Review : Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Walker Childrens 
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Pages: 433
Source: ARC

The Story:

Rachel and Alice are an extremely rare form of identical twins--so identical that even their aunt and uncle, whom they've lived with since their parents passed away when the girls were nine, can't tell them apart. The sisters are connected by an intense bond that goes way beyond their surfaces and borders on the supernatural: when one experiences pain, the other exhibits the exact same signs of stress, too. So when troubled Alice disappears mysteriously one night, good-girl Rachel knows something is wrong-especially when Rachel starts experiencing serious physical traumas, even though nobody has touched her. 

What Rachel can't tell anyone is that she and Alice sometimes switched places, reveling in the possibility of being the "good one" or the "bad one" for a day. And that Rachel . . . is really Alice, continuing to masquerade as her twin. So then, what happened to her sister? Could whoever abducted her sister really have meant to take her, instead? And can she find the real Rachel before it's too late for both of them?

via Amazon

My Review: 

Going into Beautiful Lies I did not know what to expect. I had never read anything like Beautiful Lies before. But I am glad I gave the story a try.

Tag Line:

Alice thought she knew everything about her twin. Until she disappeared.

Opening Line:

It's one of those cool, crisp fall nights that make you feel like the air is ripe with possibility, like anything could happen.

Plot:

In Beautiful Lies, readers see a teen girl, Alice, struggle with solving the strange disappearance of her twin sister. Strange disappearance seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? But not in this case. Believed to be the wild child, no one thinks Rachel is missing except her sister. Why? Because of a phenomena of unexplainable physical traumas Alice cannot find reason for . . . except for the ineluctable hunch they are replicas of ones sported by her missing sister.

Jessica Warman's writing is notable. The suspense and creep factor was in full swing and captured me into the story.  I suspected characters who could be responsible for Rachel's disappearance but I was never 100% certain who the true culprit was. Which is definitely the most important in a story such as Beautiful Lies.

Character Breakdown:

Rachel - When I think back on Rachel's character I imagine being inside her head the entire book. I did not see her in the story, I saw the story through her - if that makes any sense at all. She felt real and the unique perspective made for more gritty story.

Meet the Author:

 Jessica Warman is the author of Breathless, which received three starred reviews and was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Where the Truth Lies. The idea for Between came from an incident in her childhood, when a local boy went missing after a party on a yacht (he was eventually found, alive).

***Check out Jessica Warman's website for more information about her and the Beautiful Lies: HERE

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday #4

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just flip through your current read to a random page -- or not -- and share two teaser quotes from somewhere on said page.

This week my Teaser Tuesday quotes will be taken from my current read, Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics.

Teaser #1:

"With each wave of searing pain I see Henry's face. How it studied mine with such curiosity the first time we met, when I came to the mountain town with my Pa. How it twisted in pleasure while he rode me in the woods behind our cabin with animalistic urgency. How it gazed upon me in disgust when I told him I carried his child.

The agony continues longer than I could have ever imagined." - page 118 

Teaser #2:

"The ghost will be forever waiting."

"'Goodbye,' I whisper to the memories, to Henry, to the cabin.

"'Goodbye,' I whisper to the lost part of myself." - page 55

What teasers are you sharing this week?
Don't forget to tell me in the comments or on twitter; @TheTatteredPage. You can also use #DaughtersUntoDevils on twitter if you're reading it! 
Happy Reading!

Feature Friday ARC Review : Nightfall by Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski

                                      
*Feature Friday is a meme hosted by The Tattered Page to feature YA books that have not yet been released by reviewing them.*

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Pages: 368
Source: ARC

The Story:

The dark will bring your worst nightmares to light in this gripping and eerie survival story, perfect for fans of James Dashner and Neil Gaiman.

On Marin’s island, sunrise doesn’t come every twenty-four hours—it comes every twenty-eight years. Now the sun is just a sliver of light on the horizon. The weather is turning cold and the shadows are growing long.

Because sunset triggers the tide to roll out hundreds of miles, the islanders are frantically preparing to sail south, where they will wait out the long Night.

