Review: The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey

Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey by M.G. Hennessey
Published: September 20th, 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins

A heartfelt and timely middle grade story about a transgender boy’s journey toward acceptance and empathy. Perfect for fans of George and Gracefully Grayson.

Twelve-year-old Shane Woods is just a regular boy. He loves pitching for his baseball team, working on his graphic novel, and hanging out with his best friend, Josh. But Shane is keeping something private, something that might make a difference to his teammates, to Josh, and to his new crush, Madeline. And when a classmate threatens to reveal his secret, Shane’s whole world comes crashing down. It will take a lot of courage for Shane to ignore the hate and show the world that he’s still the same boy he was before. And in the end, those who stand beside him may surprise everyone, including Shane.

My Thoughts:

Oh man, this book was ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. Not only did it manage to make me feel a lot of different things, it also taught me something new. I think that kind of reading experiences are always the most rewarding ones.

The Other Boy is a story of 12-year-old Shane. He is in 6th grade, loves baseball and draws a graphic novel about a man called Hogan Fillion (named after his childhood dog Hogan and his favorite actor from Firefly, Nathan Fillion) in his spare time. He has a best friend called Josh and a crush on a girl called Madeleine. His parents are divorced, and he lives with his mother. Shane is happy with himself and his life, but he has a secret that could change everything - he is transgender. 

In addition to his friends Shane is surrounded by his mother and father who have divorced when Shane was younger. Shane's mother is wonderfully encouraging and loving and the way she approaches Shane and his gender is done, in my opinion, very well. Shane's father represent a more questioning side, and though it can be easy to dislike him at moments, the way Shane sees his father helps the reader to understand their relationship a little bit better. In addition to Shane's parents there is Dr. Anne, a physician specialized in transgender children and providing understanding and help when it is really needed. 

Shane is such a lovable, interesting character that I instantly fell in love with. He is funny, loving, incredibly mature and capable of forgiveness. He is creative, loves Firefly and spending time with his best friend, and hopes that one day he does not have to live with secrets. I was so touched by some of the things he says and thinks and the relationship he has with his mother is absolutely fantastic and very well written by Hennessey. I was absolutely heartbroken and angry about the things Shane has to go through as a result of people's close-mindedness, but also relieved that there were people around him that accepted and loved him. 

I want to applaud M.G. Hennessey for writing this story because I think stories like this are extremely important, especially for young readers. The earlier children learn to be accepting and open and to feel empathy for people who might be a little different from them, the better. The Other Boy tackles, for example, the importance of using the preferred pronouns and the hurt that comes from when someone identifies you incorrectly as well as when and how to use terms like "transitioning" and "stealth mode".  It also discusses the importance of accepting communities, like a support group for transgender kids and their parents and tells a heartbreaking story about a boy who feels like he cannot be what he wants to be just because people around him do not accept him. Hennessey also manages to acknowledge that not all transgender kids share similar experiences and is aware of the fact that there is not one correct way to deal with things such as one's identity, sexuality, etc. 

There will be parents who will keep their children away from this book and shun it, but hopefully, the majority will be parents who will share this book with their children and encourage them to make their own conclusions about Shane's story. I'm not a parent and do not have the authority to say how parents should raise their children, but I know that children are capable of making their own decisions. While it is completely fine to pass on opinions/values on children,  think they should be able to have a chance to form their own opinions. While this book shows examples of the cruelty children are capable of via bullying, it also shows that kids can have an incredible tendency for being open-minded and accepting of people just as they are.

Five snowflakes

Review: All We Have Left by Wendy Mills

All We Have Left by Wendy Mills
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: August 9th, 2016
Purchase: Amazon

A haunting and heart-wrenching story of two girls, two time periods, and the one event that changed their lives—and the world—forever.

Now:
Sixteen-year-old Jesse is used to living with the echoes of the past. Her older brother died in the September 11th attacks, and her dad has filled their home with anger and grief. When Jesse gets caught up with the wrong crowd, one momentary hate-fueled decision turns her life upside down. The only way to make amends is to face the past, starting Jesse on a journey that will reveal the truth about how her brother died.

