Title: Where Silence Gathers
Author: Kelsey Sutton (Twitter)
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: July 8, 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 360
Source: Publisher

Seventeen-year-old Alexandra Tate sits outside Nate Foster's house, clutching a gun. After serving ten years for the drunk driving accident that killed Alex's family, Nate has been released from prison. Every night, Alex waits out of sight, building up the courage to exact her own justice. There's just one problem: Forgiveness.

Alex has been able to see personified Emotions for as long as she can remember, and Revenge is her best friend. But when Forgiveness suddenly appears, he offers Alex a choice—getting even or moving on. It's impossible to decide when Revenge whispers in one ear . . . and Forgiveness whispers in the other.

After being significantly charmed and enamored by Some Quiet Place in 2013, I knew that I needed to get my hands on Where Silence Gathers, if only to see that winning formula in action yet again. There was a beauty to the first novel in that it broke the mold for me by offering up a premise that was different, alluring and slightly unnerving. There is something epically fascinating about the concept of being able to actually see and visually recognize emotions in a more tangible manner than we normally experience them. And, as such, Kelsey Sutton brings something new to the paranormal genre; something imaginative, creative and just a little bit scary.

From the start, I felt back at home with Ms. Sutton's writing style. She has a fluid, almost languid way of writing that's both easy and eloquent at the same time, giving readers the very best of both worlds. If for no other reason than that, Where Silence Gathers is worth a read. What struck me with this novel though was how poetic the story got with its emotions. It seemed as though she struck her characters down to the core, making them come alive through tragedy and it's in this raw, vulnerable form that we are truly able to see who and what these people, emotions and characters really are - bare and open for all to see.

Where Silence Gathers was tricky for me in some aspects though, too. I struggled very much with Alex's character from the start. She's been broken and battered by the horrors that her family and she had to endure, but there's a selfish, angry and resentful side to her that left a bitter taste in my mouth. Though believable, I wanted to slap her at times and tell her to just grow up and understand that vengeance wouldn't make everything better. At the same time though, it's through this shattered state that we see her find her way from Revenge to Forgiveness. And, as these are both personified emotions, we do sort of enter that dreaded love triangle - though we see it through new eyes, as these are their base forms, which is far more powerful.

As a companion novel to the first powerful installment, in many ways, Where Silence Gathers soars. However, I found myself longing for the character, Fear, of the previous novel. Though Fear appears from time to time through the novel, he contributed a powerful magic to the first book that neither Forgiveness nor Revenge fully embodied. I will say though, that this book stood out because of the difference in the protagonists. In the former novel, Elizabeth didn't feel anything. In this novel, we see and experience as Alex feels far too much. Reading and understanding this vast and powerful difference is what made this story really work for me and won me over in the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed Where Silence Gathers, though it's definitely different than its predecessor. I enjoy that both novels can stand on their own, and it's clear that Ms. Sutton has a truly powerful gift for storytelling and complexity that I will seek time and time again. I give this book a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it for all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal novels.

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: The Violet Hour
Author: Whitney A. Miller (Twitter)
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: March 8, 2014
Genre: YA, Horror, Sci-Fi
Page: 312
Source: Author

The voice inside me is breaking free. I can't stop it. Some call VisionCrest the pinnacle of religious enlightenment. Others call it a powerful cult. For seventeen years, Harlow Wintergreen has called it her life.

As the daughter of VisionCrest's patriarch, Harlow is expected to be perfect at all times. She must be considered a paragon of integrity by the other Ministry teens and a future leader in the eyes of the world.

Despite the constant scrutiny Harlow is keeping a dark and dangerous secret, even from her best friend and the boy she loves. She hears a voice in her head that seems to have a mind of its own, plaguing her with violent and bloody visions. It commands her to kill. And the urge to obey is getting harder and harder to control....

