Title: Mortal Danger
Author: Ann Aguirre (Twitter)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: August 5, 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind...

I've been pondering on how to review this one for several days now, mostly because we all know how much I enjoy the dark and twisty stories. Mortal Danger, however, presents a unique twist onto such stories adding a very intriguing, if a bit vague, paranormal element to the mix. Author, Ann Aguirre, gives readers a lot more than they necessarily have bargained for. Giving readers a heavy-handed dose of high school reality with a chance not to just get angry - but to get even - it's the type of story that you want to get on board for…but you want to be careful not to lose yourself in the vengeance, as well.

Edie was a fantastic character from the start for me. I felt that her pain, her despair and her inner turmoil were extremely real and tangible. It was so real, in fact, that I admired the fact that she was still able to think somewhat coherently because such smothering anger and distress can be all-consuming. Yet, underneath it all, we were still able to see how incredibly intelligent and logical she was, and that was by far her most redeeming character trait. Edie knows that Kian's offer can't be as simple as it sounds, and she understands that there are consequences. For a girl at the end of her rope to logically process and accept that definitely helped me become further invested in her plight, simply because she wasn't the oblivious and blind heroine.

Kian, on the other hand, remains a bit of an enigma to me long after closing the last page of the book. On the surface, I can tell you that he's handsome - dangerously so - and he has a sort of stoic power that resonates from the page. There's a sinister sort of power lurking in the background of his being that made it inherently difficult to trust him, though it's clear that he's allied with Edie. However, Mortal Danger is careful never to reveal too much, and we don't really understand the driving force(s) behind him, the deal and the actions that Edie is going to go through.

In terms of the plot, I'll be honest and say that I thought this was going to be a pretty straightforward revenge novel. The synopsis, as well as the title, imply that the underlying theme of Mortal Danger is the actual act of revenge that Edie will be seeking. I was surprised to find that there was a new sort of depth to the plot though, which offered us more than a cut-and-dried approach to one intelligent teen girl seeking to right the wrongs previously done to her. And, in the end, that really won me over. While, yes, we're privy to elements of revenge, we instead watch in awe as Edie manages to regain power and composure through the novel and, if anything, that's the best revenge I could have imagined for a first installment in a series like this.

Overall, despite the fact that I'd hoped to learn more about the driving powers behind Kian and Edie's pact, I have to say that this book thoroughly entertained and captivated me. It's the type of novel that offers us a surprising amount of depth when we don't necessarily expect it. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who like paranormal stories.

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: Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend
Author: Katie Finn (Twitter)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: May 13, 2014
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

Gemma just got dumped and is devastated. She finds herself back in the Hamptons for the summer—which puts her at risk of bumping into Hallie, her former best friend that she wronged five years earlier. Do people hold grudges that long?

When a small case of mistaken identity causes everyone, including Hallie and her dreamy brother Josh, to think she’s someone else, Gemma decides to go along with it.

Gemma's plan is working (she's finding it hard to resist Josh), but she's finding herself in embarrassing situations (how could a bathing suit fall apart like that!?). Is it coincidence or is someone trying to expose her true identity? And how will Josh react if he finds out who she is?

Lately I've felt myself craving those fun, flirty and escapist summertime reads of my youth, so when I first heart of Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend, you'd better believe it fill the bill in its entirety. Chock full of mistakes, errors in judgment, teenage drama, young love, mixed identities and a whole assortment of wayward problems, it's the type of novel that transcends your typical summertime story. With twists and turns abounding, Katie Finn delivers a novel that's far more than the cover implies - and gets you invested from the start.

I'll admit that I thought this book was going to be a simple cakewalk tale of teenage love changing and evolving, but it turned out to be far more than I'd anticipated. Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend gave me all the bits of fluff that I wanted, while also providing me with a transformative type of tale in which I was able to actually journey with Gemma, our protagonist, as she spends her summer trying to change past wrongdoings. Gemma was a bit of a double-edged sword for me though. She wasn't the most intelligent character, and she often read as shallow and petty. She was blind to much of the obvious, and it made my first impression of her a bit sour.

That said, Gemma slowly but surely begins to face the music and understand the realities of life, as well as the past errors of her ways, which was fun to watch. Once at the Hamptons, we learn exactly how Gemma used to treat her past best friend, Hallie, as well as why she ended their friendship with juvenile cruelty. Gemma, though a nice (and fairly oblivious person), was a lot meaner in her youth, and learning why and how she changed definitely helped me to forge a stronger opinion of both her character and her actions.

The twists and turns within Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend were not all that earth-shattering - broken bathing suits, babysitting nightmares, cases of food poisoning and more, but they worked for a lighter summertime tale. Gemma, though hiding her true identity from Hallie as Sophie, needed these events to uncover the truth about Hallie, the truth about her past and reconcile with all the changes in her life. Adding a hint of romance with Josh, who I'll readily confess was the highlight of the story for me, it's the type of book that you can read in one sitting. Ms. Finn has a fun, engaging voice and a writing style that will have you whipping through the pages in no time.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend. Though not the deepest of stories, I found it quite entertaining, and I was surprised to see that it's the first book in a series (and yes, there's a worthy cliffhanger here, kids). I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and summer stories.

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: Hungry
Author: H.A. Swain
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: June 3, 2014
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher

In the future, food is no longer necessary—until Thalia begins to feel something unfamiliar and uncomfortable. She’s hungry.

In Thalia’s world, there is no need for food—everyone takes medication (or “inocs”) to ward off hunger. It should mean there is no more famine, no more obesity, no more food-related illnesses, and no more war. At least that's what her parents, who work for the company that developed the inocs, say. But when Thalia meets a boy who is part of an underground movement to bring food back, she realizes that most people live a life much different from hers. Worse, Thalia is starting to feel hunger, and so is he—the inocs aren’t working. Together they set out to find the only thing that will quell their hunger: real food.

In a genre that seems to have become a dime a dozen, it's simple to acknowledge the fact that Hungry stands out from the crowd. It's an intriguing concept to explore in a dystopian novel - a world without food and a government that holds a significant monopoly over all engineered sustenance that the population requires to survive. It's the type of book that will, without a doubt, hold a very captive audience, all the while creating a debate over whether or not a future this broken and irreparably damaged is actually something that could come about. 

I'll admit right off, however, that I'm on the fence about Hungry. I can fully appreciate the risks the author took to create a new and intriguing story, but I also had some inherent plausibility issues with the novel, as well. First and foremost, there is a physiological difference between hunger and nourishment, which I believe is rather forgotten in this novel. Hunger is a feeling, while malnourishment is what would actually come about if society was truly using their medication, or "inocs" to ward of hunger. Hunger is merely a symptom of the real source of the problem, so if the society was simply warding off hunger, I'm not sure it is ever addressded how the society actually receives adequate nourishment so they don't starve to death or eat each other. 

Hungry also features a rather prominent case of insta-love, which I'm fairly used to at this point, but nevertheless found disappointing. Our main character, Thalia Apple has this grumbling in her stomach, and she finds Basil, who is exhibiting all the same symptoms. Basil has created a method of smelling what food used to taste like, and the two bond over this unique hunger pang that nobody else seems to have. It was an instantaneous sort of connection though, and set in a backdrop of a world that's almost entirely virtual, having two flesh and blood characters embrace a virtual reality to find the root cause of their stomach pain just felt forced. I think, had we been given a richer back story of both of our main characters, I might have rooted for them more - or at least been more interested in their story. Instead, I felt as though their personas felt flat, and their love was less than soaring.

I did enjoy how very no-holds-barred Hungry was in terms of corporate greed. Instead of giving us an idea of who might be the bad guy, author, H.A. Swain shows us right out that One World has dominated the entire government and all the citizens of the world, forcing them into submission with their various drugs to ward off hunger, stave off starvation and hold them in their sway. It was an illustration of greed in its finest, and I was definitely rooting for their ultimate demise in the end. That said, it must be called out that I felt there were a few plot holes in terms of how One World actually managed to subdue generations before Thalia and Basil (namely her grandparents), forcing them into this virtual world in which they live. It felt a bit heavy-handed and forced, and I wish it was something that had been further explored.

In the end, I finished Hungry in a couple of days, but I closed the book feeling rather unsatisfied. Though an interesting premise, I think the execution was lacking in several key areas, and I think that it's a premise that needs to be researched - and conveyed - in a much more believable manner for me to truly become invested in this broken world. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it for those who enjoy YA, especially those looking for a different sort of dystopian novel.

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.

I was going to post my regular top ten post this week, but I realized I've actually posted on the same prompt multiple times. So, what to do? Another review, or...and then I remembered. There is something I just had to post about because it really inspired me.

About a week ago, I was approached by the lovely folks over at Macmillan to explore their new site, Swoon Reads, which was touted as the perfect place for aspiring writers to pitch their finished manuscripts, as well as for readers to fall in love with and decide what the next big thing in literature really is. Being book bloggers, I'm sure you're all squeeing about as much as I did when I discovered just what Swoon Reads has to offer. 

So, what's all the fuss about, you ask? Well, I think it's pretty obvious to the bookish world that books, literature and reading is constantly shifting towards bigger and brighter things. As social media takes a hold on our generation, it seems as though the possibilities are fairly limitless for the world of published, so enter Swoon Reads. What is it? It's simple...

"Swoon Reads is dedicated to publishing books that capture the intensity of teen love. More than an imprint, Swoon Reads is a community – one whose members are included in every step of the publishing process. We open the doors for writers and readers to discover the best, most Swoon-worthy teen romance novels and make their voices heard. Together, we publish love stories you will want to read over and over again." (quote via)

This means that we, the readers, have the opportunity to read unpublished talent, vote on what we believe is the most swoon-worthy and, essentially, decide the next big thing to be published! Even better, for authors out there, this is a golden opportunity. Those authors who score the most votes in both the community and the publishing board will land a coveted contract with Macmillan, a hefty advance and the chance to be published in both print and e-book formats. I can tell you this: when I finally grow a backbone, I'll be submitting my labour of love, RACE, to Swoon Reads, and I sure hope it hits the jackpot! 

Have any of you visited Swoon yet, and if you have, what are your thoughts on this fantastic new site (and imprint)? Writers...do you think you'll try your hand at submitting via Swoon Reads? Why or why not? 

If you haven't visited Swoon Reads yet, what are you waiting for?! Check it out today! 

Title: Of Poseidon

Author: Anna Banks (Twitter)

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publish Date: May 22, 2012

Genre: YA, Paranormal

Pages: 326

Source: Publisher

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Emma has a power, and she doesn't even know it. Galen has been searching for the girl who can speak with fish, and when he has a chance encounter with Emma, suddenly their lives are on a collision course. While Emma is content to enjoy a leisurely vacation by the beach, while Galen is on a mission. He needs to find her and, coincidentally enough, he does. But nothing is quite that simple, and there are more than a few things that the two have to conquer together before Emma's life changes forever and Galen gets what he's been searching for. 

I'm typically a bit wary of mermaid stories these days because, in the past, they've been very hit and miss for me. Some succeed, while others miss the mark by a long shot. Of Poseidon was one of the few that actually really rang true for me, and I ended up absolutely loving it. Anna Banks has accomplished quite the literary feat with this novel, as well. Offering us both a female and a male MC with complex voices and alternating chapter viewpoints and tenses, Of Poseidon tackles this risk with ease, sweeping us into the underwater world of Syrena where nothing is what we expected and everything is new.

Emma's character hooked me from the start with her startlingly honest inner monologue in which we get such a clear view of her persona. She steers us through the world of Of Poseidon with such charisma and wit and, despite her overwhelming clumsiness, she's intelligent, thoughtful and really engaging. Galen, too, got me hook, line and sinker (pun intended). He's sweet and naive, and his ability to make mistakes with simple human interactions made him a lot more personable, and it made the developing connection between the two characters incredibly tangible and believable. The characters definitely drive this story and, as they begin to interact more and more, we begin to see why Galen needed Emma so desperately in the first place. The only thing that I felt was a bit lacking was more in depth descriptions of Syrena. I wanted to understand their customs more, and I really wanted to have that added layer interspersed through Emma and Galen's points of view. I also thought the conclusion was a tad rushed, but it definitely left me wanting more, so I can't fault it too strongly.

Overall, I really enjoyed Of Poseidon. I thought it was a great new addition to the world of fantasy and mermaids. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy fantasy, paranormal and a touch of sweet romance.

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: Safekeeping
Author: Karen Hesse
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

Radley just wants to get home to her parents in Vermont. While she was volunteering abroad, the American People's Party took power; the new president was assassinated; and the government cracked down on citizens. Travel restrictions are worse than ever, and when her plane finally lands in New Hampshire, Radley’s parents aren’t there.

Exhausted; her phone dead; her credit cards worthless: Radley starts walking.

Radley's life is in upheaval, to say the very least. She returns home from volunteering overseas because she's concerned for her parents' safety in the new American regime, but when she does, her family is nowhere to be found. Everything has changed while Radley was gone and, following the collapse of the American government, Radley is forced to navigate life alone. But where should she go? She has nothing. She has no one, and her only option is to just keep walking until she finds shelter. 

I didn't hear much about Safekeeping before I received it for review, and frankly, I thought it was going to be a contemporary novel based on the cover alone. However, I was pleasantly surprised upon reading the synopsis to hear that this was actually a dystopian novel. Author, Karen Hesse, has taken a new approach toward the time-tested dystopian genre. Rather than simply giving us a world ravaged by death, famine and disease, she's given us a very realistic take on what could possibly happen should our government fold in the future. Weaving a textured novel with stark contrasts and brutal simplicity, Safekeeping give us so much more than a sheltered, protected take on a broken future world.

For a while now, I've been a bit burned out on the dystopian genre in general. I felt that something that was once so promising was becoming littered with cliche love stories, unrealistic takes on future worlds and, frankly, watered down versions of what the genre was meant to be. I didn't expect much from Safekeeping because of that and partially because many, many reviews state that that is exactly what the novel did. I have to say, however, that the book pleasantly surprised me in the best possible way. Radley, as a main character, was believable. Rather than being fueled by angst and unrequited love, she was fueled by the desire to reunite with her family and regain a sense of stability. She wanders, lost and alone, until she finds Celia and her dog, Jerry Lee. The two travel together through this barren wasteland of a once-prosperous nation to find peace, safety and comfort together. I can see where a lot of the dystopian critiques come in. People are used to vivid images of blood and violence. Readers have come to expect a looming and faceless entity forcing people into ravaged submission. Safekeeping, however, wanders into a realm of silent tension. It's more thoughtful than horrible, and the lurking tension from the underbelly of the broken America simmers lightly below the surface, fueling the story along. Honestly, the devil is in the shadows of this novel, and while it might not ultimately display the dystopian nature on the surface, it's definitely there.

Personally, I found Safekeeping to be a refreshing take on the genre. It was so different though, that I can understand where the meaning and purpose might have been lost. Despite feeling a bit hurried and, at times, overly introspective, I think there is a definite beauty to this book. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to YA audiences, especially those who enjoy fresh dystopian reads.

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.

I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of this bad boy at BEA, then (by chance) received a second copy in the mail, which means that someone lucky is going to have an ARC for themselves! Up for grabs is the following: 

Title: Eve & Adam
Author: Michael Grant & Katherine Applegate
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: October 2, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi

Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible.

While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and Emma-Rose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely.

Here are the rules:

You MUST follow this blog in order to enter. This giveaway is open internationally and well end promptly at midnight EST on July 1, 2012 at which point the winner will be selected by Random.org and notified via email. Still interested? Just fill out the form!

Click HERE to enter!

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: The Raft
Author: S.A. Bodeen (Blog)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: August 21, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 231

Robie, 15, lives with her family on the Midway atoll, a group of islands in the middle of the Pacific. Her parents are scientists; it’s an isolated life. Robie enjoys visiting her aunt in Hawaii – she gets back and forth on a cargo plane that brings supplies to Midway.

During a visit, her aunt is called to the mainland for a work emergency, leaving Robie to get home on her own. On her flight back to Midway the cargo plane hits nasty weather, and goes down. It’s just Robie, the pilot, and Max, a co-pilot she’s never met till this flight, on board. Robie is pulled aboard a raft by Max, who is injured and slipping in and out of consciousness.

They have a bag of candy and very little water between them. When they finally reach an island that seems abandoned, Robie hopes they’ll be found quickly. But she’s not sure she was even on the flight manifest. Her parents must be looking for her…aren’t they?

I actually snagged a coveted copy of this bad boy, and I was immediately sold on the insanely/eerily awesome cover. Seriously, if that's not foreboding, than the synopsis of The Raft pretty much sums it up. I haven't read too much thriller-esque contemps as of late, and this seems to have a touch of LOST and a whole lot of awesome. Needless to say, I can't wait to start it! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

FIRST OF ALL...I am so so so so SO sorry for the sudden hiatus this past week. Some of you may have known, but I recently to the greater Boston area for my new job, and I was renting from a lady whom we all trusted. Well, this lady decided not to pay her mortgage on the place I was renting from her, so the place is under foreclosure. Needless to say, it threw a wrench in my plans. Things are falling into place now, and my lease is being upheld by the bank (thank God), but I needed this hiatus to figure it all out. SO, my point is, I'm back! :)

--------------------------------------

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth (ARC) - Thank you, Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

All These Lives by Sarah Wylie (ARC) - Thank you, Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (ARC) - Thank you, Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

Before You Go by James Preller (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell (ARC) - Thank you, PYR

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW

Various Positions by Martha Schabas (ARC) - Thank you, FSG

When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen (ARC) - Thank you, FSG

FOR REVIEW

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler - Thank you, Sourcebooks Fire

Life Is But a Dream by Brian James (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

FOR REVIEW

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

Legacy by Molly Cochran (ARC) - Thank you, Simon & Schuster BYR

FOR REVIEW

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting (ARC) - Thank you, Simon & Schuster BYR

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (ARC - 2nd Copy) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

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: Life Is But a Dream
Author: Brian James
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: March 27, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 240

Alec and Sabrina are crazy in love. Problem is: Sabrina’s really crazy.

Sabrina, an artist, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents check her into the Wellness Center. There she meets Alec, who is convinced it's the world that's crazy, not the two of them. They are meant to be together; they are special. But when Alec starts to convince Sabrina that her treatment will wipe out everything that makes her creative, she worries that she'll lose hold of her dreams and herself. Should she listen to her doctor? Her decision may have fatal consequences.

I love challenging myself with my reads, and while contemporary still is a bit of a hit or miss for me, I'm always sold on issue books. I've never read one with such a young MC having a mental illness, and that's a huge part of why Life Is But a Dream appeals to me. Well, that...and have you seen the cover? LOVE. Absolute love. In all honesty though, if this is done half as well as the synopsis implies, I think we're in for an emotional rollercoaster, which I can't wait for! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Title: Angel in My Pocket
Author: Ilene Cooper
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: March 15, 2011
Genre: MG, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

When Bette finds an angel coin among the money collected in a carwash, she puts it in her pocket and forgets about it. But things start to change, especially once Gabby, a mysterious and kind new neighbor, moves into Bette’s Chicago building.