Then:
In 2001, sixteen-year-old Alia is proud to be Muslim... it's being a teenager that she finds difficult. After being grounded for a stupid mistake, Alia is determined to show her parents that that they must respect her choices. She'll start by confronting her father at his office in downtown Manhattan, putting Alia in danger she never could have imagined. When the planes collide into the Twin Towers Alia is trapped inside one of the buildings. In the final hours she meets a boy who will change everything for her as the flames rage around them . . .

Interweaving stories past and present, full of heartbreak and hope, two girls come of age in an instant, learning that both hate and love have the power to reverberate into the future and beyond.

My thoughts:

Two girls. Two stories. One event that shocked and changed the world.

Alia is trying to visit her father in World Trade Center when she gets stuck in an elevator with a guy called Travis. Was it just a malfunction? Could it have been an explosion? Is someone going to come and help them? What happens next is something no one ever expected to happen.

Jesse lost her brother almost 15 years ago at the September 11th attacks. While her parents are still together, they are both trying hard to keep quiet about Travis and what happened to him. Her mother keeps herself busy with work and other activities, while her father drinks and rages on the television. When Jesse befriends a group of graffiti artists, she ends up tagging an anti-Muslim message and gets caught. Forced to do community service at a Muslim Peace Center she starts to learn more about herself and also becomes curious about her brother, a young man who will forever be 18, a guy she never really knew and a person she has only come to known as the brother who died tragically.

I think the way Mills is able to balance the two stories and the two time periods is excellently done. As the novel processes, the two stories start to intricately weave together and more and more parallels are found between the two. Both Alia and Jesse are extremely interesting characters who both struggle with issues of confidence and finding your place in a world that is constantly changing. Alia's story is mostly tied up to the 11th of September, while Jesse's story spans a longer time and thus allows for more character development.

I was ten years old in September 11th, 2001 and I also have a clear recollection of where I was when I heard about the attacks to the World Trade Center. I lived in Finland at the time, so the events felt quite distant for me, but even then, I feel like I was aware of the fact that what had happened was extremely tragic and that it would change things. Not only in United States, but all over the world. In the novel, Jesse never really knew her brother. She was only a toddler when 9/11 happened, and for a long time she has been trying to figure out how to grief for someone she never really knew. She knows that she is supposed to be sad, and she is, but without knowing anything about her brother it feels to her like her sorrow is very superficial.She knows she makes a mistake when she generalizes that all Muslims are to blame for what happened to her brother, and I think she really learns from that mistake, in many different ways.

Due to its subject matter, this novel is obviously very sad. The events that happen in the tower and as well as the discrimination also Jesse engages in made me both angry and heartbroken. Both 9/11 and the treatment of Muslims in US are very controversial topics to write about, but I think Mills shows sensitivity in her treatment of both. The acknowledgements at the end of the novel thank both 9/11 survivors who have shared their stories, as well as Muslin families who have welcomed Mills to their home for research purposes, so I would like to assume that readers from both of those groups (survivors and Muslims) can read this book without feeling like they are wrongly or unfairly represented. I am really looking forward to reviews from young Muslim reviewers in order to read their thoughts on this one.

Thinking about the current political climate in the United States with the election coming and Donald Trump trailblazing his way forward, the way this novel depicts attitudes towards the Muslim population made me kind of sick at times. I think Mills has done wisely to include that discrimination here to show the reality of the situation, and I think she handles the treatment of it well. But just thinking that there are some so narrow-minded people out there baffles me. I won't go into more political discussion here, but if you are politically inclined, I think you might find this one an interesting read!

I have a feeling All We Have Left will be making waves once it is published. It is beautifully and sensitively written, sad but occasionally uplifting tale about human endurance, bravery, forgiveness and second chances.

Five Snowflakes

Blog Tour Excerpt, Review, and Giveaway: Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Today on WinterHaven Books we are joining in the blog tour for Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking hosted by the publisher.  We have an exciting excerpt and giveaway to share with you as well as my review!

Ice Kissed (Kanin Chronicles #2) by Amanda Hocking

Published on May 5th, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Purchase:  Amazon / B&N / IndieBound / iBooks

In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It's a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare. 