Horror is the type of genre that readers often either love, or they hate. There tends to be little to no middle ground on the matter, which can be frustrating for both readers and writers of the genre, if I'm correct. Yet, when an author embraces the genre and all its complexities with an open heart and an open mind, there is a strong possibility that the novel can transcend those stereotypes and give us something more than we might have anticipated. The Violet Hour by Whitney Miller presents this case in a nutshell. With a story that's vivid in its darkness, we're welcomed into a world that's deceiving, sinister and nearly impossible to escape. 

I have to admit that with little to no hype surrounding The Violet Hour at all, I was wary when I started this novel. Though the premise is entirely my cup of tea, with horror, we always run the risk of reading a novel that becomes a bit trite and cliche. I was, however, extremely pleased with the setup that Ms. Miller offered her readers. With themes and settings within a cult, we're automatically whisked into a world that's darker and more mysterious than our own. The mysteries, however, stem from the delusions created by the cult mentality which, in all their darkness, are rich and fascinating, even as we're certain of their darkness and hidden agendas.

The Violet Hour gives us a taste of many things without inundating us with just one. Instead of bottle-necking itself into the horror genre alone, we're given a mix of elements including science-fiction and light teen romance that add a depth to an already multifaceted story. Harlow was an intriguing character to follow. On the surface, she seemed a bit schizophrenic, plagued by bloody visions that nobody else could hear or see. The fact that these voices and visions are driving her to kill, too, make her a character that is both easy to love and terrifying to love. On the one hand, we pity her situation. On the other hand, however, we fear the moment her psyche folds under the pressure of holding up her public persona at all times.

The novel starts out slower than I might have hoped, as Ms. Miller offers us a full setup, which I'll admit I was thankful for in the end. However, rather than interspersing the details throughout the meat of the novel, we're given a full account and backstory that makes the beginning of the novel a bit of a slower pace. However, once The Violet Hour gets going, we're whisked into a world that's as haunting as it is tangible. The book doesn't shy away from violence and other horror elements. It embraces them and allows the blood to spill over onto the pages, terrifying and real. It's the type of book that you can't put down - both for fear of not knowing what's going to happen next...and knowing what might.

Overall, I was quite surprised by both the originality and complexity of The Violet Hour. The novel isn't without flaws, but it's entertaining in the most gruesome and powerful way, as well. Written with a great, fresh prose, it's a book that will grow on fans of the genre and, likely, beyond. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy horror, science-fiction and cult stories.

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

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Title: Sometimes Never, Sometimes Always
Author: Elissa Janine Hoole (Twitter)
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: November 8, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 360
Source: Publisher

Cassandra fears rocking the family boat. Instead, she sinks it. Assigned by her English teacher to write a poem that reveals her true self, Cassandra Randall is stuck. Her family's religion is so overbearing, she can NEVER write about who she truly is. So Cass does what any self-respecting high school girl would do: she secretly begins writing a tarot-inspired advice blog.

When Drew Godfrey, an awkward outcast with unwashed hair, writes to her, the situation spirals into what the school calls "a cyberbullying crisis" and what the church calls "sorcery." Cass wants to be the kind of person who sticks up for the persecuted, who protects the victims the way she tries to protect her brother from the homophobes in her church. But what if she's just another bully? What will it take for her to step up and tell the truth?

Cassandra colours within the lines. She plays by the rules and does as she's told by her family and her religion, but she knows it's not her. It doesn't make her feel whole, or complete, or normal. Honestly though, Cass isn't sure who she really is, and she doesn't know how to discover that but by professing her innermost feelings on a blog. But the blog opens a Pandora's box in which everything is taken out of context and Cassandra is more confused than ever. Who is she really, and how will she tell the world - and her family - that it's time to meet the real Cassandra?

