34 Pieces of You Review

Author: Carmen Rodrigues
Release date: September 4, 2012
Pages: 352
Publisher: SimonPulse
How I got it: For review from publisher

Ellie always had a way of drawing people in to her dark, dangerous world. Especially her best friend Sarah. And one night, it got a little too dangerous. Sarah survived. Ellie didn't.

Ellie's brother, Jake, is racked with guilt. Sarah is full of confusion. And Sarah's sister Jess, well...she's feeling a lot of things.

Now, each of them must come together to put the 34 scraps of paper they found shoved under Ellie's bed and their memories of her together to answer the questions they're left with. Who was Ellie? What made her so alarmingly broken? Was her overdose intentional?

34 Pieces of You was a dark, engaging story surrounding a girl with a tricky past and other characters with a confusing present. The secrets surrounding everyone made this an un-put-downable book as you race to know more about each of them.

I got to know Ellie with stories told from Jake, Sarah, and Jess. Along the way you pick up bits and pieces of each of their personalities as well, but mainly the story focuses on Ellie. I especially connected with Jess, and her story-line was by far my favorite too. It doesn't help that Sarah and Jake's circumstances made it very hard to see them as actual people that I could converse with.

I was shocked that I was as interested in Ellie and her story as much as the characters. Normally I'm not quite as into a character when they're going down a path of self-destruction fueled by cigarettes and drugs--but in this case it felt realistic and drew me in. So, props to Rodrigues. Not only for that, but for her writing style that's poetic, powerful, and surprisingly easy to read too.

I really liked 34 Pieces of You in the end. Despite a lack of connection with some of the characters (that I believe was intentional) this book proved to be a fast and engaging read. I'd recommend it to fans of Ellen Hopkins and other dark contemporary authors.

Plot: Kept me interested.

Characters: The characters were hard to love but I keep thinking about them.

Writing: Very good.

Ending: I kind of wanted more closure.

Mature content: Use of drugs, alcohol, self-harm, swearing, and mentions of rape.

Overall:

Ummm there is a book in my hand. Excuse you sir.

34 Pieces of You isn't a new favorite of mine, but it was a good book. Pick it up! It flies by.

Fallout Review

Author: Ellen Hopkins
Release date: September 14, 2010
Pages: 662
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderberry
How I got it: For review from publisher
Other titles in series: Crank, Glass 

Hunter, Autumn, and Summer—three of Kristina Snow’s five children—live in different homes, with different guardians and different last names. They share only a predisposition for addiction and a host of troubled feelings toward the mother who barely knows them, a mother who has been riding with the monster, crank, for twenty years. 

Hunter is nineteen, angry, getting by in college with a job at a radio station, a girlfriend he loves in the only way he knows how, and the occasional party. He's struggling to understand why his mother left him, when he unexpectedly meets his rapist father, and things get even more complicated. Autumn lives with her single aunt and alcoholic grandfather. When her aunt gets married, and the only family she’s ever known crumbles, Autumn’s compulsive habits lead her to drink. And the consequences of her decisions suggest that there’s more of Kristina in her than she’d like to believe. Summer doesn’t know about Hunter, Autumn, or their two youngest brothers, Donald and David. To her, family is only abuse at the hands of her father’s girlfriends and a slew of foster parents. Doubt and loneliness overwhelm her, and she, too, teeters on the edge of her mother’s notorious legacy. As each searches for real love and true family, they find themselves pulled toward the one person who links them together—Kristina, Bree, mother, addict. But it is in each other, and in themselves, that they find the trust, the courage, the hope to break the cycle. 

Told in three voices and punctuated by news articles chronicling the family’s story, FALLOUT is the stunning conclusion to the trilogy begun by CRANK and GLASS, and a testament to the harsh reality that addiction is never just one person’s problem.

Crank and Glass are two chilling novels about meth addiction, but because meth consumers every area of the main character's life, it's hard to get a connection to her that is anything more than pity. In Fallout, you get to connect to three characters whose lives have been completely affected by meth, which makes it the most chilling novel of the trilogy.

Hunter, Autumn, and Summer do some really stupid stuff, not gonna lie. But so many parts of their lives are so screwed up, it's hard to imagine they wouldn't do really stupid stuff. In their actions, you see the affect Kristina's bad teenage decisions have had for the past twenty years, and in that you realize that it could happen to you.

