Tag Archives: YA

Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead-a review

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Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead-a review

Indigo Spell

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

THE INDIGO SPELL (Released February 2013) by Richelle Mead is the 3rd book in the Bloodlines Series. How do I start on this review? It is a very hard book to review, because it was SO GOOD!! You might think, why would that make it hard? When the whole book is written well, full of endearing scenes and the emotion is so HOT, yes it is hard!! Some series start to falter in the middle, but this series has been consistent!! Strong, swoon-worthy emotion is hard to review, it must be read firsthand to be appreciated. Believe me, this book is full of action, new characters are introduced, a bad villain is uncovered and defeated, but the MAIN reason I love this series is the evolving relationship between Adrian Ivashkov and Sydney Sage. The swoon-o-meter goes off the chart during their interactions!!!

Things are awkward between our friends in Palm Springs. After their passionate kiss, Sydney leaves Adrian. She has years of Alchemist training, which has taught her that a relationship between a Moroi (good vampire) and human is strictly off-limits. Adrian being Adrian doesn’t give up, but says to Sydney, “If I keep loving you, maybe you’ll eventually crack and love me too”.

Adrian supports Sydney through everything that she goes through in The Indigo Spell. He is fun loving, never tells her what to do, and reminds her about her strength and power. He doesn’t mind when Sydney saves him! He is comfortable with who he is!! Sydney is still practicing her magic under the guidance of Ms. Terwilliger. There is a rogue witch in the Los Angeles area that is draining young women of their power and youth. Adrian and Sydney go undercover to warn young women. While at a college campus, they are forced to hang out at a fraternity party. When asked what fraternity he belongs to, Adrian answers A Y E, Alpha Yam Ergo!! Only Adrian can make a bad situation fun!! I WANT TO JOIN!!

A big part of the action, involves finding a rogue Alchemist, by the name of Marcus Finch. He tells Sydney some of the real truths about the Alchemists and these have her questioning her beliefs. Sydney uses her magic and wits to find evidence.

There are so many great interactions between Adrian and Sydney. When the powerful witch enters Sydney’s dreams, Adrian keeps her safe by doing the same. They have some hot and endearing dream visits! Who knew playing Monopoly could be so much fun, or *swoons * tabletops! I like that Sydney does not straddle the fence in this book. Finally, she makes up her mind!! Each interaction with Adrian makes her realize what she really wants and that is HIM!!!

This was a great book leading into The Fiery Heart. You know their love will not be easy, but I think that Sydney and Adrian will be able to handle any obstacle that comes in their way!! You know that it will be a wild ride!! I bet that between her brains and his charm, they will be a great match against anything!!

Once again!! TEAM ADRIAN!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewed by Jules

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To Stand Beside Her by B.Kristin McMichael-a review

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To Stand Beside Her by B.Kristin McMichael-a review

To Stand Beside Her

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released January 24, 2013

To be the best courier in the world, eighteen-year-old Benét Leila follows three simple rules: always work alone, never stay in one place too long, and never fall in love. Too bad she didn’t follow her own advice.

Leila is a courier. To the people she takes from, she is seen as a common thief; to the people she helps, she is a savior.

Nalick is your typical king. He’s rich, powerful, and always assumed to be right. When Leila crosses paths with King Nalick, she finds herself trapped. In a rush to save her best friend Kay from a prison sentence for a crime Leila committed, Leila trades her hand in marriage in exchange for Kay’s freedom.

********************

The much sought-after, but elusive “Ghost Courier”, aka Leila Benet, has finally been nabbed – in custody at a king’s palace no less! An ineffectual woman might panic. Ok, Leila is more than a little frazzled; her BFF is also being detained (but she failed an assignment!). Leila thinks only to liberate her friend and sets to negotiate with King Nalick. To Stand Beside Her by B. Kristin McMichael is a lovely Young Adult novel that travels along the pitfalls of procurement adventures, both in goods and persons, and surprises us with a bittersweet twist on the ever-popular love triangle.

