Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

Wild Awake

by Hilary T. Smith

Things you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:

1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.

Things that actually happen:

1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.

Both exhilarating and wrenching, Hilary T. Smith’s debut novel captures the messy glory of being alive, as seventeen-year-old Kiri Byrd discovers love, loss, chaos, and murder woven into a summer of music, madness, piercing heartbreak, and intoxicating joy.

(summary from goodreads.com)

 

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I have mixed feelings about this book. I sympathize with the turmoil of the main characters, I love the character of Skunk, and I appreciate that the trauma of losing a loved one could create a psychological mess. But I also found the casual drug use and mania of Kiri to be a turn off. It ended fairly well if somewhat ambiguous, definitely not one I'll need to reread.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: yes; Sex: yes

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Second Chance Summer

by Morgan Matson 

 

From the Flying Start author of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, a powerful novel about hope in the face of heartbreak.

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

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One of the best parts of this book? A tiny, seemingly inconsequential cameo at the beginning. Hello Roger and Amy! So so lovely to see you.

Sigh. Another cancer book. This one didn't effect me as much as the last one, but it was still sad and bittersweet and made me want to hold my loved ones a little bit tighter. I loved Taylor's family and Henry. Taylor kind of annoyed me sometimes, especially her annoyingly frustrating choice near the end of the book. Really? Seriously? Lame. But it ended well. I didn't love this book as much as Roger and Amy, but it was still a sweet story about family and togetherness and love of all kinds.

When I'm reading a book that I love, the story becomes more important than the words. I don't even notice them - the whole "can't see the forest for the trees" saying, except reversed and I don't notice the trees because of the forest. But in books that don't grip me as much as others, I start noticing the words, and sometimes they are distracting. I noticed a few phrases repeated a lot, something I didn't notice with Roger and Amy. Either they weren't there or I didn't notice because I was so involved in the story. But it was still a sweet book, an author I will definitely continue to read, and it made me want to buy a lake house and spend every summer there with my family.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: no; Profanity:??; Sex: ambiguous, so probably not

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

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I read a few John Green's several years ago and liked them but wasn't in love with them, so when this book popped up several times as a "must read" on several blogs I trusted, I dragged my feet. I wasn't even sure I hadn't read it - it may have been one of the John Green's from years ago. But when I found out they were making a movie of it I finally put it on hold and added it to my "to read" stack. Where it sat, waiting for me to wade through all the others I was more interested in. But finally (finally!) I picked it up, read it, and absolutely loved it. Oh this book. It is a tear-your-heart-strings kind of book. I loved both main characters, which is a must for truly loving a book. I'm not a fan of super sad books, which this certainly was at points, but this was still deliciously bittersweet and a good sob over fictional people is always a little cathartic. If you haven't read it, but are a fan of YA, stop dragging your feet and just read it already. It is a book I will probably reread at some point, which is one of the highest praises I can give a book. Heck, I might even buy it, and I can't praise it higher than that.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: no; Profanity: yes; Sex: yes

Golden by Jessi Kirby

Golden

by Jessi Kirby 

 

Love, tragedy, and mystery converge in this compelling novel from “an author to watch” (Booklist).

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

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A sweet story, a well written mystery, and a perfect ending. This was a great summer read! I was definitely more invested in and identified more with the secondary romance than the primary romance in this book, which felt a bit odd at times, but it was still a great quick read. A lovely coming of age story.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: no; Profanity: mild; Sex: yes

Taken by Erin Bowman

Taken

by Erin Bowman  

 

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

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This book felt like a mash up of The Maze Runner, The Knife of Never Letting Go, and that movie "The Village". I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. The premise was interesting, the characters were at times extremely annoying, the romantic entanglements were … well, let's just say some head bashing was in order. The world building felt a little incomplete, especially once all the "reveals" had been revealed. It will be interesting to see where this series goes - I will probably give any sequel that comes out a try to see if it improves my opinion.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes; Profanity: ??; Sex: reference to

Froi of the Exiles/Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta

Froi of the Exiles

by Melina Marchetta 

 

Blood sings to blood, Froi . . .
Those born last will make the first . . .
For Charyn will be barren no more.

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home... Or so he believes...

Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been trained roughly and lovingly by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds. Here he encounters a damaged people who are not who they seem, and must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad Princess.

And in this barren and mysterious place, he will discover that there is a song sleeping in his blood, and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.

Quintana of Charyn

by Melina Marchetta 

 

There's a babe in my belly that whispers the valley, Froi. I follow the whispers and come to the road . . .

Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi must travel through Charyn to search for Quintana, the mother of Charyn's unborn king, and protect her against those who will do anything to gain power. But what happens when loyalty to family and country conflict? When the forces marshalled in Charyn's war gather and threaten to involve the whole of the land, including Lumatere, only Froi can set things right, with the help of those he loves.

 

(summaries from goodreads.com) 

 

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I decided to review these together because they felt like the same book divided in a part one and part two. Grittier and crasser than it's predecessor, full of even more flawed characters, sometimes overly harsh and miserable but it worked. I fell in love with the characters (even though at times I didn't think I would), enjoyed switching between different perspectives (sometimes confusing and irritating but really worked for these books), and was glad I didn't have to wait for the Part Two when I was done with the Part One. I was happy with the ending but was worried for a long time I wouldn't be. I can honestly say I loved this series, but I also know a lot of my friends wouldn't love it. Serious fantasy, people. Think PG-13 Game of Thrones. However, if you LIKE Game of Thrones, go for it, they are fabulous reads.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes; Profanity: yes; Sex: yes

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock

by Melina Marchetta 

Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive.

Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together, Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father.

But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin's faith in her . . . but in himself.

(summaries from goodreads.com) 

 

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Another book that's been on my list forever and I LOVED it. Marchetta creates realistically flawed characters and I was swept up in their experiences and drama and heroism. This is a pure fantasy book - kingdoms and princesses and witches and curses. Alas, no dragons, but still a great read. I happened to read this at a very busy time and was extremely frustrated I could only get bits and pieces at a time - I wanted to run away and hide so I could hunker down for a few days with this book and it's sequels. With the ending it could almost stand on it's own. Hooray for no cliff hangers!

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes; Profanity: yes; Sex: yes