Ophelia vs. The Goblin King?

This is not the latest strange movie to be released in Hollywood but the characters from two books battling it out in the 2011 YA Bloggers Best Overlooked Book Battle hosted by Alyssa of The Shady Glade.

Along with my co-judge Jasmyn of Jasmyn's Stuff, I read Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein and The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle.

Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein

He is Hamlet, Prince of Denmark; she is simply Ophelia. If you think you know their story, think again.

In this reimagining of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, it is Ophelia who takes center stage. A rowdy, motherless girl, she grows up at Elsinore Castle to become the queen's most trusted lady-in-waiting. Ambitious for knowledge and witty as well as beautiful, Ophelia learns the ways of power in a court where nothing is as it seems. When she catches the attention of the captivating, dark-haired Prince Hamlet, their love blossoms in secret. But bloody deeds soon turn Denmark into a place of madness, and Ophelia's happiness is shattered. Ultimately she must choose between her love for Hamlet and her own life. In desperation, Ophelia devises a treacherous plan to escape from Elsinore forever... with one very dangerous secret.

I thought this was a unique take on Shakespeare's Hamlet. I loved the play when I read it in high school and college. I always liked Hamlet though I didn't like his treatment of Ophelia. Here we see things from a different angle and we get to know Ophelia better. I liked her more than Hamlet after reading this book. I also really enjoyed the historical details about life at court in Elsinore, clothing, customs, and especially herbal remedies.  Unfortunately I found the pacing too slow at times and it was all too easy to put the book down.  I also thought the language became clunky whenever the author strayed too close to Shakespearean dialogue from the play. Most of the dialogue was written in a way to suggest a different historical time period but it was still very readable. When the lines nearly directly quote Shakespeare however it doesn't flow as smoothly. I understood why she did it but wish she had rephrased the sentences to match the writing style used in the rest of the book. Overall I thought Ophelia was an enjoyable book and our eponymous heroine was a great character to read about. This is the second book I've read by Lisa M. Klein (after Cate of the Lost Colony) and she has proved to be an excellent YA historical fiction writer.

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

For thousands of years, young women have been vanishing from Hallow Hill, never to be seen again. Now Kate and Emily have moved there with no idea of the land's dreadful heritage—until Marak decides to tell them himself. Marak is a powerful magician who claims to be the goblin king, and he has very specific plans for the two new girls who have trespassed into his kingdom . . .
The Hollow Kingdom is a creative historical fantasy. The kingdom that Clare Dunkle creates is filled with unusual creatures as well as those familiar to readers of fantasy like dwarves and elves. The goblins are different from what I've come to expect. They are not quite villains but neither are they straightforward heroes. Marak has some heroic qualities while at the same time he is bound by the other unlikeable characteristics of being a goblin king such as having to abduct a bride to ensure the survival of his people. Kate is a good heroine with a mix of strengths and weaknesses. She lacks the pluck of her younger sister Emily but makes up for it with her determination. What I enjoyed the most about The Hollow Kingdom though was the adventure. I was pulled into the mystery wanting to know what was going to happen next. I found this book to be reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, The Twelve Dancing Princesses,  A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce, and Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt. 

So which book will advance in the Book Battle?

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle!
This book was a winner for me because of its creativity, the main characters (especially Marak), the writing style, and the way the story drew me in.  This is certainly a book I overlooked and now I want to read the rest of the trilogy.
Find out what Jasmyn thought of The Hollow Kingdom at her blog, Jasmyn's Stuff.

You can follow the YA Bloggers Best Overlooked Book Battle at:


 

Review: Moonglass

Moonglass

By Jessi Kirby

Publication date: May 3, 2011

My review:

Anna and her dad have just moved to Crystal Cove, the same beach town where her dad grew up and met and fell in love with her mom. For Anna it is hard to leave behind her old home even though it is where her mom drowned. Crystal Cove is filled with reminders of her loss from people who knew her mom to the spot where her parents met and the distance between Anna and her dad. Slowly though Anna begins to find a place for herself by making new friends, joining the school track team, and falling for lifeguard Tyler. No matter how hard Anna runs however, she won't be able to get away from her pain and the truths that need to be brought to the light of day.