Suddenly, Bette is able to face some big losses—her mother’s recent death; her sister’s departure for college—and move forward. And once the angel coin falls into the hands of three other kids in Bette’s class, their lives change, too. Soon, these two girls and two boys will be connected in ways that open them up to unlikely friendships and new ways to believe in themselves. Here is an entirely new twist on the angel trend.

Bette is lost. Since her mother’s death, she’s lost her will to sing, and she feels like she’s in a long tunnel in the dark with no true way out. Then one day, Bette remembers the unique coin she once found with an angel on it, and she sees a little light in her life again. Things begin to turn around and her life starts getting back on track. Then, we meet Joe, an angry classmate who steals her coin, and his luck begins to change, too. The cycle continues and it becomes apparent that the coin is connecting them in some sweet, magical way, and they’re finding their way back to their futures.

I don’t read too many middle-grade novels because the voices are usually too plain or too dumbed down at my age. However, when I read the premise of Angel in My Pocket, I was intrigued by the sweet and simplistic nature of the story. Ilene Cooper has created the perfect MG voice in Bette and presented four great characters that are honest and heartfelt throughout the story. Enriched with an overall theme of finding oneself, believing in the power to change and the possibility of luck, magic and friendship, Angel in My Pocket is a light, sweet and gentle but powerful read.

What really resonated with Angel in My Pocket was the undercurrent of morals and consistent, steady theme of inner strength. Bette, though a bit younger than most of the characters I read, was a great MC with a fully developed voice and story line. She had me rooting for her throughout. Even Joe, snide and unhappy, had me cheering him on. Gabby, Bette’s kind neighbor, was also powerful, and added depth and intrigue to the story. I don’t feel like I got to know Vivi or Andy, the fraternal twins, as well as the other characters, but I’m sure they’ll still resonate for other readers. I do believe it’s a strong, character and theme-driven book, as they fuel the plot.

All in all, Angel in My Pocket is a bright and positive read for all ages – even those who don’t normally read middle grade fiction. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of lower YA or Middle Grade fiction, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction with strong morals and themes.

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.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW

Summer (Beautiful Dead #3) by Eden Maguire

(ARC) - (Thank you, Hodder Children's)

Six months have passed since the last Ellerton teenager died, but Darina is still traumatized by the stabbing of her own beloved Phoenix. But there's work to be done as Darina must now turn her attention to the shooting of Summer Madison - the beautiful and gifted, singer-song-writer with a heart of gold. It's been nearly a year since the random shooting in a shopping mall caused Summer's meaningless death. Summer left behind recordings of her wonderful songs and a deep sadness amongst high school friends. 

FOR REVIEW

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

(ARC) - (Thank you, St. Martin's Griffin)

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. 

FOR REVIEW

Angel in My Pocket by Ilene Cooper

(ARC) - (Thank you, Feiwel & Friends)

When Bette finds an angel coin among the money collected in a carwash, she puts it in her pocket and forgets about it. But things start to change, especially once Gabby, a mysterious and kind new neighbor, moves into Bette’s Chicago building. Suddenly, Bette is able to face some big losses—her mother’s recent death; her sister’s departure for college—and move forward. And once the angel coin falls into the hands of three other kids in Bette’s class, their lives change, too. Soon, these two girls and two boys will be connected.

WON

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

(Thank you, Elodie!)

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. 

-------------------------------

I had a great week in books this week...even if someone did drive through the wall of my post office and right through my PO Box. Anyhoo, leave me a link to your mailboxes, and I'll be sure to check them out!

Title: The Girl Who Became a Beatle
Author: Greg Taylor
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: January 4, 2011
Genre: YA
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

When Regina Bloomsbury’s band, the Caverns, breaks up, she thinks it’s all over. And then she makes a wish— “I wish I could be as famous as the Beatles.”