Hopkins' writing is, as always, wonderful, but I feel like it was a step up from Crank and Glass. Like she's evolved. I mean, look at these quotes:

"Always before, I just said no, left it solidly there. I waver now. I want to share everything with him. Want to know what he knows, feel what he feels, share the same space he's in."

“This is unstoppable, no holds barred. This is beautiful. Crazy. A beginning. Betrayal. Addictive. Aggressive. Alive. This is something to be afraid of.” 

Tell me that's not beautiful? I know for me, at least, it makes me more excited about wanting to give some of her non-Crank books a try.

So yeah, Fallout was definitely my favorite of the series. The different perspectives and the entire story-line was basically just made of win, and I can't wait to dig in to more of Ellen Hopkins' books.

Plot: Very good. Each of the character's separate stories had me fully absorbed.

Characters: I really liked them, in spite of some crappy decisions they made.

Writing: Really special.

Ending: All I could've asked for.

Kid friendly? There's drugs, sex, drinking, and swearing.

Overall:

I would glare at anyone that tried to keep me from reading this book.

I needed to know what happened to Kristina, Hunter, Autumn and Summer, and I could not be stopped.

Breaking Fellini Review

Author: M.E. Purtfield
Release date: November 1, 2011
Publisher: trash books
Pages: 160 (I think? Somewhere around there.)
How I got it: For review from author

Breaking Fellini is a novel of No Wave and New York during 1977. Sixteen-year-old Joni Corso loves to play rock guitar, but being in a local cover band just doesn't excite her anymore. She wants to perform originals and join the scene in New York City were Blondie, Patti Smith, and The Ramones found fame. Able to convince her mother to spend some time with her estranged father in Manhattan, Joni jumps at the opportunity to redefine herself and join a band. Amidst a whirlwind of classic rock, drugs, urban recession, and drag queens, Joni meets Phaedra a homeless girl with a mission to destroy rock idols and the mainstream. Joni joins her band No! and starts plays the kind of music she's been craving. The kind of music that out punks Punk. But Dad sees her as something else: a famous rock guitarist with a band on the Top 40 charts, something Joni doesn’t want to be anymore. Now she has to decide which musician she can live with being and for who or risk losing her new life and father she just found.

Breaking Fellini chronicles a young girl's new-found independence and exploration/partial discovery of a completely new style of music (that was also new to me--but not something that sounds very appealing to me).  In theory, this book could have been awesome, but I found it to be lacking in several areas.

This book was short. In the author's note after the book was finished, Purtfield said this was purposeful and that it felt like the length was an accurate representation of No Wave music. While I think that was a cool idea, I can't help but feel like it could've been improved by giving more attention to side characters, the descriptions of music, and Joni's father. Instead, the novel focused more on Joni's anger and fear towards and for her father and some people he'd done business with. Personally I feel like this was a mistake as I never fully connected to this story like I wanted to.

Despite the lack of development I zoomed through this novel because of its short length, and I did enjoy Joni as a character. Also bonus points for having a main character that is gay without it being a big deal! Overall, though, there are just so many things I expected and wanted from this book that I never seemed to get and I closed the book a feeling little bitter about that.

Plot: Moved quickly enough but I would've liked it to focus on music a bit more.

Characters: Joni's the only one we really got to know but she was likable.

Writing: Average.

Ending: Very unsatisfying.

Kid friendly? There's mentions of rape, sex, drugs, a whole lotta swearing.

Overall:

I'd put this down without hesitation if something else was going on.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the book for me, despite having a few really cool things going for it. That being said, I'm sure others that search for a unique story will find enjoyment in this novel.

The Absolute Value of -1 Review

Author: Steve Brezenoff
Release Date: September 1, 2010
Pages: 300 (E-ARC)
Publisher: Carolrhoda
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from Netgalley

The absolute value of any number, positive or negative, is its distance from zero: |-1| = 1

Noah, Lily, and Simon have been a trio forever. But as they enter high school, their relationships shift and their world starts to fall apart. Privately, each is dealing with a family crisis—divorce, abuse, and a parent's illness. Yet as they try to escape the pain and reach out for the connections they once counted on, they slip—like soap in a shower. Noah’s got it bad for Lily, but he knows too well Lily sees only Simon. Simon is indifferent, suddenly inscrutable to his friends. All stand alone in their heartache and grief.

In his luminous YA novel, Steve Brezenoff explores the changing value of relationships as the characters realize that the distances between them are far greater than they knew.