Moonglass is a lovely story that works because it focuses on Anna's relationship with her dad and the loss of her mom. If more time had been devoted to the romance or Anna's experiences as the new girl in town then it wouldn't have had the same impact. We do meet a number of characters that play a part in Anna's healing such as Tyler, Anna's love interest. Though the romance is not the focus of the story, I really liked reading about Anna and Tyler. Their relationship is not intense or "love at first sight" (though Anna is interested from the beginning). The characters take the time to get to know each other and the romance never overwhelms the story but instead enhances it.

Anna's new friends Jillian and Ashley also help Anna in their own way. Ashley is one of those great characters who on the surface appears to be a flake but surprises the reader (and Anna) by being a caring and supportive friend. She could have easily ditched Anna to hang out with wealthier and more popular people but she sticks with Anna even when Anna isn't as warm towards her.  Jillian like Anna, has suffered a personal tragedy-her sister was killed by a drunk driver. Unlike Anna, Jillian is able to talk about it but both girls struggle with blaming themselves for their respective loss.

At the beginning of the book, Anna is sullen and angry towards her dad both about the move and because they no longer talk about what happened with her mom. As she starts to let go and build a new life for herself, we see flashes of the warmth and camaraderie that Anna and her dad used to share. It is obvious that though he isn't perfect, he is a good father and equally obvious that though Anna is upset, she still very much loves her dad. I liked how Anna and her dad begin to reconnect and I liked seeing her grow. I also really liked the writing style and the use of themes and imagery (mermaids, sea glass, running). The parallel stories of Jillian and the beach tragedy from years ago also added to the story. Overall I was really pleased with this debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Jessi Kirby will write next. I would suggest Moonglass to fans of Sarah Dessen, Sarah Ockler, and Heidi Kling.

Readalikes: Sea by Heidi Kling, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen, The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, Elizabeth Scott

Note: I received a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review 

Pottermore?

So what do you think of J.K. Rowling's Pottermore announcement? I am excited (though a teeny, tiny part of me was hoping she'd announce a prequel or other HP related book). I am thrilled that the books will finally be available as e-books. I am eager to see what she means by interactive reading experience and how HP fans can be involved.

Waiting on Wednesday (58)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week, I'm waiting on:

The Legacy by Katherine Webb

Publication date: August 30, 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In 1903, New York heiress Caroline marries a cattle rancher and moves with him to rural Oklahoma, where she finds herself wholly out of her depth. Unable to adjust to the isolation of the vast prairies, Caroline grows increasingly frightened and unhappy. Driven to the edge of reason she commits a terrible crime from which she flees, all the way to London, to start a new life as the wife of English aristocrat Henry Calcott. She moves to Storton Manor in Wiltshire, but soon finds that the repercussions of her actions have crossed the Atlantic with her, and will not be so easily forgotten. In the bitter winter of 2008, following the death of their grandmother, Erica Calcott and her sister Beth return to Storton Manor, where they spent the summer holidays as children. As she begins to sort through her grandmother's belongings, Erica is inundated with memories of her childhood, and of Dinny, a local boy whom she idolised. She also remembers her spiteful cousin, Henry, whose disappearance from the manor tore the family apart. Convinced that she should remember what happened to Henry, Erica sets out to uncover the truth. She is reunited with Dinny, and finds herself as drawn to him in adulthood as she was as a child. Haunted by emotions and suspicions, Erica delves deeply into her memories, revisiting the people and places that shaped her childhood, and bringing to light a truth more shocking than she had ever imagined.

I think this sounds really interesting and I like reading about families with dark secrets. This was published in the UK last year but it is finally making its way across the pond this August.

What are you waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesdays (54)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read 

Open to a random page 

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers this week:

"I feel the trademark symptoms of fear: sweaty palms, racing heart, tightness in my chest, dry mouth, a lump in my throat, difficulty breathing. He plants his hands on either side of my head and leans over me. 'Be brave, Tris,' he whispers."

Divergent by Veronica Roth

p. 232

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.