King Nalick seemed reasonable. Leila thought him especially so when he dispatched her to a palatial suite instead of the dungeon. King Nalick wouldn’t abuse his power…right? Right indeed, but King Nalick won me over pretty early on. Great character, Ms. McMichael! Ascending to the throne at the precocious age of 14, Nalick has remained true to himself; not allowing the power to override his good senses (so voiced by his loyal personal guard made up of his life-long friend and cousin). But truth be told, it’s time Nalick took a wife. He’s had his eyes, and heart, set on Leila…for a long time.

The initial banter between Nalick and Leila is quick and witty and loaded with retorts – critical elements to capture my interest. Leila’s only 18 with the ferocity of a true tomboy – she isn’t intimidated by Nalick’s title. As a matter of fact, she’s sizing him up, thinking she might best him in weapons and hand-to-hand combat. You can only imagine the crowd that gathers when they put their skills to the test! Slowly, but steadily (and almost without reservation), Leila recognizes worthiness in Nalick; he’s not like the other fiendish kings she’s eluded in the past.

“All I ask in return is that you marry me. If at any time I break my end of the deal, you are free to walk out of here without any explanation and disappear to where ever you go when you leave kings. I promise I will not hunt you down. Your friend has been freed and on her way home.”

What’s more shocking than that? LEILA STAYS. A level-headed young woman, Leila accepts Nalick’s proposal and embraces all the pomp and circumstance that comes with marrying royalty. Yeah right! When word travels of the pending nuptials, spurned kings launch kidnapping attempts and the couple gets even closer as they prepare to defend Leila from enemies. And like all good love stories, Leila has a past. Despite Nalick’s charms and promises to love her, Leila is reluctant. She was previously engaged, but Ms. McMichael doesn’t belabor the fact. Personally, I want the hero to make good on his declarations. Nalick…swoon-worthy!

Enter said twist. While Leila and Nalick develop their relationship (Leila is constantly assuring fellow couriers they encounter along their adventures that she is willingly marrying), a personal guard, Anatolio, is assigned to Leila, though he is to remain in the shadows. Anatolio protects her and becomes her right hand when there is trouble and/or Nalick is unavailable. It’s not obvious from the beginning that Anatolio’s fate is intertwined with Nalick and Leila’s…but it becomes more clear…and unsettling to this reader. There is a purpose behind Anatolio’s presence, but it was difficult for ME to place myself in the situation. I was really Bella in Twilight or Anastasia to Christian Grey; do you know what I mean? It was thrilling to think myself the heroine. Not so much in this case. I felt the triangle was a cross to bear; the proverbial albatross around your neck. Love is hard enough. Add a third person who will feature in your future…when you’re trying to build a here and now and forever with your husband? Confusing, I know, but also unnerving for ME.

As a lover of language arts, grammatical and spelling errors nearly ruined my concentration and general flow of the story, but the structure itself is a sound one; it has all the elements to delight and entertain you. I will no longer speculate on “the twist”; you are going to have to reconcile those feelings when you read the book. There is a thoughtfulness and beauty to the foresight. My sentiment at the end of the book could, or could not, have something to do with that.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Carmen P.

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The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett – a Review

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The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett – a Review

the nightmare affair

Description:
Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.

Literally.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.

Then Eli’s dream comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target

Review:

The Nightmare Affair is Mindee Arnett’s first YA Fantasy Novel.  The base of the story takes place at Arkwell Academy, a school for the magickind.  Our heroine, Dusty, is 16 years old, and has inherited from her mother the ability to create nightmares into a person’s dreams.

Dusty is just started learning this, and begins to practice on high school hunk, Eli, when he is asleep dreaming, when something terribly goes wrong.  The dream turns into a real murder that takes place at the school, with one of the students murdered.  Dusty is then told that she is more then a Nightmare.  She is now a Dream-seer, someone who can see the future.  The heads of the school arrange for Eli to be transferred to the school, as Dusty and Eli must work the dreams together.  Eli is not thrilled to be forced to change schools, as he does not have any magic, just tied to Dusty as part of her Dream-seer visions.  