Going into The Absolute Value of -1, I had no idea what to expect. I just knew I'd heard it was good and it was about three friends. Aside from that, I had no real idea what it was even about. Luckily, it didn't matter because I ended up liking it anyway.

-1 is told in three parts, each with a different narrator that each had a different and (really) authentic voice. Going into a part, I would dislike a character...until I read their narration. All three characters are each so confused and abandoned and how could anyone not end up liking them?

So, in all honestly, the plot was a tad thin. It was very character-driven. Did I care? Um, NO. From page one the writing and characters hooked me and then kept me reading until 2:30 AM reading, trying to figure out how it ended.

And when I read how it ended, I was pissed! There was no ending! It was just...done! Argh! And I don't think there will be a sequel. (Though if there was a sequel I would definitely read it.)

Overall, The Absolute Value of -1 was a fascinating and wonderfully written novel about family, friends, choices, love, life, growing up, and--what I found to be a very cool aspect of it--how people perceive people and things differently than others. It wasn't perfect, no, but it was still pretty awesome.

Book Report:

Plot: Kinda thin.

Characters: Awesome! I would've liked more Noah...

Writing: Preeeetty amazing.

Ending: WHAT ENDING?! I DON'T REMEMBER AN ENDING!

Kid friendly? There's a lot of swearing, talk of sex and masturbation, and heavy pot and cigarette smoking.

Should I read it? I don't think some people will like it, but I did.

Overall:

Glass Review

Author: Ellen Hopkins
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 681 (Harcover)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderberry
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: Bought
Other titles in series: Crank

Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it's all the same: a monster. And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go.

Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips. She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life. She needs it to feel alive.

Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves -- her baby.

Glass was just as intense--if not more intense--than it's prequel, Crank.

This novel focuses on returning to addiction, and how it can completely and totally rule your life. Once again, Hopkin's delivers a frighteningly realistic portrayal of addiction. At times, though, the story got repetitive. This might've been intentional, but even if it was I still got kind of bored at parts because it felt like I'd already read it in Crank. But after some of that, the story becomes new and darker.

Even though Hopkin's writes in verse, I still get a great feel for the characters, which is a huge accomplishment, since this isn't usually the case for me. And I definitely got enough of a feel for the characters to know that I HATE TRENT AND I WANT CHASE BACK. *clears throat* Sorry...

I have Fallout on my shelf, and while I'm excited to read it, I can't just yet. Not because it will be sad to see the series end, but because these novels and so dark that now I need something lighter and easier.

Glass was rough. Drugs are rough. Glass was addicting. Drugs are addicting. Glass was good. Drugs are not.

Book Report:

Plot: Grabbing.

Characters: Stupid and stupider but somehow you still care for them. It's strange.

Writing: So good! I think I might have to go back through this one to find some of my favorite quotes...

Ending: Just kinda...ended!

Kid friendly? There's a lot of drugs, and a lot of sex, and some swearing.

Should I read it? After you've read Crank. You're not gonna want to miss a minute of this screwed up story.

Overall:

Crank Review

Author: Ellen Hopkins
Release Date: October 5, 2004
Pages: 536 (Paperback)

Publisher: SimonPulse

Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher


Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina -- she's fearless. Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul -- her life.
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Crank was dark, poetic, and completely grabbing. If you haven't read it yet, you should fix that.

First let me just start out saying that I seriously don't understand why this book has been one of the many to be (or attempted to be) banned. This book is a rough, realistic portrayal of a girl fighting for her life from drugs. It isn't glamorous; it's effing terrifying. I had never even considered doing drugs, but this book made me never ever want to think about thinking about looking the wrong way at drugs. This book should be on shelves. Teens should be reading it nationwide. Issues like this shouldn't be swept under the rug in reading material.

OK, had to get that out. Anyways....

I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy Crank, but I really did. The story completely sucks you in until the very last page...I feel weird saying that. That I enjoyed watching Kristina crumble from a good and normal and drug-free girl into Bree, who is everything but. I guess it was like a car crash you watched through your fingers. A really good car crash.

And could somebody PLEASE tell me why I waited so long to read one of Ellen Hopkin's books? The girl can write. I've read a verse novel before, so the format didn't bother me at all. Although at the very beginning the way she wrote, the long sentences and description, did take a little while to get used to. But once I did, it was just amazing.

I want to revisit this story very soon, which I will be doing with Glass, the sequel. Check this one out if you've had enough fluff for a little while. You won't be disappointed.