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that's been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it's also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level--one neither of them is prepared for. As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it'll change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.

Excerpt

The wind had calmed down some, so I left my jacket open, letting the air freeze the sweat that still stuck to me. After we’d finished training for the day, Ember had insisted that I join her for a treat at the bakery in the town square, saying we’d earned it. Tilda had to finish up some paperwork, and then she planned to meet us so we could talk more in depth about her wedding plans.My muscles already ached and my right wrist cracked loudly every time I moved it, but I wasn’t sure I felt like I’d earned anything. The day left me feeling more like a failure than I already had.
Several inches of snow had piled up while we’d been working. Although there were still tracks from people and animals braving the weather, the streets were mostly deserted. The Kanin could handle whatever the weather threw at them, but that didn’t mean they were masochists. Most of us knew when it was worth it to stay in by the fire.
But Ember didn’t seem to mind. She just pulled her hat down over her ears and trudged through the snow banks.
“You were awfully quiet today,” Ember commented as we made our way down to the bakery.
I shrugged. “I was just training.”
“It’s more than that.” She paused before adding, “You know no one blames you.”
“Some people do.”
Ember scoffed. “Those people are stupid. Everyone who knows you knows that you did everything you could to stop Viktor Dålig and Konstantin.”
We’d been outside long enough that the cold had started to get to me, but I didn’t zip up my jacket. I just clenched my jaw, refusing to let my teeth chatter.
An oversized white husky was digging through the garbage outside the butcher shop. Large snowflakes clung to his thick fur. He looked at me as we passed by, his bright blue eyes seeming to look straight through me, and a chill ran down my spine. I quickly looked away.
“What if I didn’t do everything I could?” I asked.
Ember was so startled that she halted. “What? What are you talking about?”
“I mean, I did.” I turned back to face her, since I had walked a few steps after she’d stopped, and behind her I saw the husky had returned to rooting through the trash buried beneath the snow.
Ember narrowed her eyes. “Then what are you saying?”
“I don’t know.” I let out a deep breath, and it was shaky from the cold. I turned my head toward the sky, blinking back the snowflakes that hit my lashes. “I did everything I could, but it wasn’t good enough. So then . . . what does it matter?”
There was something more to it than that, though. Something I couldn’t explain to Ember.
Viktor Dålig had beaten me, that was true. The sight of him had been like encountering a ghost, and I’d been in shock, so he’d been able to get the best of me. That didn’t mean I hadn’t wanted to stop him, but it had been my fault for letting myself be caught off guard, even for a moment.
But Viktor had wanted to kill me. When he’d smashed my head into the stone, he’d been trying to execute me—I knew that with absolute certainty. But he hadn’t succeeded, and I had a feeling that I had Konstantin Black to thank for being alive.
Run, white rabbit, as fast and far as you can, he’d whispered when I came upon him in the dungeon. Even though he’d been escaping, he’d looked so defeated then—his gray eyes soft and mournful, his entire body sagging, his olive skin going pale beneath the shadow of his beard. Konstantin hadn’t wanted me to get hurt.
I’d been convinced that Konstantin had been working for someone, that his attack on my father and his plots to go after changelings weren’t his idea. In Storvatten, he’d even said as much to me, telling me that he’d done it all for love. Whatever that meant.
“What happened in Storvatten?” Ember stepped closer to me. “You never even told me about Viktor Dålig. I’ve had to hear everything through other people,” she added, trying not to sound hurt that I hadn’t confided in her more.
“What have you heard?” I tilted my head, curious to know what people were saying.
“That he surprised you and overpowered you, and then he escaped with Konstantin,” she explained with a weak shrug. “Is there anything more to it than that? Did Viktor say anything to you?”
