Cryers Cross by Lisa McCann

Pages: 233

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Perspective: Third Person

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: February 8, 2011

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Stars: 4.5/5

Cover: A-

Plot:

Cryer's Cross was an eerie, fast-paced, mysterious book. It was fairly short, but it had a lot going on in those pages! From missing teenagers, to romance, to folklore, Cryer's Cross had it all.

I really liked the whole idea behind the story. I thought Cryer's Cross was a very interesting book, and I liked that it continued to leave me hanging throughout the entire book, trying to unscramble the mystery.

Characters:

I looooooved Kendall. I thought she was an extremely unique character, and that added so much life to her. I've never really read a book that had a main character with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and I really liked how Lisa McMann wove that part of Kendall into the story. In other words, it wasn't like Kendall had OCD, and that was that. Her OCD helped her and hindered her throughout the progression of the story, and I loved that.

Another awesome thing related to the characters is that Jacian and Kendall's romance didn't take over the book, but instead was a sub-plot. I really enjoyed the fact that the book stayed mostly centered around the mystery aspect. Not to mention, their relationship was paced perfectly. They didn't instantly fall in love one day, like a lot of characters in other books, which made this book even more realistic.

Writing:

I've read two out of the three books in the Wake series by Lisa McMann, and after reading this book, I have been able to come to the conclusion that Lisa McMann is extremely consistent with her writing. She hasn't written a bad story yet, and I don't expect she will.

The way she writes is addicting, and makes the book progress swiftly. Also, the diction she uses increases the creepiness of this book. For example, she uses "darker" descriptive words, making this book both eerie and mysterious.

Ending:

I liked the ending -- especially since I didn't see what was coming. The ending of this book was bittersweet, but tied it up very nicely.

Cover:

I personally love the cover. It's just SO creepy! I think it really helps tell what this book is about, and when a reader sees it at the book store they'll know exactly what type of book it is.

The Final Verdict:

Cryer's Cross is definitely one of those books where you end up staying up into the wee hours of the morning finishing it and scaring yourself to any little sound outside your window. A perfect winter read!

FTC: Zoe.

Playing With the Boy by Liz Tigelaar

Pages: 304
Publisher: Razorbill
Perspective: Third Person
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenges: N/A
Release Date: April 10, 2008

New girl Lucy is desperate for friends. She tries out for Beachwood High soccer, but despite her amazingly accurate kick, fails to make the team. When the Coach points out that varsity football is looking for a new kicker, Lucy is skeptical. Football? Isn’t that a boys’ game?

But on the gridiron Lucy discovers that she feels strong—in control for the first time since her mother died. She loves football. She actually wants to play! (She also wants to hang out with super-cute quarterback Ryan Conner. But that’s just icing on the cake.)

Too bad no one else wants her on the team. Not the boys’ coach, not her teammates, and especially not her overprotective dad. Will Lucy cave in to the pressure? Or will she prove she’s pretty tough after all?

Stars: 5/5
Cover: A-

Plot:

When I found out that Liz Tigelaar was writing a companion novel to Pretty Tough, I had to read it immediately. I loved Pretty Tough, and it's a close call to say which book I liked better. Playing Tough really perfected the whole girly-yet-sporty element, and I love the way those two themes were intertwined.

This book was fast-paced, fun, and a super-quick read. I flew through it, and I loved every part of it!

Characters:

I thought it was really cool that the main character, Lucy, was a minor character in the first book in the series, Pretty Tough. It was awesome to get a different look at her that was not through the narrator of Pretty Tough's eyes.

I thought Lucy was very easy to relate to, and that if she was real, I'm pretty sure we'd be best friends.

Not to mention, the supporting characters were wonderful, too. They felt three-dimensional, also, which is sometimes hard to find in books.

Writing:

I really love the way Liz Tigelaar writes. Even though she is older, she writes in the voice of a teenager. I think that adds a lot of character to her books, and makes them a lot more enjoyable.

Ending:

This book is pretty much a fluff read, and the ending totally gives you those little butterflies. It's one of those "it's a happy ending for everyone" books. 

Cover:

The cover is so cute! Like the first book, it really portrays the perfect amount of girly-ness and sporty-ness. I love it!

The Final Verdict:

You don't have to have read Pretty Tough to read this book and understand it, but if you can get your hands on Pretty Tough, I suggest you read it before this one. Either way, Playing With the Boys is a super-cute, uplifting novel that I recommend to people of all ages.

