BkRv :: Hello, Burrito, won't you tell me your name?

BOOK REVIEW ::
Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe
Shelley Coriell
@shelleycoriell :: website




YA | Contemporary

FIRST LINE :: eARC :: I loved being a burrito.

 









SUMMARY :: from the B&N website

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

REVIEW ::
Have you been itching for that new IT girl after AUDREY, WAIT!? Someone to make you revel in her awesomeness and make you a devoted fan for years to come? Well, dear Readers, I have finally found the next Audrey: Chloe “Poppy” Camden, and if I had to describe her as a candy, she would be a mouthful of Pop Rocks ( = AMAZING).

THE GOOD BITS
{You had me at burrito!} Without question, I was hooked after the first line, and Shelley Coriell continued to reel me into her debut with the bait of delicious Mexican food, luscious vintage shoes, and awesome cast of characters. The story hits the ground running with its joie de vivre and never lets up until the final page where the reader will be breathless but feeling so alive that a second reading may be warranted. Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe has a lot of heart and embraces the reader with such enthusiasm that will prove irresistable to put down!

{88.8 The Edge} I never got into the whole radio scene myself, but I have always had much respect for the radio peeps. Shrinking Violet comes to mind as the only other radio-themed book I have read, and it focused mostly on one character – whereas Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe gave a whole handful of characters to love at our own risk. They had their own adorable quirks and differences, but they were such a close-knit family who took care of their own. Also, I enjoyed tagging along as Chloe learned the ropes to running a radio station. It all sounds so very fascinating and more fun than I had originally imagined!

{Character chemistry} Not only did Chloe and her love interest sizzle in a way that melted the marshmallows in my hot chocolate, but I believe Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe stands out as one of the best assortment of characters I have ever encountered! I loved the tug-of-war relationship between Chloe and the radio station’s general manager Clementine. They may not have chosen to work together or have matching BFF jewelry, but their clashing personalities had that Odd Couple magic that worked against anyone’s better judgment.

{The highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows} Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe may bask mostly in the sunshine, but it also presents anecdotes of family issues and how it impacts Chloe and her classmates. Admittedly, I think most of them had happy resolutions – but I still appreciated that these problems were included because it made the characters more real and less “charmed life.”

THE BAD BITS
{More on Brie} While this ex-BFF gets some closure by the end, I feel like there is a lot left unresolved with Brie’s story arc that leaves me worried. She makes it her personal mission to ruin Chloe and has a few creepy choker-esque moments, but in the end, I feel like she has not made the same positive progress like the other characters. I know that not everyone can have a happily-ever-after, but Brie’s story screams of warning signs. If anything, I hope someone checks up on her *cough* SEQUEL! *cough* COMPANION? *cough* although I know it may not be as bright and chirpy as Chloe’s story.

THE OVERALL
It is not every day when you encounter a book that is just bursting with happy energy – and Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe is sure to brighten anyone’s day. This book is a pinata full of all the best sorts of candy, and readers will be just as desperate to crack open the pages and dive into the sweet mayhem!

DISCLAIMER :: NETGALLEY

RELEASED MAY 2012 BY AMULET BOOKS (ABRAMS)
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES :: NO.

BkRv :: Saints preserve us, I do love some EPIC!

BOOK REVIEW ::

GRAVE MERCY

Robin LaFevers
@RLLaFevers :: website




YA | Historical | Series Book 1

FIRST LINE :: ARC :: I bear a deep red stain that runs from my left shoulder down to my right hip, a trail left by the herbwitch’s poison that my mother used to try to expel me from her womb.












SUMMARY :: from the B&N website

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

REVIEW ::
I expected GRAVE MERCY to somehow channel a fairy tale feel – maybe badass Red Riding Hood with a crossbow – given the cover and the tagline. I hate to break it to you, dear Readers, but this is no fairy tale. Nay, GRAVE MERCY is an intense EPIC fueled with dark and gritty details. Robin LaFevers has built a fascinating world built upon old magic and politics.

Ismae is a tough character to love, but I think that may be partly due to the fact that she has been a sheltered life that has ill-prepared her to interact normally and comfortably with people. Although she has the itch to assassinate traitors, Ismae is hardly the experienced assassin as Celaena Sardothien. She still is in her “training wheels” stage where she can have an assignment go smoothly, but that is due to 80% pure luck and 20% skill. Not to mention, if I were in Ismae’s shoes and caught in the tangled web of politics, I probably would be on edge as well and not trust anyone with my back. I had hoped that Ismae would mellow out or show a little marshmallow middle, but she remained a strong and resolute personality that warranted respect and maybe fear but never the hug that I so wanted to give her.

