Black Ice

Black Ice

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Survival, Romance

Rating: 5/10 – On the fence with this one, sorry.

This novel is almost too complicated to review, let alone talk about.

I literally had to draw out pictures and diagrams to explain the events that occur in this dark, survival story to my friend. It’s just that complicated.

I suck with ratings. I really don’t know a good honest rating to give this novel. . .  I really like it, but I feel like it wasn’t written . . . perfectly. I mean I know nothing is perfect but I feel like some things could have been done differently, but it’s that way with so so so many other novels, not just this on in particular. Anyway, so I’m sitting on the fence for this one with a 5/10. Deal with it. 

Okay, so cut my cruddy babbling and onto my cruddy review!

Black Ice is a romantic story about trust, survival, and murder. Yes murder; beautiful bloody murder. It was quite fantastic actually; I had never read a young adult romance with so much murder and death. Don’t get me wrong, I know for a fact that there are many, upon thousands of fictional novels with romance and murder, I just had never read one before. Ever. Until now. Hence why I am chilling on the fence with this one.

So practically, this novel in short explanation is about the main character, Britt, whom goes hiking in the Grand Tentons with her ex-boyfriend Calvin. They run into some unexpected trouble when Britt gets caught in a blizzard, get taken hostage by two attractive fugitives, finds evidence from local murders, and learns whom to trust and whom to love.

There is quite a bit that takes place in this novel for how short it is. It’s a great stand alone novel. All of the characters have incredibly diverse personalities and problems that they are each so desperately trying to sort out, and this story is really just a constant flow of problems to be overcome, with a (in my opinion) expected and strangely cute romance tying the whole plot together. That’s just my opinion though. Really anything your reading right now is entirely my opinion so, whatever.

I really wasn’t sure if I was insane for enjoying the romance portion of this novel, considering the circumstance, and I won’t get into grave detail, but it was oddly entertaining, and honestly I didn’t know what to believe while reading it, there were so many lies being tossed around from page to page by each character. Does that even that makes sense? Just read it and it will. I think. Probably not though, I don’t make sense about 99% of the time.

If there’s anything unique to point out about this novel it’s definitely the very first chapter, before Britt is introduced.

(Possible spoilers)

(Crappy warning sorry)

It basically foreshadows some important discoveries of Britt’s later on in the novel, and it was really fun to try and connect the dots of the murders before Britt did.

So yea, this was not a super serious review, probably because I read this novel a while ago and I’m still really not sure how I feel about it. Black Ice was a good quick read and first mystery- murder novel. I can’t really say anything incredibly terribly or awesome about it. It was just a good read. Black Ice didn’t exactly have a great premise or lesson that was trying to be told, just an entertaining plot and characters.

Back of the Novel Synopsis:

Sometimes danger is herd to see . . . Until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin and accept the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants- but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. Things get even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that took place on that very mountain- a discovery that may maker her the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnapers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy or an ally?

Anyway, sorry this isn't a super serious review. I'm working on a new Blog with Wix and I'm trying to make the new one look a little less bland then this one :3 My new Blog will still be called breeinbookland, so there's no confusion (if you even care) anyway, again. Seeya!

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Anatomy of a Misfit

Anatomy of a Misfit

Andrea Portes

Young Adult Contemporary, Fiction

Rating: 9/10

*May include spoilers*

“It pulls on your heart strings, and then breaks it. Then steps on the broken heart pieces and leaves them on the ground to burn in the sun and shrivel up like raisins. And ew, because who likes raisins? “ – breeinbookland

Beware, I’m not a very technical book reviewer when I actually love the book, I’m less critical. I don’t see as many flaws. But I didn’t expect to like this novel as much as I did. Through reading Anatomy of a Misfit I was almost 90% sure I was going to give it a shitty rating. Until the last couple chapters, this obviously took me, and many other readers off guard.

This book made me cry.

I can’t even explain how emotionally damaged I am after finishing this novel.

It was just so good. I got so into it- after a couple chapter or so... maybe a bit more. But I got so caught up in the drama, relationships and the lies.

It was beautifully dark, dramatic and hilarious.

The novel did exaggerate and stereotype the typical teenager a little too much for my liking.  . .  Also, this is not a book for everyone, if racial slurs, slut- shaming, and profanity of any kind ruin books for you; this is not your read. It uses Gay as an insult. You have been warned. I was not so fond of it myself, but I moved on.

