Review: The Third Twin by Cj Omololu

The Third Twin by CJ Omololu 
Publisher-Delacorte BFYR
Released-Feb 24th 2015
Purchase- Amazon / B & N

Identical twins. Identical DNA. Identical suspects. It's Pretty Little Liarsmeets Revenge in this edge-of-your-seat thriller with a shocking twist.When they were little, Lexi and her identical twin, Ava, made up a third sister, Alicia. If something broke? Alicia did it. Cookies got eaten? Alicia's guilty. Alicia was always to blame for everything. The game is all grown up now that the girls are seniors. They use Alicia as their cover to go out with boys who are hot but not exactly dating material. Boys they'd never, ever be with in real life.Now one of the guys Alicia went out with has turned up dead, and Lexi wants to stop the game for good. As coincidences start piling up, Ava insists that if they follow the rules for being Alicia, everything will be fine. But when another boy is killed, the DNA evidence and surveillance photos point to only one suspect: Alicia. The girl who doesn't exist. As she runs from the cops, Lexi has to find the truth before another boy is murdered. Because either Ava is a killer…or Alicia is real.

My Thoughts:
The Third Twin, is a twisty whodunit young adult mystery thriller that was an instantly enjoyable escape from the first page, on. Ava and Lexi are identical twins right down to their DNA and when they were younger they invented an imaginary friend-sister, named Alicia. Anything they did wrong- Alicia did it, but as the twins got older they're starting to see that playing the Alicia-card is getting more dangerous and eventually...deadly.

When I first heard about this book I knew that I was interested in reading it but I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. From the first chapter I was hooked and couldn't wait to see how the twins deal with all these strange things happening to them, or well, to Alicia, a girl who's not even suppose to be real. CJ Omololu writing is very addicting and I love the voices she gave these characters but it was the storyline that had me completely glued to the pages. I might have guessed one of the twist loops but I never saw who the actual culprit was. I was shocked with the final revelation and loved how the Omololu managed to kept me on my toes.

The twins were likeable and easy to connect with. Lexi is smart, driven and focused while Ava is a little more vain and reckless. The twins bring out Alicia when they want to have a little fun since she's the more fearless and daring one. Alicia was great to have around when they were little since it would get them out of trouble, but in their senior days Alicia comes out to play when hot boys are around, that is till they find their 'keeper'. But when the boys that Alicia were dating turns up murdered, this harmless game isn't so harmless any more.

I really loved the girls, they're close and didn't have that sibling rivalry I find in so many other reads, sure they had there disagreements where Alicia was concerned and yes there was a lot of lingering doubts about Ava, but despite all the strange happenings around them, there wasn't to much drama, just straight suspense and an unsettling vibe that there is more to this story. I also really loved Zane! He was pretty awesome, supportive and protective and provided some sweeter moments when things got to intense. 

Bottom line, I had a lot of fun reading this book and while it may not be exactly new, I still love Omololu's take for this genre. The pace is steady, the writing is strong, the characters are realistic and the twist and turns made it a blast trying to guess this thrilling mystery.
A solid escape! 

Find the author:

Goodreads/ Website                                4 snowflakes

Stacking the Shelves #74

A weekly meme hosted by, Tynga's Reviews, that features the books we bought, borrowed, were gifted, and were given for review.

Our recap of the week!

Reviews:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Sisters of Blood and Spirit by Kady Cross

Black Dove White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

Memes:

Teaser Tuesday

Waiting on Wednesday

Giveaways:

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Harper once again sent an amazing package our way this week!  I always get giddy when I see their name on my mail!  We received some amazing ebooks from Simon & Schuster and a few others.  Take a look!

