Undertow by Michael Buckley

Undertow by Michael Buckley
Geared Towards: Teen & YA
Published By: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0544348257

Allen Ginsberg — "Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness." Those familiar with the GoodReads app will also be familiar with the fact that whenever you first open the app a random quote will come up as the page loads and updates. Well, when I opened my app the evening I wanted to first write my review for this book, Undertow, I thought it quite appropriate that the above quote was the one that loaded. 

Again, "Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness." Why am I going on about quote instead of the book? It's actually quite simple. To me this quote perfectly sums up everything this book was about. Lyric Walker isn't like just any teenager out there. She is, in fact, strikingly different from her fellow classmates and friends. Heck, she's different from nearly everyone around her. The thing about Lyric is she's not human. Well, not fully anyway. 

But this fact isn't something she is particularly proud of, especially when the time comes that this tiny detail could indeed be the undoing of her entire life. When over night the beach at Coney Island becomes laden with "humanoid" creatures of the sea, a pending war is inevitable. Will the monsters and humans live together as one, United in their similarities? Of course not. 

And this is when Lyric must truly learn what it is that makes her who she is. Will she be strong enough to look beyond what she has always known in order to save her family, her friends, and even both her peoples? 

This was a superbly written fairytale of sorts, but like the original Brother's Grimm style ones- not the Disney ones. Inventive, full of imagination, but never lacking a good story or action. This book was the complete package. My only complaint, and the reason for my assigning it 4 instead of 5 hearts was because the ending seemed ever so slightly rushed. The author made sure to wrap things up, and we're this to be the only book, no sequels, I'd be content with the ending. However, I think there was room for the author to lay a little more foundational groundwork for his ending. 

All this considered, I think it is reasonable to suggest that perhaps this won't be the last we hear of Lyric. The way Buckley brought this story to close, in my opinion, sets things up beautifully for a follow up. This bookworm hopes that's the case anyhow. 

OUR RATING: 4 hearts
 

From A Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

From A Distant Star by Karen McQuestion
Geared Towards: Teen & YA
Published By: Skyscape
Publication Date: May 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1477830178

Description from Amazon:

Seventeen-year-old Emma was the only one who hadn’t given up on her boyfriend, Lucas. Everyone else—his family, his friends, his doctors—was convinced that any moment could be his last. So when Lucas miraculously returns from the brink of death, Emma thinks her prayers have been answered.

As the surprised town rejoices, Emma begins to question whether Lucas is the same boy she’s always known. When she finds an unidentifiable object on his family’s farm—and government agents come to claim it—she begins to suspect that nothing is what it seems. Emma’s out-of-this-world discovery may be the key to setting things right, but only if she and Lucas can evade the agents who are after what they have. With all her hopes and dreams on the line, Emma sets out to save the boy she loves. And with a little help from a distant star, she might just have a chance at making those dreams come true.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~From fabulously gorgeous cover to cover I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved this book! What an incredible storyline and sweet characters you could really get attached to. This was my first McQuestion book, but most certainly not my last. It was such a cute, clean, and fast paced story full of heart. I adored how the author chose to draw her plot lines together, and how beautifully everything worked out in the end. A little sci-fi fantasy, a little mystery, and a little romance- all in a day's reading. Five hearts across the board. Reading this little gem was an utmost pleasure.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

Alive by Scott Sigler

Alive by Scott Sigler
Geared Towards: Teen & YA
Published By: DelRay
Publication Date: July 2015
ISBN-13:978-0553393101

Description from Amazon:
For fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Red Rising comes a gripping sci-fi adventure in which a group of teenagers wake up in a mysterious corridor with no knowledge of who they are or how they got trapped. Their only hope lies with an indomitable young woman who must lead them not only to answers but to survival.

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I initially found the book's storyline to be a little monotonous, but I must say it did get better. When more details began to come out about half way or so through the story the whole thing took on a different feel for me. It was a genuinely bizarre storyline, and my interest is now piqued in regards to where the author will go next with it. As this is the first installment in the Generations Trilogy, I think it is safe to say I will give the next book a go when it comes out.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the review opportunity.