The butcher leaned out the back door of his shop and banged loudly on a metal pan, scaring the husky. The dog gave one hungry glance in my direction before running off and dis- appearing into the snow.
“No. He didn’t say anything.” I shook my head. “But...”
“But what?”
The wind came up a bit, blowing my blond waves of hair in front of my face, and I brushed them back absently. Ember pulled her jacket tighter around her, but she kept her dark eyes locked on me.
“I can’t help but feel like if I’d found the Queen, I’d have some answers,” I said finally, deciding that part of the truth was better than admitting that I didn’t think Konstantin was as evil as I once had.
“The Skojare Queen?” Her brow pinched, not understanding. “I thought she was dead.”
“That’s the theory,” I said. “I wanted to look for her more, but the Skojare King called off the search, and Ridley said there wasn’t anything left for us to do.”
“If the Skojare King doesn’t want you looking anymore, then Ridley’s right,” Ember said.
“I know, but . . .” I chewed my lip. “If I could find Linnea, I think I could find out what Konstantin is up to.”
“If you find her, and that’s assuming she’s even alive,” Ember pointed out. I lowered my eyes but didn’t say anything. “And you have direct orders to stay here and prepare for war. You can’t go off on some kind of wild-goose chase at a time like this.”
“I know.” I let out a reluctant sigh. “I just hate feeling so useless.”
“Everything that’s happened lately has to have been rough on you.” Ember looped her arm through mine and started leading me away, toward the bakery. “But that doesn’t mean you’re useless. You’re strong and you’re smart. You’re a great soldier, and that’s important too.”
We rounded the corner, and the sweet scent of pastries wafted through the air. My stomach rumbled, and I realized I’d skipped lunch that day. I’d been so focused on my training that I’d completely forgotten about it.
I began fantasizing about a delicious blackberry tart—a wonderful combination of sweet and bitter, with an emphasis on the bitter. But my momentary good mood immediately soured when the door to the bakery opened, and Juni Sköld stepped out into the snow.
It wasn’t exactly the sight of her that made me freeze in my tracks. Juni worked at the bakery, so I shouldn’t have been that surprised to see her here. She had to be one of the nicest people in all of Doldastam, and her luminescent skin literally radiated with happiness and kindness.
It was who she was with, and what she meant to him, that made me stop cold. Following right behind her was Ridley Dresden. He still wore his uniform, so he’d come here right from work to walk his girlfriend home.
“What’s wrong?” Ember asked. Since her arm was looped with mine, she’d been forced to stop alongside me.
Juni was laughing at something Ridley had said, but then she turned, and as soon as she spotted us her smile widened. Ridley, on the other hand, looked stricken at the sight of me.
I’m certain that part of it was because he was still angry at me. But another part was probably because he’d kissed me— twice—since he’d been dating Juni. The first time was only a few short blocks from here, and it had been so passionate and so intense that even thinking about it now made my pulse race and my stomach swirl with butterflies.
“Bryn!” Juni exclaimed, walking over to me while Ridley trailed several slow steps behind her. “It’s so good to see you! How are you holding up?”
“I’m . . .” I couldn’t even muster a fake smile.
Seeing her sheer delight and genuine concern for my well- being made me recognize that I had to be one of the worst beings who ever lived. And that was combined with the way Ridley was acting right then—shoving his hands in his pockets, avoiding looking at me at all costs. When his eyes finally did manage to land on me, his gaze was so harsh I felt about two inches tall.
“We’ve had a long day,” Ember supplied, since it seemed that I would stand there forever without saying anything.
“I’m just cold,” I said suddenly. “I think I should get inside.”
“Well, you stay warm,” Juni said, but she looked puzzled. “And take care.”
“Thanks, you too.” I ducked my head down and hurried toward the bakery as fast as I could.
“Why didn’t you say anything to her?” I heard Juni ask Ridley as I pulled open the door. “Are you two fighting?”
I practically ran inside the bakery so I wouldn’t have to hear his answer.

