ARC Review for Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Rating: 3 bookmarks (Enjoyable, a pleasant read.)

Expected publication: May 13th 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Goodreads Summary: A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete’s nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she’s falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up–and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

In Second Star, Wendy Darling is searching for her brothers John and Michael Darling, who are missing. Pretty much everyone around her believes them to be dead, but since she doesn’t believe that, she is determined to find them. I don’t really know how to feel about this book because I liked it as a book outside of the fact that it’s a Peter Pan retelling. I expected it to have more aspects of the original Peter Pan, when in reality, it felt completely changed. There were little things here and there like Wendy saying surfing was like flying, or the “fairy dust”, but as a fan of Peter Pan, I felt like it was changed just a little too much to be called a retelling that fans would absolutely love.

I also felt like the ending didn’t satisfy the book, unless there will be a sequel. It just seemed like it was left too open-ended and I wanted to know more about what happened. Overall, I enjoyed this book but if you’re looking for a retelling that sticks close to the original, you may want to pick another one.

TBR Thursday: The Goddess Test

 The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

*Click the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.*

Goodreads Summary: Every girl who had taken the test has died. Now it’s Kate’s turn. It’s always been just Kate and her mom – and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won’t live past the fall. Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld – and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests. Kate is sure he’s crazy – until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride and a goddess. If she fails…

Waiting on Wednesday: Salvage

Salvage by Alexandra Duncan

Expected publication: April 1st 2014 by Greenwillow

*Click the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.*

Goodreads Summary: Ava, a teenage girl living aboard the male-dominated deep space merchant ship Parastrata, faces betrayal, banishment, and death. Taking her fate into her own hands, she flees to the Gyre, a floating continent of garbage and scrap in the Pacific Ocean, in this thrilling, surprising, and thought-provoking debut novel that will appeal to fans of Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, and The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood.

Teaser Tuesday: The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

*Click the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.*

Teaser (page 56)

“Only when I got parallel to them did I see Isaac’s face. Tears streamed down his reddened cheeks in a continual flow, his face a taut mask of pain. He stared at the screen, not even glancing at me, and howled, all the while pounding away at his controller.”

The Liebster Award

I was awarded the Liebster award by Emma at A World of Books. I had seen this award before but I definitely didn’t expect to be nominated, so thank you so much!

Here are the rules: 

1. You must link back to the person who nominated you.

2. You must answer the 10 Liebster questions given to you by the nominee before you.

3. List 11 facts about yourself.

4.You must pick 10 bloggers to be nominated for the award with fewer than 200 followers. There may be one or two that have less than 1000 followers because I love their blogs so much.

5. You must come up with 10 questions for your nominees to answer.

6. You must go to their blogs and notify your nominees.

Questions from A World of Books:

1. Which fictional character would you most like to meet?

Wow, that’s a tough one because there’s so many characters. I could think of tons, but the first one I thought about was Morpheus from Splintered by A.G. Howard. I just have to do a second pick! Will Herondale from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

2. What’s your favourite fantasy race to read about? Or if you don’t read fantasy, which race do like the idea of least?

I’m not sure what this question means, which is making me feel kind of stupid, so I don’t know?

3. What’s your favourite kind of music and which artist is your favourite?

I listen to pretty much anything except heavy metal and rap and I like artists anywhere from Demi Lovato to Joe Brooks. It just depends on what mood I’m in when I’m listening to music.

4.  Do you have any book geeky friends you can chat to, or is that one of the joys of blogging for you?

That is one of my favorite things about blogging because I talk to so many authors and book loving people now. Before I started blogging, I didn’t even realize how many people there were that love books just as much as I do!

5. What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to be a pastry chef in Paris. I’m actually going to start culinary classes at my local community college in a couple months! The Paris part might be a little harder!

6. If it was possible to survive without food, as in it was only a luxury, if you had to give up food or books which would you give up?

Considering my answer to the last question, this is hard! I’m going to have to say food, I love books too much. I don’t think I could give them up! 

7. When rereading a favourite book of yours, is there any part you skip over because you don’t like it or find it boring?

I can’t. If it’s a favorite book, I want to read every last word and feel all the emotions again!

8.  Which book was the one that made you find the magic of reading?

The first book I remember reading by myself was Matilda by Roald Dahl, but the book that really made me want to start reading was The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. My parents surprised me with it from a book fair because they thought I would like it and I haven’t stopped reading since!

9.  If you could have an animal (real or fictional) as a pet which one would it be?

A hedgehog! They’re just so cute!

10.  Which book that is not one you usually read are you wanting to read, or have read recently?

I just finished Stubborn by Jeanne Arnold, which was a contemporary romance. I haven’t read a lot of contemporary but I’m planning on reading more because I really liked it! I also might try reading some scary books. I hate scary movies so I’m not sure if I’ll like any scary books.

11.  I am running out of ideas sorry. Coffee or Tea?

Tea! 🙂 Or I order the drinks from Starbucks without the coffee! 

11 facts about myself:

1. I have 230 books in my room.

2. I love to bake and will hopefully become a chef or pastry chef.

3. I play the flute.

4. I have two fish named Stripes and Sequins.

5. I have a 12 year old brother named Patrick and a 14 year old sister.

6. My name is Summer Faith and my sister’s name is Winter Hope.

7. I graduated high school last year.

8. I want to get a tattoo when I turn 18. I want it to have something to do with books or reading (maybe “Read to live a thousand lives.”) but I’m planning ahead because I’m not getting anything that I’ll regret later.