Marin and her twin brother, Kana, help their anxious parents ready the house for departure. Locks must be taken off doors. Furniture must be arranged. Tables must be set. The rituals are puzzling—bizarre, even—but none of the adults in town will discuss why it has to be done this way.

Just as the ships are about to sail, a teenage boy goes missing—the twins’ friend Line. Marin and  Kana are the only ones who know the truth about where Line’s gone, and the only way to rescue him is by doing it themselves. But Night is falling. Their island is changing.And it may already be too late.

via Amazon

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: 

Tag Line:

After fourteen years of fay, comes fourteen years of night.

Opening Line:

Marin walked into the wind and felt it gently push back.

Plot:

The premise of the story made me want to love the book. And while Nightfall was a decent read, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. I wanted to be frightened. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The presence of monsters was almost null -- even though the hint of their existence was strong. 

Nightfall was a slow start for me. I questioned whether I would be able to continue on. Luckily, after the first chapter or two the pace started picking up. This detail definitely kept me reading the novel even with its shortcomings.

The three main characters are fourteen years old which is generally a bit to young for me but I figured I still give the story a shot. Luckily, their age did not show. However, I found it bothersome that Line and his 7-year old brother were left to fend for themselves after their mother died. Like what?! Child services? Or at least the help of the island? This particular detail really did not settle right with me.

Overall, Halpern and Kujawinski's style of writing was enjoyable enough, as was the story. My only wish was that Nightfall was scarier. 

Meet the Authors:

Jake Halpern is an author, journalist, and radio producer.  Jake’s debut work of fiction, a young adult trilogy, Dormia, has been hailed by the American Library Association's Booklist as a worthy heir to the Harry Potter series.  In September of 2014, Jake signed a two book deal with Putnam / Penguin for two more young adult novels.  Last, but not least, Jake is a fellow of Morse College at Yale University, where he teaches a class on journalism.  He recently returned from India where he was visiting as a Fulbright Scholar. 

Peter Kujawinski is an author and diplomat born in Chicago. His first fictional work, Dormia, was co-written with noted journalist Jake Halpern. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2009, Dormia was hailed by the American Library Association's Booklist as the next Harry Potter. The second book in the series, World's End, was released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2010. The third book in the Dormia series is tentatively titled The Shadow Tree. He also works for the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. His assignments as a diplomat include US Embassies in Tel Aviv, Paris, the UN Security Council in New York City, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In addition to his fiction, his nonfiction commentaries have been published in the international edition of the New York Times.

***Check out Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski's website for more information about their and Nightfall: HERE & HERE

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday #3

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just flip through your current read to a random page -- or not -- and share two teaser quotes from somewhere on said page.

This week my Teaser Tuesday quotes will be taken from my current read, Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski.

Teaser #1:

"Kana saw the creature for the just a split second longer before she disappeared into the tree. He stared at the knife in his hand." - page 294

Teaser #2:

"'Quiet.'

Water began to drip again, but there was something else -- another noise, a shuffling of rocks and gravel on a nearby surface.

'Go,' said the voice. 'They have your ssscent -- and they are coming for you." - page 202

What teasers are you sharing this week?
Don't forget to tell me in the comments or on twitter; @TheTatteredPage. You can also use #Nightfall on twitter if you're reading it! 
Happy Reading!

Review : Killer Instinct by S.E. Green

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Simon Pulse 
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Pages: 272
Source: Own

The Story:

A teen girl version of Dexter meets the high stakes danger and mystery of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in this riveting debut.

Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. After-school job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick.

Why?

Because she might be one herself.

Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals and delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder, but with each visceral rush, the line of self-control blurs. And when a young preschool teacher goes missing—and returns in pieces—Lane gets a little too excited about tracking down “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer who has come to her hometown.

