Break Review

"It's been about six months since I've had something in a cast. Kids at school laugh and call me a klutz. This girl Charlotte carries my books. My parents are baffled. Will cries. Jesse keeps getting sick.
You're broken, and you're fixed.
And you're better."

Break is Moskowitz's debut, but it's the third book I've of hers I've read, so I kept comparing this one to her more recent releases and I've decided this: the writing in this one is definitely not as gripping and shockingly unique as it now is, BUT this is also one of her better ones I think.

All you really need to know about Break is that it revolves around a guy whose new found mission in life is to break every bone in his body. I can't tell you why because that would make me a bad person, but just know that main character, Jonah, does not really have the best home life. His parents are constantly distracted by their own petty fights, as well as Jonah's brother Jess's awful allergies, and his baby brother's constant screaming. So Jonah breaks his bones. Obviously.

As you may be able to tell, Jonah has his share of issues that we learn more and more about with each passing page. The way he went about dealing with his emotions never felt over-dramatic or alarming, and to me that was almost scary.

But as intense as Break can sometimes be, it's full of good side characters, a handful of good jokes, and an abundance of hope, all of which makes for a really good book.

Plot: Totally unique and dark.

Characters: Lovably screwed up.

Writing: Awesome, as usual with this author.

Ending: Fitting.

Content: Some just general dark thoughts, as well as swearing.

Overall:

Pretty dope.

Hannah Moskowitz is basically a cult leader in the YA community, if you ask me. And I'm a proud cult member. (Also, this book totally fits with this song.)

Jessica

Gone, Gone, Gone Review

Author: Hannah Moskowitz
Release date: April 17, 2012
Publisher: SimonPulse
Pages: 288
How I got it: For review through GalleyGrab 

In the wake of the post-9/11 sniper shootings, fragile love finds a stronghold in this intense, romantic novel from the author of Break and Invincible Summer. 

It's a year after 9/11. Sniper shootings throughout the D.C. area have everyone on edge and trying to make sense of these random acts of violence. Meanwhile, Craig and Lio are just trying to make sense of their lives. Craig’s crushing on quiet, distant Lio, and preoccupied with what it meant when Lio kissed him...and if he’ll do it again...and if kissing Lio will help him finally get over his ex-boyfriend, Cody. Lio feels most alive when he's with Craig. He forgets about his broken family, his dead brother, and the messed up world. But being with Craig means being vulnerable...and Lio will have to decide whether love is worth the risk.

This intense, romantic novel from the author of Break and Invincible Summer is a poignant look at what it is to feel needed, connected, and alive.

I live in central Virginia, so I'm no stranger to the beltway sniper from 2002. I often pass one of the gas stations he killed someone at, and I used to be dragged into the Michael's he shot someone at frequently. I was only six at the time of the shootings, but I very clearly remember being in first grade and not being able to play outside during recess, and the teacher's face when we asked why. About four years ago my mom told me why that was.

So while I was too young to feel the intense fear that Lio and Craig felt, it doesn't matter. Their fear leaps off the page and becomes intertwined with your own. Moskowitz expertly makes you feel everything her main characters are feeling. Not only does her writing do that, but it also manages to be fast and addictive, making Gone, Gone, Gone a surprisingly quick read.

If you don't love both Lio and Craig then I don't know what's wrong with you. Both are different and Craig's a little damaged, but throughout the book I didn't care and all I was thinking was that I wish I could do something like this:

Obviously I had no problems with my first GLBQT romance.

Moskowitz is an author unlike any other in YA right now in all of the right ways. Her books are fast yet have depth, and even if you don't love most of the main characters actions you'll love the main characters. I'll definitely be on the look-out for her next novel, and I now know I for sure need to get a copy of Break (her debut) and Zombie Tag (her middle-grade).

Plot: Engrossing.

Characters: Love! Especially Lio.

Writing: So good.

Ending: Good.

Kid friendly? There's mentions of sex, swearing, and underage drinking.

Overall:

No one could tear me away from this book.

Intense and scary but also hopeful, Moskowitz brought out the big guns for her third YA novel. While it lacked that something that makes me want to read a book forever, I know an awesome book when I read it, and Gone, Gone, Gone was awesome. 

Invincible Summer Review

Author: Hannah Moskowitz
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 288 (E-ARC)
Publisher: Razorbill
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from Galley Grab

Noah’s happier than I’ve seen him in months. So I’d be an awful brother to get in the way of that. It’s not like I have some relationship with Melinda. It was just a kiss. Am I going to ruin Noah’s happiness because of a kiss? 

Across four sun-kissed, drama-drenched summers at his family’s beach house, Chase is falling in love, falling in lust, and trying to keep his life from falling apart.  But some girls are addictive....

OK, firstly: this description sucks. It makes it sound like some chick-lit romance, but it's so far from anything like that. Invincible Summer isn't a love story, it's a raw story about a beach, a family, and tragedies.

Chase, our main character is an Everboy--forever a boy, never wanting to grow up. Half of the book seems to be him nostalgically remembering the past, when he and his siblings were young and everything was simple. As a nostalgic teen who still watches Rugrats with her little brother to relive her youth, I related to this really easily.

Moskowitz's writing is addicting. I zoomed right through this book, and I'm sure most of the reason for that is the quick unique writing style. I quickly knew that I'd have to pick up Moskowitz's first novel, Break, cause it's clear the woman has a gift.

So, Chase and his older brother Noah get addicted to the author Camus one summer, and after that they quote him constantly. While pretty, a lot of the quotes went over my head and made me feel kinda stupid. And that wasn't fun.

For some reason I just couldn't love this one, but I did really like it. I can't say much else without spoiling it for you, so I won't. I'll just say that this is a powerful read about a screwed up family and a really screwed up couple of summers, and that it will linger in my mind for a while.

Book Report:

Plot: Well done.

Characters: Likable, annoying, and realistic.

Writing: Really impressive.

Ending:Wrapped everything up really well.

Kid friendly? There's some sex, drinking, and mentions of rape.

Should I read it? If you're in the mood for a dark read, definitely.

Overall:

Other opinions:

Electrifying Reviews

The Story Siren

Frenetic Reader