My Thoughts:

Where do I even begin!? I've been a fan of Amanda Hocking way back when she very first released her first self published book years ago. I was drawn to her storytelling and the ease of her writing from the start. The novel, Frostfire, the first in the Kanin Chronicles, captured my attention with its summery and the beautiful cover art. Of course, it's Amanda Hocking! I was going to read it!

Ice Kissed was everything I had expected from the author and more. She amps up the mystery, romance, intrigue and pulls out a depth I hadn't quite expected! This was a pleasant surprise to say the least and she clarified questions I had from the Frostfire.

Ridley Dresden and Bryn Aven are back home from their job in Skojare, the capital of Storvatten. Though they were released from their duties since the mission was declared complete, she wouldn't call it over because Konstantin Black had escaped, and the Queen (Queen Linnea Biaelse) they'd gone to find was still missing.

"But now as I rode Bloom through the falling snow, pushing him hard as though I could somehow escape the truth, I realized I was more afraid that my memories were right." (ebook page 10)

Bryn concluded that what she perceived happened in the dungeon had truly taken place, that Victor Dalig was there, and had indeed been the one to smash her head into the wall. Bryn was on a mission to figure out why Konstantin would care about Victor's vengeance, and why Konstantin was issuing warnings to run from danger.

With the help of her mother, whom was born and raised in Storvatten, she and Ridley were able to find the missing Queen and get her to safetly. Bryn and Kasper Abbot were asked to escort the Queen back to Storvatten, and help making some changes if necessary to strengthen the security and restore order among their guards etc.

Before Bryn takes off for Storvatten, Bryn FINALLY caves in to her intense feelings for Riley. My toes curled and I was soooo happy!!!! I love those two as a whole, but I knew before I was finished reading that enticing scene....Bryn would reel back and over-think things. Because Ridley is the Overste, they weren't allowed to be a couple. She's one determined young lady though, and she's been on a mission of her own, and that's to be a Hogdragen.

Between Prince Kennet making passes on Bryn, her feelings for Ridley, and the confusion of who's working with Victor, that girl is a walking time bomb. As I came near the end of this tension filled story, I flipped those ebook pages with lightening speed! I had to know where this was going! At every turn my mind changed as to who I thought was the guilty party.

Ice Kissed was by far the most nail biting story from Hocking yet! That ending!!! Ahhhh! She wove this story with so many possibilities and wrapped it up nicely with a great need for the third installment. Make no mistake, this story is one you need to get your claws on. Bring on the next book!!!

About Author:

AMANDA HOCKING is The New York Times bestselling author of the Trylle trilogy and a lifelong Minnesotan. After selling over a million copies of her books, primarily in eBook format, she became the exemplar of self-publishing success in the digital age.

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Review: Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis

 Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Publisher: Katherine Tegan books

Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013

B&N / Amazon / Goodreads

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

My Thoughts:

Not A Drop To Drink is about a mother and daughter who live in the basement of their farm house and by day and night protect their pond from the roof of their home. This survival story is one that touched me and was different from other dystopian novels I have read.

Lynn was a product of her environment. Her mother instilled survival instincts and the intelligence of doing so, but what this young lady lacked was friendship. Companionship was uncommon as Lynn and her mother lived in a desolate area and the only interaction was with wild animals and the occasional rogue. There is one exception, and that was Stebb. He lived off in the distant woods in what looked like a shack. Their interaction was very slim, but when Lynn needed someone the most, is when the reader truly got to know this man.

Their situation wasn’t uncommon, however, with the shortage of fresh water, they did what was necessary to protect the one thing they knew would alter their lives had they not had it; the pond. They had a daily routine of fetching buckets of water, heating it, and storing it for later use. This was sterilized which was important, as there was bacteria that could make them sick, or worse yet, be their demise.

The strength and courage they showcased was admirable. They weathered the roughest conditions and threats. Cutting their own firewood, fighting off ravenous wild animals, growing what food they could, killing those animals for meat, gutting, cleaning and storing of it as well.

These characters were well written and tough cookies. When an accident occurs, Lynn is left with a guilt and an unknown future. And enter Stebbs. Being alone with her mother her whole life, she is timid and unsure of the friendly guy.

The story really picked up when Lynn meets Eli. She develops a personality and it was a nice change of pace from the bland persona I had been used to. Trouble ensues and Lynn is forced to explore new emotions and step outside of the box so to speak.

Throughout the book, Lynn slowly opens up and evolves into a woman. She was no longer under the strict thumb of her mother and the pacing of this was perfection. I was relieved the further the story got and the change that Lynn made.

