Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars No, this book isn't a Kelly Clarkson song, but it's still amazing! In Since You've Been Gone, Emily, a shy introvert, can't wait to kick off her summer by having tons of fun with her outgoing best friend, Sloane. But, her plans suddenly change when she discovers that Sloane has disappeared, leaving in her place a list of thirteen things for Emily to do that put her way outside of her comfort zone. Emily's new summer mission: complete all of Sloane's crazy tasks, and maybe even have some fun along the way. All 450 pages of this hilarious novel fly by with tons of humor and some added drama. The characters are relatable, the protagonist is compelling, the plot is entertaining, and the message is endearing. Since You've Been Gone is an upbeat, easy read that's great for all ages and will leave readers laughing, crying, and feeling a little bit braver. It's tons of fun and great for any reader who wants to relax and enjoy a cute, contemporary coming-of-age story.
0 Comments
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars One Death, Nine Stories is an interesting concept. The collective efforts of ten separate authors and editors piece together the disturbing story of the death of 19-year-old Kevin Nicholas. While I've read books written by multiple authors several times before, One Death, Nine Stories is by far the most complex and extensive. It's a unique and quick read that will leave readers astounded at the sheer amount of collaboration and complexity that must have gone into creating it. Nonetheless, I believe it's a shadow of what it could have been. Although the many different authors of One Death, Nine Stories are part of the book's appeal, some aspects of the characterization felt disjointed and mismatched. However, the biggest problem is the lack of appeal of Kevin Nicholas, the boy at the center of the nine stories. Instead of evoking compassion and grief from readers, Kevin's portrayal in the book often leaves him looking like a cold, cruel person with very little humanity. That being said, One Death, Nine Stories isn't a bad book. It has many thought-provoking elements and does raise concerns about several serious issues. One Death, Nine Stories is worth looking into simply because of its unique conception and short length. The only reason it's disappointing is because it had the potential to be something much more incredible. Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars I've been putting off this review for a long time because I just don't know where to start when discussing Stolen. I checked it out from the library on a whim, and it's unlike any book I've ever read before. It tells the story of Gemma, a teenager who is kidnapped and taken to a desert in the middle of nowhere. With no sign of human life for miles and no hope of escaping, she is forced to turn to her captor, the mysterious Ty, as her only chance of getting back to her normal life. However, getting away becomes a little more complicated when Ty isn't necessarily the bad guy that Gemma initially believes him to be, and she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. This book is incredible. It's riveting, engaging, thought-provoking, and in some places, even a little disturbing. I would recommend this book to anyone, just because it's so unique, well-written, and one-of-a-kind. The intense plot and lack of formal chapters made this book so easy to read that it was difficult for me to put it down. It's so far removed from any semblance of normalcy that ordinary conversations and actions take on a whole new meaning. Stolen, although it deals with heavy subject matter, is breath-taking and incredibly deep and thoughtful, particularly for a young adult novel. I highly recommend it to any mature reader, especially one looking for something outside the box. |
****WARNING****
THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS About
Here are reviews of books I have recently read! I'll try to do a general overview of the book and then a more detailed section with my personal thoughts Archives
December 2017
Categories |
Turn The Next Page - a YA book blog | Book Reviews |