Review: Unraveling Isobel - Eileen Cook

Title: Unraveling Isobel

Author: Eileen Cook

Release Date: January 3rd 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 304
Source: Bought

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother. 

But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

I've heard quite a lot of mixed reviews about this. But since I love mystery and suspense thrillers, I thought I would give this a try. I'm so glad I did.

I found myself relating to Isobel. She was just so homesick and wants nothing than to go home and back to her old friends. I felt so sorry for her - you would be too if you have a stepfather like Dick. Dick is a dick, plain and simple. I hated him SO much and I thought her mother was so stupid to go and marry some guy like him. He gives me the creeps. Ewww.

I'm really interested in romances where the guy is like their stepbrother or something. (Don't ask me why - I just do), so I really liked her blossoming romance with Nate. Though, I felt like things went quite smooth for them and really quick as well.

There were a few things that I guessed and assumed correctly - which isn't necessarily a bad thing but I would have preferred this massive bomb climax thingy where the ending blows my mind, but some things were just so predictable. Still fun though.

This isn't anything special, but still worth the read if you like mystery thrillers, sweet romance and suspense.  

 ::: Sorry for the short review, it's just that I've read this quite a while ago and can't seem to remember what else I need to put :::

Review: Destiny's Fire - Trisha Wolfe

Title: Destiny's Fire (#1)

Author: Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: January 10th 2012

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

Last month, if you told me that I would have read a steampunk novel and end up LOVING it, then I would have laughed maniacally at your face and tell you to f*** off.  Hell, if you told me that yesterday, I would have. 

Let me see. I'll start with why I'm a little *wary* of this. Do any of you remember the old cover? Yep. The one with the girl with the bad haircut and a head too big? With the super scary NOT hot guy? Yep. That's the one. (Here's the link if you can't remember) I've got the 'Don't judge a book by its cover' drilled in my head, but this, THIS. You just can't blame me.  I'm afraid that cover turned me off a bit and dear God I admit I was one of the people that went a bit mad and sprouted off not very nice comments when it was revealed on The Story Siren. To tame the backlash, the publisher decided to redesign the cover (above) which is a million times better.

Secondly, I was so frigging worried that I would get so confused out of my mind about all these terms and words that steampunk normally uses. And yes, when I started Destiny's Fire, I was overwhelmed with all these new terms and stuff that my mind couldn't take it anymore and I actually had to write them down in a piece of paper to keep in track. I know. I'm sad. BUT. As you get more into the story, I found out that I don't actually need the list! Because Trisha's writing just drew me in and along the way, we do get some backstory and history so I said bye bye to my list. 

I love the main character, Dez (Destiny) Harkly. She was strong, stubborn, selfish, yet she wanted to do things right. She was just overall a good person. And she wasn't annoying like the other heroines and female leads that I've encountered lately (I mean, HAVE YOU READ MY REVIEWS?). Sure, some of her actions were selfish and unjustified, but hey. No one's perfect. I love the whole cast - Dez, the triplets Jace, Lana and Nick, Reese (of course), her mum, and even her teacher Mr. Liam. They were all three-dimensional and had very likable personalities.

And you know what else I love? The love triangle. Halleluiah! Finally, I love triangle where both guys are good (in lack of better words) for her. We have Jace, her loyal and over-protective bestfriend and on the other, we have Reese (insert biggest squeeeee here) the hot brave red-eyed hottie who is just so bad I love him. At first, I was totally team Jace (I mean hell, with a name like that, how can I refuse?) then when we get to see more of Reese. OH I thought I died and gone to heaven. That boy is sex on legs.

This book was so unlike everything I've ever read before. There were times when I was like WHAT? and chocked on my drink when the ending thingy was revealed and we find out who her father is. I love everything about it - the unpredictable storyline, the gripping and nonstop action, fully-fleshed characters *coughhotboyscough* and an intense love triangle that would have you fanning yourself. I know I did. 

This is one of the most underated books out this year (I think I need to call the hype monster for this one!) and possibly my favourite debut author 2012 book I've read so far. This is definitely one of my favourites ever. How's that? So yes. Please do read it now. And just because I'm so kind and it's VALENTINE'S DAY today, I think you lot deserve to have a peek at these two gorgeous hotties. Just promise me not to touch Reese - he's MINE. :P

 

Review: Bittersweet - Sarah Ockler

Title: Bittersweet

Author: Sarah Ockler

Release Date: January 3rd 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: For review

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last...