As she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her own past, Lane realizes she is no longer invisible or safe. Especially after the Decapitator contacts her directly. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim…

via Barnes & Noble

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: 

I really enjoyed reading Killer Instinct. The premise for the story was phenomenal. And the writing was crisp and to the point. There was also humorous bits -- something I always appreciate. Well done, S.E. Green. I will definitely read its sequel, Killer Within, which releases May 19, 2015.

Tag Line:

Everyone has a dark side.

Opening Line:

I study serial killers.

Plot:

As aforementioned, the premise for Killer Instinct was phenomenal. A teenage girl believes she is a serial killer. A serial killer with the urge to kill other serial killers. After reading , I curious about other reviewers opinion on the book. Apparently, many saw the likeness to Dexter, the television show, and complained. Honestly, I think that is what drew me in. Yes, its premise may be mirroring Dexter but it is still a great premise. 

There is even a serial killer that catches onto Lane's trail, I thought it was a nice touch. With Lane hunting serial killers while a decapitating serial killer keeps track of her and sends her body parts fleshes out the plot. As for the identity of said killer, while the person was on my suspect list, I wasn't entirely sure which is better than absolutely knowing who the culprit is. 

Overall, I think Green did a wonderful job seeing the story through. Killer Instinct was a disturbing delight I could not put down.

Character Breakdown:

Lane - Have to love this girl! She was creepy as hell. And a nutzo. It was wonderful. Lane is stoic, smart, cold, bold, disturbing and more. Of all the books I have read, Lane is definitely one of my favorite characters. 

***Check out S.E. Green's website for more information about her and the Killer Instinct: HERE

Happy Reading!

Review : They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Claire

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Delacorte Press 

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Pages: 352

Source: Own

The Story:

Pretty Little Liars meets Final Destination in this YA psychological thriller that will have readers’ hearts racing right till the very end!
 
Every year, the lives of ten girls at Vienna High are transformed.
 
All because of the list.
 
Kenzie Summerall can’t imagine how she’s been voted onto a list of the hottest girls in school, but when she lands at number five, her average life becomes dazzling. Doors open to the best parties, new friends surround her, the cutest jock in school is after her.
 
This is the power of the list. If you’re on it, your life changes.
 
If you’re on it this year? Your life ends.

via Barnes & Noble

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: 

I was so excited to read They All Fall Down! And I am glad I did. Stories about serial killers was never a big taste of mine but after reading downpour, I have been on a serial killer binge.

Tag Line:

Every girl would die to be on the list.

Opening Line:

I runaway from home in a downpour.

Plot:

The premise of They All Fall Down is what caught my attention. A Top 10 Hottie List of girls that start to end up dead. One. By. One. How could I not read the story?

On that note, there was action from the first page. A car accident that nearly kills the protagonist, Kenzie, and a mysterious text message about being fifth on The List that disappears after she reads it.

And the plot thickens!

I also appreciated the underlying plot conflict that made the overall plot more meaty, adding to the story and tie it all together. Kenzie carries the burden of her older brother's death, her parents' separation and her mother's overbearing protectiveness spurs the storyline.

The plot had a good balance of thrills, chills, plot-twists and romance. I enjoyed the writing style. It flowed and didn't bog down. There was no downtime in the story and I think that helped keep me enthralled.

Character Breakdown:

Kenzie Summerall - Kenzie is relatable and real. Actually, I really enjoyed reading her character, getting to know her. She is confident in an understated, smart girl way.

Molly - Kenzie's best friend. She drove me nuts! I thought she was irritating, inconsiderate, pushy and basic. Molly kept bugging Kenzie about basking in the shadow of Kenzie's newfound popularity -- she wanted to be there and would not let Kenzie forget it.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from They All Fall Down:

Kenzie & Hot Guy (you'll have to read to find out): "So you know I don't want to be his girlfriend." I close my eyes and reaches up to touch his hair. Oh my God, I could touch this hair forever. "I want to be yours."
He kisses me again, then trails a few down my neck, making me want to scream. "You already are," he whispers.
"I am?"
"You think I'm going to fly through the jungle to save just any girl?" -- pages 236-237

***Check out Roxanne St. Claire's website for more information about her and the They All Fall Down: HERE

Happy Reading!