9. My favorite holiday is Christmas, because the whole family gets together! 🙂

10. I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I don’t know if I would actually be able to.

11. I love Disney movies!

Questions for my Nominees:

1. How many books do you own?

2. What made you start blogging?

3. What’s the first book you can remember reading on your own?

4. What’s your favorite fictional couple?

5. What is the book you’re most looking forward to this year?

6. What’s your all-time favorite book?

7. Who’s your favorite author?

8. What’s your favorite food?

9. What’s your favorite color?

10. If you could choose one fictional character to bring into the real world and make them a real person, who would it be?

And now for my nominees! (in no particular order)

The Caffeinated Bibliophile

Reisa’s Book Journey

Panda Hearts Books

Read Books and Live Green

Brin’s Book Blog

Why I Can’t Stop Reading

Hope to Read

Overflowing Bookshelves

Fictionally Obsessed

Kelsey’s Cluttered Bookshelf

*With all social media combined, I don’t think any of these have over the limit. If they do, I’m making an exception because they are all awesome blogs!

Review for Stubborn by Jeanne Arnold

Stubborn by Jeanne Arnold

Rating: 4 bookmarks (Compelling, a page turner.)

Add this book on Goodreads

*Thank you to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Goodreads Summary: With a train ticket, a bad attitude, and an unfortunate scribbling of obscenities across her forehead, seventeen-year-old Avery Ross is tossed out of the frying pan and into the fire when she’s sent from New York to the vast oil field region of North Dakota. When a green-eyed boy with a sultry Texan accent comes to her defense, Avery has no clue that his actions will lead her into a passion-charged summer, full of temptation and loss. Defiant and relegated to work at her aunt’s boarding house, Avery discovers a connection between her aunt and the striking boy. He and his brothers are seeking revenge for the wrongful death of their sibling, and Avery becomes entangled in their battle over oil rights, loyalty, and love. Avery falls for the brooding, younger brother, Gabriel Halden, against her aunt’s forewarnings and creates more tribulations than any of them could anticipate. 

I really liked this book! It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that didn’t have a fantasy aspect to it and it was a nice change. I know this isn’t the most important thing in a story but I loved the character’s names…I thought they fit the story really well. I loved how I never knew where the author was going to take the story next. It wasn’t a predictable contemporary romance at all, which I loved. I also liked how there was a plot outside of the romance part of the story, so it wasn’t just focused on the romance. With the characteristics of Gabe and especially Avery, I think Stubborn is the perfect title for this book and I’m looking forward to the next one.

TBR Thursday: Running Lean

Running Lean by Diana L. Sharples

Goodreads Summary: Running Lean [run·ning leen]
A term referring to a deficiency of fuel in the fuel-to-air ratio of an internal combustion engine.
A physical condition where not enough caloric fuel is present for optimal performance of the body.
A spiritual condition in which a believer relies on his own strengths.
Equilibrium. That’s what Stacey and Calvin found in each other. He is as solid as his beloved vintage motorcycle and helps quiet the constant clamor in Stacey’s mind. She is a passionate, creative spirit—and a lifeline after Calvin’s soldier brother dies. But lately the balance is off. Calvin’s grief is taking new and more dangerous forms. Voices of self-loathing are dominating Stacey’s life. When struggles with body image threaten her health, Calvin can’t bear to lose another person that he loves. Taking action may destroy their relationship, but the alternative could be much more costly.

Waiting on Wednesday: Pointe

Pointe by Brandy Colbert

Expected Publication: April 10th 2014 by Penguin

Goodreads Summary: Theo is better now. She’s eating again, dating guys who are almost appropriate, and well on her way to becoming an elite ballet dancer. But when her oldest friend, Donovan, returns home after spending four long years with his kidnapper, Theo starts reliving memories about his abduction—and his abductor. Donovan isn’t talking about what happened, and even though Theo knows she didn’t do anything wrong, telling the truth would put everything she’s been living for at risk. But keeping quiet might be worse.

Teaser Tuesday: Time Between Us

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Teaser (Page 15)

“Like it’s asking me to see every square inch of it with my own eyes, challenging me to make my little world larger and larger, pin by pin. I give the map one last look and head down the stairs toward the glorious scent coming from the kitchen.”

DNF Review: The Here and Now

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

Expected Publication: April 8th, 2014

*Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC for review.*

Goodreads Summary: An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.
Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love. This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.
From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking—and a must-read novel of the year.

I was actually excited to read this book, but it just fell flat for me. I didn’t find the characters interesting and I just couldn’t get into the story. It just seemed like a really boring plot to me. It was really easy for me to put this book down in the middle of a chapter and not care what was happening. I usually always have to finish a book, even if I’m hating it, just to figure out what happens. I couldn’t make myself finish this one. I would literally argue with myself over whether I should finish it or not. At first, I thought why not…it’s short and it won’t take me long. Then I would just stare at the unread books on my bookshelf and think about how much time I was wasting. Maybe it was just me and maybe someone else will enjoy it but I couldn’t finish it nor do I care to know the ending.