BlookGirl's Reviews

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

24 August 2012 Kathryn Tuccelli

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Category: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication Date: July 21, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Oh, my poor heart! I didn't think a book could affect me so much, but this one did. The intense emotions and circumstances of the characters touched the raw edges of my soul I try so hard to protect. The synopsis for Pushing the Limits does not do the book justice. There have been tons of books written about damaged girls who find solace in a "good bad boy", and vice versa - this is not one of them.

Noah and Echo have been through a lot in their short teenage lives. Echo knows that something horrible happened to her at the hands of her own mother, but no one will help her remember that horrific night. She is a pariah at her high school, a freak in long sleeves, and only has a handful of friends she trusts. Noah, on the other hand, is an orphaned foster home reject, separated from his two younger brothers because of his temper, and determined to do anything it takes to get them back. Two completely different people, but both damaged and in need of understanding, love, and most of all, a second chance.

Throughout the book, we watch Echo and Noah try to reclaim pieces of their previously "normal" lives. When their paths cross in the office of their clinical social worker, Mrs. Collins, they begin a tumultuous, confusing, passionate relationship that left my heart beating fast, and at times, with tears in my eyes.

Noah is nowhere near perfect, and he certainly makes his share of mistakes when it comes to his relationship with his two adorable little brothers. He wants what's best for them, and believes their place is with him, despite the fact that their foster parents seem to be loving and dedicated. My heart ached for their little family and the trauma they experienced with the death of their parents.

Meanwhile, Echo has to deal with a distant father and a heavily pregnant babysitter-turned-stepmom, both of whom she thinks are a bit too involved in all aspects of her life. As the mystery around that fateful night slowly unfolds, it quickly becomes apparent that Katie McGarry does not shy away from tough subjects, like mental disease. As if Echo didn't already have enough on her plate, she's also dealing with her grief following the death of her older brother, who died in combat.

I cannot begin to tell you how amazing the character development is in Pushing the Limits. Even secondary characters, like Echo and Noah's friends, and virtually unseen characters, like Echo's mom, take on lives and personalities of their own. In particular, the story of Noah's friend, Beth, is very intriguing and will actually be the subject of Katie McGarry's next book. (Can 2013 hurry up and get here already?!) Pushing the Limits also allows for a peek into the foster care system, which is not always a healthy community with happy endings for orphaned and unwanted children. Mrs. Collins determined involvment in the lives of Echo and Noah was admirable and touching, and a true testament to the selflessness of the very best social workers.

There is so much to talk about that is precious and worth mentioning, but I feel like I would give away the best parts of the book that I so desperately want you to discover and experience for yourself. Suffice it to say that Pushing the Limits will leave you feeling a bit raw and vulnerable, but also happy and hopeful for the future. I am beyond impressed with Katie McGarry's debut novel, which has made me a fan for life. I think you will be, too.

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Comments (5)

Review: Choker by Elizabeth Woods

21 August 2012 Kathryn Tuccelli

Title: Choker
Author: Elizabeth Woods
Category: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication Date: January 4, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's

Sixteen-year-old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team, but they're not really her friends. Mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her, and avoiding the popular girls who call her "Choker" after a humiliating incident in the cafeteria.

Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she has her BFF there to confide in.

But just as quickly as Cara's life came together, it starts to unravel. A girl goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect—including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day when she's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what, but what if she turns into a total stranger?

I was warned by my BFF, Jenni @ AlluringReads, to not read any reviews of Choker prior to diving into the book. See, Jenni made the mistake of reading the reviews and stumbled upon a huge spoiler - the spoiler, actually! Needless to say, she was pretty bummed and made me promise to "go in blind." Now, having read and finished Choker, I am so glad I did! This is a book you don't want to have spoiled.

I love books that deal with social issues, and Choker is certainly one of those books. Cara Lange is a sweet, quiet girl who had the misfortune of becoming the target of Alexis, the Queen Bee of her high school. She is bullied in the most subtle and horrible ways for the most ridiculous things. I mean, who actually makes fun of someone who almost chokes to death?! Ugh, do my future children have to go to high school?? (I kid!)