There were plenty of obstacles and twists thrown in, but some were so touching and heartbreaking I can’t even express. I had tears in my eyes on a couple occasions and I still, after a month ago reading this, can picture those scenes and my heart just throbs thinking of them. The decisions Lynn had to make, was just unfathomable. I think the author did an excellent job pulling the reader into these characters lives and world she created. She didn’t hold back on brutality of these characters lives and what they had to do to survive. I loved that about this story. It didn’t feel contrived, but very real for their situation and I give props to her for “going there.”

I would recommend Not A Drop To Drink to anyone. It was a wonderful story filled with survival, action, emotion, and a little bit of romance (Which was very well done in my opinion).

Review: City of Lost Souls (TMI, #5) by Cassandra Clare

 City of Lost Souls (TMI, #5) by Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: May 8, 2012

B&N / Amazon


Blurb:
The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.
What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

My Thoughts:

Wow! City of Lost Souls was awesome! This was a testament to how far Clary would go to save the man she loves, would do anything and everything to right wrongs even if they weren’t what she thought they should be or how. Being the fifth book in The Mortal Instruments series, I was elated that it turned out to be just as good as the first four.

So much happens in this book. There is non-stop action and it’s full of love and romance! COLS is told through multiple pov’s which at first, I wasn’t fond of the swapping around, but unexpectedly ended up really liking it. Cassandra Clare executes the change in just the right spot, and just when you are settled into one pov, you’re onto the next. I loved reading from so many different characters perspectives. I felt I understood them better and what they were facing or going through.
I’m going to break this down nice and easy, and avoid spoilers as best I can.
 
Clary makes a decision to see the Faerie Queen, who always wants something in return. She just wants to find out where Jace is and if he is still alive! The Clave wasn’t real helpful, but Sebastian had ways of making it nearly impossible to track him and Jace. (Very clever if you ask me)
Alec was facing his own personal demons. Being in love with an immortal could do that anyone. And he got some advice from an unlikely source, but it was helpful to him and overcoming his issues. Perhaps it will come back and bite him in the rear, but I fully understood his dilemma and sympathized for him.

Simon is such a guy. The best “boy-friend” a girl could have yet is oblivious when affections are thrown his way. Of course, his instinct is to think he isn’t worthy and is misreading them because there was no way a beautiful, fierce, strong-willed woman would find him anything other than a monster. Since that’s what his mother has deemed him. He too, is fighting an inner battle. He wants to speak with his sister, but he’s afraid of losing her also.

“I think about him all the time,” she said. “It’s awful. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.”

Isabelle is once again fierce, but there’s a whole new path she walks in this book. She may seem cold and tough, but when she opens up to Jordan, and liquid courage is flowing, Izzy transforms. I was soooo elated when this event took place, because she was the only one who seemed to be a free spirit, without a love interest.

Jordan and Maia were so darn cute! These two wolves were basically at a crossroads and finally were able to talk and work through their feelings for one another. I honestly wasn’t sure if they would get passed their past maturely.

“I won’t be just your friend. I love you, Maia. I’m in love with you. I always have been. I always will be. Just being your friend would kill me.”

Jocelyn’s maternal instincts were on high alert, but being too protective has actually set Clary off, making big decisions behind her overprotective mother’s back. Jocelyn has her hands full with Clary, and I think she intends to do right by her, but she needs to let Clary be a woman. Let her make choices for herself. Advice is one thing, but preventing an iron-willed girl from doing something she feels passionate about, will only cause waves in their relationship.

Once again, I just loved Clary in this book. Not only does she prove time and time again how strong she is, not just physically, but emotionally. Torn between doing the unthinkable and her emotional and physical love for Jace, Clary surprised me. She was able to set her deep emotional love for Jace aside and act without regret. AND that is one strong protagonist. She would go to hell and back if she had to. What can I say about Jace and Clary that you haven’t already thought? They are a rockstar couple! It is inevitable they belong to one another. I felt so bad for Jace and the situation he had no control over. Being bound to your enemy is the worse possible scenario. Even though he wasn't his true self, Clary knew he was in there, her real Jace.

This group of friends went above and beyond to get their Jace back. And it was evident how much he is loved by them. I love that these characters have grown so much and have formed such a deep connecting bond. And that ending!!!! Gah!!! I can’t wait for the next book!