In a novel that redefines what it means to tackle issues head-on, Sometimes Never, Sometimes Always grapples with hard-hitting topics that have defined a generation. Author, Elissa Janine Hoole, presents to readers a sympathetic character who wants desperately to fit in but doesn't know her place or how to define it. Surrounded by issues including fundamentalist religions, cyber-bullying, homophobia and more, the novel challenges readers to zero on those issues which they've encountered in real life and relate them back to the story.

This is a tedious review for me to write because a part of me likes what the author set out to accomplish with this Sometimes Never, Sometimes Always. There is another part of me, however, that feels incredibly burdened by the cumbersome and somewhat overbearing details throughout the story. The beauty of the book lies within the fact that we're given characters with whom we can empathize and those who we desire to see change and succeed. And, when you break the plot down to its most minute elements, it works, and it's well planned out. The writing is solid, and the storyline is one which I was most intrigued about. Unfortunately, however, my enjoyment in reading the story was overshadowed by extreme excesses. In most novels, we'd see one main issue tackled - say, cyber-bullying. In this book, however, we're thrust into utter chaos with multiple issues including but not limited to religious zealots and extreme prejudices. It honestly felt like there was so much happening at all times that I never really got to see Cassandra develop and transition from the immature girl at the start to the empowered young lady at the finish. And, because there was so much going on at once, I never felt as though I could focus on just one main issue at a time. At times, the novel comes this close to succeeding in imparting a theme in our minds, but then it transitions at lightning speed, and we're onto the next issue. Essentially, it was a case of less really is more.

Overall, Sometimes Never, Sometimes Always has all the makings of a successful novel, but it fell a bit short of my expectations and left me wondering why it didn't tackle one issue on its own. I give it a decent 3 out of 5, and I 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: Insomnia
Author: J.R. Johansson (Twitter)
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: June 8, 2013
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Thriller
Pages: 360
Source: Publisher

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Parker hasn't slept in four years. In that time, he finds that everything around him is becoming more and more unbearable. Instead of sleeping at night, Parker unwillingly slips into the dreams of those with whom he makes eye contact during the day. It's a deadly and painful condition in which he loses all control becoming crushed by the weight of others' lives each night. But when Parker meets Mia and discovers an antidote to this disease that is slowly killing him, he wants...and needs to be around her. Unfortunately, somebody else has their eye on Mia, and suspicions are eventually bound to turn right back around to Parker.

It's always refreshing when a book comes onto the scene with something new to offer, and Insomnia promised to do that exactly. Offering a male main character with a crippling power that, while not altogether new in the realm of YA paranormal, definitely sets itself apart, we're given a new twist on thrilling and mysterious adventures. J.R. Johansson has crafted an edge-of-your-seat, suspense-filled novel filled with twists and turns that are sure to keep you guessing. Insomnia is one of those books that might just keep you awake for days.

There was a lot about Insomnia that I found quite refreshing. In large part, I thought that Parker was a believable and relatable main character. His agony and desperation to sleep was tangible, and you could definitely feel his frustration with his inability to share this condition with anyone else. Because this was so thoroughly explored, his fascination with Mia was entirely plausible, though I'll admit it was still bordering on psychotic. That, in a nutshell, is why I enjoyed the premise of Insomnia. There's a touch of psychosis to this novel, and you need to sift through the layers of stress, damage and trauma to expose who these characters, namely Parker, really are. I will say that I felt Mia was a bit too much of a flat character. Because I felt like I never really got to know her, the hints of romance felt a bit stereotypical and forced to me, which detracted from the overall message of Insomnia. However, the strength of the book is honestly the no-holds-barred take on the creepy elements, and it lets them sing through the pages, leaving you with an intimidating and, at times, daunting mystery from which we must emerge.

All in all, I felt that Insomnia was a good start to a new series. While the ending felt a bit hurried, in my humble opinion, it was a pretty strong read with a lot to offer its intended audience. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal, mysteries, thrillers and male MCs.

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: Narc
Author: Crissa-Jean Chappell
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: August 8, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

"You're going to hate me forever when you learn my secret."