Review : Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication date: 2000

Pages: 114

Source: Own

The Story:

Shawn McDaniel's life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. He is glued to his wheelchair, unable to voluntarily move a muscle—he can't even move his eyes. For all Shawn's father knows, his son may be suffering. Shawn may want a release. And as long as he is unable to communicate his true feelings to his father, Shawn's life is in danger.

To the world, Shawn's senses seem dead. Within these pages, however, we meet a side of him that no one else has seen—a spirit that is rich beyond imagining, breathing life.

Fourteen-year-old Shawn McDaniel, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy and cannot function, relates his perceptions of his life, his family, and his condition, especially as he believes his father is planning to kill him.

- Barnes and Noble
 

Rating: FOUR GOLD STARS!!!!!

My Review: 

Stuck in Neutral is a book I read back in 2003 when I was in the 8th grade. Although I have not touched the book in over 10 years, the story has never left me. From the moment I read the blurb I knew I would enjoy the book. The premise alone gave it a head-start in rating.

The story resolves around two main conflicts. First, the main character, Shawn McDaniel has cerebral palsy. For those unaware about the condition, those with cerebral palsy is unable to voluntarily talk or move. Thus, it is easy for others to assume that those with the condition are not only physically disabled but mentally disabled as well.

The second main conflict in Stuck in Neutral is that Shawn believe someone close to him is plotting his death. What makes the latter conflict worse is that Shawn cannot inform anyone of his theory because of his condition.

Having said all that, Shawn McDaniel was definitely my favorite character of the book. Despite his seemingly debilitating condition, he was smart, and strong in ways no one could have ever imagine. To top it off, Shawn had a special gift. One, I think makes Stuck in Neutral even more interesting to read.

All in all, Stuck in Neutral was a good book and I enjoyed. The only part that drove me nuts was the ending. Ambiguity is not my strong-suit. But then again, I suppose it makes the story strong in a way. If you're searching for something different and unlike anything you've read then differently try Stuck in Neutral.

*** Check out Terry Trueman's website for more information about his and Stuck in Neutral: HERE 

*My review on Goodreads

Happy Reading!

Feature Friday ARC Review : Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

*Feature Friday is a meme I came up with to feature YA books that have not yet been released by reviewing them on The Tattered Page.*

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers
Release Date: 10.7.2014
Pages: 400
Source: ARC

The Story:

Danger is hard to resist in this sexy thriller from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Britt Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

Britt is forced to guide the men off the mountain, and knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there…and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

Black Ice is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

via -- Barnes & Noble

Rating: FOUR Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: One word: THRILLING

Becca Fitzpatrick makes my Top 5 Favorite Authors List, hands down. I devoured the Hush, Hush series as if my life depended so it goes without saying that I was itching for another Fitzpatrick Fix. So, when I snagged an ARC of Black Ice you can imagine how fast I cracked the cover open. The best part was: I loved Black Ice!

Honestly, although I loved the Hush, Hush series, I was still apprehensive about a thrilling contemporary. Normally I am not much for thrillers or contemporary. But, Fitzpatrick did not let me down! Reading Black Ice was such a great pleasure.

Now, on to the good stuff. Black Ice is a story of a Britt Pfeiffer who has training every spare moment she could to backpack through Teton Range. So, for spring break, Britt only has two things in mind: one, hang with her best friend, Korbie, in the family cabin on the Teton Range and, two, forget about Calvin, Korbie's brother.

But of course, Britt's plan does not follow orders.

Before they are even able to make it to the cabin Britt and Korbie get caught in an unexpected blizzard and are forced to ditch the Jeep on the road. Everything goes downhill from there. But Britt, who is clever and has just enough spunk, takes her hardships in stride. No one enjoys reading a weak MC. And although Britt starts off as dependent, by the end of Black Ice she grows into her own. Girl power! As for the other characters, Korbie is a spoiled, competitive girl who uses Britt as an emotional doormat and Calvin is a jerk who apologetically ditched Britt as soon as he got the chance. Save to say I don't like the siblings much. But all is well, Becca makes up for it with another character (whom, I won't tell ;))!

