Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: July 20, 2010

Author Web Page:

Why can’t you chosse what you forget … and what you remember?

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty four  year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra popular football player Brandon.  But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug of all people  suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all important details of her life a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

If I could rate Forget You, it would most definitely be R rated.  Forget you narrates the story of Zoey after a series of events had put her in a “dark” season where she feels she’s losing control of her life.  Her mother’s attempt to commit suicide, her father’s getaway with a young woman and also an accident that opens the door to a secret apparently unknown but that at the same time brings her together with her “frenemy” Doug.  It’s really admirable the way Echois narrates all situations in which the characters face certain events, where censorship is not an option for this author in this presentation.   The story reaches several topics which every youngster or human being has to face sometime in their lives: sexuality, depression, abandonment, love and pain. Something that didn’t allowed me to enjoy the story a bit more was the narrator. Zoey is described as a smart and capable girl, but along the whole story such intelligence appears to be absent when I kept asking: Where’s her common sense?”. During most part of the story, Zoey tries to grade a “one night stand” in a relationship when the person involved never shows any signals of this happening. The quote “Brandon is my boyfriend” fed me up at some point. On the other hand, Doug appears to be a charming boy who despite his story, reaches a point where his consistent begging for Zoey’s attention is enough. At the end, all characters reached a likable point. Forget You is a story without taboos where life’s circumstances unite with a young girl’s sexual discovery.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 19, 2010

Author Web Page:

In the aftermath of Sophie’s ordeal, Weston will make some uncharacteristic decisions to distance himself from the past in an attempt to change the future.  But, while venturing into the improbable, the present sneaks up in a chilling way that will lead to Wes’ unexpected submission. Suddenly, Sophie will find herself watching as both his immortal secret and his own existence are threatened.

With its two main topics; Science and Spirituality, The Broken Lake brings a love story that flows harmoniously thanks to the combination of romance, suspense and some humoristic touches.  The Broken Lake narrates the story of Sophie and Weston picking up just where The Pace ended.  In this release by Shorts we will have our main characters battling to conquer the “clock” and the way each one fights internally and externally with their own issues.  This book is surrounded by an invisible X element that’s waiting to surface to complicate the lives of our main characters.   I have really liked the main character developing in this sequel and the inclusion of secondary and tertiary characters. Certainly you can see a different Sophie who will not give up without fighting hard in the process. I have really liked seeing her more self concentrated, in her love for Weston and slowly leaving behind the girl she used to be. Weston is adorable and the characteristics I liked about him in The Pace are still shining. The tenderness his love for Sophie evokes is certainly deep and at the same time the weakness any enemy could use against him. Sophie and Weston’s relationship in the Broken Lake is addictive, the reader has the pleasure to see their love flourish and regardless their “history”, they keep writing new pages without attempting to lose anything. My favorite moment occurs during the narration on pages 236-243 (ARC) and let me tell you page 241 (ARC) took my breath away.  I’ve read a lot of  YA books already and something that really turns me off are those relationships where “I saw you, you saw me, you’re the love of my life, I’ll die for you even though I don’t know anything about you”, and this is where the difference lies within this book series. Sophie and Weston have history rounding a century and those who have read The Pace know this factor. Their way of thinking is: we loved once, twice and now again, let’s fight destiny, re write our story and conquer it. This sequel possesses a huge heart among The Pace series and will set bases for the journey remaining to our characters, I just wish to see them get where I’m hoping. The Broken Lake, where destiny and love meet again in a battle to defeat the pace of time.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 19, 2010

Book Trailer:

Page: 236

“Wes stood up and reached out his hand.

He slowly led me up the stairs,

making my heart feel all fuzzy.

By the time we reached the top,

I knew that we were headed to a place we handen’t been before.”

A group of three books cover images that I like the most from the titles to be released in the current month. Usually I already pre-ordered the titles or own them. I named the section like I did because I like thinking about these covers like they are something that its meant to look.

