Let's Talk: Books that Defied Your Expectations

Friday, September 14, 2012




Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!
Question: What are your favourite books that defied your expectations/reservations?

Ah yes, I have great questions, even if I do say so myself. Honestly, this list could be so very, very long, but I'm going to simplify and do my favourite book that blew my way in 2012 and defied my expectations. It was utterly original. Entirely convincing. I was enraptured by the characters (mostly the male MC, let's be honest), and I find myself telling people daily to pick. this book up...like yesterday because if they don't, they're sorely missing out. What book is that, you ask?

Why, it's Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins, of course! Guys, I swear to you that when I saw this cover, I had absolutely no intention of reviewing it. In fact, I was certain it was going to be yet another paranormal instalove that couple double as a coaster on my coffee table (if I had one...I digress). The point is, I was pretty much positive that this one just wasn't worth my time. At all. Yet, despite my reservations, I kept seeing good advanced reviews. And then, my friends, I saw Jenny post an excellent review, and I knew if she loved it, there had to be something to it.

So, despite my infinite reservations, I cracked open the book, and boy am I glad that I did. Anna was a soaring, empowering, brilliant female MC, matched perfectly by the pure, unadulterated hotness that is Kaiden. I swoon. Packed to the brim with action, lust, anger and betrayal, Sweet Evil is a contrast of lights and darks with simple touches of gray area where you try to find a safe haven. Yet, it takes the angel and demon story and turns it on its head every where you turn, spinning you into an alluring web. Honestly, this book took everything I hate about YA paranormal and made me love it. That's power. Pure power. I bow down to your epic prowess, Wendy.

10 comments:

  1. I'm glad you ended up giving this book a chance. I guess I haven't really read enough paranormal to really have the issue you had with the cover, but I can see where you're coming from based on what I have heard from a lot of the paranormal books out there these days.

    I really enjoyed this book though, glad you did too. :)

    - Justin @ Justin's Book Blog

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  2. Hmmm I suffer from the same prejudice with this novel. Maybe I'll give it a go!

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  3. Hunger Games, for me. I only read it to convince my girlfriend to stop bugging me about it, and ended up speed-reading the whole thing in a week. Broadening horizons is fun

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  4. *hugs* Thank you so much for giving Sweet Evil a chance and spreading the word! :-)

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  5. Good question. The first that comes to mind is The Language of Flowers.

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  6. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund. Rampant wasn't my favorite book, though the writing was sound and interesting, and I haven't had good experiences with books based off classics. However, this book told the classical Jane Austen story in a refreshing and new manner, and the writing stunned me. I fell in love with this book!

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  7. When I saw the cover of this one, I was going to take a pass on it because, like you, I thought it would be your typical book. But if you say there's something to it... maybe I should check it out!

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  8. Guess I'll have to bump this one up on my list. I thought this was going to be just another typical read. Though from what you have to say about it, I suppose that must be wrong. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. YESSSSSSSSS! I'm so glad you loved this book as much as I did, it just completely blew me away. I thought I was in for a fairly typical read when I picked it up as well, and what I got was quite possibly the best surprise I've gotten all year. Also, I'm a touch in love with Kaidan. In case you were unaware. :)

    One more thing? I love you like whoa. That is all.

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  10. The way Jenny talks about this book, and especially after all of the work she's put into the cover for book two, as soon as I see it will snatch it up even though I literally have no idea what it is about. So Jenny basically sold me this book. Way to go, Jenny!! Snarky little thing, she is. <3

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