This is such a fantastic book so far. I am currently on page 232 (where the teaser came from) and Tris is about to undergo a difficult challenge. Can't wait to find out what happens!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (68)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!


Post to check out: Download free audio books this summer from SYNC!

Favorite book finished last week: Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Books finished:

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

I read this for the YA Book Battle (I am a Round 2 judge) along with Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein. I will have a post up later this week about which book my co-judge Jasmyn and I picked as our winner to go on to the next round.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

This one was a disappointment for me as you can tell by my review. It started out okay but then fell short of the mark.

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

I really liked this one. Moonglass reminded me of the books of Sarah Dessen, Sarah Ockler, and Elizabeth Scott. I will hopefully have my review posted for it later this week.

Books reviewed:

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Currently reading:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I am reading this slowly so I can savor the adventure. I got this from the library but ended up buying my own copy because I am enjoying it so much. I also talked my sister into reading it and it was her first Kindle purchase. Hopefully both of us will love it. So far I think it is amazing.

What I plan to read next:

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

This was not what I was planning to read next but it is due back soon and there is a waiting list. I have heard good things about it so no wonder so many people have put holds on it!

 

Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn

India, Nicholas Brisbane, and a murder mystery. What more could I want in a book?


 

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn

I hope to start this soon. I got the ARC from Netgalley but don't have time to read it before the book is published-which happens a lot unfortunately. Maybe I will get it started this week...

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

This is another book I had hoped to read before its publication date. If I am lucky, I will have time to read it this month!

That is what my reading week looks like.

What have you been reading lately?

In My Mailbox (55)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.

For review:

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

I love this cover and hope the story lives up to it :)

Purchased:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles

From the Library:

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Summer in the South by Cathy Holton

Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

Serving Crazy With Curry by Amulya Malladi

Review: Starcrossed

Starcrossed 

By Josephine Angelini

Publication date: May 31, 2011

My review:

Helen Hamilton does not know that she is a demigod. She has been experiencing unusual dreams and waking up with sand on her feet. She also feels painful cramps whenever she accidentally draws attention to herself. Things only get worse when the Delos family arrives on her little Nantucket island. When she sees Lucas Delos she feels an overwhelming urge to kill him. It turns out that this is due to the three Fates who cause Helen to want to avenge a crime she doesn't even know about. Helen doesn't want to be a killer and neither does Lucas but the Fates have something else in store for them. Can Helen and Lucas break free from this destructive cycle to save their families? How can they be together without destroying all they love?

Starcrossed is based very loosely on Greek mythology and the idea that the ancient demigods are in a way reborn in their descendants. Demigods tend to take on the characteristics of their ancestors including their appearance. The Fates force the same stories to play out  over and over again through the generations. It is fairly obvious from the beginning just who Helen and Lucas are meant to be like. I thought that Starcrossed started out strong but then fizzled. At the beginning I was drawn into the story and wanted to know what was going on with Helen. I wanted to see if my guesses about where the story would head were correct. I also liked the characters at first but as the book went on, I became annoyed with Helen, Lucas, and even the secondary characters at times. The ending chapters of the book are very action packed but rushed. There is definitely room for explanation and development and Helen's reactions to some pretty big things were not explored very well.

In the early part of the book, Helen has more of a social life, a solid relationship with her dad, and a strong friendship with her best friend Claire. She loves to run and she has a part time job. There are some unique things about her (she has those pesky realistic dreams, sees The Fates, and has bad cramps whenever she draws attention to herself) and some annoying things (she fails to realize her attractiveness though she is apparently stunning). I liked this version of Helen. She is interesting to read about. Sadly once she meets Lucas, Helen loses some of her personality. Sure, she learns to fight and hone her other demigod skills but she seems to leave her friends and family behind. Claire does tag along in different scenes but I thought she'd play a bigger role.

For all its flaws however, Starcrossed was still an entertaining book. There are some intriguing characters introduced and I liked learning about the mythology behind the story though it isn't true to Greek mythology. The rules of Helen's world still need to be better explained but as this is the first in a series, readers who stick with it will likely find out more in the second book. I was also relieved that there wasn't a love triangle. With all its Twilight similarities there was no equivalent of a Edward-Bella-Jacob quandary. However if I had to pick between Starcrossed and Twilight, I'd say that Twilight is the better book.