Seventeen-year-old stoner Aaron Foster was offered a choice: go to jail or turn undercover narc to find the dealer who's funneling drugs into Miami's Palm Hammock High School. But Aaron has never been good at getting close to people. He's human wallpaper, a stoner wastecase who's obsessed with video games and street magic.

With a cop from Narcotics breathing down his neck, Aaron gets himself invited to parties where the deals go down. To get close to the school's biggest players, Aaron lies to everyone--most of all, the cute but troubled Morgan Baskin. With the Everglades party on Halloween night--and a planned drug bust there--just days away, Aaron realizes that he's falling hard for Morgan . . . and trying to protect her could cost him everything.

Aaron’s life has just gone from bad to worse. A night of speeding with his little sister in the car became a night in jail and the possibility of the situation becoming permanent. The drugs his car changed everything. However, Aaron has the opportunity to clear his slate if he wants. All he has to do is find the inner ring of the drugs being dealt at his school and report it back to the police. To some, this is an easy trade-off. Aaron gets to go to all the parties and simply report the information back. But Aaron realizes there’s more to it than that…especially when he meets Morgan. Being a narc could jeopardize his loved ones, his friends and, quite possibly, everyone he cares about most.

Narc is the brainchild of author, Crissa-Jean Chappell, known for crafting heart-wrenching, emotional and poignant novels regarding the human condition. This novel is no exception. Written from a male POV, which is tricky as it is, Narc embraces the emotional underbelly of society and brings the humanity of all its characters to life. The sparse, haunting prose isn’t flowery or too descriptive. Rather, the emotions, the themes and the pain takes center stage making the story incredibly raw and real, despite the dark tones. With extreme empathy and endless feeling, Narc soars.

I think it would have been very easy for Narc to become a trite, cliché and annoying stereotype of drug and substance abuse in YA literature. What impressed me most was the book not only embraced the male POV with ease, but it did it well. Aaron was entirely believable. His pain, frustration and confusion in regards to his difficult situation was tangible, and I felt for his situation. He wanted to do what was right, but he didn’t want to hurt anyone in the process, and he consistently felt like all he was doing was the latter. Narc lets you put yourself in the characters’ shoes, but it allows you to form your own opinions, as well. It poses the question about what you would do in such a situation without actually asking them; it makes you think. Perhaps the most powerful message within the story, however, was that Narc shows at that drugs do not define the people who take them, and they can affect anyone from any position on the social ladder. Rather than alienating the characters lost in the throes of addiction, the book places them front and center and allows you to access their humanity. With strong secondary characters and no shortage of emotion, Narc feels real. My only issue with the book was that it felt a bit too rushed in the latter half of the book. I, personally, would have loved to have seen it fleshed out a bit more to show a broader range of the fallout.

Overall though, Narc was a tremendous read, and it embodies the parts of contemporary fiction that I actually love. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA and adult fiction, especially those who enjoy contemporary stories and issue books.

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: Pieces of Us
Author: Margie Gelbwasser
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: March 8, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher/Netgalley

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives.

Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser is a novel that does not hesitate, whatsoever, to teeter on the precipice of uncomfortable, dark and utterly destructive. Think about characters with both emotional and physical trauma that overrides any sort of humanity that might shine through their shells. That's what this novel shows. Through it all, we see an overtly abusive relationship unhinge each character in the large cast of characters. Alex, overbearing and hard, played the perfect villain, while Katie, played the complete victim.

I'll admit, this novel features a lot of violence, and the language, actions and emotions were extremely disturbing. I like dark books, but the audience to which this novel caters didn't feel right to me. I couldn't reconcile with the fact that this brutal book was made for teens. It's definitely a well-written novel, but I think it's important to remember that this is about abuse, and it's very hard to stomach. Take caution and be prepared for depth and trauma throughout - it's not an easy read. I give it a 3 out of 5 for execution, and I recommend it to fans of upper YA and adults. It is a good contemporary and issue-driven book.