Packed with a murder mystery, kidnapping, threat of starvation and frostbite, romance, suspense and more, Black Ice keeps readers on their toes, begging to see what happens next. Who can Britt trust? Is Britt in the grasp of the one responsible for murdering all those girls in the last year? Will she make off the range alive? Does Calvin's feeling for her still exist and spur him to her rescue?

Also, I want to say thanks to Simon and Schuster for distributing copies of Black Ice at BEA 2014!

*** Check out Becca Fitzpatrick's website for more information about her and Black Ice: HERE

Happy Reading!

Feature Friday ARC Review : Made For You by Melissa Marr

*Feature Friday is a meme I came up with to feature YA books that have not yet been released by reviewing them on The Tattered Page.*

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: 9.16.2014
Pages: 368
Source: ARC

The Story:

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she's confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why?

It seems impossible that anyone would have it out for the town darling. Thanks to her family's distinguished history and her own unassailable reputation in old-money Jessup, Eva is universally liked. But she has little time to consider the question when she finds that she's awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people's deaths when they touch her.

Eva is struggling to understand just what these visions mean when a slew of murders takes place back home. The victims, all classmates, are discovered alongside eerie messages that tie the incidents to her. There is a killer on the loose, and he is after Eva.

While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old friend, reappears. The two traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva's power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the determined killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive Melissa Marr's racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation.

via -- Barnes and Noble

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: One word: EDGY

I think must start off by saying that Made For You is the first book I have read by Melissa Marr and my first thought is: Not bad. While I am not totally in love with it, Made For You is a book worth reading if you have the time. Do not get me wrong, I loved the storyline and the fact that there were chapters written from the killer-stalker's point of view (which was totally fun) but I felt the story lacked imagery. I don't know ... maybe I got stuck under Diana Gabaldon's weight of imagery that I am being unreasonable?

Anywho, Eva Tilling, as the main character and the character of obsession, I liked. She did not annoy me and she felt real -- like she could exist in the tangible world -- and that is always a plus. Though, I did felt bad for the way her parents neglected her but I think that added to the story. Not to mention, do I see a possible redemption in the making? *hint, hint*

Moving on, although Eva is the It Girl of the town who has to follow the southern social status rules of malarkey, she wants to break away from the mold. Not surprising is it then that her best friend, Grace Yeung, is a newbie to town who does not give a crap about the stiff, anal retentive way things are done in the south and Eva's childhood crush happens to be Nate Bouchet, "Jessup's Man-Slut."

"Hush." Offering him my most innocent look, I say, "I'm going to sleep. You're here. Ergo, sleeping with the man-slut."

"Jesus, Eva. You can't say things like that."

I put my hand over his mouth. "Shh. Sleeping now. I'll let you know if you live up to your reputation, although so far, I'm not seeing what all the fuss was about."  [page 101]

As for "Judge" -- as he so calls himself --, the killer-stalker who is obsessed with Eva, he was definitely believable. As I read his chapters, I honestly felt like the dude was off his rocker. But not to the point that Judge seemed fake. While there is no logic to crazy, there still seems to be some sort of system in place and Melissa Marr did a fabulous job and portraying that; Marr did not just throw a bunch of crazy bullshit into mix and hope for the best. If that makes any sense at all?

All in all, Made For You is a decent read if you have the time. What I absolutely appreciate the most about the book is that it is not abundantly easy to determine who the killer-stalker is. It sucks when you know who it is right away. Yes, the killer-stalker was a High Priority on my List of Suspects (out of 3) but it is not a dead giveaway. Made For You is a nicely spun tale of obsession, murder and unlikely love with a dash of suffocating southern charm. Nice job, Melissa Marr.

Also, I want to say thanks to HarperTeen for handing out copies of Made For You at BEA 2014!

*** Check out Melissa Marr's website for more information about her and Made For You: HERE

Happy Reading!