The story slowly but steadily builds to the point where Ismae comes face-to-face with the truth and has to weigh her options on the right course of action. St. Mortain, the old god of Death, expects her to kill those who have earned the marque to die, but when Ismae learns that this is not as black-and-white as the convent led her to believe, she gets a rude awakening into the gray area where change of heart occurs. I cannot say that there was a definitive climax – that high point where everything comes together before it plummets to the end; instead, the story remains steadfast in its intensity that I probably held my breath with anticipation for a solid 200 pages.

There was not a whole lot of romance despite the promising hint of one. My lack of reaction may be a result of my love for the headier romances where I see more heated interactions (not necessarily without clothes, but the tug-of-war bantering and emotional rollercoaster). Ismae and Duval had a few good exchange of words, but I did not quite feel the pull of their attraction. The romance was expected and established, but I thought both parties seemed a bit stiff –and, like I mentioned earlier, Ismae is a tough cookie to love and she never really melted enough to welcome love into her life. I don’t know how else to explain it. I was a little disappointed with how this romance panned out.

I can see fans of The Scorpio Races or the Beka Cooper series gravitating towards GRAVE MERCY because it travels on the same EPIC wavelength. Robin LaFevers has created such a fierce young woman that will demand attention and, trust me, it will be awfully hard to look away! I am curious to see what Book 2 will bring; it is supposed to focus on another fair assassin, but I am not sure if Ismae will also make an appearance. I kinda of want to have my cake and eat it too, so I hope Robin LaFevers will spoil us!

DISCLAIMER :: PUBLISHER
RELEASED APRIL 2012 BY HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES :: DARK TRIUMPH, DARK HOPE 

BkRv :: Secrets never prosper

BOOK REVIEW ::
Cross My Heart
Sasha Gould - @none found




YA | Historical

FIRST LINE :: eARC :: His gondola slips through the water like a knife cutting into dark silk.

 










SUMMARY :: from the B&N website

Venice, 1585.

When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo. Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled. Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust.

REVIEW ::
The cover for Cross My Heart may not look all that snazzy, and I understand if you choose to pass it by for a more colorful selection with a lusty boy or artsy pizazz. Pardon me as I grab your elbows, dear Readers, and pull you back because YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! Behind this demure cover is a rich and luscious story that will seduce you like a tall, dark Italian lover and make you revel in the darkness.

THE GOOD BITS
{Twisty mystery.} Mio Dio, I thought France was the city of love, but clearly I forgot how passionate Italy can be! After all, it is the home of Romeo and Juliet – and Cross My Heart definitely contains all the familiar signs of heartaches, heartbreaks, betrayals, and vendettas. No one can be trusted with a secret, and it was nail-biting to watch Laura try to figure out friend from foe.

{Laura + Giacomo!} Can there be another delightful pairing that makes my heart swoon? I haven’t felt this smitten since Anna and Etienne – and from the very second that Laura stumbles upon Giacomo, it was instant love at first sight for this reader. Oh, I am a fool for the artistic of male specimen – and Giacomo was absolute perfection.

{Secret societies.} I love all this cloak-and-dagger nonsense like nobody’s business – and a secret society run by women even more so! While I prefer women use their powers for good, I can understand how the Segreta had to be more cutthroat in an Italy that thrive on vengeance. Men may want to believe that all the power rests in their hands, but I love watching women exercise some of their own ingenuity to nudge the world in a different direction.

THE BAD BITS
{Left some storylines unfinished.} Certain plot points never went anywhere. Laura gives up a secret that could definitely destroy the Doge of Venice, but the Segreta does not do anything with it. One of Laura’s childhood friend has made a love match with the Doge’s son, but panicks when a new Segreta recruit reveals that affects his stature as heir. However, this issue does not get mentioned again. I only hope that these unfinished bits and pieces means that there may be a follow-up, although I am half-afraid that it will not bode well for Laura and Giacomo.

