Early Release Review: Violent Ends by Shaun Hutchinson

Violent Ends by  Shaun Hutchinson (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Kendare Blake (Goodreads Author), Steve Brezenoff, Delilah S. Dawson (Goodreads Author), Trish Doller (Goodreads Author), Margie Gelbwasser (Goodreads Author), E.M. Kokie (Goodreads Author), Cynthia Leitich Smith , Tom Leveen, Hannah Moskowitz (Goodreads Author), Elisa Nader (Goodreads Author), Beth Revis (Goodreads Author), Mindi Scott (Goodreads Author), Neal Shusterman (Goodreads Author), Brandon Shusterman, Courtney Summers (Goodreads Author), Blythe Woolston, Christine Johnson
Publisher: Simon Pule
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Pre order: Amazon

It took only twenty-two minutes for Kirby Matheson to exit his car, march onto school grounds, enter the gymnasium, and open fire, killing six and injuring five others.

But this isn't a story about the shooting itself. This isn't about recounting that one unforgettable day.

This is about Kirby and how one boy—who had friends, enjoyed reading, played saxophone in the band, and had never been in trouble before—became a monster capable of entering his school with a loaded gun and firing on his classmates.

Each chapter is told from a different victim's viewpoint, giving insight into who Kirby was and who he'd become. Some are sweet, some are dark; some are seemingly unrelated, about fights or first kisses or late-night parties.

This is a book of perspectives—with one character and one event drawing them all together—from the minds of some of YA's most recognizable names.

My thoughts:
I discovered this hidden gem at TXLA and I was beyond excited to start it. After finishing it I am left with a strange feeling and honestly it's taken me a few days to sit down and right this review.  I've found it's hard to separate myself from the story because of my family and this really shoves the dangers that lurk in schools right in your face and I am terrified.  Yes I know these dangers have been there for awhile, but I guess going day to day you just don't think about them.  Now though I found I just hold on a little tighter to certain people in the morning and the day after I finished this I even cried after driving away.  This is a tough issue that I don't think anyone is prepared for so if you pick this up just hold your heart because it's going to break in two.

Violent Ends is the story if a high school shooting. What makes this book incredible is that every chapter is told from a different point of view and was written by a different author.  This amazing author line up includes Neal Schusterman, Kendare Blake, Trish Doller, Courtney Summers and so many more.  Seventeen to be exact.  What each chapter has in common though is Kirby, the shooter. 

I'm not lying when I tell you that I had chills while I read this. It was very tough to get through at certain points.  Some chapter did feel a little disconnected and honestly those gave me a chance to breathe a little.  A few chapters really stood out and one was the point of view from the gun.  I won't spoil who wrote it because for some reason I just think it's important to experience that on your own, but OMG it was chilling!  I had to put the book down after that one and just get some distance.  The others weren't as intense, but they all carried something within them that felt sad and broken.  They really made me wonder about the aftermath in real life.

The only thing I wish I would have gotten was Kirby's story.  We get to see him through seventeen pairs of eyes, but I wanted to see through his.  We sort of get a glimpse into the whys of his actions, but I don't understand.  I don't think we are supposed to though so I guess this will just have to be okay.  Kirby was so many things and I can't help but feel conflicted towards him.  Was he a monster yes most definitely, but did he have problems from multiple sides and I just don't know what to feel. I'm angry and a big ole mixed bag of emotions.

This book destroyed me and I can guarantee that the next 10 I read will be HEA's and complete fluff because I need that in my life right now.  This was too real and yes I think it needs to be out there, but I can still grab all my fluff and mean it.

4.5 snowflakes

Review: Two Boys Kissing by David Leviathan

Two Boys Kissing by David Leviathan
Publisher:Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published on: August 27, 2013
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

New York Times  bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS.

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

My Thoughts:
I don't even know where to start with this review.  This book was nothing like I expected and it was much more than I could have ever hoped for.  David Leviathan is a mad genius and if I ever see him I will bow before his awesomeness.

Two Boys Kissing is not just a story about two boys kissing to top the world record for longest kiss, it is about the struggle others have experienced and the people who have paved the way for Craig and Harry to be able to do this in public.  We the reader get to hear the thoughts of so many people who passed on and it made me really think about the people I have lost throughout the years.  What are they thinking?  Are they still with me?  What do they think of my choices?  I found out while reading this that everybody has a purpose and every struggle no matter the outcome will directly influence another person.  Deep right??!!  This is what Levaithan did in this book and I can't say I have ever thought things like this after reading.

When I started this book I had no idea what I was getting into and my goodness this book pulled at my heartstrings. I have no idea how even to describe the intensity I felt throughout this book.  I know I am a bambling mess but I honestly have no idea how to go about explaining how amazing this book is.  It is my top favorite read of the year and I know without a doubt it will be in my top favorite of all time list.  That is a very hard list to make and I only have 3 books on it, but Two Boys Kissing is on it.

Okay I am just going to leave this review begging people to read it.  I have sat at my computer trying to think of what to say about this and I can't find the words so please PLEASE go out and read this book.  It will make you think, cry, scream, and jump for joy.  It is everything a book is supposed to be and more.

Oh and this quote will make any book reader swoon.  This has to be my favorite thing ever and it comes from book titles..

"I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This
Just Listen
Stay
You're the One I Want
So Much Closer
Where I Want to Be
The Difference Between You and Me
Positively
Matched
Perfect 
Wonder
You Are Here
Where I Belong
I'll Be There
Along for the Ride
The Future of Us
Real Live Boyfriends
Keep Holding On"

Simply amazing in my opinion! 

5 HUGE Snowflakes...Actually I am going to start something new. This book deserves way more than 5 snowflakes so thanks to A.G Howard and her wonderful suggestion a while back I am going to make this my first ever blizzard read!

Trillion Billion Million snowflakes = Blizzard read!

Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Mind Games by Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Pre order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

My thoughts:
This book is absolutely amazing. Mind Games is simply that a perfect mind game that will leave you begging for more. I honestly have no clue how I am going to write this review but I am going to try.

The POV in this story alternates between Annie and Fia, two sisters each with very unique abilities. The time setting also changes from present time to the past making things even more complicated, but still in my opinion unique and amazing. The overall storyline is not simple either. It involves lots of espionage, murder, calculating, and deception. Annie and Fia are both being used for their abilities but Fia is the one that everyone wants. It isn’t really clear what her ability actually is until later in the story but believe me it is one of the best creations I have ever read. When Fia can’t take things anymore she starts to take things into her own hands, but with all eyes on her and her sister to protect she doesn’t have many options. This story is really just the beginning, we get to see the background and the why of everything but I think the true story will start in the next one since Fia made a HUGE decision at the end of Mind Games and it is really a game changer for everybody.

The writing style I will admit may turn some people off. I personally loved it but I can see where it could be a little bit much at times. Fia has a habit of repeating certain things three times and tapping her leg three times, this is proven and shown throughout the book and to me it just showed me how broken she really was. I felt her being broken down and with the writing the way it is it just fit her mind perfectly.

I honestly just want to squee from the roof tops about this book. I know my review is all over the place but I just can’t seem to find the words to do this book justice. Mind games is unique, amazing, interesting, and so so much more. I was so shocked at so many things that happened throughout, that by the end of the story I was exhausted emotionally and in shock over what is to come. I don’t know how I am going to wait for the next book!

5 AMAZING Snowflakes