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Title: Lies Beneath

Author: Anne Greenwood Brown

Publisher: Delacorte BYR

Publish Date: June 12, 2012

Genre: YA, Paranormal

Pages: 303

Source: Publisher/Netgalley

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake.

Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

I haven't read too many takes on paranormal novels involving mermaids/mermen, and we all know I love water, so Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown sounded like the perfect fit for me. With hints of romance, a great premise and a dynamic cast of characters, it seemed as though it had all the elements I sought. I enjoyed Calder as a character. I thought that he, singularly, was a strong male character, but I did, unfortunately, feel that when we added Lily, the love interest to the mix, he grew weaker and more simple, or one-sided.

Furthermore, Lies Beneath involved the trifecta of cliches, for me; insta-love, a weak female MC and the overbearing romantic tendencies. Now, don't get me wrong, stories can involve these and still work for me, but when the story doesn't manage to move past the cliches in its path, it loses me. It wasn't a bad book, but it was not the right novel for me at all. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal romance.

Title: Witch Eyes
Author: Scott Tracey
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: September 8, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 332
Source: Publisher

Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain.

After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son.

To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.

Braden possesses an incredible and unfathomable gift, though to him, it's more of a curse. The Witch Eyes are all-seeing, allowing him to see the truth of the world around him - an enviable talent - but one that is accompanied by blinding headaches, bloody noses and blackouts. The Witch Eyes have Braden on the run though, and he escapes to Belle Dam to find a future and master his gifts while saving his uncle. But Braden's gift is legendary, and he is caught between two feuding families vying for his favour. Enter Trey, a son of the feuding family, and you've got the icing the trifecta - power, greed and love. But will Braden learn to master the Witch Eyes in time, or will he lose his future, as well as the one he loves?

I've been captivated by the premise of Witch Eyes from the first moment I read it. There's something about witches and powers and family feuds that gets my heart racing, and Witch Eyes more than promised it all and, thankfully, delivered. Scott Tracey gives readers a thrill ride from start to finish with a captivating opening line that gets your pulse racing and a closing line that leaves you breathless for more. Perfectly balancing wit, darkness and a hauntingly descriptive prose, Witch Eyes gives us the best of all worlds in one mesmerizing tale of love, loss and the search for the truth in oneself and the world around us.

Belle Dam, in and of itself, was a character in Witch Eyes, and I have to say how much I love when a setting comes alive in a book and sings through the pages to draw the reader in. The rich darkness surrounding the town was alive with mystery, and just when I thought I had the secrets figured out, I was thrown for yet another loop. Then there are the actual characters. Braden was truly tangible. He had a perception about the world that rang true and really enhanced the nature of his gift. That said, he had just enough cleverness to offset the possibility of his character becoming too perceptive, or too high-brow. The war between the families was bitter, and the bad blood within Witch Eyes was palpable. Every page was written with an elegant but terse manner, lending a sense of foreboding and unease without smashing us over the head with the whole "something bad is coming" bit. Witch Eyes was also unique in the sense that it features a gay male protagonist - something this genre doesn't feature too often. The hints of love were truthful and pure, honest and believable. The angst, though present, lurked in the background of the story, and let the true emotions and perceptions of the characters carry the story. Most of all though, it must be said that Witch Eyes was well-written. Every detail had a purpose, every character played a part and every single word meant something. That, in and of itself, is a true success.

Witch Eyes surpassed my already high expectations, and it is definitely a book I will re-read. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, only lowered slightly because that ending just crushed me, and cliffhangers kill me long after I finish a book. I highly recommend this to all fans of YA fiction, especially those who enjoy paranormal and LGBT 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.