THE OVERALL
If Cross My Heart gets a sequel, it may want to get a bouncer because someone will need to reign in my excitement as I try to push myself to the front of the line. I usually don’t get this excited for a historical novel, but Sasha Gould has created such a vivid and provocative Italy that brings to mind all the greatness of Romeo & Juliet.

DISCLAIMER :: NetGalley
RELEASED MARCH 2012 BY DELACORTE (RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN'S) 
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES :: NO.

Monday Mini(BkRv) :: 9 - 11

::  9 ::

BOOK REVIEW ::
CINDER
Marissa Meyer
@marissa_meyer :: website




YA | Sci-Fi | Series Book 1

FIRST LINE :: The screw through Cinder’s ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle.

SUMMARY :: from the B&N website

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

REVIEW :: I know I am late coming to the debut ball, but I am here now and I will join the masses who say that CINDER will rock you to the moon – and no, I am not saying this because the Lunar queen has brainwashed me. I envy Marissa Meyer for dreaming up such a wonderful Cinderella re-telling and creating a breathtaking world with a cast of characters that you will fall in love with. I love a heroine who does not mind getting her hands dirty and can talk shop, not to mention a prince who slums it among the commoners for a little slice of freedom. I am still curious to see how Cinder’s cyborg-ness will factor into things; currently Marissa Meyer has used it to present some minor drawbacks which make Cinder all the more adorable when she interacts with Prince Kai. The story ends right before trouble can fully unfurl its nasty head, but CINDER leaves readers in a rock-solid happy place with a sense of satisfaction for how the fairy tale pans out. Of course, you will want MORE, but trust me when I say that CINDER will not leave you barely hanging on the cliff – you will hang for certain, you will ask for seconds, but you will feel safe in knowing that Book 2 will be SO worth the wait!

DISCLAIMER :: NETGALLEY
RELEASED JANUARY 2012 BY FEIWEL & FRIENDS (MACMILLAN)
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES :: SCARLET

::  10 ::

BOOK REVIEW ::
The Gathering Storm
Robin Bridges
@robinbridges :: website




YA | Historical | Paranormal | Series Book 1

FIRST LINE :: An afternoon spent solving quadratic equations would have been infinitely more pleasant. I smelled like a salad.

SUMMARY :: from the B&N website

Saint Petersburg, Russia, 1888.

As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe’s royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina’s strength as a necromancer attracts unwanted attention . . . including from two young men.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

REVIEW :: When I think of Russia, I think of White Russians and the reason why fire engines are red, but most importantly I recall quite fondly the movie ANASTASIA. So when I heard about The Gathering Storm and saw its gorgeous cover, color me red when I say that I was more than excited for its debut! The story starts off interesting enough and Katerina’s mysterious necromancing powers seem to bring more problems to the table that turn the pages faster, but I had a hard time with falling in love with the characters. The love triangle between Katerina, Danilo, and George needed a little more electricity for me to get on board, and I got a little lost among the many players within the web of political intrigue. Robin Bridges wove together a stunning world of Russian delights with a dash of supernatural that I think will appeal to readers who like a bit of history in their stories, but I need a little bit more convincing with Book 2.

DISCLAIMER :: NETGALLEY
RELEASED JANUARY 2012 BY DELACORTE PRESS (RANDOM HOUSE)
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES :: TBA

::  11 ::

BOOK REVIEW ::
A Temptation Of Angels
Michelle Zink
@MichelleZink :: website




YA | Angels | Series Book 1

FIRST LINE :: ARC :: Though it was late, it was not the sound of arguing that woke Helen in the dead of night.

SUMMARY :: from the B&N website

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

REVIEW :: It seems like angel-themed books are either hit or miss. There are books like Angelfire and Angel Burn that I will sell my first-born child for; and then there is Halo and hush, hush where I am left unimpressed. I am sad to say that A Temptation Of Angels falls in the latter category. Helen frustrated me to no end. I think it was mostly because her voice sounded younger than what I normally find in other YA titles, so she seemed far from ready to shoulder the responsibilities of saving the world. While the love triangle showed potential, it lacked the tension to suck me into Helen’s dilemma of choosing between two boys. I hope that A Temptation Of Angels is only the beginning of a series, but the next book better bring on more kicking of demonic butt and turn up the heat in the romance department – otherwise, I do not think this series is for me.

DISCLAIMER :: LIBRARYTHING
RELEASED MARCH 2012 BY DIAL BOOKS (PENGUIN)
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES :: TBA