Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

"What happens when the person who damaged you for life. . .becomes the person you trust the most?"
Enter Maggie Armstrong: Maggie just spent the past year going through intensive surgeries and physical therapy classes. Thanks to her accident she's missed out on junior year. Maggie is no longer the semi-popular girl who dominated on the tennis courts. No, now Maggie is the freak who limps in the halls and has no friends. But for Maggie nothing really matters anymore, the only thing that truly matters is being able to leave her suffocating hometown Paradise.

Enter Caleb Becker: Caleb just spent the past year in a juvenile detention center for drunk driving. Thanks to his accident he's missed out on junior year. Caleb is no longer the ultra popular hunk who dominated the social scene. No, now Caleb is the dangerous ex-con who knows exactly what goes on in jail. But for Caleb none of this matters anymore, the only thing that truly matters is being able to come back to his small hometown Paradise and fixing all of his wrongs.

Enter fateful night: The one thing that ties these two together? Maggie lost the use of her leg when she was hit by a drunk driver. Caleb went to jail because he hit Maggie while he was driving drunk and drove away. Now Maggie's going back to school and Caleb's being released from jail. Both the victim and the victimizer want nothing to do with the other. Which is going to be difficult seeing as how they live in the same town, go to the same high school, and just happen to be next door neighbors. After all of their time apart are they finally ready to face their demons? And more importantly face each other?

One word: WOW! Simone Elkeles? I beg you to never stop writing. To be completely honest when I first read about the plot for the book my first thought was: "Oh no that's just too dramatic for me". But for all of those faithful Elkeles readers who know that Simone never disappoints, I take my insulting first thought back. 'Leaving Paradise' wasn't just about "The Accident" or even what happened after "The Accident". No, 'Leaving Paradise' was about so much more. It was the story of two people who've made mistakes in their lives and need to resolve them. 'Leaving Paradise' is so much more than what happened that night. Maggie and Caleb are both two well-developed characters with secrets and guilts and insightful thoughts. As is Elkeles's style, the plot is overshadowed by the many sub-plots that run throughout the novel. Sub-plots such as Maggie's relationship with her mother and father. Mrs. Reynold's and her health issues. Caleb's family dynamics and relationship with his twin sister Leah. The kids at school and how they interpret the accident. Most times when any other author tries to pull this technique I instantly hate it. But Elkeles's has a way of taking a simple theme and making it more in depth and realistic. If you enjoy stories with more than meets the eye plots 'Leaving Paradise' is the book for you.

Cheers:5
Boos:0
Result: Must have

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Often times you may find yourself in unexpected and unexplainable situations. Perhaps you tripped clumsily over your own feet, or were pinched by something you couldn't see, or even had the feeling that someone was watching you. Sure, it could just be your imagination telling you that the fall you took was definitely your fault, that the chair was what brought you down and not an invisible faerie you felt breathing down your neck as you pulled yourself from the floor. It could be your imagination, but Asilinn knows better than that.
Stop by a pool hall and you might find Asilinn shooting a game with her playing partner, Dennis. In the game she finds a source of comfort and escape from the world she lives in, or rather the creatures that don't belong there.
These creatures, faeries, concealed beneath veils called glamours, are invisible to those lacking the Sight. Most humans don't have the Sight, aside from Asilinn, who comes from a line of women educated in the mischief behind fae. Living under the three rules of safety -- don't stare at, speak to, or attract the attention of invisible faeries --, and the steel walls of Seth's train-home, Asilinn has managed to keep her way from the fae, at least until her inevitable future as Summer Queen began its reign.

Asilinn is one of my favorite characters of a story I could think of. She's strong-willed and passionate, with a mind of her own. All of Marr's characters, actually, are extremely well-developed, which is something I definitely appreciate. One cheer.
Some people may not appreciate this, because it's cliche, but there is strong use of a love triangle, which carries on into the sequel by the way -- also a great book. The victim: Asilinn. The pointy ends: Seth, a black-haired, lip-ringed friend of Asilinn with defined abs and cool personality, and Keenan, bronze-haired Summer King, searching endlessly for his Queen to end the curse of a weakened court. Though not only is Asilinn involved in this triangle..Keenan is, too! To a woman he'd loved and attempted to make his Summer Queen. This woman, Donia, ended up not being "the One", and ended up having to carry on Keenan's curse as a scary Winter Girl. One boo for love triangles.
Sorry, I must be generous, but three cheers and an unaccountable hip-hip-hooray for an extremely well-written novel with vivid details and interesting encounters -- such as learning that Seth lives in train cars -- that are original and make a book best-seller worthy. This book really brings out the author's personality, I think, and a bit of insight into her daily mind.
I recommend this book to anyone with eyes. Enjoy it -- I know you will:).

