Book Review: Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Chloe and her sister Ruby have an undeniably close relationship. Ruby is loved and obeyed by all and Chloe is along for the ride. Ruby gets her way and does whatever she wants whenever she wants. But one unforgettable night had Chloe leaving town and the sister she can’t let go of. On that horrible night Chloe discovered the dead body of her classmate London Hayes floating in the town’s reservoir. Now that two years have passed and the pain fading away, Chloe escapes the life she never wanted with her father to be back with her sister Ruby. Unfortunately things will not be the same that they once were. Trying to find the truth that was a fading memory, Chloe deciphers what her sister has been hiding for two years. What will Ruby do to save her sister and they bond that they cherish? The bond of sisterhood was pushed to the limits in this novel by Nova Ren Suma. Her first YA novel does not disappoint. The dark undertones of secrets mixed with the unconditional love of sisters gives for one exceptional book. I couldn’t put it down. Ruby was such a strong character throughout the book; she demanded the attention even when she wasn’t part of the scene. I don’t have a sister, but if I had a bond like Chloe and Ruby did, I would feel invincible. What Ruby did to protect Chloe goes beyond the duty of sisters.

Book Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits is about Echo, (I know, so different but awesome name) a girl who had some pretty large curve balls thrown her way. Echo went from popular girl with the hot jock boyfriend to social outcast in the matter of a summer. Echo’s older brother was killed in Afghanistan while on duty which is heartbreaking itself, but a night she can’t remember is what caused Echo’s life to go from normal to rejected in the blink of an eye. She hid from everyone so she could bury the horrible scars that were left on her after that night. Echo ate lunch in the library, gave up painting, and avoided anything that was once normal to her. After a year of trying to escape the stares and rumors, Echo attempts to resurface to a life she once known. Noah Hutchins, the hot bad boy with a list of one night stands, is anything but normal for Echo. Total opposites of each other, Noah and Echo can’t help but find their attraction tempting. Are they really right for each other? Will Echo find what she has been searching for since her brother’s death? Pushing the Limits is a great book by Katie McGarry. She has written something that is truly enlightening to the world of scars and healing. Loving someone for who they are is something you can easily do with the right person, and you unquestionably saw that with Noah and Echo. Their relationship wasn’t easy but it showed true love at its finest. I loved how I was able to read the book from both Noah’s and Echo’s POV. They were such polar opposites of each other and it was definitely portrayed in each of their chapters.

Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent is the second book of the Divergent trilogy and it certainly does not disappoint at all. It picks up right after the first book ended, just after the simulation attacks. Tris is left with so many burdens that it is hard to believe that any of what had happened was real. Only forced into moving forward is Tris able to do what she has set out for, to protect the ones she loves. With war consuming the entire city, choices have to be made as well as self-sacrifices. But how much will Tris go through to prove herself to everyone? To herself? Being Divergent has been a lonely ride until now. Many more Divergents surface as the war heats up between the factions. Who will survive and who will conquer it all? Insurgent was such a dark and heavy book, the weight of it just drives into you while you try and maneuver your way through it. My heart ached so much with each of Tris’s decisions and deceits, I thought it was going to shatter into a million pieces. There was so much hurt, betrayal, loss, failure, blame I didn’t know which way to foresee the ending. It is definitely full of erratic love, doubts, treachery and pure passion. A great read that must be re-read many many more times. Now I must wait the long period before the unnamed third book is released. Shucks.

Book Review: Karme by Richard Mitchell

The title character is anything but normal; Karme is magical and very gifted. Living a very sheltered life, her mother had told her that she is a non-human and that her life should be kept sacred and secretive. Life became very lonesome once her mother died, but Karme kept her distance from town in Big Cypress Swamp. The rest of the story takes place in Moonyville, Florida following the lives of Boog (Brant), Sara Lou, and Het, along with a few others that stir the pot of what is to be Moonyville. Early on in the book, Brant meets Karme after a complication between him, Sara Lou and Het that caused him to skip out on town. Instant sparks fly between the two, but reality kicks in once he realizes what must be done back home. He leaves Karme after a fairy-tale night full of insight to come home and continue his life. Months have passed once he decides to visit Karme again. A lot has changed since their first encounter and Karme is not pleased with it. Her longing for interaction and intellect as well as Brant’s encouragement, Karme decides that it is time to emerge from the Glades. As she explores this new world, curiosity has put her into situations that will make your head do summersaults. Richard Mitchell wrote a unique and fascinating story. Not knowing which parts are real and which are fairytale pieces made the story compelling. It was a little difficult to follow some of the stories that were set in Moonyville, but most of it was very entertaining. The story is said to be a series so it will be interesting to see what may come about the tale of Karme.

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Living in a dystopian Chicago, Beatrice Prior knew she didn't fit in like her family always had. At the young age of sixteen she is faced with a decision that will not only change her life, but could hurt the people she loves the most. Chicago is split into five factions, Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (The peaceful),Candor (the honest), Erudite (the intelligent) and Dauntless (the brave). The teens of Chicago are evaluated and then they give themselves to their chosen faction. During the init...moreLiving in a dystopian Chicago, Beatrice Prior knew she didn't fit in like her family always had. At the young age of sixteen she is faced with a decision that will not only change her life, but could hurt the people she loves the most. Chicago is split into five factions, Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (The peaceful),Candor (the honest), Erudite (the intelligent) and Dauntless (the brave). The teens of Chicago are evaluated and then they give themselves to their chosen faction. During the initations, Beatrice renames herself Tris and tries to figure out who she is in all of this. Keeping a secret that can kill her from the ones that mean most to her is hard but its what sets her apart in the end. After a ruthless initiation, Tris must apply what she has learned to help the ones she loves. Self-discovery, determination, bravery and love is what propells this story through its fast paced adventure. Tris is such a dark and unique heroine, I wish I had the courage she had throughout the book. I couldn't put this book down. It had me wanting to be a part of initiation just to experience it all. Its the sort of book you think about over and over in your head only becuase it makes so much sense.

Book Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

This was such a great read! After the recent breakup from her 3 yr relationship, Jacqueline Wallace was so close to being Buck's rape victim the night of a big Fraternity Halloween party. Counting on her lucky stars though that night she was saved by Lucas, a boy she's never met. She is haunted by the event but is willing to try and shrug is off. With her ex-boyfriend Kennedy and his rival-friend Buck always lurking around, when will she have enought? Who does she turn to?
Tammara Webber wrote an unbelieveable book about knowing your personal strength and standing up for yourself.  Not only is this an entertaining book, but I gathered a lot of knowledge about sticking up for yourself as well as your body. It really makes you aware of the bad things that happen in life to good people. This book makes you think on how to handle undesirable situaitions and learn from them. This should be a must-read for any girl in high school or college.

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers Book Review

A group of High school students are the ones that have to fend for themselves after their town (and many more) are attacked by the zombie apocalypse. They were lucky to have found the now abandoned Cortege High school that is stocked with food, water and space needed to survive. For Sloane Price she wants nothing to do with survival. After her sister abandons her six months prior to the attack, Sloane didn't want to fend for her life anymore. She is keeping her life a secret from all the other s...moreA group of High school students are the ones that have to fend for themselves after their town (and much much more) are attacked by the zombie apocalypse. They were lucky to have found the now abandoned Cortege High school that is stocked with food, water and space needed to survive. For Sloane Price she wants nothing to do with survival. After her sister abandons her six months prior to the attack, Sloane didn't want to fend for her life anymore. She is keeping her newly abandoned life a secret from all the other students and feels the pressure to just give up while the rest feel the pressure to live. Courtney Summers wrote an unbelievable book. Its about the emotional and physical survival of a young girl with a paranormal twist. I fell in love with this book! My heart was torn to pieces, and when I didn't think I could take anymore the end just put it back together and melted. This book will have you aching, gasping, and rejoicing by the end. A definite page turner that I read well past my bedtime and had me wishing I had a dooms-day pack ready to survive the night. A must-read for any YA reader.