I know I am in the minority and many people loved Starcrossed and even gushed about it in reviews. Sadly, this was not my reaction. I liked it initially but had to push myself to keep reading sometimes. Josephine Angelini is talented and she has some good ideas but the book did not reach my high expectations. Hopefully the sequel, Dreamless, will correct some of the issues here and depart radically from the Twilight mold so there won't be further comparisons between the two series. I might even be tempted to read the sequel though I'd probably get it from the library just in case.

Readalikes: Abandon by Meg Cabot, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick


Note: I received an e-ARC of this title courtesy of NetGalley

Are You in SYNC?

Boy band reminders aside, if you listen to audio books and you love YA fiction, this is for you! SYNC is a program to encourage people to listen to YA audio books. Every summer, they pair YA fiction with similar classics and provide free audio book downloads. Each pair are available to download for only one week so make sure that you don't miss out. The downloads are in MP3 format and are compatible with a variety of MP3 players.  In past years, they've had free downloads of audio book versions of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Beastly by Alex Flynn.

This year's lineup includes:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Available June 23-June 29

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow 

The Trial by Franz Kafka

Available June 30-July 6

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

Available July 7-July 13

The Last Apprentice: The Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

Beowulf 

Available July 14-July 20

Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton

Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Available July 21-July 27

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

Rescue: Stories of Survival From Land and Sea by Dorcas S. Miller

Available July 28-August 3

Immortal by Gillian Shields

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Available August 4-August 10

Storm Runners by Roland Smith

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

Available August 11-August 17

You can find out more information at SYNC!

Waiting on Wednesday (57)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week, I'm waiting on:

Coming Up For Air by Patti Callahan Henry

Publication date: August 16, 2011

Synopsis:

On the coast of Alabama, there is a house cloaked in mystery, a place that reveals the truth and changes lives... Ellie is in a dying marriage. She knows this. After her controlling mother, Lillian, passes away, Ellie's world is turned upside down when she discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Hutch, is in charge of a documentary that involved Lillian before her death. When Hutch shows up at her mother's funeral, Ellie's closed heart opens to the past. Fighting their feelings, Ellie and Hutch set out together to dig into Lillian's history. Using both a diary Ellie finds and a trip to the Summer House, a mysterious and seductive bayside home, Hutch and Ellie gamble that they can work together and not fall in love again. But in piecing together Lillian's unrequited-love story, they just might uncover the secrets in their own hearts. In her debut with St. Martin’s Press, Patti Callahan Henry shines as a true tour de force. Praised over and over for her lyricism and uncanny ability to transport readers to other places and times, she has outdone herself with this heart-whispering breakout.

I read Driftwood Summer a few years ago and thought it was a fantastic beach read. Since then I've been meaning to try more of Patti Callahan Henry's books. I think this sounds really promising. 

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: My Foolish Heart

My Foolish Heart

By Susan May Warren

Publication date: May 1, 2011

My review:

Isadora Presley has been housebound since the accident that put her father in assisted living and took her mother's life. Issy had a nervous breakdown after the traumatic events and she can hardly venture outside. The residents of her small town of Deep Haven, Minnesota would be surprised to discover that Issy is also the voice behind Miss Foolish Heart, the popular radio personality/relationship advice expert. Only her best friend Lucy and her boss know that little secret. Issy has never even had a date and it doesn't look likely since even a trip to the grocery store is out of the question. Then Caleb Knight moves in next door. Caleb comes to Deep Haven hoping to be the new high school football coach in spite of a disability from his time in Iraq, a disability he chooses to keep secret. From the moment Issy meets Caleb she has a negative opinion of him. Issy can't help but notice her new neighbor's messy yard and big truck. Caleb is intrigued by his new neighbor but not sure of how to reach out to her. While waiting for a sports radio show to come on he catches part of a Miss Foolish Heart broadcast and decides to seek her advice. Soon he strikes up a friendship with Miss Foolish Heart, confiding his secrets without knowing she lives right next door. Issy is happy that her show's ratings have gone up because of a new caller, BoyNextDoor. She finds herself looking forward to chatting with him never realizing that BoyNextDoor is a lot closer than she thinks. Can Issy and Caleb overcome their past hurts to be together or will their secrets destroy any chance at love?