As you all know, I had the great privilege and honour of attending BookExpo America in May, and I'm still swimming in a huge sea of books (many of which are duplicates). So, what better way to celebrate our shared love of reading than to offer some books in a giveaway to all you lovely people, eh?! In that spirit, we're onto giveaway number 3...here's what's up for grabs:

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

February 8, 2001 - Flux

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Awesome, right?! Here are the rules to enter: You do NOT have to be a follower but, as always, it's always appreciated. This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight on Sunday, July 24th. Still interested?

Click HERE to enter!

Title: Then I Met My Sister
Author: Christine Hurley Deriso
Publisher: Flux
Published: April 8, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Source: Publisher

Summer Stetson lives inside a shrine to her dead sister. Eclipsed by Shannon's greatness, Summer feels like she's a constant disappointment to her controlling, Type A momzilla and her all-too-quiet dad. Her best friend Gibson believes Summer's C average has more to do with rebelliousness than smarts, but she knows she can never measure up—academically or otherwise.

On her birthday, Summer receives a secret gift from her aunt: Shannon's diary. Suddenly, the one-dimensional vision of her sister becomes all too solid. Is this love-struck, mom-bashing badass the same Shannon everyone raves about? Determined to understand her troubled sister, Summer dives headfirst down a dark rabbit hole and unearths painful family secrets. Each revelation brings Summer closer to the mysterious and liberating truth about her family—and herself.

Summer lives in Shannon's shadow. She always has, and as far as she's concerned, she always will. She never met her sister, but there is a darkness surrounding her sister's death that's shrouded in an almost ethereal way that everyone views her. Shannon was perfection, and next to her and Summer will always fall short. On her 17th birthday, Summer's aunt gives her Shannon's diary, giving her a unique glimpse into the final year of the sister she never knew, but it holds clues to her family's dark secret and her sister's last days. With the help of her friend, Gibs, Summer must find herself as she finally meets her sister.

Continuing on my contemporary kick, I have been dying to read Then I Met My Sister from the first time I read the premise. I wasn't sure it was the most original premise, per se, but there are a million different ways an author can spin the same basic elements and make an entirely new story. Christine Hurley Deriso presented your average teenager in Summer, allowing you to access all the angst a teenage girl feels, but threw in an element of familial tension and secrets that added a layer of darkness and depth. Haunting, mesmerizing and twisty, Then I Met My Sister takes you on a journey to self-discovery and acceptance in the midst of tragedy.

I have to admit that I wasn't so sure how I felt about Then I Met My Sister a few chapters in. Summer was the epitome of angst. I'm pretty sure every teenage girl has tiffs with her mom, but it almost seemed like Summer sought them out. She felt like the whole world was against her, and she felt like she could never live up to what people expected of her. Then I realized that this is very much how the vast majority of teenagers feel. Gibs provided balance in those few chapters. He was a bit of sanity in the midst of her internal dilemmas. Once Shannon's diary came into play, it was like a lightbulb went on in Summer's head, and she began to see what her family was really like and who her sister was. I wasn't always on the same page with her emotions, but I could definitely feel for her throughout Then I Met My Sister. It wasn't, however, a book filled with riveting action, which made me a little bored at times. It was full of internal reflection.

All in all, Then I Met My Sister is a deep and thought-provoking read, but it's not one packed with action and face-to-face drama, so it wasn't a must-read-the-next-page-now kind of read for me. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all 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: The Latte Rebellion
Author: Sarah Jamila Stevenson
Publisher: Flux
Published: January 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 327
Source: Publisher

When high school senior Asha Jamison gets called a "towel head" at a pool party, the racist insult gives Asha and her best friend Carey a great money-making idea for a post-graduation trip. They'll sell T-shirts promoting the Latte Rebellion, a club that raises awareness of mixed-race students.

Seemingly overnight, their "cause" goes viral and the T-shirts become a nationwide fad. As new chapters spring up from coast to coast, Asha realizes that her simple marketing plan has taken on a life of its own-and it's starting to ruin hers. Asha's once-stellar grades begin to slip, threatening her Ivy League dreams, and her friendship with Carey is hanging by a thread.