 

 

Blog Tour & Review: Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George

Winterhavenbooks is excited to take part in the blog tour for Jessica Day George's second installment to the Castle Glower stories. A big "Thank You" to Bloomsbury for allowing us to participate.

Wednesdays in the Tower (Castle Glower #2) by Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Publication Date: May 7, 2013

A castle that is constantly rearranging itself, and a young royal family sworn to protect it... Celie, Rolf, and their beloved Castle Glower are back in this exciting sequel.

Strange things are afoot in Castle Glower: new rooms, corridors, and even stables keep arriving, even when they aren't needed. Celie's brother Bran, the new Royal Wizard, has his hands full cataloguing an entire storeroom full of exotic and highly dangerous weapons, while Celie has her hands full . . . raising the creature that hatches from a giant egg she finds! Will they be able to find out what's making the Castle behave this way in time?

My Thoughts:

Jessica Day George has created a vivid world full of mystery and excitement in this second installment of Castle Glower, in Wednesdays in the Tower.

Princess Cecelia (Celie) has found a new stairway leading to a tower with a peculiar egg nestled at the top. This orange egg was like nothing she had ever seen before. So when she goes to show this new stairway and the egg, it disappears. The castle has a mind of its own. It obviously wants Celie to take care of this egg. She enlists the help of her brother Bran and the journeyman blacksmith, Pague Parry.

Bran (the oldest brother) was newly home from the College of Wizardry nd now instated as the Royal Wizard. He was in charge of the Armor Gallery. New magical weapons are all around and he has his hands full with them but, Celie needs his help.

This was yet again, another magical story mixed with mystery and a new creature that will bring a few laughs. The griffin was very relatable as it reminded me so very much of having a new little puppy. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this story.

This story ends off on a cliffhanger. I like where the story ended. I could envision the world they were in and the final scene as she jumped on Rufus' back. I loved the relationship between the siblings and the action that this provided.

Overall, this was another great escape into a magical world created by the author. I am looking forward to the next book in the Castle Glower series.

About The Author

Originally from Idaho,Jessica Day George studied at Brigham Young University and has been a movie store clerk, a bookseller, and a school office lady before becoming a writer. Jessica lives with her husband, their three young children, and a five-pound Maltese named Pippin who often makes cameo appearances in her books. She is the author of Tuesdays at the Castle, as well as the Twelve Dancing Princesses series, and Dragon Slippers series Visit her website atwww.jessicadaygeorge.com

Review & Signed Book Giveaway: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Publication Date: December 19, 2012

Purchase Links: Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

My Thoughts
Hopelessly Beautiful!
"I’m the only one that can be held accountable for the way my life turns out."

"And once again in my new world full of heartache and lies, this hopeless boy somehow finds a way to make me smile."

Being a huge fan of Colleen Hoover, I can’t express how exciting it was to hear she was coming out with her newest novel Hopeless. Slammed and Point of Retreat have and will remain on my favorites shelf for quite some time. So I was truly eager to dive into this book, so I could meet her two new characters Sky and Holder. That was until, I heard about the subject matter that surrounds this novel. ~cringes~ It was then, that I quietly and gracefully shelved the book for a couple of months until I could work up the nerve to handle the journey Hoover had in store for me.

See, reading stories where there’s violence toward children is one of the biggest detractors in subject matter for me. For the most part, that hasn’t stopped me from reading powerful novels such as Living Dead Girl, Split, and If You Find Me to name a few. But it does take a ton of resolve and mental preparation for me to dive in because I don’t take these subjects lightly… of course. They truly affect my mood, break my heart, and leave me spent. Not the experience I tend to seek when hoping for an fictional escape. I feel it takes a talented author who can grapple with these subject matters and deliver something poignant and hopeful. So take your bow Colleen Hoover… you proved the power in your pen. You shared your story and took care of your readers along the way. ~applauds with admiration~

So about this book… In Hopeless, I had the pleasure of meeting Sky who has lived a socially void life being home schooled by her foster mom and sheltered from the influence of television, the internet and mobile devices. When she finally convinces her foster mom to allow her to enroll in school for her senior year, in the hopes of building her scholastic resume as leverage into a good college, what she realizes is the pain and disillusionment from the bullying she experiences. In addition to the difficulty she experiences in acclimating to her new life, she meets Holder, a very moody yet attractive guy that approaches her unexpectedly. Without spoiling the novel, these two begin to fall for one another and together they ignite the catalyst that exposes past secrets Sky is forced to face.