Book Report:

Plot: Well-paced, terrified, and grabbing.

Characters: When Chase cleans up, can I marry him?

Writing: OH YEAH.

Ending: Satisfying.

How kid friendly is it? Kids? Not really friendly for kids, as there is a lot of drug use (duh), sex, rape, drinking, blood-sucking...yeah. (But see the second paragraph.)

Should I read it? Totally.

 Overall:

Fade Review

SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ WAKE


Release Date: February 10, 2009
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 248 (Hardcover)
Other Titles in the Series: Wake

Some nightmares never end. For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open -- but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both. Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability -- and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....

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By far the best book I've read in August.

The unique plot takes many turns during the book, which keeps you additively flipping pages until you finish it and take a minute to digest it all. This book is dark and slightly disturbing, but I loved every minute of it.

The characters in this series are phenomenal. Janie kicks butt, or ass-whichever you prefer. Cabel is a great character and has his own issues that he constantly battles and I love him for it. Captain is the tough boss, but she also provides even greater tough love, making her an extremely lovable character. We see much less of Janie's friend, Carrie, in Fade, but she kinda annoyed me anyways-she was very selfish.

Janie and Cabel's romance escalates throughout Fade and it makes the story even more addictive. Cabel is constantly there for Janie, jumping over hurdles just to get her a glass of milk, and Janie definitely loves him for it. This book, along with everything else it has to offer, also offers great chemistry from two easily lovable characters.

Lisa Mcmann's writing is just as addictive as the storyline. She really has effortlessly made a writing style all her own, and I love it. She is-without a doubt in my mind-one of my favorite authors.

Overall, a gripping, disturbing, and...well, great, sequel to it's successor Wake. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading it. It had a huge shocker towards the end, but didn't leave you on a cliffhanger (luckily). But, that doesn't mean that I'm not counting down the days until Gone, the next book in the series.

Was it better than Wake? It was close. I think I probably like just Wake a little more, though.

Wake Review

Release Date: March 4, 2008
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 210

Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

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Wake was...amazing. That's one of the best words to describe it, I think. I waited to read it for so long and the waiting has definitely paid off.

I started this book late last night, I figured that, since I had friends over, it would take me longer to read it then usual. But, I was wrong. My friend ended up taking the book from me and wouldn't give it back for a good length of time. Wake is one of those books that grabs you and doesn't let go. I thought that there wouldn't be plot twists, but I was so wrong.

Janie is a girl whose life sucks. By saying that I would relate to her, would be saying that my mom is also an alcoholic who doesn't give a crap about me, so I won't say that because none of it is true. I will, however, say that she was a great character. All of the characters were great and had a had big part in the storyline.

The writing style that Lisa McMann uses is unique. At first I thought it was weird and wasn't a fan, but it quickly became addicting, also making this a can't-put-it-down read. I'll give you a sampling from her "About The Author" page:

Now she writes.
From a green chair.
Overlooking the Superstition Mountains.
Sometimes she wears a cowboy hat.
She's not really a cowboy.
She just likes hats.

You should read this book. Now. Right now. (Her writing has definitely rubbed off on me.) With such a unique plot, and everything else needed to make a fantastic book, how can you go wrong? Now, I need Fade.

Valiant Review

Release Date: May 31, 2005
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 320
Other Books In Series: Tithe

When seventeen-year-old Valerie runs away to New York City, she's trying to escape a life that has utterly betrayed her. Sporting a new identity, she takes up with a gang of squatters who live in the city's labyrinthine subway system.

But there's something eerily beguiling about Val's new friends. And when one talks Val into tracking down the lair of a mysterious creature with whom they are all involved, Val finds herself torn between her newfound affection for an honorable monster and her fear of what her new friends are becoming.

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I just couldn't get into this book. Even after the halfway point, where I usually got more into the book, I didn't. It took me until the very end to get into it.

I think that the whole drug thing annoyed me. In fact, pretty much all of the characters annoyed me too. The only character that I cared about was Ravus...and maybe Val towards the very end.

Holly Black's writing was, as expected, great once again. But her storytelling abilities weren't as good as they were in Tithe; I had a really hard time picturing everything and everyone.

The plot was OK. Nothing great. Probably not something that I'd pick up if it wasn't the sequel to Tithe.

Hopefully Ironside will be better, because Valiant fell short of my expectations.