And when the peaceful underground movement turns militant, Asha's school launches a disciplinary hearing.Facing expulsion, Asha must decide how much she's willing to risk for something she truly believes in.

The Latte Rebellion follows Asha Jamison, your ordinary teenage girl with extraordinary dreams that finds herself at the bad end of a racial slur during a pool party. When one of her fellow classmates calls her a “towel-head,” Asha and her friend Carey dream up something they call “The Latte Rebellion.” A group formed for all those who don’t quite fit into a single ethnic background, Asha decides to capitalize on the idea to make a little money on the side…but she had no idea that The Latte Rebellion would be so popular. Seemingly overnight, the rebellion takes on a life of its own, and students start becoming more forceful. In fact, the helpful and supportive organization Asha created might just be the end of her Ivy League dreams.

I remember hearing the premise of The Latte Rebellion a while back, and I was instantly hooked by the premise. Plus, who can deny a cover with a steaming mug of coffee, eh? While contemporary fiction isn’t usually my thing, I was attracted to The Latte Rebellion because of the undercurrent of morals that seemed to seep into every pore of the story, giving it a real, tangible approach to a serious issue in this day and age. While a lot of contemps seem to be surface-level only, Sarah Jamila Stevenson has seamlessly blended a coming-of-age story with a strong theme of tolerance, community, and friendship.

What I loved most about The Latte Rebellion was the accessibility of the characters. Asha is extremely approachable. She’s a teen with all her angst and rebellion, but she has a goal and a viewpoint. Carey is well-rounded, too, and a bit of a joker – adding just a hint of comic relief through the otherwise tense situations. While I enjoyed the overall pacing of The Latte Rebellion, it’s important to note that the story jumps between flashbacks of what happened to the current predicament that Asha has found herself in. I felt that, at times, it was a little abrupt, and I had to remind myself we’d changed from past to present.

Overall though, The Latte Rebellion was a poignant, powerful, and inspiring read. In an age where too many people turn a blind eye, or shut up when they should speak, this book encourages the reader to stand up for their beliefs and values. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, as well as adult audiences, 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.

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: Witch Eyes
Author: Scott Tracey
Release Date: 2011 (release date unknown)
Publisher: Flux

Braden Michaels wears his sunglasses at night. And at the movies. And in the shower. Raised by his warlock uncle and taught to use magic, he suffers from a deadly curse: the witch eyes. He sees everything that normal eyes filter out: history and memory; love and pain; magic and darkness. The mind, however, was not meant to process so much, and the power is killing him slowly. The only thing saving his sanity are the sunglasses he always wears.

And then the visions reveal a dark threat on the horizon. Braden runs away to Belle Dam, the city where the threat originated, and is immediately swept up into the town’s mysterious feud. Two rival magical families have divided the town into a personal chessboard of scheming and machinations, and Braden is their latest pawn. As he tries to avoid their manipulations, and see the truth behind his return to Belle Dam, he has a choice to make. One side, or the other. Ignite the feud, or end it. Sacrifice himself, or someone else. Live, or die.

Taken from Goodreads.

Confession #1 – I have a fascination with witches. Confession #2 – I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the protag is gay. That’s not to say I’ve avoided such books, but in a world of paranormal stories, I’ve yet to find one with a gay MC. Though I saw someone outwardly state that this would “ruin” the book, I for one, am incredibly excited to read Witch Eyes! The premise is original, fun, and I love the sound of it. Plus, I’m drooling over those cover colours and the design. This book is made of win, and I can’t wait to see if it lives up! What do you think…and what are you waiting on this week?

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A quick closing note - Thank you SO much for nominating me for Best Blog in the 2010 Reader's Choice Awards at Mindful Musings! I am incredibly flattered and humbled, and it's an honour to even be listed with such amazing blogs. Be sure to check out all amazing nominees here!