Both of them avoid each other as much as possible, until they begin to become more earnest in resolving this murder, as another one happens.  Slowly, and I mean very slowly, you can see a romance building up between them, but first they try to be friends.  Arnett has created some good characters in Dusty, Eli, Selene (Dusty’s best friend), and Paul (Dusty’s possible boyfriend, before Eli); not to mention all the teachers teaching the students the magic, and some of the students themselves. 

I found the story interesting, with the mystery involved as to who the murderer was.  Did Dusty’s Mother have anything to do with the murders?  Will Dusty and Eli realize they are meant for each other besides sharing dreams?  What happens to Paul? 

I enjoyed the magic stuff, and there was a lot of danger and tense moments.  I thought it was a light read with humor, and at the same time, kind of scary.  A few times I did think some things were a bit silly or childish, but overall I enjoyed this story, as it was different, and a fast fun read.  I will not spoil things, as there are a number of twists, surprises & violence, as well as a very exciting ending. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher through Netgalley

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EMBRACING THE FLAMES by Candace Knoebel-cover reveal

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Embracing The Flames by Candace Knoebel-Cover Reveal

embracing the flames

NOTE: The Reading Cafe has scheduled an interview with Candace Knoebel for March 20, 2013.

The Stone of Immortality has been protected under the watch of the Draconta for as long as time has existed. That is, until the betrayal of a Fate. Now everything is about to change.

Aurora Megalos accepted her destiny without blinking-even if it meant succumbing to her dragon side. Deemed the Progeny, she left the ordinary life she knew and has done everything in her power to learn the ways of her new realm and what it means to be part dragon. But when her mentor, Astral, suddenly disappears, she is forced to take the reins. With war on the brink, she sets out on an epic journey to not only find her mentor, but to stop her Arch Enemy, Zordon, from attaining the Stone of Immortality. But what she discovers about him along the way is far worse than she could’ve ever imagined. She will be tested and pushed to the limit. Lives will be lost, love will be questioned, and a battle will begin.

Expected Date of Release:  Summer of 2013

*******************

Candace KnoebelABOUT THE AUTHOR: Website

Hello! I’ve been writing ever since I was little, but never considered it a career until 2009. Probably due to the amount of boredom that came with my job. I love mexican food-actually, I just plain love food. And I dance when I eat out of sheer elation due to yumminess. I have a love/hate relationship with jogging and weight lifting. Why? Because I live in Florida…yay heat (note the sarcasm). I am obsessed with 30 Seconds to Mars, Tobuscus, and all things mixed media. I love to laugh and make silly music videos with my friends. I also believe in magic.

Now to my writing career.

I began dreaming up characters in 2009 that would one day mold my first novel, Born in Flames. Then I met my best friend who shared the same passions and pushed me to go for my dreams. Through lunch breaks and late nights after putting my kids to bed, I built a world where I could escape the ever-pressing days of an eight to five Purgatory. I found my calling in life and knew that this was more than dancing on Broadway could’ve ever meant to me.

Once complete in 2010, I began the grueling process of finding a publisher. With relentless determination, I was finally able to realize my dream in December of 2011 when 48fourteen offered me a contract. With a HUGE yes and a happy dance, I now continue my Trilogy while waiting for the big day of being published.

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Meghan Ciana Doidge -Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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Meghan Ciana Doidge-Interview and Giveaway with the Author


Interview-Gold

Meghan Ciana Doidge is an award-winning writer and independent filmmaker. She lives in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with her husband, Michael, three persian cats, one turtle and fishes. Meghan has a penchant for bloody love stories, superheroes, and the supernatural. And, she also have a bit of a thing for chocolate, potatoes, and sock yarn.;)

Meghan Doidge

 

TRC: Hi Meghan and welcome to The Reading Café.  Congratulations on the release of your new Young Adult storyline – TIME WALKER.

Meghan: Thanks for the guest post & interview invitation. What writer doesn’t like to go on and on about her books!!?

TRC: We would like to start with some background information.  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Meghan: I was an actor for a long time before I transitioned into writing and directing independent films. I made a number of short films and was lucky enough to have some of them purchased by broadcasters and screened in international film festivals. I have the first half of the first season of a Sci-Fi web series up on YouTube – if anyone is interested – it’s called SiftingRealities.

