Nerve Blog Tour - A Review

It's time for another great blog tour stop, this time for Nerve by Jeanne Ryan (September 13, 2012 from Dial Books).  I have for you all today my review of this technologically-driven thriller where nothing is as it seems and trust isn't guaranteed.  Be sure to keep scrolling after the review for your chance to win a signed hardback copy of Nerve!

by Jeanne Ryan
publisher: Dial Books
date of publication: September 13, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 304
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly

When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it's exhilarating--Vee and Ian's fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn when they're directed to a secret location with five other players for the Grand Prize round. Suddenly they're playing all or nothing, with their lives on the line. Just how far will Vee go before she loses NERVE?

Debut author Jeanne Ryan delivers an un-putdownable suspense thriller.

Vee has spent much of her life in the shadow of her vivacious, dramatic friend, Sydney.  Behind the scenes both on the stage and in everyday life, Vee longs for two things: a career in fashion and a date with the object of her affection, Matthew.  When Vee experiences jealousy toward her friend, she decides to do something no one would expect: she completes a very public (and very embarrassing) dare for the live game NERVE.  From then on out, both temptation and a need for revenge lead Vee to do some of the most unspeakable dares NERVE can throw at her.  She stands to win everything she wants most... but at what cost?

Nerve takes a well-known concept (reality game shows) and gives it a whole new twist with a mysterious game of dares watched by thousands and taking place completely online.  I found some of the themes to be very appropriate due to current events and enjoyed thinking through all of the conundrums Vee faces as she advances through the rounds.  The sheer pervasiveness of NERVE made it a very frightening idea to ponder.  The fact that they are able to dig up information beyond the realm of the characters' expectations exhibits the perfect type of threat for such a storyline.

At first, I was a bit put off by Vee.  While she comes off as sweet for much of the first few chapters, it quickly becomes apparent that she is a flawed character.  Her penchant for letting her feelings for an obviously undeserving boy dictate her actions was a hard pill to swallow.  However, this can be used as a lesson in self-knowledge.  Vee reasons that she wants to shake things up when, in reality, she wants to gain the attention of the object of her affections.  The fact that this is a gateway that opens her up to greed which will put her life in danger further illustrates the dangers of her actions.  Seeing her figure all of this out and stand up for herself is an amazing thing after all of this, making for an action-packed conclusion.

Nerve proved to provide oodles of action and a lot of nail-biting moments.  Some of the scenes, while distasteful to me personally, illustrate just how much is wrong with this game of dares.  It all lends a chilling atmosphere that keeps your interest right up to the end.  Fans of conspiracy theories and spy scenarios should really enjoy this one.  If you want a thriller with a technological angle, give Nerve a try.

Buy Nerve at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

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Review - Shattered Souls

by Mary Lindsey
publisher: Philomel
date of publication: December 8, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 336
source: purchased
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

What I Thought

If it involves ghosts, I'm there.  The premise behind Shattered Souls held much appeal for me and I had been eagerly awaiting a chance to sit down and read it.  The idea of reincarnation added to a good ghost story sounded aces to me, so not reading this book wasn't really an option for me.  Though it started out somewhat slow for me, Shattered Souls soon developed into an eerie, spooky story of past lives and spirits both benign and malevolent.  

The progression of the storyline was a tad awkward due to the rapid cycling of emotions and opinions that the main character, Lenzi, goes through.  Some of her decisions were altogether too sudden to be totally believable.  The 180 she performs with regard to her feelings for Zak and Alden was enough to give me literary whiplash and I found myself wishing for a bit more internalization from her.  Once Lenzi had fully learned about her background and abilities, however, things began to pick up and I quickly became enmeshed in the story.  The sheer creepiness of the primary antagonist along with the sometimes comical encounters with the more benign spirits Lenzi comes in contact with made for a very fun read.  I only wish there had been just a little more challenge in the big altercation.  I do wonder what will happen next, however.

While it wasn't quite what I expected, I came to enjoy my time reading Shattered Souls.  It has an intriguing premise, interesting background information, and a sinister threat, all of which make for a fun read for a cold afternoon.  I look forward to seeing how things progress as the series continues (though it looks like there will be a 2 year wait at this point).  I rate Shattered Souls at 3.5 hoots, earning it a 4 hoot distinction.

Review - Harbinger

by Sara Wilson Etienne
publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BFYR
date of publication: February 2, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 320
source: Southern Book Blogger ARC Tours
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller.

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

What I Thought

By simply reading Harbinger's description, I knew that there would be some creepy elements to the book.  What I wasn't prepared for was the rich detail injected into the story through the use of ancient history and a surprising amount of the supernatural.  All of these details combined made for an eerie, intriguing read that constantly left me guessing and floored me with its final outcome.

Harbinger's setting was both interesting and confusing.  The woodlands of coastal Maine added to the overall creep factor of Holbrook Academy, which is so full of spooky areas that it is difficult to read without a sense of foreboding.  However, some elements of the world in which the story takes place aren't as clear as I would have liked.  There is much mention about a war, but relatively few descriptions of it.  One gets the sense that the struggle is fuel source based, but that's the extent of it.  There is no real indication as to who was involved, what the catalyst event was, or even exactly when it took place.  Another thing that I had questions about was the cooperatives.  I got the sense that they were closed neighborhoods, but little else.  They are frequently mentioned, but not fully explained, which left me somewhat confused as to their importance.

The main character, Faye, is very well portrayed.  It is easily apparent that she is a girl with much inner conflict, which is portrayed beautifully by her inner dialogues and her interactions with her Family (the group of teens which she is placed with in the home).  She teeters on the edge throughout the book, so part of the intrigue is in finding out whether or not she will manage to rise above her problems or succumb to the pressures put upon her by the tyrannical Holbrook staff, as well as her own nightmares. 

The story line definitely has its pros and cons.  The entire concept was thrilling, creepy, and enjoyable.  However, there were definitely a few things that caught my attention and left me feeling puzzled.  The idea of ecological consciousness becomes a big part of the story, but I noticed that Faye wasn't overly concerned about it, at first.  When she arrives at Holbrook, she mentions feeling intimidated by the forest, then practically ignores it as far as something to be concerned about.  It came across as somewhat wishy-washy and I still am not sure of what to think.  However, when Faye does begin to pay more attention to it, her reactions are very intense and observant.  I did like that preservation of natural resources played such a role in this book.  Another aspect of the story that was, perhaps, left unexplained was the source of the Family's red hands.  There are some clues as to what the cause may have been, but no definitive answers, which I found to be a little disappointing, as I had been very curious about that particular event.  I will say that it did punch up the thrill factor and really clued the reader in that something serious was going on.  Overall, it was a very eerie story that I found to be entertaining and interesting.

Harbinger wasn't what I had hoped it would be, but it was a good read that provoked much thought and did a great job at keeping me guessing.  It has great elements of mystery and a definite feel of a thriller.  In spite of a few plot holes, I found that I liked the story and would definitely like to read more by Sara Wilson Etienne in the future.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Southern Book Blogger ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. 

Review - Dragonswood

by Janet Lee Carey
publisher: Dial BFYR
date of publication: January 5, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 386
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

What I Thought

There is nothing quite like high fantasy to get the imagination jump-started.  Dragonswood is a prime example of all that is great about the genre.  Filled with such things as adventure, fantasy creatures, and magic, Dragonswood takes you on a soaring flight into a world where both the remarkable and the dangerous are everyday occurences.  By injecting the fictional Wilde Island into the post-Arthurian Britain, Janet Lee Carey has created a stirring backdrop for a story as harrowing and fantastic as one could ask for.

Everything from the characters to the setting grabbed my attention with this book.  For starters, Tess is an amazing heroine to read about.  Though she succumbs to extreme circumstances and betrays her friends, she proves to be a loyal, strong friend that will stop at nothing to right a wrong and keep her dearest friends alive.  From their escape from Harrowton to their journey into the dangerous and mystical Dragonswood, the girls are in good hands with Tess, who is a born survivor.  When she learns more about herself, she becomes all the more fascinating.  I don't know if she is featured in the companion novel yet, but I certainly hope she will be. 

The fantasy elements were especially entertaining to me.  It doesn't get much better than capricious faeries and talking dragons.  I loved that the dragons were able to hold such an important role in the story, as well as their status as lords.  It all made for a more riveting story.  The lore injected into the story with regard to both dragons and faeries made it all the better.  I was sad when the book ended simply because I wanted to read more! 

If you want a rousing YA high fantasy for your TBR list, I would definitely recommend Dragonswood.  This was my first experience reading a work by Janet Lee Carey and I can safely say that it won't be my last.  Fans of strong characters and vivid settings will want to read this in a heartbeat.  I give Dragonswood 5 hoots and can't wait to buy a finished copy for my shelves.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via LibraryThing Early Reviewers. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Waiting on Wednesday - December 14, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

I have another two picks this week.  The first is by someone who has become one of my favorite YA novelists since I started this crazy adventure in book blogging.  In fact, one of her books was the first novel that I read upon my return to reading YA and can definitely be credited with my newly found enthusiasm for this particular area.  The book in question is the beginning of an entirely new series that I can't wait to dig into.  That book is The Immortal Rules, book 1 in the upcoming Blood of Eden series, by Julie Kagawa.  The Immortal Rules will be released in hardcover by Harlequin Teen on April 24, 2012.

From Goodreads:

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

 My next pick is a new YA fantasy novel that revolves around the world of faeries.  Faerie novels are always welcome in my home, so imagine my excitement when I found out about the book in question.  The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long will be released on August 16, 2012 by Dial Books.

From Goodreads:

The trees swallowed her brother whole. And Jenny was there to see it. Years later, when she returns to the woods where Tom was taken to say good-bye at last, she finds herself lured into a world where stunning beauty masks the most treacherous of evils, and strange and dangerous creatures await—creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with allegiances that shift as much as his moods. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack’s help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, and she’s faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice—and not just her own. 

Review: The Space Between

by Brenna Yovanoff
publisher: Razorbill
date of publication: November 15, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 363
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.

What I Thought 

I had very high expectations for The Space Between, as I had loved The Replacement so very much.  Brenna Yovanoff's writing is so fully of grit, yet has a flawless quality that makes my English major heart go pitter-pat.  The description promised an intriguing tale full of eeriness, sadness, and beauty.  While the book did deliver on several of those aspects, there was a little something missing for me that I had counted upon finding within.  While the plot was everything I hoped it would be, other areas failed to capture my full attention.

First and foremost, the plot was amazing.  The whole idea of a story surrounding the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith who has grown up lonely in a steel-forged world is intriguing and unique.  The background information and politics that lay the groundwork for the events that take place are truly mind-boggling and so amazingly detailed that I found myself very impressed by the groundwork that has been laid to support every other aspect of the book.  How the demons do things in this book was much more surprising than I would have originally thought.  There were some truly horrific things in Pandemonium.  However, there was an added element of business included that took me completely by surprise.  It all came together to provide me with a unique reading experience, as well as a new take on things that maintain the horror while offering something fresh.

The characters, while very compelling by the time the main action commenced, were difficult for me to connect with, at first.  Daphne was somewhat flat (though this is somewhat explained by the nature of the world she lives in) and Truman, in all of his dysfunction, almost completely lost me.  I felt for him, but I found it difficult to keep up with his thoughts, at times.  However, once he began to clear up and started working with Daphne to find Obie, I grew to respect him much more.  He is a boy who has had a difficult time and lacks a certain something that will carry him through.  Seeing him begin to come to a realization and begin to fight was beautiful, and I loved how he developed as a character, in the end.

The setting is what I had the most difficulty with.  I am not sure exactly why it is so, but I found myself having a hard time picturing everything clearly.  The most clear setting was Pandemonium, but when it came to the descriptions on earth, I became a bit lost.  In a way, it speaks to the nature of both Daphne, who has existed for her entire life in Pandemonium, and Truman, a boy cut off from his surroundings and reality.  For me, however, I didn't feel as much of an impact and wasn't left with many impressions of the backgrounds outside of Pandemonium.
If you are looking for a new take on demons in a book, you should definitely give The Space Between a try.  Although it didn't ring all of my bells, it still proved to be a pretty good read.  I don't regret having read it and am already eager to see what else Brenna Yovanoff will write in the future.  The writing is truly lovely, so if you appreciate good prose, you will definitely want to check this one out!

Waiting on Wednesday: November 23, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the image above will take you straight to her post and widget. (Special note: The nifty button above comes from Lindsay at The Violet Hour. Isn't it pretty?)

This week, I have my eye on an upcoming paranormal thriller.  Harbinger, by Sara Wilson Etienne will hit shelves on February 2, 2012 and I simply can not wait!  This book sounds so intriguing, plus there is something just lovely about the cover.

From Goodreads:

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn’t expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she’s going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she’s come home. She’s even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she’s the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can’t trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her—and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

Review: Legend

by Marie Lu
publisher: Putnam Juvenile
date of publication: November 29, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 336
source: from the publisher for review
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

What I Thought 

I wasn't exactly sure what to think of this book, at first.  I started out in a state of confusion due to some rather illogical events that take place.  It is a given that Day is involved in actions against the government.  However, I am pretty sure that a chunk of ice dipped in gasoline would not wield a flammable ice ball.  I am fairly good in science, but just to be sure I asked my husband, who knows a lot more and has a scientifically-based degree.  He confirmed my thoughts on the matter.  However, I digress.  What I am trying to say is that there were several examples such as this in the book that threw me off and distracted me from becoming immersed in the story.  This held true for much of part 1.  It wasn't until I began to read part 2 that I became more satisfied and willing to continue with the story.

The world in which Legend takes place is a fractured, corrupt place that leaves little for those not working within the government.  What was once the United States has split up to become warring factions seeking dominance, land, and who knows what else.  It is a truly troubling place and very alarming in the grand scheme of things.  The level of corruption present is horrifying and the lengths some individuals are willing to go for personal success is sickening.  This is the world in which June and Day must exist.  Though from starkly different backgrounds, the two have much more in common that at first meets the eye.  It all comes down to where and how each was raised.  I enjoyed the duality of these characters as much as I enjoyed their differences.  They played very well off each other, which definitely helped me get past my earlier complaints with the story.  The plot surrounding them, while slow to gain momentum, was an intriguing one.  The Trials all 10 year olds must face sound harrowing, unfair, and, once again, corrupt.  Several of the other covert workings of the government are truly horrifying and left me feeling very angry at those who knew what they were doing and lacked the decency to care about it.  This book is most definitely capable of drawing out a reader's emotions, as well as their interests and more ponderous leanings.

Even with my mixed feelings, I wound up enjoying Legend in the end.  The relationships between the characters are well-portrayed and the idea behind this society is an interesting, if not intimidating, one.  I would definitely say that Legend is a worthwhile read, so long as you stick with it if you, too, find you are having difficulties with the first half.  The details improve exponentially the more the plot progresses, leading me to believe that the second book in this series will be even better.  I will be looking forward to seeing what Day and June will have to endure next.  If their ways of handling things are anything like they were in Legend, book 2 is going to be stellar.  

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.