FTC: Bought

Read my review of Pretty Tough by Liz Tigelaar.

Flawless by Sara Shepard

Pages: 330

Publisher: Harper Teen

Perspective: Third Person

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: March 15, 2007

Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is making her sick. And their most horrible secret yet is so scandalous that the truth would ruin them forever.

And why shouldn't I tell? They deserve to lose it all. With every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message I send, I'll be taking these pretty little liars down. Trust me, I've got enough dirt to bury them alive.

Stars: 5/5

Cover: B+

Plot:

I don't think it is possible for Sara Shepard to not write an incredibly amazing book. Flawless continues directly where Pretty Little Liars left off, and by the second page I was already hooked. I've already read this book before, but I feel like it was ten times better the second time around. 

All of Sara Shepard's books have intense twist and turns, and a crazy-fast plot line. She knows how to really captivate a reader and keep them entertained and on the edge of their seat for the entire book.

I am so glad that this is an ongoing series, because I literally never want this whole story-line to end. 

Honestly, it's genius. Sara Shepard combined things that a lot of girls love: romance, mystery, and girly-girls. What is there not to love?

Characters:

Each one of these characters is so unique in their own way. They all have a lot of depth -- even the assisting characters. I loved that the books in the Pretty Little Liars series are told from four different perspectives because they each have their own sub-plots, but each of their stories weave together to create one big story. 

Writing:

As always, Sara Shepard's writing is amazing, and borderline addictive. She really knows how to leave you hanging at the end of the chapter, forcing you to keep reading, even when you have to get up for school in four hours. I feel like she really captures the whole story well, and makes it extremely enjoyable. I don't think any other author could have made this story as great as it is.

Ending:

Yes. You guessed it. Cliffhanger. 

I particularly love Sara Shepard's endings, though. She leaves you hanging, wanting to know what is going to happen in the next book, while still tying up some loose ends in the novel.

Cover:

I love all of the covers to this. I will probably say this about every single one of the books in my reviews, but I adore how each of the covers correspond while still achieving a different book.

The Final Verdict:

Flawless is an extremely fast-paced, extremely AMAZING book. Actually, this whole series is. So if you haven't started it yet, I'm formally putting this series at the top of you TBR list. Kay? Kay.

FTC: Bought.

Read my review Pretty Little Liars.

Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Pages: 336

Publisher: Harper Collins

Perspective: First Person

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: November 1, 2011

Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?

Stars: 4/5

Cover: A-

Plot:

I must admit, I was definitely intrigued by the synopsis of this book. It made it seem creepy and mysterious, which was exactly what this book was.

There was a lot of mystery in the fact that there were a lot of weird things going on when the kids went to go get their fears "vanquished", if you will. It was a fairly fast-paced book, and it definitely kept me entertained throughout the whole time I was reading it.

Not to mention, I can definitely appreciate an original storyline, and this book had exactly that. I've never read (or heard of) a book like this, which I thought was awesome.

Characters:

Even though I am a girl, I do like switching perspectives and reading books from a guy's point of view, especially if there is a girl involved. 

I liked that there was a bit of light shed on each one of the characters, and that Dark Eden didn't only focus purely on the main character, Will. I also thought the antagonists were fantastically written, and even gave me the chills!

Writing:

The way Patrick Carman set up the book and wrote it definitely increased the creepy-ness of the whole thing. He created suspense (so much so that I was holding my breath in some scenes), and he really made the story come alive.

Ending:

Hands down, the ending was my absolute favorite thing about this entire book. It was a little bittersweet, and completely unexpected. I like that all of the loose ends were tied up, and that the explanations didn't feel rushed. 

Cover:

I think the cover definitely captures ominous-ness  and it represents the creepiness of this story well. You can definitely tell the book you're about to read is super creepy, which I like.

The Final Verdict:

Dark Eden is a fantastic, creepy read. I recommend this book for rainy, dark days, because it will totally creep you out!

I haven't read any of Patrick Carman's other books, but after reading Dark Eden, I'll definitely have to look into them.

FTC: Zoe.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Pages: 286

Publisher: Harper Teen

Perspective: Third Person, Multiple Viewpoints

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: October 1, 2006

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. 

When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.

Stars: 5/5

Cover: A-

Plot:

I first read Pretty Little Liars in the, what, sixth grade? I picked it up randomly at Borders, and boy, I am so glad I did. I've read the book multiple times since then, and since Sara Shepard is continuing the series I thought it would be a good idea to re-read the series and get all caught up.