TRC: Many authors develop their love of writing at an early age.  What was the catalyst that started you on the road to publication?

Meghan: While I did dabble with writing when I was in my late teens, I was more of a reader, and I still read voraciously. In 2011 an idea I was developing for a screenplay turned out to actually be a book. I never thought I would write a novel. I didn’t think I was that sort of writer – can you tell I put novelists up on a bit of a pedestal? That was my first book, After The Virus.

TRC: What difficulties or challenges have you faced getting your book to publication?

Meghan: Well, it was all new to me, so that is always a huge learning curve. However, I am exceedingly lucky that I have found an amazing cover artist, Irene Langholm, and a great editor, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. I think they help elevate and refine my ideas. I am also blessed to have access to great beta readers, from whom even the smallest note or feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

My greatest personal hurdle, and ongoing struggle, is with the comma, as I am sure you have noted.

Time WalkerTRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of TIME WALKER?

Click HERE for our review.

LINKS TO ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/

Meghan: I came up with the idea for the Spirit Bound series while writing the first book in the Cascadian Chronicles, Spirit Binder. I loved the idea of exploring the world on a somewhat smaller scale where the stakes were personal and specific and not always about saving the world (necessarily).

Specifically, with Time Walker I was intrigued with this idea of being your own worst enemy, how that would segregate you from your life, and taint your perceptions. Then I decided [SPOILER ALERT] that Beth would (pretty literally) have to fight herself to save the ones she loves … hence the time walking.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Meghan: At least three, Beth’s book, Time Walker, Ari’s book (next up) and Rose’s book, but you never know … Calla may get her own book, and there may be others.

TRC: Would you please tell us what you think are the differences between Young Adult storylines and the ‘New Adult’ storylines that have started to hit the publication market?

Meghan: I think Young Adult stories deal with the issues that we come across as we are trying to figure out who we are as people and where we fit in the world. This transition usually happens from the ages 15 – 19 or 20. While this period of our lives can seem so difficult and challenging, I personally found the next section – leaving high school, starting college, completing university, struggling with the difference between a job and a career– more complicated because of maturing relationships, such as, understanding my place within my family dynamic as an adult, at the same times as losing the structure of school, etc, etc. These struggles I would call “New Adult”.

While Time Walker is firmly in the young adult category, my novel, Spirit Binder tackles the issues that are now often called “New Adult’.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Meghan: Hmm, that’s a difficult question to answer. I’ll have to think about it …

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?

Meghan: At this moment in time, I wouldn’t change a thing, but I’ve struggled to get to that point. Maybe a bit less of a struggle would have been nice, but then I don’t think I’d be me, and I like me.

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Meghan: I think all storytellers have many, many influences, too many to list … but, quickly: writers: Margaret Atwood, William Gibson, Stephen King, Anne Rice, etc, etc. Filmmakers: The Coen Brothers, Quentin Tarantino, Stephen Spielberg, Wes Anderson. Specific movies/novels: Gone with the Wind, True Romance, Princess Bride, etc.

TRC: Who is the first person you think about when you need someone to talk with and why?

Meghan: My muse, my rock, without whom I would not be able to write the stories I do write, my husband, Michael.

TRC: What are some of the things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Meghan: I’d like to bring out 3-4 novels a year … I have another two series I am starting this year. I’d like to see some of them on the big screen as well!!

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Meghan: I am currently writing the first draft of an urban fantasy called, Cupcakes, Trinkets and Other Deadly Magic. I will probably quickly follow that up with a second book, and then work on the sequels to Spirit Binder and Time Walker.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: potatoes

Favorite Dessert: anything chocolate

Favorite TV Show: Shameless

Last Movie You Saw: Looper, which I quite liked.

Dark or Milk Chocolate: dark, pretty please.

Do you have any pets? Three Persian cats, a yellow belly turtle, and some tropical fish. The cats make frequent appearances on my blog as they attempt to thwart the writing.

