted to them and that can be hard to deal with. Added to that, Pearl dealing with the death of her mother, she is naturally going to vent her anger to what she sees as the source of the problem; Rose.

Pearl is a character whom you want to be there for. You sympathise and empathise for her and just want to be what she needs, what she can't find in others. The way her relationship with Molly changed after the death of her mother felt very real and the other characters, Finn, Dulcie, her dad and grandmother, felt like they were people who actually existed as their lives didn't constantly revolve around Pearl.

This book made me think about things differently. At times it made me smile and at others, an odd tear or two may have slipped out. I would recommend this book to almost everyone; it's an experience everyone should have.

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Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

What I expected from this book and what I got were different, but in a good way. I expected the whole book to take place over one day, similar to 'Where She Went', but having only part of the story set over that day was far better for the plot because we got to see how the experience effected Allyson and got to know her.

As well as dealing with the romance, this book also dealt with college and how much people can change when they get there. It also gave Allyson an opportunity to grow and change. At the start of the novel, I liked her character, but as the novel progressed I liked her less, before I came to love her nearer the end. If this book had only been over the one day, I would have been stuck in the first category and it would have been as if her character were stagnated.

Overall, this is a good, quick read and I can't wait to read 'Just One Year'.

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Review: The Ana Switch by Angie Baron

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did I realised how good the concepts in it were. The world that was created, though confusing at times, was really detailed and amazing. There were so many new creatures and back-stories to learn about, which made for a very interesting read.

However, for the size of the book, the story never really went anywhere. I wanted to see a bit more action instead of the characters just talking to each other and revealing stories that could have been revealed at a much more appropriate time, which would have made the plot work better as a whole.

Overall, the concept of this book was great, but the way it was executed let it down. I would be interested in reading the second book in this series, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to exist.

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Review: I Knew You Were Trouble by Paige Toon

Better than the first book, though not by a great deal. This book showed the pressures that come with fame and how difficult it can be when it is thrust upon you. I was able to sympathise with Jessie at certain points, though I still do not like her as a character.

The romance in this book was a bit more interesting. I found myself wanting her to be with Jack, but at times the 'love triangle' was a bit tedious. On the other hand, the introduction of the band did seem slightly pointless. It didn't seem that relevant to the story or how the book ended.

Overall, though this book was better than the first in the series, it still wasn't that good and I'm not really interested in getting the third one when it comes out.

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Review: The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson by Paige Toon

I think this book would appeal to girls in their early teens with little reading experience. It seems as if the author has tried to aim it at a mid-teen audience, but the premise of the book, and how unrealistic it is, means it slips away from that age range.

Jessie is not a likeable character. Using her mother's death as an excuse, she acts up and purposely tries to hurt someone who is only trying to look out for her. She knows her behaviour is pathetic, but still continues with it.

This is an easy read, but not one that I would recommend. The plot never seems to go anywhere and is more suited to coming out of a twelve year olds imagination than actually being published.

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Review: Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

This book is an interesting approach to the crime and mystery genres. At points it is chilling, whilst at others it can make you feel overcome with sadness and sympathy for the fictional characters you feel like you've got to know so well. With twists and turns more fit to Welsh country roads, this book certainly has the ability to make your head spin. However, all that spinning is worth it when you eventually figure out the truth. 'Afterwards' is definitely worth reading as a group because of the intense discussions it can initiate and the emotions it can stir up.

***

Some points of discussion that the book stirred up in me, I feel I should voice. As a reader of fantasy and sci-fi, I could accept the fact that both Grace and Jenny seemed to be spiritual entities for much of the book, but I feel like their state was not described well enough. Grace left the hospital on multiple occasions, but how did she get in the various cars and how did she stay in them while they were travelling? In the hospital, did they walk through  doors or could they open them? If they were opened, surely someone would have noticed, and if not, then how were they able to walk around on the floors? Would they not have just slipped through them? I think that the rules of their existence needed to be made a little clearer.

Death is a major theme in this novel and with Grace and Jenny's condition, I knew from near the beginning that either one or both of them would die, but I feel like the topic was dealt with well. It didn't try and hide the grief  that the characters were feeling as this made them seem more human. Thought there was a sci-fi element to this novel, the individual characters made it feel very real.

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Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The blurb of this book tells me that it is the 'first in an epic new fantasy trilogy' and I have to say that I couldn't agree more. This book introduces us to an unexplainably complex fantasy with description so intense that I felt like I could have lived there my entire life. Despite how horrible some of the characters could be and the evil that I knew to be present there, I couldn't help but fall in love with this world and all it had to offer. The plot was very cleverly and carefully revealed, leaving me always wanting more at the end of each chapter. Character development happened gradually and realistically, assisted greatly by Maas' incredible writing. This book sets a high standard amongst fantasy novels and I can't wait for the next instalment in this series, though I will comment that after the ending of this book, I hope a storyline that is just as good or better than the one in this book will be found as I do not just want the second and third books to focus on romance; I would prefer for there to be something for the characters to face off against.

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Life Changing

Change is inevitable, whether it is for better or for worse. Sometimes we make the choice to change, whilst at other times it is thrust upon us. Whatever the case, change happens and can alter us, and our viewpoints, completely, if we let it.

Books can change your life. By getting into reading, no matter what genre or how often you pick a book up, you are opening yourself up to an entire new universe of experiences. Those different experiences can change you, make you re-evaluate your past decisions, make you want to be a better person or just make you think.

Certain stories stay with you for a long time after you have read the last page and it is those stories that have the power to change us the most; it is those stories that can literally be life-changing.

Post inspired by The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss.