Title: The Power of Six
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: August 23, 2011
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed. I am Number Seven. One of six still alive. And I'm ready to fight.

John and Six are on the run. After being tracked down, hunted and brutally attacked by the Mogadorians in his latest home in Ohio, John aka Number Four has no choice but to leave the life he set up, the girl he loves and all he's come to know and find familiar for the safety of a life on the run. Six is used to life on the road. It's how she stays safe. It's how she fights so well, and with John, she knows that she and the other Garde have a fighting chance to save their world. Though they were supposed to never meet, Six has a plan and with John, she hopes to unite the remaining Garde to save her dying race from the vengeful Mogadorians. Is her plan strong enough to save them all, or is it too risky, and will they lose their lives and their last hope?

You'll probably remember that I read I Am Number Four a bit back when it first came out, and I really enjoyed its unique approach to aliens living among us. So, naturally, when I heard that the next book in the planned series was coming out, I was excited. The Power of Six is the second book in the series about nine Lorien Garde sent to Earth to harness their Legacies, mature and go back home to save their world from a vengeful and vicious breed of fighters, the Mogadorians. Pittacus Lore has created an enthralling sequel in The Power of Six that not only sends the reader on a whirlwind of epic adventure, but spins a fantastic world of hope, power and faith in one another.

The Power of Six is what a sequel should be. Rather than complacently following in its predecessor's footsteps, The Power of Six amps up the story a notch or two, introducing us to not only Six, who you might remember from the first book, but also a few of the other remaining Garde, including Seven, from whom much of the story is told. It's important to note that The Power of Six takes a slightly different approach, developing multiple story lines which, eventually, intersect for a thrilling climax for the story. Furthermore, The Power of Six takes a good bit of time to really show us more about the infamous chests in which the Lorien Garde learn what they need to harness their Legacies which, might I add, are amazing. This, in turn, really enhances the characters, especially Six and Seven. Throw in a love triangle/square (remember Sarah? yeah, she's got a little competition in Six), a nonstop pace of action and adventure and a revelation about Sam and his Dad that will blow your mind, The Power of Six doesn't disappoint. I will admit, however, that the start is a bit slow, leading into the action with some backstory and image setup, but the pace sets off running from there.

All in all, The Power of Six is a great second installment to an action-packed series that's sure to please previous fans and new readers of the series, alike. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy sci-fi and stories involving aliens. Fans of I Am Number Four should relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the new viewpoint of The Power of Six because you still have plenty more of John to discover and enjoy.

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.

Want to win an ARC of this book? Click HERE to find out how!

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: Bunheads
Author: Sophie Flack
Publisher: Poppy
Published: October 10, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemps
Pages: 304

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

First, I have to mention how super-cute and clever the cover of Bunheads is. Second, I have to say that I managed to snag an ARC of this bad boy at BEA this past week, BUT because the release is so far away, I'm desperately waiting to start reading this! I think the premise is cute, and I really like that the protag is older YA. I'm really hoping that resonates in her voice. I also like that it sounds a wee bit like Center Stage, or something like that. I'll never be a dancer (though I desperately tried for years, I'm built for swimming), but reading books like these gives me a teensy glimpse into their pretty lives. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Title: Instructions for a Broken Heart
Author: Kim Culbertson
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: May 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher

Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip.

At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.

Jessa is riding high before her class trip to Italy. She's got an amazing boyfriend, great friends and the opportunity of lifetime to explore a gorgeous historic city coming up. So, when Jessa finds her boyfriend in a less than appealing situation, she's crushed. It seems as though everything that could go wrong is doing so, and she's certain her trip is ruined. Jessa didn't know just how great her friends were until now though. Giving her an excuse and a reason to step outside of her comfort zone, Jessa has the chance to be someone new in Italy, and moreso, she has the chance to find herself again.

While contemporary was never my favourite thing before, truly I'm finding a wonderful and eclectic mix of books to satiate my contemporary appetite now. Instructions for a Broken Heart doesn't have the most original of premises - cheating guy, good best friend, chance to find oneself etc. - but author Kim Culbertson has delicately balanced a strong setting, a great cast of characters and a coming-of-age story that anyone can relate to. Laugh out loud funny, tender and sweet, Instructions for a Broken Heart is one of those books that makes me feel like the character might just be me or my best friend.

The strongest part of Instructions for a Broken Heart was the main character, Jessa, in my humble opinion. It is so easy to draw a character that becomes weak and spineless in her situation, but Jessa's personality was perfectly played. She hesitates, she's flawed and she has self-doubt, but it's not in the crippling "woe is me" sense of the word. Jessa wants to find happiness and she wants to have a great time in Italy. The way the list gives her a chance to step outside herself, introduce a cast of fantastic secondary characters and show us a world of adventure was a skill in and of itself, making me enjoy and relate to Instructions for a Broken Heart that much more.

All in all, Instructions for a Broken Heart was a sweet, heartfelt and extremely approachable book. It exceeded my expectations, which were already high. I give it a strong 4.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

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.

Title: What Comes After
Author: Steve Watkins
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: April 12, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 334
Source: Publisher

After her veterinarian dad dies, sixteen-year-old Iris Wight must leave her beloved Maine to live on a North Carolina farm with her hardbitten aunt and a cousin she barely knows. Iris, a vegetarian and animal lover, immediately clashes with Aunt Sue, who mistreats the livestock, spends Iris’s small inheritance, and thinks nothing of striking Iris for the smallest offense.

Things come to a head when Iris sets two young goats free to save them from slaughter, and an enraged Aunt Sue orders her brutish son, Book, to beat Iris senseless - a horrific act that lands Book and his mother in jail. Sent to live with an offbeat foster family and their "dooking" ferrets, Iris must find a way to take care of the animals back at the farm, even if it means confronting Aunt Sue. Powerful and deeply moving, this compelling novel affirms the redemptive power of animals and the resilience of the human spirit.

Iris hardly lives the life that every teen wants to live. After a tremendous loss, she's thrust into a world completely foreign to her that turns abusive, painful and emotionally destructive. So when things finally turn around for Iris and she's sent to another place that's quirky, but instills a desire for her to care for those animals she's left behind, no matter what. Is she brave enough to face the horrors she left, and can she do it for more than the animals...can she do it for herself?

I'm an animal nut. It's no lie. I have to cats and a dog, and if I ever won a million dollars, I'd start a cat sanctuary. But I digress. What Comes After combines all of my favourites into one neat little package - animals, the human condition and the desire to be better. With a pretty original premise in YA today that focuses on character development rather than romance, Steve Watkins has created a novel in What Comes After that just might have the power to transform our own agendas and make us thing beyond our own needs.

I have to be honest. What Comes After has all the makings of a great novel. Iris is a great character. She's relatable, caring and kind, and her innocence lends to the character development she faces through the novel. She struggles. She fails, and yet she has a constant desire to get back up again. The pain in this book is very raw and extremely tangible. She loses her father, faces adversity and yet she wants to find her way back to peace at all costs. Aunt Sue was a terrifying counterpart, and her foster parents added a hint of humour and quirk to an otherwise heart-wrenching tale.

What Comes After is not easy to stomach if you're in a feel-good movie. Yes, it has a message and reads extremely well, but it's not for the faint of heart. I cried. A lot. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

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

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It's day 3 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour, and today we're stopping over at Jenny's blog, Supernatural Snark! Be sure to check out her incredibly insightful REVIEW, then stop by for a chance to read Savita's thoughts and enter the international GIVEAWAY!

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimée Carter
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Published: April 19, 2011
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 297
Source: Netgalley

Every girl who has taken the test has died. Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess. If she fails...

Kate's life is up in the air. Her mother is dying and her deathbed wish is to return to her obscure hometown which will, essentially, uproot Kate from everything she's ever known. Nevertheless, she does it, and she's thrown into a brand new world where she is surprised to find she makes new friends and finds herself building a new life for herself. Then Henry promises her the one thing she wants most - her mother to live a long, happy and healthy life. But choosing to follow her heart and save her mother might just be her own undoing.

The Goddess Test is one of the books I've been most looking forward to most this year, and I was so excited to see it featured on Netgalley. Presenting a world where Greek mythology and contemporary fiction collide, The Goddess Test is the perfect blend of fact and fiction, merging a story line with fascinating characters, layers of intrigue and story that sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go. Aimée Carter has created a fresh debut with equal parts romance and turmoil with a fabulous writing voice that's engaging and moves with a steady, fluid pace.

Kate, the heroine of The Goddess Test, was the perfect character for me. She had this vulnerability about her that made her relatable in her situation, but she was strong, too. She never lost her inner voice or her power, despite her struggles. The secondary characters like James and Ava, though slightly stereotypical as the nerdy best friend and the cynically-tongued friend, respectively, added a touch of humour to a fairly dark and twisty tale. Above all else though, Henry, was perfection. He added a subtle depth to The Goddess Test, rather quietly, through his dark demeanor and hidden agenda. There was much more to him than what originally meets the eye (tall, dark and handsome, of course.)

The Goddess Test was a fabulous debut. It's a whirlwind of twists and turns, and the intermix of Greek mythology was refreshing and interesting. I give it a firm 5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans who enjoy YA fiction, especially those who enjoy fantasy and paranormal stories, as well as Greek mythology.