*Eye Candy: visual images that are pleasant to see.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Penguin Group
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: April, 2010

Author Web Page:

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be.

With the same beauty as a portrait that can always be appreciated, that’s how Faithful is descriptively narrated. It tells the story of a youngster called Maggie Bennets, a girl who’s about to debut on society in 1904 when her plans are postponed due to the possibility that her missing mom for several months might still be alive. Maggie will embark a trip far from the place where her dreams and wishes are to find the truth about her mom’s singular character and an unexpected love. Even though the main character possesses the peculiar characteristics of any single girl from that time, there are sparks that an eternal characteristic from any girl is to meet love. It’s occasionally frustrating and sad at the same time seeing Magie’s battle with fact of leaving on a journey that could maybe return her mother under the risk of losing the opportunity of being someone in society that decided social status during that time. Faithful combines the epoch elegance with the scandals, prejudices and common limitations in high society. Maggie’s mother mystery is well worked and is certainly surprising, which makes you understand better the woman you “know” at the beginning of the story. One of my favorite characters is Mrs. Gale, who teaches Maggie that it doesn’t matter where we come from or what society expects from us women, we have the ability to be somebody by ourselves without resigning to our heart’s wishes. Faithful narrates the story of a young woman becoming who she should be and realizing truth makes you free and fills your life with hope.

 

Faithful is excellent material to show life of a specific period, under which laws society was ruled and the role of women in such societies. Extracurricular activities could involve creating a newspaper activity based on the period where students can be able to develop stories with the note tips the book offers.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: N/A
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: Spring 2010

Author Web Page:

When seventeen year old Jane Taylor witnessed her father’s death, something happened to her.  Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever changing deaths of those around her.

Sixteen year old Emily Taylor resented her sister’s closeness with their father, who died when she was six.  With the strange ability to read minds, she drowns the voices out with drugs, sending Jane over the edge.

When seventeen year old Wes Green was adopted, he moved in next door to Jane, finding in her a childhood friend turned high school crush.  All summer, the pain in his bones seemed unwarranted.  He was done growing long ago. When senior year starts, however, the pain only gets worse. The foreseen changes are not expected, and far too animal for his taste.

When Max Gordon found himself standing above the dying body of an innocent seven year old girl, he saw in her eyes something he hadn’t seen in the century he’d spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was hope to save her. Jane was her name, and already she was all he ever wanted.  It was his job to bring her back, and it was his job to protect her   the biggest mistake of his life.

When these four teens enter Glenwood High their senior year, no one but Max could understand the future ahead of them.  Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon bind them together.

Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop … But their fate just wants them dead.

If by any chance you ever had your doubts against self published books, Knight Angels Book of Love will make you forget them. Knight Angels narrates the story of: Jane, Emily, Wes, Max, Greg, Erik and Sarah. This circle of friends and family is bound by supernatural forces and the secrets among them. The chapters are narrated in different POVs where each character’s “voice” shines for their singularity and contrast. Even though the Angel Theme has been recently explored in young literature, Knight Angels breaks the stereotype not only on narration format, but also in the story’s structural format that results a little bit darker than what’s being considered commercial at such moment. What’s interesting about the story is that it is composed by a supernatural world where human characters are key pieces in the story. Angelology in the story is not that complex, but more conventional. However, regarding the mystery where the forces of heaven, earth and hell collapse, it’s certainly elaborated. Abra Ebner is an author not afraid to explore taboo topics like drugs, sexuality, hate, among others and I consider this respectable. It’s worth pointing that her storytelling skills are excellent. Story’s romances are certainly different and maybe one of them a little controversial. Knight Angel Book of Love is the first chapter of a promising series where as a reader you’ll be able to look with different eyes self published material and where the supernatural world is not only inhabited by angels or demons, but much more … and way beyond.”