There were so many themes that Hoover meticulously weaved into her novel and all of them were handled with finesse. She was able to show the realities of bullying, the pain of deceit, the hope of forgiveness and the power of friendship and love. Where it came to the topic of kidnapping and sexual abuse, I have to say Hoover really thought this through. She offered just the right about of detail to give you a sense of what happened, but not too much as to leave you crawling into yourself and coming undone. The balance she provided was handled with realism yet sensitivity.

As for Sky and Holder, I can’t end this review without expressing how much I adored these two characters. They were a perfect pair, flaws and all. I really enjoyed the banter between the both of them. His non-positive affirmations were extremely endearing, if that makes any sense. Their backstory was heartbreaking but their future felt hopeful. Loved these two!!

As I’ve expressed before about this amazing author, I’m convinced Colleen Hoover has magic flowing from her pen. I love her writing. I adore her character development. And, after reading her newest novel Hopeless, I can add to my list by saying, I admire her way of handling sensitive subjects with such finesse and care. Well done Hoover! Well done!

4 Snowflakes

And now for the exciting part!! I had the pleasure of recently meeting Colleen Hoover at a Los Angeles Author signing event, where I obtained an extra copy of this wonderful book. So if you'd like a chance to win this SIGNED copy of Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, be sure to fill out the rafflecopter below. Open internationally. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Expected publication: March 5, 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.
"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.d
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."
"What about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Shallow, confused, then dead."
''I love you," Park says.
"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be."
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

My Thoughts

What a pleasant surprise Eleanor & Park turned out to be! It absolutely caught me off guard around the mid point of the story when the characters suddenly began to wrap themselves around my heart. By the final pages, I was completely vested in Eleanor and Park’s story about unlikely friendships, complicated love and painful life experiences.

In this story, we meet Eleanor and Park during their sophomore year when they encounter each other for the very first time in the most brutal of places… the school bus. They don’t quite hit it off from the get go, as a matter of fact their initial meeting was cringe-worthy and all around brutal. Eleanor made quite the impression with her second-hand boy clothes and who-cares attitude, but as the story progresses, there’s more to her appearance and attitude than meets the eye. When the quiet, yet cool Park begrudgingly offers her a seat next to him on the bus and begins to break down the walls she’s built around herself, they eventually become close friends and develop a messy and complicated romance.

There were so many layers to this book that unfolded as the story progressed. We get to witness concepts play out such as school bullying, family problems, racial biases, and so much more. Every page was purposeful as each chapter added to the compounding depth of this story. By the end, nothing was wrapped up in a pretty bow, but surprisingly everything was appropriately addressed, making the story feel both impactful yet realistic.

My heart broke for Eleanor as I witnessed her struggles and felt her agony over her family situation. When I compared her life to Park’s, it really made me appreciate their friendship and bond so much more as Park tried to share some of his good fortune with her in so many ways. He really came to be Eleanor’s “knight in shining amour” and it just made the experience all the more sincere and heartfelt.

The twist at the end really caught me by surprise, and it just made me dislike one of the characters even more, which I didn’t think was possible. I always struggle with crappy fictional parents and this story really wins a prize in the “Worst Parents Ever” category. To see what Eleanor has to struggle with broke my heart. In contrast, when I compared them to Park’s mom and dad, it added that much needed levity to show that there are some parents that really get it, so I found myself applauding them.

Overall, this story is an unassuming tale of first love and teenage hardships. It took some time for me to fall for the characters, but when I did… it was well worth the journey. I truly enjoyed this book. Well done!

Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof:

The first time he'd held her hand, it felt so good that it crowded out all the bad things. It felt better than anything had ever hurt.

You saved my life, she tried to tell him. Not forever, not for good. Probably just temporarily. But you saved my life, and now I'm yours. The me that's me right now is yours. Always...

4 Snowflakes