I would definitely recommend Anatomy of a Misfit to anybody; hands down.

Anatomy of a Misfit is about a fifteen year old high school student just trying to fit in and stay in the “popular” crowd. To do this she sacrifices what she really wants in life so that she doesn’t have to go through the hell Becky, the most popular and bitchiest girl in school, would destroy her with. Really, it’s a life lesson. Being popular in high school really doesn’t matter. It won’t matter when you’re out of high school. It won’t matter when you’re off at college. It won’t matter when you’re eighty or ninety years old laying on your deathbed. The premise of this novel . . .  The purpose of this novel is to say, and quite literally that: you get one chance; this life is all you get, so you need to make the most of it.

“This moment here.

This is all you get.

Before you are part of the sky.” – Anatomy of a Misfit, pg 328.

I think this novel did a really great job at tackling really stressful moments in a teenager’s high school career and bring them to life with the characters. Every point that Andrea was trying to get across to the reader was crystal clear. Every word had a meaning. Every foreshadow. Every stone that was laid down created a path that lead somewhere. It all meant something. There was always a lesson. A rhyme to Anika’s spider stew madness. Speaking of Anika. Her internal monologue was dark yet hysterical. Maybe it was all of the Star Wars references that got me but I found Anika’s character very likable, from the her very first rant about Logan becoming hot being “totally illegal.” However I do wish there was a little more time dedicated to building more of a foundation to Anika and Logan’s relationship.

This novel dealt with a ridiculous amount of real world problems like racism, sexism, bullying, suicide, and just simple first world teenage problems (boys, insecurities, friendships, the list could go on forever.) These things made the novel super entertaining and super duper relatable, to almost anybody. It would be impossible for a single person to pick up this novel and NOT relate to it in one shape or form. Impossible.

Yet again, I cannot stress enough. This was such a great novel. It was a quick and easy read, with many amazing premises. Andrea Portes created a mysterious and romantic hero that I swear you will fall spine over page for and a heroine that struggles to make all of the right decisions. If Anika’s spider stew doesn’t pull you in, you have no humor. If Logan’s secrets don’t make you cry, you have no heart. And if Becky’s attitude doesn’t make you cringe, well then I don’t want to say any R- rated words. My point is, the drama and heartache draws you in like a lasso. It pulls on your heart strings, and then breaks it. Then steps on the broken heart pieces and leaves them on the ground to burn in the sun and shrivel up like raisins. And ew, because who likes raisins? 

Anyway, I’m getting a bit off topic. My point, again, is that Anatomy of a Misfit is a great YA/contemporary kind of read. I recommend it if you can get your hands on it. I will definitely be reading it again, multiple times. And now more of Andrea Portes books like: The Fall of Butterflies, will be on my ‘to read’ list.

Back of the Novel Synopsis:

Spider stew. That’s what Anika is made of. But she keeps it under wraps- one step out of line and Becky Vilhauler, first most popular girl in school, will make her life a living hell. So when former loner Logan McDonough shows up one September hotter, smarter, and more mysterious than ever, Anika knows that she can’t get involved. It would be insane to throw away her social safety for a nerd. So what if that nerd is now a black-leather-jacket-wearing dreamboat and his loner status is clearly the result of his troubled home life?

Logan. Who needs him when Jared Kline, the bad boy every girl dreams of, is asking her on dates?

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Dangerous Lies

Dangerous Lies

Becca Fitzpatrick

Young Adult, Fiction

Rating: 4/10

“Great premise, terrible juxtaposition.” -breeinbookland

Dangerous Lies tells the story of a teenage girl who is forced to make a fresh start after witnessing a violent crime. Despite her choice to participate in a witness protection program love and danger find her anyway. 

Okay . . . Selfishly I expected this story to be a bit more sexy and mysterious than it actually played out to be. I was a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this YA read is definitely a swoon worthy romance! 

Honestly, I was slightly disappointed that the novel revolved more around the romance and "fitting in" than the actual fact that Estella was in danger and there were deadly criminals after her. The criminals were definitely not the most threatening characters in this novel. However, Becca Fitzpatrick did a great job at bringing everything together at the end, and following though with the witness protection program side of the plot.  

I still cant get over the fact that once Estella got to her witness protection placement the novel merely turned into a country romance, with a couple secrets dangling on the tip of her tongue. 