Normally, when kids are being bullied or having a hard time at school, you would think the parents would notice and step in to do something. However, Cara's big-shot lawyer parents are largely absent from her life and Cara has no real friends, though she is just starting to get comfortable with the girls on her track team. When she finally reaches her breaking point, her childhood best friend, Zoe, mysteriously shows up in her bedroom one day after school, and this is where things get really interesting.

What I loved most about this book is that it didn't take long at all for the real "action" to start. You know right away that Zoe is going to cause some kind of trouble for Cara. You just don't know what or exactly how. It's clear that neither girl is very stable, and they have an incredibly odd and co-dependent relationship.

When bad things began happening around Cara, namely to the two girls who bullied her the most, I began to suspect one of two scenarios. I won't mention them here, though, as I want you to come to your own conclusion. While I did think both scenarios were kind of obvious, I was still incredibly engrossed in the story and obviously did not know until the very end which one would turn out to be right. There's always something that makes you question your initial judgment, which is why I rated this book so highly.

It's so hard to talk about this book without giving spoilers! I found Choker to have engaging characters, a compelling storyline, plenty of mystery, a dash of creepiness, and quick pacing. At only 233 pages long, I devoured this book in just a few hours and will definitely read it again in the future. If you love books that easily entertain and will keep you guessing, Choker is definitely the book for you!

Comments (8)

Review: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

20 August 2012 Kathryn Tuccelli

Title: All These Things I've Done (Birthright #1)
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Category: Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopian
Publication Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

When I read books like this, I have to pause and ask myself, Where was I when this book released?! Just reading the synopsis is a great indication that this book would be right up my alley. Chocolate and coffee are illegal?! Oh, heck no! Add in the Russian "mafiya", family drama, and a forbidden romance and you have all of the ingredients for a captivating story.

Despite the obvious differences between Anya and myself, I felt that I could easily relate to her struggles. Left parentless at a young age, she has had to grow up way before her time. I can't imagine the pressure of essentially being a parent at the age of sixteen, and yet she never complains or begrudges her small family.

Anya is strong-willed, level-headed, and incredibly stubborn - sometimes to her detriment. Her father taught her to never accept help from or come to an agreement with someone unless she knew exactly what she would be getting out of it. Because of this, Anya never asks for help and really struggles to accept help when it is offered to her. At times, I didn't know whether to hold her or shake her!

When Anya meets Win, son of the new assistant D.A., it seems she may be able to carve out a slice of happiness for herself. However, soon after they meet, the safe but fragile wall she's constructed around her family comes tumbling down. Small disasters begin to occur in rapid succession, leading up to a very big disaster that could put Anya, her family, and the entire Balanchine empire in extreme danger.

I was really impressed with the story-telling in All These Things I've Done. Gabrielle's concise writing style combined with Anya's straight-forward narration made for a fast-paced, easily readable story. There's not a ton of action, but the character development more than makes up for it.

From the major to the minor characters, you get a feel for each and every one. Anya was by far my favorite, but I do have a soft spot for her older brother, Leo. He actually reminds me quite a bit of Cyril O'Reily from HBO's Oz. Even the "bad guys" are well-developed (especially when you read their parts in a Russian accent!) Win's part was written perfectly, and his romance with Anya was sweet and completely beliveable. No Insta-love! (c) here, thank goodness!

The next installment of the Birthright series, Because It Is My Blood, is sure to crank up the action and suspense. My curiousity was certainly piqued by the arrival of a family business connection from Asia, who encourages Anya to step up as the head of the family, which is a lofty request for a girl who just wants to take care of her family, be in love, and live a "normal" life. I can't wait to see what is in store for Anya, Win, and the Balanchine family!

While many have classified All These Things I've Done as dystopian, it's more of a contemporary-dystopian cross-over, set in a crumbling future United States. There's no specific disaster that has led to the break-down of society; rather, just a natural progression of deterioration. I could not compare this book to any of the other dystopian or post-apocalyptic books out there, and that's a good thing! If you're looking for a unique, refreshing, compelling read, All These Things I've Done is a sure bet.