Hudson is one of the most inspiring young female main characters ever. She was so likeable, yet not without flaws. But her flaws were the ones that made her that tiny bit special. Her passions - ice-skating and baking- are ones that are not really that common in YA, so it was really interesting to see how that plays out. I love that Hudson was so relatable, and her problems are real. She has to put up with school, work, friends, boy drama while trying to follow her dreams in a world that pushes her to be someone else. Shut out to her best-friend Dani who was so understanding and loyal and I just want to give her a hug between Hudson's mood swings and ditching-her-to-hook-up-with-guys crap. 

There was also a love triangle, which I found quite unexpected. But to be honest, it is clear right from the very beginning who Hudson's going to end up with, but THAT doesn't stop her from fooling around with the other guy. Which made me want to tear out my hair. Jesus. I hate it when she keeps going back and forth between each one, but hey I think that's the YA trend lately. To be fair, the 'bad' one didn't turn out to be that bad, but I still preferred the 'good' one who was so sweet and charming. And the ending is bittersweet! Who knew hockey players can be so cute?

Reading about cupcakes and deserts literally made my stomach growl. The way Sarah Ockler describes the cupcakes just makes me want to drop everything and make dozens of my own ones. You never know, I could be the next Cupcake Queen! All the characters are fleshed out and I cared for them all.

There are a lot of stuff that happened in this book. (I know, I'm such a tease.) There are also deep (and I mean DEEP) hidden meanings, thoughts that makes you stop and rethink about your life right now, if by wanting something else makes you forget what you have right now is the best thing for you. It highlights dreams,hopes,wishes and what being a family truly means. I love this gem of a book. 

If you're like me, and in a need of a contemporary fix, then Bittersweet is made for you. Just as these cupcakes mentions are for me. 

Review: Cross My Heart - Katie Klein

Title: Cross My Heart

Author: Katie Klein

Release Date: March 15th 2011

True love can blossom in unexpected places. This is Jaden pretending not to notice. . . .

Jaden McEntyre and Parker Whalen are a wrong fit from the start. Jaden is driven and focused, Harvard Med School within reach. Parker has a past-a reputation-and the rumors about his mysterious habits abound. So there's no reason why, when they're assigned to work together on a project in English, they should discover they have anything in common, or even like each other, and they definitely shouldn't be falling in love.

As they bond over Edith Wharton's tragic novella, Ethan Frome, the "bad boy" vibe Parker plays begins to dissipate. Soon, Jaden finds herself shedding her own "good girl" image: sneaking around to be with him, confiding in him, and ultimately falling hard for this leather-wearing, motorcycle-driving loner who plays into the rebel stereotype.

Still, Jaden can't shake the feeling that there's more to Parker than he's letting on. He's hiding something from her, and discovering the truth means reconciling the Parker she's grown to love with the person he really is. Because it's possible that his life inside the classroom-everything Jaden knows-is one, massive lie.

You're reading the summary right now, and thinking this plot isn't special? Good girl meets bad boy. Good girl starts falling in love.  Everyone hates bad boy for his reputation. Yeah yeah, we know what happens. Think Cross My Heart will be just like any other YA contemporary romance girl-meets-boy story? Well. You are SO wrong. Cross My Heart is a fantastic, coming-of-age story with relatable characters and a super smart plot twist that I definitely did not see coming.

First. Let's talk about characters. I could totally relate to Jaden. She's very focused, perfectionist and is "safe and boring". She doesn't do stuff that would make her parents shake their heads at her, or her brothers scolding her. She's got big dreams for the future. And she's perfect - got perfect grades, perfect friends, even the perfect boyfriend. She was clearly contented with her life. Until. She got paired with Parker Whalen for a school English project. Let me say that I really like Jaden, and her interactions with her family, especially with her two slightly older brothers, are spot on. Her problems and emotions were real, and as you read, you can see that she's got many insecurities and flaws that make her the perfect female lead character.

Parker Whalen was exactly what every other YA angsty boy acts like. He is mysterious, smart and secretive. I really don't want to say this but he was just okay. I was expecting a bit more - more of him, more of their chemistry, more of sexual tension. And I did feel like their romance was a little bit rushed, which as you know, is a MAJOR book pet peeve of mine. Argh. Anyway, moving on.

Can we talk about THAT plot twist? Nuh uh. Totally not expecting that AT ALL. I did know that there was going to be this 'massive' plot twist and my brain was busy guessing (wrong) stuff. And never in a million years, I would have thought about that. It's not amazing or anything, just unpredictable. The more I think about it, the more it actually makes sense. And now I'm wondering why I never thought of that. 

Overall, if you enjoy reading contemporary romance, then I would recommend Cross My Heart.