Cheers:4
Boos:1
Result:A favorite.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Auden comes from a broken family. Her recently divorced parents won't speak to each other, and when they do its more yelling than actual conversation. Auden's tired of her tension-filled life. So when her father's new wife extends an invitation to stay at her father's new home, Auden jumps on the opportunity. A job at her stepmother's boutique throws her into an uncomfortable situation though: being a teenager. With her perfectionist mother and parent's constant fighting all her life, Auden's missed out on life. So this summer she'll get a crash course on girl talk,friendship, and crushes. Crushes such as aloof loner Eli. A fellow insomniac, together the two embark on night-filled adventures. Adventures full of laundry, pie, and the intense world of stunt biking. But these nights will also expose them both: secrets will be revealed and trust put to the test.

Well boys and girls Sarah Dessen does it again. "Along for the Ride" captures the complete essence of teenage life. Auden's story is something that all teens can relate to. The plot deals with so many real life situations: divorce, remarriage, step-siblings, family, friendship, hook-ups, guilt, death, and of course finding true love. I loved Auden mainly because she was a novice to all things teenager. It was hilarious reading her take on "being a teenager". Dessen does an amazing job of making all the side characters unforgettable with their unique personalities. Although the book gives off a light and fluffy look, there are serious underlying issues that Dessen address perfectly. The cover may throw potential readers off, but I can vouch for "Along for the Ride" and assure skeptics it is far from frivolous writing. So five cheers for the writing style, character dynamics, and story line, and as much as I love Sarah Dessen I have to give half a boo for Auden's whiny nature at times. Result? A book that will easily become a favorite you will want to reread over and over again.

Cheers:5
Boos: .5
Result: Amazing

The Devouring by Simon Holt

"Your body is here, but not your soul..."

Henry's right to be afraid. Reggie Halloway, loving older sister of Henry Halloway, owns a horror book which was oddly written in the form of a diary. It's contents vividly describe demonic creatures called Vours, known to possess the bodies of humans over winter solstice, or Sorry Night. Little does Reggie know, this "scary story" she read to a timid Henry before bedtime becomes a frightful reality, taking over none other than Henry himself. Now Reggie must face the fears within herself, the Vours feeding off her very terror, and lead an adventure along with her best friend Aaron Cole into saving her brother. The question is, will the sickening illusions she's enveloped in chill her to the core, or will Reggie find the strength to overcome her demons?

Before anything else, I'll say that this book is basically your average horror movie in written form. That's not to be taken in a bad way, though, because the events are vivid and creepy, and it takes you further into a world of terror than any movie could. That being said, if you have an aversion to gore-y details, or have a weak tummy, I don't recommend reading this.
My first thoughts, starting with the prologue, were positive. It begins with some insight into the story Reggie reads about the Vours, with a dysfunctional family living on a farm somewhere in nowhere. It's very creative, and I was impressed with the fact that it's not "little kid terror". It deals with real gore, and real fears (including clowns and hospitals). Some parts of this book I actually got goosebumps, so a couple cheers are in order for that. Also, another two cheers are added because the story is actually well-written, and most of the scenes are detailed enough that you could be living them yourself. That is something I appreciate when reading.
Focusing on the parts I didn't much care for...the fact that during the story, the protagonist is doubted. There's always a frustrating part to a story, which is the entire conflict, and this is it. There's not much else I can boo, seeing as I can't give away too much, but aside from a few trivial things, and some cliche twists, I really enjoyed reading this book.

Summarizing this painfully long review, I recommend this if you're into reading on chilly nights next to a few lit candles.

Cheers: 4
Boos: 2
Result: Recommended

The Awakening by Marley Gibson

Kendall Moorehead never wanted to move to Raddison, Georgia aka Middle of Nowhere. Miles from her hometown Chicago, she struggles with a new town,new school, and making new friends. Just when things are looking up, Kendall starts to hear voices and have vivid dreams of strangers. Through a series of events Kendall learns she's experiencing a physic awakening, and with the help of her friends begins a ghost hunting team. Thus the Ghost Huntresses are born and the girls soon become the talk of the town. Fortunately most of its positive feedback with the occasional negative comments like from Kendall's mother and the hunky golden boy Jason Tillson. However when the town hall ,and most importantly Kendall's dad, are in danger of a violent ghost only the Ghost Huntresses can solve the case.

Okay...my review of "The Awakening" is of mixed feelings. Three cheers for the paranormal action and budding romance. Two boos for the word style and drawn-out pace. Fellow book addicts? If you enjoy the paranormal and a less professional word style "The Awakening" is for you. Kendall is an amusing character with interesting insight, however I felt the word style left more to be desired. Upon reading the first paragraph I can assure you that you'll be sucked in. As you read more though you'll notice, at least I felt, the book becomes more drawn-out and lengthy in terms of getting from situation A to situation B. All in all "The Awakening" is fun read for the summer that'll keep you lol'ing.

Cheers:3
Boos:2
Result:Good read