TRC: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you all the best with your writing career.

Meghan: Thank you for the opportunity and best of luck in 2013! You can find sample pages and current giveaways on my blog at http://www.madebymeghan.ca. My books After The Virus, Spirit Binder, and Time Walker are available as ebooks and paperbacks on most online retailors such as, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, B&N, etc.

Follow Meghan: Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway-Blue:Black

Meghan is offering an ebook copy of TIME WALKER to one lucky reader.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comments as Twitter etc does not allow for email information.

3. The giveaway is open internationally.

4. The giveaway runs from February 20-23, 2013

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Time Walker by Meghan Ciana Doidge-a review

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TIME WALKER by Meghan Ciana Doidge-a review

Time Walker
ABOUT THE BOOK:  Released January 13, 2013

Beth was sneaky. No lock could hold her. No cage could confine her. No door could bar her way. But, when your adoptive mother is a Spirit Binder, and all your siblings are elementals, being sneaky doesn’t really rank. That is until the devastation of a city draws her omniscient mother’s attention, and her siblings go missing one by one, then Beth’s sneakiness is the only thing standing between her, her loved ones, and the worst enemy she’ll ever face: herself.

****************

TIME WALKER by Meghan Ciana Doidge is a fantasy YA novel and the first in her Spirit Bound series. There is an introductory novel, Spirit Bound that takes place ten years previously, but you don’t need to read it first.

I am new to the Fantasy genre and I wasn’t sure that I would appreciate this novel, but once I starting reading, I was hooked!! This is the story of a group of children with wonderful gifts and abilities who were adopted by the most powerful being in the Kingdom, Theo the Spirit Binder. Time Walker centers around Beth, who is unsure that her “gift” is as great as her siblings. She is able to walk in the shadows and open any lock or ward placed before her. She is good at being sneaky, but is that all?

On the morning after her sister’s Rite of Passage, a terrible earthquake occurs and all of the adults go to the village to help. Beth and her siblings, plus visitors Finn and Cara are left alone in the castle. You know that something wrong will happen when all of the adults are away! Rose, the younger sister is kidnapped by a being who feels “wrong”. The siblings are on the chase and Finn, who can track anything is puzzled. Rose’s presence appears and disappears at random. One by one, her siblings start to disappear. Finally, Beth comes face to face with the kidnapper. It is an older woman that looks like her, but somehow is different. There is a“wrongness” about her, in fact, she seems mad!! Mad as in CRAZY! What do you do when your older self appears in front of you? Yes, Beth has some gifts that she didn’t know she possessed! This is a tricky situation, Beth knows that it is her future self and she has this time walker gift, but how can she fight a being that is herself? Finn is by her side the whole time while they are trying to solve the puzzle of what happens in the future. It is a wonderful story with a lot of action and questions answered about future Beth and the horrors that she will face. It’s a time honored dilemma for time walkers, should you change the present to prevent future happenings? It is also a story of family. Theirs’ is an adoptive family, but they pull together and protect each other. Beth is willing to sacrifice all to save her family against her future self. Finn is wonderful and is an anchor for Beth. Yes, every novel needs a swoon-worthy hero!

In conclusion, Time Walker is a great YA read, written for all ages. I really enjoyed this book and I did go back and read the prequel, which was also fantastic!!

LINKS TO ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/

Reviewed by Jules

Copy supplied by author.

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Pivot Point by Kasie West – a Review

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Pivot Point by Kasie West – a Review

pivot piont

Description:
Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with–her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

Review:

Pivot Point by Kasie West is another YA novel that I have read this past year, but I have to say that this one is totally different. Kasie West has created a unique storyline of one story with two different views of being able to choose which life  path you want to live.  Sounds different?  It is and very well done by West.