The actual character development was not as desired, and honestly the main plot wasn't realistic to the main characters actions. The novel clearly states that there is literally a drug cartel that will not stop searching for Estella until she was dead. SO how come the only problems or barriers in this novel for Estella were merely fitting in? I don't get it. I think Becca Fitzpatick could have made this plot into a really good suspenseful thriller novel (with obviously some sexy romance, duh) but the plot wasn't really carried though to its hype and it got lost along the way.  

Becca Fitzpatrick did use a couple different forms of “media” in this novel that kept the readers interest; this was done by using written letters from Estella’s forbidden lover, as well as emails. Thus in my mind adds a bit of uniqueness to the novel.

Overall it seems that I really don’t have much to say about Dangerous Lies, there's just something that's stopping me from enjoying this novel to the fullest and I can't quite put my finger on it. It had a great premise and was a good idea but the actual pieces of the story didn't quite fit together properly. This book would be good for anyone that likes a cute, but slow romance. That's about all I can say. 

Back Of The Novel Synopsis

“Stella Gordon’s life is a lie. She does not belong in Thunder Basin, Nebraska. As the star witness in a murder trial against a drug dealer, Stella is now in the Witness Protection Program. The small-town locals can never know who she really is. Not even Chet Falconer, the one boy who makes her want to reveal her true self. She knows that telling the truth will only bring violence to this safe haven.

Despite how hard Stella tries to stay under the radar, danger is fast approaching. Criminals have a way of getting rid of witnesses, and Stella may have made the one mistake that could lead the cold-blooded men hunting for her right to her doorstep.”

Disclaimer

 I have read other works (meaning all) by Becca Fitzpatrick so my expectations were already sketched out and incredibly high, especially in comparison to her Hush, Hush saga. Which I absolutely loved and adored. Patch for the win. That being said, Dangerous Lies was a good read, just very different from what I was expecting. Hopefully I'll get to a review for Black Ice.

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Everything, Everything

Everything, Everything 

Nicola Yoon

Young Adult, Fiction

Rating: 7.5/10

“You will find and loose yourself in this artistically unique and adorable heart – tugging romantic battle. Yoon cleanly executed a forbidden romance like none other.“

– breeinbookland

Everything Everything is a novel about a girl named Madeline who is suffering from SCID. . . Also known as "bubble boy syndrome". Madeline has spent the last 18 years trapped inside her house. The only people she comes in contact with are her nurse Carla and her mother. That is until Olly moves in next door.

Yoon skilfully built up character development that easily made reading this coming of age story fun and engaging from her lovable character Madeline. 

 The relationship between these characters was incredibly intense and forbidden- which made this character build up better with every turn of a page. Every character in this novel is precisely defined by very different and, unique characteristics that make you instantly love them- even the ones you’re not necessarily supposed to. And I can say for certain that I definitely fell in love with Olly just as quick as Madeline did. “Spoiler Alert: Boys are savages”

The writing style in this YA novel is very unique and quite often uses graphs, pictures and even email conversations between the characters. I find using many media forms like this in a novel keeps it entertaining and intriguing for the reader. This also shows a creative writing style of the author. I love when a story can be told through text messages or pictures just as much as I love a story through words. This is a very effective way to keep readers interest and be unique all at once. 

However, pictures and graphs were not the end of the line for the creativity and uniqueness that enchants this novel. No. Yoon also incorporated quotes from popular real life fiction novels at the beginning of many chapters and related it to the struggles of her main character.

These quotes in the novel were identified as “SPOILER REVIEWS BY MADELINE” that were scattered at the beginning of most chapters. This was a great way for Yoon to connect her novel with other existing novels at the same time her character connected the novel she was reading to what she was going though. Did that make sense? I just love that idea.

Overall, I can easily say that I recommend this novel to any YA romance lover who loves a bit of an emotional roller coaster. There are so many beautiful illustrations and the dialogue is humorous; why would you pass this one up? I devoured this in one easy sitting and I can whole heartily say that Nicola Yoon did an amazing job for her first novel and I will be purchasing and also devouring her second one novel ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’.

Back Of The Novel Synopsis

“MY DISEASE IS AS RARE as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house; have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Clara.

But then on day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window; and I see him. He’s tall, lean, and wearing all black – black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly, It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.”