Susan May Warren's books have been hit or miss for me but with My Foolish Heart she gets it right. The premise sounds a little like a Hollywood romantic comedy but there is depth to this story. I liked that the main characters are not "perfect". Instead they are deeply wounded, flawed, and more realistic because of it. I enjoyed watching Issy and Caleb grow and seeing their relationship develop. I really liked Issy's best friend Lucy and how supportive she is. Lucy and the other secondary character Seb also have their own issues to deal with. Seb is hoping to reclaim some former glory and make amends by becoming the new football coach and Lucy is trying to get out from under her past and the weight of business woes. They also have a shared past that they have to deal with. While their struggles add to the message of the book, it also detracts from the focus on Issy and Caleb at times. 

My Foolish Heart is part of the Deep Haven series but it can be read as a standalone book. I've only read the first two books in the Deep Haven series and it was a treat to return to this charming town. The romance is sweet but it is the uplifting message and realistic characters that drew me in. I would suggest this book to fans of Denise Hunter.

Readalikes: The Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter, The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter, How Sweet It Is by Alice J. Wisler, Sarah Sundin, Tamara Leigh

Note: I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour courtesy of Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

Teaser Tuesdays (53)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read 

Open to a random page 

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser 1:

"Four's eyes are still on mine when he lifts his hand, pulls his elbow back, and throws the knife. It is just a flash in the air, and then I hear a thud. The knife is buried in the board, half a foot away from my cheek."

Divergent by Veronica Roth

p. 163

Synopsis:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Teaser 2:

"Emily told him Mrs. Bigelow's story about the cold, dank caves under the Hill. She told him about the hideous things that lived there and about the poor goblin brides, their hair turning white and their skin growing gray, nursing their squalling goblin brats in the dripping caverns far from the sun. Marek threw back his head and laughed."

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

p. 72

Synopsis:

For thousands of years, young women have been vanishing from Hallow Hill, never to be seen again. Now Kate and Emily have moved there with no idea of the land's dreadful heritage—until Marak decides to tell them himself. Marak is a powerful magician who claims to be the goblin king, and he has very specific plans for the two new girls who have trespassed into his kingdom . . .

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (67)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!


I had a slow reading week this week and I only managed to finish one book. I don't like having so many books going at once. I find it distracting. I also decided to temporarily set aside My Name is Mary Sutter. I was just struggling to get through it.


Posts to check out:


E-books and Amazing E-book Deals


My top ten favorite settings in books

Books finished:

Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein

I read this one for the YA Book Battle. I am a Round 2 Judge. I haven't quite made up my mind about this book but I can't share what I think of it yet. I loved the play Hamlet and this is a different take on it. 

Books reviewed:

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Currently reading:

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

This book has good and bad points and sometimes makes me roll my eyes. I was never a fan of Helen of Sparta and the strong similarities to Twilight are wearying. Will I continue reading? Tune in next week to find out...

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Oh how I love this book. I am not even halfway through and I know it is going to be a favorite and possibly the best YA book I read this year. I hate that I have to set it aside for now.

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

I am reading this for the YA Book Battle. I have heard really good things about it and if I remember correctly, it is a favorite of Amelia's (Imagination in Focus) which means the book must be pretty special.

What I plan to read next:

Summer in the South by Cathy Bolton

This is a new author for me but I love to read summer fiction and books set in the South so I am hopeful that this will be an enjoyable read.

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

I received this for review from the Amazon Vine program and I think the story sounds really good. It has been compared to the books of Sarah Dessen who is one of my favorite YA authors.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

This is a review book too and I am eager to read it. I've heard only positive things so far.

Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern

I've already started this one just to see what it was like and while so far it is not as good as Into the Wild Nerd Yonder, I still think it has a lot of potential. It has that Amy and Roger's Epic Detour vibe to it.

What have you been reading lately?

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week!