There isn't ever a dull moment in this book. From page uno, it's gogogo. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book, and once you think you know what's going to happen next, you're thrown a curve-ball. I love the whole plot-line, and how unique it is.

I also love that this book is part mystery, part thriller, and part contemporary. It's a lot more deep than just four friends being stalked and harassed. The girls have a lot of family issues, and also personal issues in this book, which I think is nice because most books in this genre don't really go past the fact that something scary is happening to the characters.

Characters:

This book is told from four different points of view in third person. The characters are so different from each other, and have such vast personalities, that I think readers can relate to at least one of the characters, if not all.

I also think the characters are portrayed quite realistically. They have most of the same reactions that I think I would have if i was going through what they were, and it doesn't seem faked.

Writing:

I swear, Sara Shepard's writing is hypnotic. From the first page, you can't put the book down. Before you know it, two hours has passed and you've finished the book, and you're on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next.

Chapters end in just the right place so that you have to read on to find out what happens next. It's like the book is an addiction, or something!

Ending:

COMPLETE. CLIFFHANGER.

During the last twenty pages, you're thinking to yourself, "Okay, I know how this is going to end. There's no way there can be another twist in the plot." And, of course, I was wrong.

It was like torture waiting to read the second book, which is why I recommend having the next book in the series in your possession so that you can start it right after you finish the book you're on.

Cover:

I love the original covers to this series. I think it's so cute how they each have a different color background and a different character, but that they all correspond to each other.

One thing I don't like is the new series covers, with the girls on the TV show on the cover. Don't get me wrong, I love the TV show, and the girls, but the original cover definitely looked so much better!

The Final Verdict:

I honestly have no clue why you haven't started this series yet. Honestly, you need to jump into the frying pan of reading at get this book NOW! 

FTC: Bought.

Pretty Tough by Liz Tigelaar

Pages: 256

Publisher: Razorbill

Perspective: Third Person

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: August 2, 2007

Bubbly, blond Krista brown is pretty and popular. Her sister, Charlie, is more interested in braving the Malibu waves than the halls of the school that Krista rules. but when Krista and Charlie are both recruited to the school's soccer team, they are forced to face their differences. Can these two sisters become teammates, and friends, in time to make it to the championships? 

Stars: 5/5

Cover: B+

Plot:

I loved this book when I read it at age twelve, and I still love it now! It completely traps you in at the first chapter. The plot line is very smooth, and the book's pacing is really nice. It incorporates themes of sibling rivalry, romance, and sports all-in-one to make this the perfect book for both girly-girls and athletes.

Characters:

First of all, Charlie is hilarious. She makes her feelings known, and she doesn't hold them back. I felt like she was extremely realistic, and even though the book was told in Third Person perspective, I really felt like Charlie was telling me everything that was happening.

I thought the relationship between Krista and Charlie was awesome. Even though they seemed like they hated each other at some times, it was obvious that they really loved each other, and would do anything for the other.

Not to mention, you could really feel how much of a family the soccer team was. They all had this chemistry with one another, and always had each other's backs.

Writing:

I really liked the way Tigelaar's writing seemed to flow really naturally along with the story. None of it seemed forced, and she made the story very vivid.

Ending:

I loved the ending! I thought everything came together really nicely, and that it didn't leave you hanging too badly. I also love the place every character is in at the end, showing how much character development there was throughout the entire story.

Cover:

I think the cover's cute. It portrays what the book is about very nicely (though it makes it seem a lot more of a fluff-read than it is). It shows the sporty-ness with the soccer ball, but also a bit of cutesy-ness.

The Final Verdict:

I definitely recommend you pick this up and read it! Even though it's geared towards teenage audiences, I really think this is a book any person can read and enjoy.

FTC: Bought.

ONE YEAR BLOGVERSARY

Okay, before I get started, I just wanted to put it out there that I have the BEST anniversary date ever. . . 1 year on 11/11/11. That's pretty freaking cool, right?!

Yeah, I'd say so. :)

Anyways, I just wanted to make a quick post thanking everyone for following my blog and caring about what I have to say.

I am so excited I came across the book-blogging world (pretty much all in thanks to Zoe) because it's opened me up to so many new books, and so many people who share the same hobbies as me (Cheesy, right?!).

I know I've been off-and-on in the past few months, but that's over, and I'm really excited for what's in store with my blog. :)

Thanks again. :)

-Laura