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 12, 2010

Author Web Page:

Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

If I could describe The Clearing with just one phrase it would be: A Huge Disappointment. The Clearing narrates the story of Amy and Henry in their respective POV. Amy just moved to a small town with her aunt after going through a dysfunctional relationship while Henry has been living an endless summer for 66 years. Even though the novel is well written there are certain aspects that are worked in a very simplistic way for my taste, and I explain:

*Disclaimer: There could be some spoilers.

Character’s Voices: Jumping POVs between Amy and Henry was not very distinctive as a reader I couldn’t find that unique element which defines each character’s voices.

Amy’s Conflict: Amy’s strife to end the vicious cycle she was involved with her ex boyfriend was not so credible: she was “afraid” of spending time with Jackson, but on the other hand, she was not afraid going to inhabited clearings at random hours to meet some unknown boy. This is one of the aspects that ruined the story for me considering Jackson is one of the best characters in the story and it was sad seeing how Amy took him for granted to the point of ruining special occasions without thinking about Jackson feelings. It’s even funnier that Jackson was always willing to come back for more rejection.

Time Traveling and World Building: Time Traveling characteristics of the story are a mystery for me and though I admire Davis originality in such aspect, I would have liked more elaboration on the matter. Not having Henry’s family noticing they’ve been living the same day for 66 years makes it a very superficially elaborated idea without any deep element.

My favorite characters are Jackson and Mae. Both have the spark of being those who love unconditionally. The most meaningful part for me is when Henry understands that he needed to move FW for good or worse. Sadly, even though the end is cute, it was a little hard to believe. I could not understand how just one unmeaning action in the past could change Amy’s life, her story “future” present 180 degrees. The end seems drastic but it appears to be open to possibilities  for a second. If The Clearing would have been developed in its full potential, it would have been a hit for me sadly it wasn’t.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 18, 2010

Author Web Page:

Seventeen year old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.  But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel’s malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

There’s something special that makes Angel Star bright within the angel-themed line of novels. What makes it distinguish from other titles on the same line could be described with one phrase:  Great World Building Development.

Angel Star narrates the story of Teagan, a simple girl that deals with normal 16 year old teen problems until the day she meets Garret Adams. Teagan will be involved in a war between good and evil where she’ll be the key to uneven the balance of this battle. I’ve completely loved this story from beginning to end and my only complaint is not having Lemniscate (the sequel) at hand. The rhythm of the story is taken in a divine way where this fantastic world drawn with Murgia’s words takes life of its own; not only for its singularity, but for the real part that frames the story. I should mention and applaud the author at this point for one of my favorite characters on the story; Teagan’s mom. This is a real balanced character and reaffirms my idea that normal parents can be healthily portrayed in Young Adult literature. Romance in the story is adorable, deep and certainly spiritual. Garret will make a HUGE sacrifice to protect Teagan and you’ll love him as soon as you know the details and his story. If I had to summarize in one sentence Teagan and Garret’s romance, I’d use Terri Guillemets’ words when she said: “Angels have no philosophy but love”. The spiritual world and the rules of angelology that Murgia creates are beautifully crafted and have a good line for the reader to start tying puzzle pieces together and let me warn you that the author gives clues from the very first page. Something I liked a lot is that the author creates expectations with the story’s villain, Hadrian, during the whole story and it’s really worth the wait when the moment comes. Beautifully written, this story will take you on a journey during a battle between good and evil where the heart of a youngster will be her most powerful ally. Angel Star, a novel of a great love between a mortal and an immortal narrated with substance, elegance and spirituality.

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 18, 2010

Book Trailer:

Page: 69

“From the moment you were created,

I was assigned to guard you,

to protect you and guide you.

I never realized I would … “

A group of three books cover images that I like the most from the titles to be released in the current month. Usually I already pre-ordered the titles or own them. I named the section like I did because I like thinking about these covers like they are something that its meant to look.

*Eye Candy: visual images that are pleasant to see.