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

Title: Dark Mirror
Author: M.J. Putney
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published: March 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Historical
Pages: 306
Source: Publisher

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

Tory has possessed magic her whole life, and she's fought to keep it hidden for the sake of her future and for the reputation of her family. Magic isn't a gift in her world, but rather a curse. Unwillingly forced to use it one day though, Tory is shunned to a school with others like herself where she will, hopefully, be taught to control it and learn to manage her powers so she can rejoin her family and rightful place in society. But Lackland Abbey is a whole new world of hidden doors, different times somehow within reach and world of possibilities Tory never thought possible. Should she look back, or is this her future now?

I have a bit of a penchant for histfic, and we all know that magic is a huge theme in the books I read - anything supernatural, really. Dark Mirror promised all of the above, and it most certainly didn't disappoint. Drawing me in with a tale of magic, time travel and powers beyond my imagination, Dark Mirror wove a new niche into a crammed paranormal genre. M.J. Putney created a story with a unique take on powers and blended them into a fast-paced plot full of action, twists and turns.

Dark Mirror, while definitely intriguing wasn't without its faults. Yes, it was fast-paced, but there were times when I felt it was too much so. The characters seemed to have an innate ability to do exactly what they needed/wanted to do with little or no resistance in a matter of pages. Colour me crazy, but while I like fast paced books, I also like fleshed out tension. It adds to the story. I also felt that the characters weren't too well-rounded. I "met" Tory, and I knew what drove her in a sense, but I never felt any deep emotion for her. All that said, I do like that the plot wrapped up nicely, giving closure and ending without a cliffhanger (halle-freakin-lujia). I also loved the time period - the descriptions and setting, in and of itself, was brilliant.

All in all, Dark Mirror was a fairly good read, and it was a nice start to a new series. I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy the supernatural, paranormal and historical fiction genres.

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

Title: Miles From Ordinary
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published: March 15, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 197
Source: Publisher

Thirteen-year-old Lacey wakes to a beautiful summer morning excited to begin her new job at the library, just as her mother is supposed to start work at the grocery store. Lacey hopes that her mother's ghosts have finally been laid to rest; after all, she seems so much better these days, and they really do need the money. But as the hours tick by and memories come flooding back, a day full of hope spins terrifyingly out of control....

Lacey is, on the outside, your everyday 14 year old girl. At home, however, she's the sole caregiver for her mother who is plagued every day by paranoia, delusions and bipolar tendencies. Lacey loves her mother more than anything in the world, but she relishes the time away from her mother - those little moments where she can be herself and be a teenager. She is excited for a summer full of the little joys in life. She wants sleepovers, trips to the library and an escape from her mother's delusions of her dead father visiting her...but dreams are hard to hold onto when reality is far from happy.

I've yet to read anything by the author, Carol Lynch Williams, but people have sung the praises of her other book, The Chosen One. The premise of Miles From Ordinary captured me, and despite being wary of a younger MC narrating the story, I was hopeful for the best. Carol Lynch Williams nailed Lacey's voice with a raw, insightful and powerful look into a young girl's mind as she tries to hold both her life and her mother's life together. Pieced together with stark and simple prose, a haunting background and a setting that sets a scene of its own, Miles From Ordinary is one of those stories that resonates real feeling from every page.

Lacey's story begins with a bang. Her nightmares are real, and her reality is somewhat of a nightmare, too, so Miles From Ordinary captured me from the get-go. Lacey, though young, had a distinct voice and take on her life situation. She's strong, but she has a vulnerability about her that makes the sadness of the story that much more tangible. Lacey's mother, Angela, had me hating her, pitying her and loving her all at the same time. Her illness was a character of sorts, as well, spinning the struggles into every bit of Lacey's story. Gripping and realistic, Lacey's struggle to find her mother, both literally and figuratively was captivating.

I have to admit, though I was excited for Miles From Ordinary, I was still worried that it would live up to the premise. However, it definitely exceeded all my expectations. I cried for Lacey and her mother, and I felt myself rooting for a happy ending the whole time. I give this book a firm 5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA and even adult fiction, especially those who enjoy contemporary stories.

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

Title: We'll Always Have Summer
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Published: April 26, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: S&S Galley Grab

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be.

And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

Belly is practically a grownup now, and her heart still remains torn between both Jeremiah and Conrad, though she's technically made her decision and gone with Jeremiah. She's in college, she's having the time her life, but something remains lingering in the back of her mind. When Jeremiah slips up, Belly is forced to re-examine her feelings, her emotions and the pieces of her heart that are divided between two great guys. Does she have the strength to make the decision once and for all?

We all know that contemps aren't really my thing, but I began this series a good while back with the first book, The Summer I Turned Pretty and It's Not Summer Without You. I remember being captivated by the love triangle even though they tend to aggravate me, and the writing was engaging throughout. Jenny Han has created a brilliant third book that's emotional and raw, alternating between breaking your heart and gluing the pieces back together again with a great story of love, friendship and growing up.