Our heroine is Addison “Addie” Coleman, who lives in a compound of paranormal humans with enhanced mental abilities.  This compound is secret to the rest of the human world.  Addie is a searcher, which enables her to see her own future, and make choices accordingly as to which path she needs to follow.  When we meet Addie, she finds out her parents are getting a divorce.  Much to her despair, she has to choose who to live with, and decides to do a search on both possibilities.  Her mother will remain in the compound, and her father is leaving to work in the human (no enhanced abilities) world.  One of the best things about this book is that West has created some wonderful characters.  Addie being the main character is wonderful, and you like her from the start.  Her best friend Laila, who has the ability to erase memories, is also a fantastic character, as her loyal and fun loving friend.  Both male leads Trevor and Duke are two male love interests, but there is no triangle, since each male is the main character in the different path possibilities of her search into the future.

As Addie searches the choices of living with each parent, she faces so many things that will mature her much further in life. In one path vision, staying in the paranormal compound, Duke, who is the hot football star, becomes her possible love interest.   In the other normal world, where she cannot use her abilities; she stays with her father, and meets Trevor, who will become her friend and possible love interest.  We follow her visions, with each chapter showing her living life with her mother or her father, and how her current friends still remain as a realistic part of the story.  I found this fascinating, and enjoyed watching Addie live in each of her choices, as she matures, faces life with friends, school, family and even danger

In each of the visions, there are a couple of villains, which will play a big part of the story, as well as her final decision.  Addie’s father is involved in investigating a murder mystery, which eventually pulls her into a dangerous situation, which will risk the lives of those she holds dear.  West does not take the easy way, and makes you think what is the right choice.  The choice Addie makes, will effect those around her, and change her future.  But I will not give spoilers, but say that this is a wonderful and different story.  In most cases I do not like switching back and forth between chapters, but West did this so well, flowing beautifully.  You understood what was happening and as the tension builds, with each vision effected.   Pivot Point is a wonderful novel by by Kasie West.   Well done. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding-a review

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The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding- a review

The Reece Malcolm List

ABOUT THE BOOK: (YA) Release Date February 5, 2013

Things I know about Reece Malcolm:

1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?

*************

REVIEW:

If I had to think of a word to describe this book, I would think “cute”. I thought the story was cute in the sense that it brings back a sense of nostalgia from your days in high school but packed with drama that reminds of a movie from the Disney channel.

So this book is about Devan Malcolm whose life takes a crazy turn upon her father’s death and is sent to her long lost mother’s house in California. While she is not close to her father and had a tension-filled relationship with her stepmother, Devan is filled with trepidation and anticipation on meeting her mother that has been absent her whole life. Her mother also turns out to a best-selling author, Reece Malcolm.

From beginning to end, Devan has an ongoing list of things she discovers about her mother from observations, stuff her mother’s friends and boyfriend says about her, and snooping through her room and office when she is out.

In the beginning, it is new and maybe awkward for Devan to adjust to her new life but it doesn’t take long her for to love her new school where she even finds a group of friends who are into theatre like herself, California and what it has to offer, and blends in seamlessly with her mother and her boyfriend, Brad. Things are great for Devan now compared to when she was living with her father; you would think she has a dream life.

In the midst of Devan getting along just well comes some of your petty high school drama. There is the whole couples breaking up, friends hating each other and then liking each other again, the usual in high school. Aside from the search on Reece Malcolm and her many secrets, the book likes to focus on this whole romantic tension that hangs in the air with Devan and Sai. Sai is what I would describe as Devan’s real love interest. He is described as very handsome but has his secret geeky side that really appeals to Devan. They have so much in common that it screams at you that they fit but it takes the whole book for Sai to realize that. No surprise for us girls since we all know guys are dense.

The story really gets really interesting when the Reece Malcolm search surprises Devan with a secret that shocks Devan along with the situation with Sai simultaneously blow up in Devan’s face.

I did end up liking this book while I felt like it was a tad bit slow to start but really got going once I would say when Devan meets Sai. This book is really cute but also is also jam packed with drama, mystery, and just intense. I found this book to be very funny and entertaining yet there are times you do want to cry or laugh with Devan. This book seriously feels like high school again; so if you feel like Disney channel, High School Musical and a drama rolled into one…this is your “Go-to” book right here. Two thumbs up over here.

LINKS TO PURCHASE: Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ The Book Depository /

Reviewed by Xtina

Copy supplied by publisher

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