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

Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules 

by Julie Kagawa  

 

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for… again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

 

(summaries from goodreads.com) 

 

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Hmm. Vampire meets post apocalyptic dystopian, this book is about a harsh world. Not a lot of happiness, a lot of death, a few "really??" moments. I liked it but didn't love it, though it was refreshing to read a book that didn't idolize vampires. It will be interesting to see where this series goes.

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: mild

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

by Morgan Matson 

 

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

(summaries from goodreads.com) 

 

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Honestly fantastic. Made me want to hop in a car and travel the United States. It was also a great memory trip - I have been to so many of the places Amy and Roger traveled to, ate much of the food they experienced, and loved enjoying it again through "their" eyes. I thought it was only missing Rita's Italian Ice and Fluffernutters. This was a fun contemporary "journey" book, I loved both characters, there was pain and joy and growth and all that good stuff that makes for a great read, and now she needs to write another book NOT featuring them but giving us a nice glimpse of a happy cameo. Okay?

Postscript: AFTER I finished this book and reviewed it I realized I had another book from this author already checked out from the library, and YES, there was a cameo! Brief but perfect. Thanks.

 

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: none; Profanity: mild; Sex: yes

How To Ruin ... by Simone Elkeles

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation

by Simone Elkeles

 

Moshav? What’s a moshav? Is it “shopping mall” in Hebrew? I mean, from what Jessica was telling me, Israeli stores have the latest fashions from Europe. That black dress Jessica has is really awesome. I know I’d be selling out if I go with the Sperm Donor to a mall, but I keep thinking about all the great stuff I could bring back home.
Unfortunately for 16-year-old Amy Nelson, “moshav” is not Hebrew for “shopping mall.” Not even close. Think goats, not Gucci.
Going to Israel with her estranged Israeli father is the last thing Amy wants to do this summer. She’s got a serious grudge against her dad, a.k.a. “Sperm Donor,” for showing up so rarely in her life. Now he’s dragging her to a war zone to meet a family she’s never known, where she’ll probably be drafted into the army. At the very least, she’ll be stuck in a house with no AC and only one bathroom for seven people all summer—no best friend, no boyfriend, no shopping, no cell phone…
Goodbye pride—hello Israel.

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation 

by Simone Elkeles

Guess who's jetting to the Holy Land this summer!

Remember me, Amy Barak-Nelson—a.k.a the queen of disaster? In case you forgot, my boyfriend Avi is in the Israeli army. A visit is definitely in order.

Somehow my grandmother convinced me to sign up for two weeks of pure hell in a military training base. Getting up before dawn, peeing in a hole, and playing war games in the desert isn't my idea of fun. But what's worse? Our team leader turns out to be Avi!

 

 

 

(summaries from goodreads.com) 

 

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Again, not quite sure how this got on my to-read list - truly one of the mysteries of the universe. And of course when I grabbed this one I also picked up (what I thought was) the second at the same time because it was there and that's just what I do. And then even though the main character in the first drove me crazy and made me feel much more Mother Of Annoying Teen than swept away in the story, I still read the "second" one because it was short and I had it. And … I liked it! Much better than the first. In the first Amy came off as a teen that yes, came from a difficult family dynamic, and yes, had a lot of issues, but mostly struck me as spoiled and whiny and so so annoying. The entitleness overshadowed the feisty spunk. But by the "second" book (actually turned out to be the third, who knew! I hate reading out of order, alas) the entitleness and annoying whining were more understated and you could appreciate Amy's quirkiness, though she still obsessed about her boobs way too much. The best part of both books was that they took place in Israel, so it was fun to travel around and "visit" places I remembered from studying abroad there long long ago. Will I read the 2nd book? Possibly, if I see it on the library shelf, just waiting to be taken. But I don't think it will go on my to-read list.

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: no but much much discussion