For Review:

Forged by Erin Bowman

Magonia by  Maria Dahvana Headley

Endangered by Lamar Giles

The Replaced by Kimberly Derting

Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong

We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

Tangled Webs by Lee Bross

Alive by Chandler Baker

City of Fae by Pippa DaCosta

Galgorithm by Aaron Kao

After Hours by Claire Kennedy

*Special thanks to HarperTeen, Simon Pulse,  Simon & Schuster UK,  Disney Hyperion, Bloomsbury Spark,*

That's it for us this week! I hope everyone had an amazing week as well. Leave me a link so I can see all your pretties!

Review: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander (Outlander #1)by Diana Gabaldon
Published July 26th 2005 by Dell Publishing Company 

 The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. 

My Thoughts

I have heard so many good things about this book yet still I put it off for such a very long time since I felt it was such a huge commitment. I also thought hmmm Scottish highlander *cue image of Mel Gibson in Braveheart* again...no thanks. I finally broke down and watched the first episode of Outlander on Starz and was MIND BLOWN!! I immediately went out and purchased the first two audiobooks and would like to happily announce that I am cutting through the third audiobook like a hot knife through butter.

The enormity of this story at once is what draws me in and humbles me at the same time since the whole setting is so grandiose. We first meet Claire is 1945 and learn of her life with her husband Frank. She is fresh from WW2 where she was a nurse there. She is almost immediately thrown back in time 300 or so years and the setting of Scottish Highlands opens before us. There is the touch of magic since clearly time travel isn't possible but, there is so much more to the story than that.

The characters are the most life like creations I have ever had the pleasure to read about. That is the beauty of historical fiction, you can place the people since they are reenacting an occurrence that is a part of history. I truly in my heart believed that there was a young man whose uncle was Laird. This young man also feel head over heels in love with an English woman or Sassenach. I commend Mrs. Gabaldon on writing such a strong female characters. Claire is smart and has her head on strait. She uses sounds logic and tried to her best to think her way out of trouble rather than rushing head first into more. She is also incredible brave when the time comes for it which it most certainly does. I need not even speak of Jaime. He is basically a red headed god.

There will be some parts that are a trun off for some people as it deals with tender subjects such as child rearing, rape, and the degradation of woman. I am not easily offended but I also realize this is fiction and it IS what took place in 1734. However all scenes, even sexy time, is done very tastefully. There was only a very few sentences where I was a bit weirded out.

I am very much a believer of the way fate is inextricably woven. This book is that basic theory to a tee. Claire travels back in time with the knowledge of events yet to pass. Will her knowledge change the course of history or is she powerless? Will Jaime and Claire just have to let history run it's course with that fateful battle in France that destroyed the clans for good? I simply can't gush enough about this book but I have to say I enjoyed the 2nd and 3rd much more than the 1st. I also have not had much luck with audiobooks but the narration on these is spot on. Although the narrator is female and English, she manages all the accents and genders with ease. It is truly a feat, done so well that I forget that it is a female at all.

BLIZZARD READ!

Review and Giveaway: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Published: January 6, 2015

Publishers: Knopf

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

My Thoughts

True Fact: “Every forty seconds, someone in the world dies by suicide. Every forty seconds, someone is left behind to cope with the loss.”

I was looking for a YA Contemporary book to get me back into the swing of reading YA and wasn’t sure what to pick up next. After hearing that All the Bright Places was a combo experience of The Fault in Our Stars and Eleanor & Park, I was sold. I absolutely loved both of those books.

Well, for a good 25% of this novel, I just wasn’t feeling it. I almost called it quits because I was a bit taken aback with the levity the book assumed with such heavy topics as teenage depression, suicide and bipolar disorder. I’m not even coming close to trying to diagnose Theodore Finch, but I can confidently attest to the fact that he clearly needed help. So suffice it to say, this story took some patience. However, after a certain point, the characters and story wormed their way into my heart and truly grabbed hold of my emotions.

All the Bright Places is an odd combination of many things, but the elements that moved me most were the family dynamics Finch was forced to endure. His father was absolutely awful and when the full scope of his emotional and physical abuse came to light, my heart broke for Finch and that’s when I decided that I needed to finish his story.