OUR RATING: 4 hearts



Read an excerpt of Alive from @penguinrandom http://bit.ly/1KLInL6

8/16/2015 UPDATED TO ADD:  I'd like to remind my readers that this book is also available as an audiobook from Audible Studios. Be sure to check out this audio clip from the book, compliments of Audible.

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
Geared Towards: Ages 8-12
Published By: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: July 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1484709016 

Description from Amazon:
"Never go into the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul."

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There's plenty to explore in Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt's vast and oppulent home, but she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate's maintenance man, have lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. She has learned to prowl through the darkened corridors at night, to sneak and hide, using the mansion's hidden doors and secret passageways.

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows the clues to follow. A terrifying man in a black cloak stalks Biltmore's corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore's owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak's true identity before all of the children vanish one by one.

Serafina's hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear, where she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must not only face her darkest enemy, but delve into the strange mystery of her own identity.

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From the delightful cover to the story itself, this was a five heart read. Thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this review opportunity. 

What a great book! I quite enjoy a good YA title now and then, and this one did not disappoint with its fast paced mystery and action. Well developed characters with an exciting story to tell made for one hard to put down page turner. This is a book for readers of all ages, but does have a slightly dark edge to it which may be a little too intense for really young readers. I'd say 4th grade and up is probably an ideal age bracket. And it's perfect reading material for the remaining Summer holidays.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
Geared Towards: Teens/YA
Published By: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: January 5, 2016
ISBN-13: 978-1492622468
 
54 minutes. 54 minutes for the world as they know it to open up and swallow them whole. 54 minutes of gut wrenching, soul shattering terror. 54 minutes to survive.

Wow! From the first page I became completely immersed in This Is Where It Ends, a truly terrifying story. Told in a back and forth multi person perspective, this story unfolds around an attack inside a small town high school. As the students closest to the shooter live out the horror first hand, they silently recall everything that has brought them forward in time to this particular point. Hopes, dreams, stolen kisses... Because all of these make up who we are, where we've come from, and where we are going.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me this incredible, "edge of my seat" literary experience.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

The Lost Girl: A Fear Street Novel by R.L. Stine

The Lost Girl: A Fear Street Novel by R.L. Stine
Geared Towards: Ages 12+
Published By: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
ISBN-13:  978-1250051639

Description from Amazon:
Generations of children and teens have grown up on R.L. Stine's bestselling and hugely popular horror series, Fear Street and Goosebumps. Now, the Fear Street series is back with a chilling new installment, packed with pure nightmare fodder that will scare Stine's avid fan base of teen readers and adults. New student Lizzy Palmer is the talk of Shadyside High. Michael and his girlfriend Pepper befriend her, but the closer they get to her, the stranger she seems… and the more attractive she is to Michael. He invites her to join him on a snowmobile race that ends in a tragic accident. Soon, Michael's friends start being murdered, and Pepper becomes convinced that Lizzy is behind the killings. But to her total shock, she and Michael are drawn into a tragic story of an unthinkable betrayal committed over 60 years ago. Frightening and tense in the way that only this master of horror can deliver, The Lost Girl is another terrifying Fear Street novel by the king of juvenile horror.

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When I was a girl I loved reading R.L. Stine's Goosebumps and Fear Street books. Now a parent myself, my oldest daughter (11) sometimes enjoys the Goosebumps ones and the old TV show. So having the opportunity to read a new release in the Fear Street series was almost like taking a trip down memory lane.

It may be years later in a series reboot, but we have another knock out from YA Horror master, R.L. Stine. The Lost Girl was a dark and twisted story from the very start. Brutal and gory too. So, young readers should approach with caution. But, you know you'll read it anyway. Who am I kidding?!

Excellent and full of scary, good fun.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

It's been a while...

If there's even anyone still around that follows, or rather followed, this blog you'll notice it's been quite a while since I last posted. What can I say? Life is one crazy, busy ride. Between being a full time wife, working mother of two, school/church volunteer, and more I simply became overwhelmed and decided I needed to take a step back from reviewing. I never quit reading with my girls, but I simply had to lessen my responsibilities.

Now it's a few years down the road and I'm feeling like I can once again carve out a little time each week or month to include any YA reviews here when I have them.

So, let's see how this goes. Wish me luck and Happy Reading! =)