The Beatles are her music idols. The next day, she gets up to find that the Caverns are not just as famous as the Beatles, they have replaced them in history! Regina is living like a rock star, and loving it. There are talk shows, music videos, and live concerts with thousands of screaming fans. And Regina is the star of it all.

But fame is getting the better of Regina, and she has a decision to make. Does she want to replace the Beatles forever?

The Girl Who Became a Beatle follows the story of teenage Regina Bloomsbury. Above all else, Regina is a musician, and when her band, The Caverns, breaks up, she’s devastated. On a whim, Regina makes a wish…wishing that The Caverns could have been as famous as the Beatles. She didn’t count on having a fairy godmother there to grant her wish. The Caverns are suddenly more famous than the Beatles ever were. In fact, the Caverns replaced the Beatles in history, and Regina is thrust into a world of rock and roll, fame, and fortune. But it comes with a price, and Regina has let it go to her head. She has a chocice to make. Does Regina want the Caverns to replace the Beatles forever?

I remember seeing the title for The Girl Who Became a Beatle a while back, but I usually avoid contemps, so I didn’t really pay it any mind. I figured I’d wait for the reviews and give it a go later, based on people’s thoughts. Despite my reservations, The Girl Who Became a Beatle was actually really fun for what it was. Greg Taylor has a fluid, easy-to-read writing style and voice. His prose is simple but sweet, the plot is easy to follow, and he doesn’t convolute the plot points with excessive descriptions that might otherwise cloud the story. The Girl Who Became a Beatle is a fast-paced journey into a life of fame, fortune and excess, showing you the fun, but portraying the pitfalls, too.

I really didn’t have too many qualms with The Girl Who Became the Beatle. Regina, though a bit juvenile for my reading tastes, was a pretty good MC. She transforms from a selfish, egotistical child into a young adult, and the transformation is fun to see. The side characters are good, though perhaps a bit flat – it took me a while to connect with Regina’s father and Julian. Something about him just seemed a bit bland. The plot moved quickly, though I will say that I was lost on a lot of the Beatles references. I know the basics in terms of the Beatles, but that’s about it. The only other thing I would point out if I’m being nit-picky (which I am) is that there is a LOT of dialogue in this book – far more dialogue than descriptions. This was a bit overbearing at times, if you know what I mean.

All in all, The Girl Who Became a Beatle is a cute, fun, and quirky read. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it YA and MG fans who enjoy contemporary fiction and fantasy, especially those who like the Beatles and music, in general.

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.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

The Girl Who Became a Beatle - (ARC - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends) - When Regina Bloomsbury’s band, the Caverns, breaks up, she thinks it’s all over. And then she makes a wish— “I wish I could be as famous as the Beatles.” The Beatles are her music idols. The next day, she gets up to find that the Caverns are not just as famous as the Beatles, they have replaced them in history! Regina is living like a rock star, and loving it. There are talk shows, music videos, and live concerts with thousands of screaming fans. And Regina is the star of it all. But fame is getting the better of Regina, and she has a decision to make. Does she want to replace the Beatles forever?

Dark Goddess - (ARC - Thank you, Eating YA Books) - Billi's back, and it seems like the Unholy just can't take a hint. Still reeling from the death of her best friend, Kay, Billi's thrust back into action when the Templars are called to investigate werewolf activity. And these werewolves are like nothing Bilil's seen before. They call themselves the Polenitsy - Man Killers. The ancient warrior women of Eastern Europe, supposedly wiped out centuries ago. But now they're out of hiding and on the hunt for a Spring Child -- an Oracle powerful enough to blow the volcano at Yellowstone -- precipitating a Fimbulwinter that will wipe out humankind for good.

---------------------------------

Happy New Year to all of my amazing friends! Please leave me a link to your mailboxes, and I'll be sure to check them out!