“I’m fighting to be here in this shitty, messed-up world.” ~ Finch

Violet and Finch collide on a dark day at the top of a bell tower. Both are contemplating whether or not to jump, but a chance connection has them retreating for steady ground. Later, when Violet and Finch team up for a school project that involves wandering their lovely state of Indiana, they uncover not only some of the many wonders of their hometown, but also a side of each other that no one else is privy to. These two characters might have collided during one of the most darkest times in their lives, but it was clear one showed up to the save the other.

“For once, I don’t want to be anyone but Theodore Finch, the boy she sees. He understands what it is to be elegant and euphoric and a hundred different people, most of them flawed and stupid, part asshole, part screw-up, part freak, a boy who wants to be easy for the folks around him so that he doesn’t worry them and, most of all, easy for himself. A boy who belongs – here in the world, here in his own skin. He is exactly who I want to be and what I want my epitaph to say: The Boy Violet Markey Loves.” ~Finch

I adored happy Finch. I applauded nerdy sort of brilliant Finch. I embraced spiraling out of control Finch. But most of all, I broke for the Finch who felt he had no other choice. This is a tough story to handle when all of those emotions come colliding and you know it’s impossible to save a fictional character. When those feelings overcome me, I know a connection was made.

Violet Markey had her own demons to battle after surviving a fatal car accident where her best friend/sister was killed and Violet was left behind to make sense of the aftermath. By the conclusion of this story, I can’t remember a heroine more fierce, loyal, strong and absolutely praise worthy than Violet. She endured a tragic event only to later find herself falling in love with a broken boy that talks her off a ledge.

There was a moment in this book when Violet cried out for help. She did what a teenager should do, which was to reach out to an adult for help… not for herself but for Finch. I loved her fiercely in that moment and throughout the rest of the book. Huge applause for this character! That was the moment this book became five stars for me. Five solid and hard earned stars! I’m disappointed that the adults in this novel did so little to respond to that cry for help. What a let down!

So what did this book do for me? It reminded me how much I love YA. There were moments in this story that created some deep connections with the simplest of phrases and the most innocent of actions. That’s what I love about YA books like All the Bright Places. You don’t have to have constant drama, alpha characters or shocking moments. It’s the subtle flow in a story that creates an adventure I enjoy experiencing. Brilliant story with a touch of sadness and a pound hope.


“You make me happy, whenever you’re around I’m safe inside your smile.
You make me handsome, whenever I feel my nose just seems a bit too round.
You make me special and God knows I’ve longed to be that kind of guy to have around.
You make me love you, and that could be the greatest thing my heart was ever fit to do…”~Finch

5 Snowflakes

Song choice

If this sounds like a book you would like to read, WinterHaven Books is giving away an ARC edition of All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Simply follow us via GFC and Bloglovin' and don't forget to fill out the Rafflecopter for a chance to win. This giveaway is open to US Resident only.

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Waiting On Wednesday - Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Welcome to Waiting On Wednesday here at

 Winterhaven Books!

This is a feature created by Jill at Breaking The Spine where we share some books we are anxiously awaiting.

This week's pick...

Dumplin'

by Julie Murphy

Expected publication: September 15th 2015 by Balzer + Bray

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all. With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine— Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart. 

I love the fact that, according to the synopsis, the main character seems to be someone who is okay with her body and comfortable with herself and the way she looks. Only that would make me want to read this one! And when you add the fact that the synopsis makes a reference to "a hot former jock"... I AM SOLD! Plus, the cover is just fabulous - the 'go big or go home' tagline works!

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday #87 An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of 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 & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...


An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa TahirPublisher: RazorbillExpected Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

LAIA is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.
ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor.
When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.

Teaser page 65:
"This life is not always what we think it will be," Cain says. "You are an ember in the ashes, Elias Veturius. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it. You cannot stop it."