Comments (9)

Send Blog Tour: Review, Guest Post + Giveaway

15 August 2012 Kathryn Tuccelli

Title: Send
Author: Patty Blount
Category: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication Date: August 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

To keep his secrets, all he has to do is listen to the voice in his head and just walk away...

On his first day at his new high school, Dan stops a bully from beating up a kid half his size. He didn't want to get involved. All he wants out of his senior year is to fly under the radar. But Dan knows what it's like to be terrorized by a bully-he used to be one. Now the whole school thinks he's some kind of hero, except Julie Murphy, the prettiest girl on campus. She looks at him like she knows he has a secret. Like she knows his name isn't really Daniel.

I knew going into Send that it would address the ever-increasing prevelancy of cyber-bullying amongst teens. However, I didn't expect for it to address so many other heavy issues that teens face, such as depression, suicide, schizophrenia, and yes, even having sex for the first time. Send is emotional, raw, and a bit terrifying.

Daniel "Dan" Ellison is a good kid who made a bad decision. It all seemed so juvenile and harmless at the time, but one click of the button had far-reaching and life-altering consequences. We are introduced to Dan on the first day of his senior year of high school, where he is once again a new person in a new town, living a new life in the aftermath of his bad decision. He sees a kid getting bullied in the parking lot and steps in to stop the altercation, immediately earning a "bad ass hero badge" amongst his peers. Little do they know that Dan was a bully himself not so long ago.

From an outside perspective, Dan has certainly been punished enough for what he did, but he won't stop punishing himself. It doesn't help that the voice inside his head berates him, too. All Dan wants to do is lay low, begin a new life, keep his family safe, and bury his horrible past. However, when he saves Brandon, makes an enemy of Jeff, and meets Julie, he finds that he can't run from his past any longer.

Review: The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

13 August 2012 Kathryn Tuccelli

Title: The Forsaken
Author: Lisa M. Stasse
Category: Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia
Publication Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

I adore novels set in a dystopian world and, being a big fan of The Hunger Games and The Divergent Trilogy, this book sounded right up my alley. So, when I was chosen to be on the traveling ARC tour for The Forsaken via Southern Book Bloggers, I was thrilled! Unfortunately, by the end of the book, I was a bit disappointed and jaded by yet another predictable Dystopian story.

If I may, I would describe The Forsaken as the love-child of The Hunger Games and Divergent. The similarities were glaringly obvious, but I feel that I would have appreciated the story more if it had come out one or two years earlier. As it is, though, we readers are inundated with "the next Hunger Games!" type books, and frankly, I'm tapped out on my store of patience.

I'm having a hard time describing what I did and did not like about The Forsaken, and I think it's because it wasn't bad, but it wasn't spectacular. It was more middle-of-the-road for me. The characters were, for the most part, uninteresting; Alenna especially so, which is unfortunate. One character that did make me perk up, though, was Alenna's first real friend on "The Wheel", Gadya. She is fierce, in control, and a true warrior. If I do continue on with this series, it will be because of her.

I didn't understand the quasi-love-triangle between Alenna, Liam, and David. There was absolutely zero chemistry between Alenna and Liam, and no believable build-up of their feelings for each other. David was the more redeemable of the two boys, and even though he wasn't as swoon-worthy as Liam, he has heart. I would love to see less emphasis on the love triangle in YA literature, though. I mean, how often does a girl really have two wonderful guys to choose between? Why does a girl even need a guy -much less two? I digress.

All of this is not to say that I was not entertained, because I surely was. The Forsaken kept me interested overall, thanks to the quick pacing, non-stop action, and some interesting little mysteries surrounding the government's true motives and the disappearance of Alenna's parents. However, it took me until page 200 to really get into the story, and by then, it was really too late.

I haven't decided if I will continue the series, but I probably will, because I think the second book has much more potential for originality once the similarities to The Hunger Games and Divergent have ceased to exist. I do hope Lisa will write more books after The Forsaken Series, because she does have talent, and I'd love to see it used in a different setting and story.

I would recommend The Forsaken to those of you who are die-hard dystopian fans, or who really enjoyed the two aforementioned stories. This book wasn't for me, but it will be a perfect fit for someone else. Maybe even you!

Comments (4)

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