I have to admit that I felt this story wasn't quite as powerful as the previous two books - perhaps just because Belly is older now. She's in college and she has this whole new life going on. That said, Belly, Jeremiah and Conrad are as fabulous as ever. Their character traits are as strong as book one in We'll Always Have Summer, and I definitely read the fast-paced plot at a steady speed to figure out what happened in the end...and I have to say that, overall, I was pleased with the outcome.

In a sea of YA stories where we lose the characters and plot as the books progress, We'll Always Have Summer was a refreshing read. Sweet, heartfelt and powerful, I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to YA fans of the series, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and romance.

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

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: March 22, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 356
Source: Galley Grab

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.

Rhine is sixteen years old. In our world, it's the time of your life, made of sweet-sixteens and parties. In Rhine's world though, she's nearing the end of her life, and she only has four years left. Bought into an unwilling polygamous marriage, Rhine is fueled by the hope of escaping to her twin brother. But in this unfamiliar world of holograms, medicine and counted days, Rhine has found sisters in her sister wives, and it's getting harder and harder to escape. Can she escape in time, and will she find Rowan? And what happens to her husband, Linden, who genuinely cares for her, and what will become of Gabriel, the attendant she's come to care for?

Wither is most definitely a unique take on dystopian YA fiction. Lauren DeStefano has merged a strong protagonist, a bitter and crippled world and a fierce cast of characters into a powerful story of what happens when society tries and fails to play the hand of the Creator. DeStefano has a knack for descriptions, both beautiful and painful, making Wither into a story that's exhilarating, thrilling, heart-wrenching and strangely beautiful.

I'm a little bit torn on Wither overall though. Wither presents a great protagonist in Rhine. She has a clear, refreshing voice and a definite goal. I really loved her resolve. I also loved Jenna, the oldest of the three sister wives and, despite my resistance, I found myself really feeling for Cecily (a 13-year-old bride) and Linden, as well. I'm a little lost on Gabriel, Rhine's love interest though. I felt his character was a bit flat and one-sided. All I ever saw was the love interest. I never felt any depth. I also struggled with the world-building aspects at times. I get that one generation was perfect and lived a full lifespan, but I want to know what made the change in the next generations that started this epidemic of youth deaths. So, I felt the characters drove the novel, while the plot and world lagged at times.

Overall, Wither is a very strong and unique debut, and I'll definitely want to read the sequel, despite my reservations and lingering questions from Wither. I believe the positives outweighed the negatives in the end. I give it a high 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

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

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.
Taken from GoodReads.

The Mockingbirds is the story of teenage musician, Alex, who attends the prestigious and progressive Themis Academy. The boarding school is run on a sort of honor code with a hierarchy, giving the older students more privileges and allowing them more free time. However, when the free time backfires and Alex is date-raped, she has to decide whether to be the victim, or whether she wants justice. If she decides on the latter, she'll have to enlist the help of the Mockingbirds to bring her rapist to justice.

I've been dying to read The Mockingbirds for a while now, and I was so excited to get my paws on it and crack it open. In some ways, I was extremely pleased with it, but in other ways, I'm a bit on the fence. First, I must say that Daisy Whitney has an exceptional writing voice. Clear, concise, and fluid, she perfectly captures the conversational tone of the story, allowing the reader to move at a quick and steady pace. Furthermore, she has taken some very delicate subject matter (and a topic that many would shy away from) and made it into a story that's poignant, believable, and relevant.

I'll start with what I really enjoyed about The Mockingbirds. The story starts in the aftermath of the actual event, letting is quickly get into Alex's head. I was really pleased that the story got going right off, but I had a bit of a problem with the backstory muddled into the mix of the first three chapters, almost as if to just get it in there. I felt that pulled me out of the story, and that sucks. Once the story got going again for me though (around page 80), the pacing was steady and nice. My next issue was not so much with the book as it was with the punishment Alex's rapist received. In my own humble opinion, I don't think that it was harsh enough, and I was truly hoping that The Mockingbirds would impart a much more vengeful sort of justice, but colour me crazy.

In the end though, I think that The Mockingbirds is a brilliant story. Well-written, delicately balanced, and only a few flaws (in my opinion) scattered throughout, I think it's a story that needs to be read. I give The Mockingbirds a 3.5 out of 5, and I would recommend it to an upper YA audience due to sexual content and language, as well as adults, and fans of contemporary fiction.

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Alright, now for the three winners of the FOUR ARCs, generously provided by Hachette Book Group, random.org has chosen:

Ivy Hawthorn, Jan von Harz, and Deepali

Congratulations, ladies! You have 48 hours to send me an email to my address on my contact page, and I'll get your info off to the publisher. To those who didn't win this time - never fear! I'll be holding another international giveaway soon - a big one!