Teaser page 408:
Once, I'd have wanted that. I'd have wanted someone to tell me what to do, to fix everything. Once, I'd have wanted to be saved. But what has that gotten me? Betrayal. Failure.

*PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks! 

Review: The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher- Spencer Hill Press

Released- Feb 16th 2015

Purchase- Amazon / B & N

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off…It’s been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they’ve given him have been violent and bloody–which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He’s got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy’s deal might be, but it’s a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.Book 1 in the new adult paranormal TITAN series, spin-off to the best selling COVENANT series.

*This is a New Adult title and is intended for more mature readers*

My Thoughts:

Seth is back baby! And he's bigger, better and hotter then evah!!

I can not tell you how much I've missed being in this world again. The Covenant series is one of my ultimate escapes and I adored being in this universe again and meeting new characters and seeing old favorite faces. I admit, apart of me was a little nervous getting into this book since in the past I've tended not to favor spinoff books that don't feature the main protagonists and then there's the simple fact that I wasn't always a huge Seth fan. But given that he did redeem himself quite thoroughly by the end of the Covenant books, I was excited to see where JLA would take his story next. I don't know why I bothered being nervous when it comes to this women's books. JLA has once again delivered another kickass story that was action punched, hilarious and deliciously New Adult!

There is something that goes beyond great writing when it comes to one of JLA books. She never ceases to amazing me with her sharp writing skills, perfectly pitched voices and stunning world building. I've always adored the way JLA can bring mythology to life and I loved learning more about the Titans and the demigods who are destined to stop them from their vengeful plans. Also, the way it's written you could easily dive in this book and understand what's going on without having to read the Covenant books, but my advise to new readers is to start with the first series to get the full story on Seth. You'll get that front row feels to all the crazy that went down and see why Seth is the way he is.

I may not have been a huge Seth fan before, but dame if I am now! Seth has always been a more slap-able and less huggable kinda guy for me and while he is still very much slap-worthy, I can't deny this is the Seth that was always meant to be and what I've always been waiting for. At first I didn't really see a change, he's still dangerous and destructive with that cocky smile firmly plastered on his face, but we see a lot of regret and sadness throughout the story, especially when remembering Alex and I love the way he took care of Josie. So protective, wonderful and caring.

The minute I met Josie I knew we were going to get along. She's already such an amazing character that has a lot of spunk and fire. Between the Seth-swoon, learning about her true destiny and realizing her mother wasn't crazy after all, Josie took the news surprisingly well. I loved the revelations concerning her character. Who her father is, what she really is and how it hits a little to close to home. I'm already imagining and hoping to see some interactions in later books.

But if I'm being honest, it's the Sethie & Joe moments that really owned this book for me. Right from the start these two already have some seriously wicked chemistry. I love their banter, sarcasm and wit and the sexy times was indeed sexy as hell. They're good together, need each other and I'm glad that Josie doesn't have to do this alone and Seth finally found his salvation. It was also wonderful to see some old characters again, Luke and Deacon are still made of awesome and if it's possible I think I love Apollo even more. Dude still has the worst timing evah!  JLA warned us that we wouldn't see Alex and Aiden in this book but they were mentioned and remembered and in a way, they felt like they were still here. Lets hope they make an appearance soon.

Bottom line, This book was freaken awesome!! I loved it so much!! The Return is a welcoming new addition to this amazing universe. It's fresh, fun and fantastic. I'm already begging for more, more, more!!

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                                 5 Snowflakes

Review: Sisters of Blood and Spirit by Kady Cross

Sisters of Blood and Spirits by Kady Cross
Expected Release on March 31, 2015
Publisher: Harlequin Teen 
Purchase: Amazon

Wren Noble is dead—she was born that way. Vibrant, unlike other dead things, she craves those rare moments when her twin sister allows her to step inside her body and experience the world of the living.

Lark Noble is alive but often feels she belongs in the muted Shadow Lands—the realm of the dead. Known as the crazy girl who talks to her dead sister, she doesn't exactly fit in with the living, though a recent suicide attempt and time in a psych ward have proved to her she's not ready to join her sister in the afterlife.

Now the guy who saved Lark's life needs her to repay the favor. He and his friends have been marked for death by the malevolent spirit of a vicious and long-dead serial killer, and the twins—who should know better than to mess with the dead—may be their only hope of staying alive.

My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this book!  My reading preferences are really starting to change lately and this book was everything I wanted!

Lark is a twin and she talks to her twin everyday.  This is great for Lark except that her twin, Wren, is dead and has been dead since birth.  Lark knows she's not crazy, but not everyone thinks that way and after having to go back to school and face her classmates after her suicide attempt life just well sucks.  Things take a strange turn when a few of classmates need her help and Wren's.

Some people might not like Lark, but I loved her.  She was really tough, snarky, and the big B most times, but I still adored her.  She has had to put up with a lot of stuff including her parents shipping her off to live with her grandmother so I can see why she is the way she is. Could she have toned it down at times yes, but I wouldn't have wanted her too. She was who she was and I think the author did an incredible job at writing here.  Wren was the opposite and it was nice having that balance.  I think it helped Lark ground herself a little and it helped her be able to face her daily life. 

The story was awesome!  It was gross and creepy and just so cool!  I really liked all the ghosts stuff and I think the author did an amazing job at adding things I haven't read before. I have to hand it to her to because the big baddie was chill worthy!  The story had a nice balance between romance, plot, and funny spots.  Nothing seemed fake between the characters. They all knew where they stood and nothing was sugared coated or hidden.  I really appreciated the honestly that was thrown in.  I would like to know more about the Shadowlands (the place where Wren goes to get away from the living).  I think there is a whole new world there and I can't wait to see it developed.  Plus I think Wren has a dark side and I'm really curious to see that side of her and I want to know more about Larks abilities.  I have a feeling all will be explored in the next installment.

The only thing that bothered me about this was the last few pages.  Something happens that I think was out of character and I am really hoping the author isn't going to throw in a dreaded love triangle.  I like where the characters are with each other and I don't think the story needs that. It is way stronger without the added drama.  Other than that this story was amazing and just what I have been looking for!

4.5 Snowflakes

Review: Black Dove White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

Black Dove, White Ravenby Elizabeth Wein 

Expected publication: March 31st 2015
by Disney-Hyperion

A new historical thriller masterpiece from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Wein Emilia and Teo's lives changed in a fiery, terrifying instant when a bird strike brought down the plane their stunt pilot mothers were flying. Teo's mother died immediately, but Em's survived, determined to raise Teo according to his late mother's wishes-in a place where he won't be discriminated against because of the color of his skin. But in 1930s America, a white woman raising a black adoptive son alongside a white daughter is too often seen as a threat. Seeking a home where her children won't be held back by ethnicity or gender, Rhoda brings Em and Teo to Ethiopia, and all three fall in love with the beautiful, peaceful country. But that peace is shattered by the threat of war with Italy, and teenage Em and Teo are drawn into the conflict. Will their devotion to their country, its culture and people, and each other be their downfall or their salvation? In the tradition of her award-winning and bestselling Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein brings us another thrilling and deeply affecting novel that explores the bonds of friendship, the resilience of young pilots, and the strength of the human spirit.

My Thoughts

Black Dove White Raven is heart wrenching, powerful tale about Em & Teo, who become caught between fighting for the country they have grown to love and fighting for each other. Wein has never been one to shy away from difficult topics and this books runs the gamut as she touches on Racism, Fascism, Gender Bias, and the dealing with the loss of a loved one set to a 1930's back drop.

Em and Teo have been raised together and are as close as any real blood sibling if not closer. Their mothers, Rhoda and Delia are best friends and have a performing aerial show where they took the stage names of Black dove & White Raven. When Teo's mother is killed during a flight and Em's mother succumbs to her grief due to her Delia sized hole in her heart, Teo and Em must truly begin to rely on each other. This tragedy serves only to cement the bond they have already developed sadly as most tragedies have a way of doing. Rhoda eventually decides to fulfill her best friend wish to see her children be able to live in a place where they are not under constant scrutiny due the color of their skin by moving them to Ethiopia.

Before they get to the big move Em and Teo travel to Em's grandparents in Bucks County, PA (which is weird since my husband I used to live there). They assume their mother's stage names and create stories to pass the time and also to try to occasionally reach Rhoda in her melancholy state. I found these characters fascinating since they so very much reflected the lives they were leading, Black Dove (Teo) could make himself completely invisible and White Raven (Em) was a master of disguise who was never to reveal her true identity. I thought these correlations were very clever indeed. In 1930's quaker PA things were not as progressive as you might think. Teo was mercilessly teased for his race and hampered appearance while em was teased that her mother was crazy. Out of a need for escape they used their characters for Em to become someone else and Teo to just become invisible. Once they finally arrived in Ethiopia, I felt is was another unique  for the tables to have turned and for em to be the one trying to be invisible while Teo became the master of disguise. Very clever word play indeed.

In typical Wein fashion, a good portion of the narration occurred through written stories, letters, random poems, and flight logs. The pacing was a bit slow for my taste but but I also had a bit of trouble following the more historical aspects of the book. As Teo & Em got older and went to pilot for the Emperor, the book took a distinctly more political shift & there was some disconnect. Not that Ethiopia wasn't something I enjoyed learning about but, it just didn't resonate with me the way that Code Name Verity, a book on the second World War, did. It may simply be because I know so very little about the Fascist movement itself. At any rate I found myself a bit bored at times. I also had to seriously trudge through a bit of story to get back to the focus of Em & Teo.

The meat of Wein's writing which focuses predominantly on the relationships, thoughts, and emotions of her characters was still very abundant. The book excelled in that manner. There was also that riveting climax that I have come to expect from Wein's story telling. i was not let down in that manner.

If you can go into this a bit more open to the political happening I think you will be blown away. Wein creates historical fiction at its finest with love, loyalty, and friendship at the core of all of her writing. Black dove White Raven was a beautifully moving tale.

3.5 Snowflakes

Stacking the Shelves #73

A weekly meme hosted by, Tynga's Reviews, that features the books we bought, borrowed, were gifted, and were given for review. 

Last week life was crazy so our StS post didn't happen so that means you get the double the fun this week!  I am including all our awesome posts for the past 2 weeks!  Here's what we've been up to....

Reviews:

Woven by Michael Jensen &  David Powers King

I Became Shadow by Joe Shine

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton--Blog Tour

How (Not) to Fall in Love by Lisa Brown Roberts--Blog Tour

Interviews:

Kimberley Griffiths Little

Not So Much Review:

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

Memes:

Teaser Tuesday

Waiting on Wednesday

WinterHaven Fun:

Blog Tour: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Event Signing: Gayle Forman

Giveaways:

Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little 

I Was Here by Gayle Forman--Signed

Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Here's what landed in our happy hands these past two weeks!

For Review:

After the Red Rain by Barry Lyga

Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Stones and Finger Bones by Jessica Minyard

Blood Soaked Ashes by Frankie Ash

Echo 8 by Sharon Lynn Fisher

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertali

Red by Alyxandra Harvey

Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson

Bought:

The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Twin Roses by Sarah Cross

Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Gifted:

Fragile Reign by Stacey O'Neal

*Special thanks to Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Scholastic, Centurion Books,  Frankie Ash Books, Tor Books,  Balzar & Bray,  Entangled Teen,  Farra, Straus, & Giroux (BYR), & Stacey O'Neal*

That's it for us this week!  I hope everyone had an amazing week as well.  Leave me a link so I can see all your pretties!