Title: Tumble & Fall
Author: Alexandra Coutts (Twitter)
Publisher: FSG BYR
Publish Date: September 17, 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher:

The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.

Alexandra Coutts's Tumble & Fall is a powerful story of courage, love and hope at the end of the world.

The world is on the brink of disaster. There is nothing that can be done, nothing that can be changed and three teens are forced to find a way to live their entire lives in their final days. Sienna's life has been non-stop drama, and for once in her life, she might just not want to die. Zan is still coming to terms with the fact that her boyfriend, Leo, is dead. But she's finally found a reason to live...at the end of days. Caden's about to be reintroduced to the father he's never really known. How do you live out your life when there's only 7 days left?

In a world where people are utterly fascinated by the possibility or probability of the end of days, Tumble & Fall leaps into a coveted place on the market. Offering readers a solid premise, a cover that should be envied by many a cover (and author) out there and talented writer at the helm, this book has all the makings of excellence. Alexandra Coutts has set the stage for a fantastic drama full of life, love and the desire to survive.

Now, before I go any further, I have to be honest and say that I actually debated even writing this review. However, as it was provided as a review copy, I feel the need to offer up to my readers some unblemished honesty. Tumble & Fall, despite having all the facets of an incredible story setup, simply did not work for me. We're given three distinct points of view - that of Sienna, Zan and Caden - and for the first time ever, I can honestly say that not one of them worked for me. Sienna was probably the most plausible of the three, as she's recovering from severe depression, but the utter flakiness and impulsiveness of her character was jarring. Plus, let's add in the fact that she's known her new love interest, Owen, for a very short period of time before she decides she's in love with him. Oh, and for the record, Owen is building an ark...which will totally not save them from an asteroid. I struggled with Zan's character because, while I can understand the depth of her loss and loneliness, her epic scavenger hunt to find some hidden message from her dead boyfriend as the world's ending just didn't seem remotely plausible to me. Caden's story, if possible, was by far the least plausible (or enjoyable) for me. His absent father returns at the end of time to abduct him and treat him to all the things they've missed out on? I can see that being accomplished without forcible abduction. Here's the thing, guys. The writing in Tumble & Fall is not bad. In fact, it's fluid and engaging. The story, however, lacks the same charm and quality as the writing, itself. I would expect far more urgency and drama in an end of the world scenario. Instead, we have this overwhelming sense of denial, and a lackluster sense of doom & gloom where everyone seems more keen to enjoy the beach then spend true, quality time together.

All in all, Tumble & Fall just didn't speak to me. I wish so badly that it did because it really did have all the makings of a good book, but it really fell flat. I hesitated reviewing it because I can't offer a good review, but I do encourage readers to make their own decisions regardless of my opinion. I give it a 2 out of 5, and this is appropriate for the YA crowd.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Pieces of Me
Author: Amber Kizer (Twitter)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publish Date: February 11, 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 304

When high school oddball and introvert Jessica Chai is killed in a car accident, her parents decide that Jessica would have wanted her organs donated to those who so desperately need these gifts of life. But Jessica is angry about dying and being dismembered.

Taking the idea of cell memory to the next level, not only do the recipients get pieces of Jessica, but gets pieces of their memories and lives moving forward—she knows what they know and keeps tabs on their growth, recovery, and development. This begins her journey to learn her purpose as she begins to grasp that her ties to these teenagers goes beyond random weirdness. It's through their lives that Jessica learns about herself, as she watches the lives she literally touched continue to interlock.

I'm all about the weird. In fact, more often than not, the weirder a book is, the better it works for me. Pieces of Me sounds utterly fascinating, but it also sounds entirely weird and creepy. In fact...it might just be creepy and, well, off enough to really appeal to me. There's something about the concept of cell memory extending beyond just that and into a conscious, tangible memory. It's a really, really intriguing  (and messed up) idea that I'm totally sold on. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

The Top Ten Book Turnoffs

1. Love Triangles - Okay, there are always going to be exceptions to the rule on this one, but I feel like it's such a crutch in YA these days. Everyone does it. Why can't we just have a beautiful, developing, gorgeous romance?

2. Cheating - I don't read about cheating. If there is a novel that introduces it, I generally cannot read it. It's one of those things that I simply cannot condone in any capacity, and reading about it just makes me sick.

3. Self-Deprecation - This one goes out to all the Bella Swans out there that had zero identity before their men came along. Twihards, I'm sorry, but I hated how very weak she was. Give me a powerful girl over that any day.

4. Excessive Cursing - Teenagers cuss. It's a fact. Heck, I have the mouth (and mind) of a sailor on the best of days. I do not, however, generally want to read endless profanities. It takes away from the story for me.

5. Loose Sexual Situations - Colour me a prude, kiddos, but I'm sorry...I just don't do the whole one night stand in books. I can deal with something if there's emotion and meaning behind it. But if it's just sex for the sake of sex...no thank you.

6. Ultra Heavy Foreshadowing - This one is pretty much a given, to be honest. I want a novel to slowly unravel and invite me in. If you give everything away too early, I'm likely to just put the book down.

7. May/December Romances - Honestly, there's just a creep factor to the whole "really old partner/really young partner." I know that it happens and that people have great success with such relationships at times, but I can't do it.

8. Books That Regurgitate the Summary - Hmmm how to better explain this...you know when a book tells you exactly what's going to happen in the synopsis and doesn't surprise you at all? That. I don't do that, kids.

9. Lack of Character Arcs - I don't care if it's a plot-heavy book. The characters still have to go somewhere or be on some type of journey. If we don't have that, chances are the book loses me halfway through.

10. Vampires - Sorry, people. Few vampire books have worked for me, and the few that have will stay with a warm, safe place in my heart. The exception to the rule is evil, bloodsucking ones. Give me glittery ones though, and I'll run.