Bite Sized Review: Lois Lane - A Real Work of Art

Published:  March 4th, 2015

Lois Lane: A Real Work of Art

By: Gwenda Bond

Capstone

ISBN-13:  9780000000

In high school art class, Lois Lane demonstrates her undeniable talent.....but not for painting.

This is an official teaser short story for the young adult novel LOIS LANE: FALLOUT that takes place before Lois moves to Metropolis.

Review

       I normally don't care too much for short stories, especially ones that are under 50 pages long.  I know that a lot can be conveyed in them if the right writer is guiding the ship -- but more often than not, these short stories and novellas for popular YA book series are just useless filler.  This was available on NetGalley, so I requested it and hoped for the best.  And I got it!  Lois Lane is exactly how I wanted her to be - sassy, smart, and self-aware.  Of course, she's a teenager, so there is some self-doubt.  Lois is constantly moving around as an army brat, and she's in a new town again.  All she wants is to figure out something that she's good at, something that can be just for her.  So, Lois decides to try out an art class, and manages to get into more trouble than you'd think possible.  If you're a fan of Lois Lane (especially as portrayed by Erica Durance on Smallville, who this Lois really reminded me of!), try reading this.  I am now super pumped up for the full-length book coming out in May.  I enjoyed Gwenda Bond's style and I will LOVE reading more of Lois' misadventures!  Highly recommended.

VERDICT: 4/5 Stars

*I received this book from Capstone, on NetGalley. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. This book was published on March 4th, 2015.*

Screams All Sound the Same

Expected Publication:  May 26th, 2015

The Tenderness of Thieves

By: Donna Freitas

Philomel

ISBN-13:  9780399171369

Jane is ready for a fantastic summer.  In fact, she's pretty sure the universe owes her one.

This past winter, Jane was held at knifepoint during an armed robbery and the specter of that night still haunts her.  A summer romance with one of the town bad boys -- sexy Handel Davies, who takes her breath away and makes her feel like a bolder version of herself -- seems like the universe's way of paying her back.

But bad boys always have secrets, and Handel's secret just might shatter Jane completely.

Review

       I just seem to be striking out with books lately, and this one was no exception to that rule.  I requested this from the tour site that I belong to, because almost four years later I still remember her book The Survival Kit fondly.  I remembered comparing her to Sarah Dessen and really enjoying myself while reading her books, namely her characters.  I read the synopsis to this one and the comparison to Gone Girl (a book that, despite the hype, I still haven't read yet) did give me a moment's hesitation.  But I decided to request it anyways, even though the synopsis doesn't exactly cover up what the big "secret" Handel's keeping is regarding.  I have a soft spot for bad boys.  Well, me and this book did not get along.

       It started with a phrase the author, narrating as Jane in first person, uses in her thoughts - "me and my girls."  That phrase sounds like some sort of animal pack, or something out of a Brooklyn-ized Mean Girls revival.  This phrase happens at least four times within the first chapter.  I flipped through and it happens way more than just that, with "the girls and I" heading chapter thirteen, for example.  I am a freak and I know this, fully admitting it right now.  But something about that phrase SCREAMS ghetto trash, Maury-show contestant -- or rich, spoiled, partying Daddy's girl.  Either way, I cannot STAND that phrase.  I have come to the collective realization that I am now officially old in a way that I never was before.  Plus, the whole first chapter is a "meeting" between Handel and Jane, where he says her name twice, she says his once and he walks away.  Then she goes and rehashes the whole thing to her friends as an "interesting" story.  Overall, I think the current generations might like it, but I'm an old lady.  I kept thinking to myself, who talks like that?  And in what universe are this girl and her friends interesting?  Not for me.

VERDICT:  DNF, No Star Rating

**I reviewed this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie.  No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book's expected publication date is May 26th, 2015.**

Good Girls Aren't (Always) the Fun Ones

Published:  July 1st, 2014

The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher

By: Jessica Lawson

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN-13:  9781481401500

In 1860, eleven-year-old Becky Thatcher is the new girl in town, determined to have adventures like she promised her brother Jon before he died.  With her Mama frozen in grief and her Daddy busy as town judge, Becky spends much of her time on her own, getting into mischief.  Before long, she joins the boys at school in a bet to steal from the Widow Douglas, and Becky convinces her new best friend, Amy Lawrence, to join her.

Becky decides that she and Amy need a bag of dirt from a bad man's grave as protection for entering the Widow's house, so they sneak out to the cemetery at midnight, where they witness the thieving Pritchard brothers digging up a coffin.  Determined to keep her family safe (and to avoid getting in trouble), Becky makes Amy promise not to tell anyone what they saw.

When their silence inadvertently results in the Widow Douglas being accused of the graverobbery, Becky concocts a plan to clear the Widow's name.  If she pulls it off, she just might get her Mama to notice her again and fulfill her promise to Jon in a most unexpected way...if that tattletale Tom Sawyer will quit following her around.

Review

       I have to admire Jessica Lawson's ingenuity.  As both a fanfic author and reader, I can more than respect a well thought-out "what-if" scenario.  So, the switch in the personalities of Sid and Tom, along with the inclusion of Sam Clemens would have been more than enough to draw me in as a potential reader.  Add in the fact that Becky Thatcher is actually the mischievous protagonist in this one, with Tom and Sid as side-characters, and you have me hooked like a large-mouth bass!  Even with all of that aside, I actually really enjoyed this book!  This is exactly the kind of book that I loved as a child, with a daring and adventurous heroine, well-drawn side characters (friends, family, etc.), and a rollicking plot full of fun.  Becky has just moved to a small Missouri town with her parents, almost a year after the death of her much-loved and admired older brother, Jon.  Becky's Daddy is busy being the town judge and has to deal with notorious thieves, the Pritchard brothers, on the loose and her Mama is sunk down into her grief, with no time for Becky.  So she has plenty of time for mischief!

     There are some sly allusions to the original stories by Mark Twain, especially with Sam Clemens as a stranded riverboat pilot, waiting on a part for his ship, and gathering material for stories he likes to write.  Becky becomes friends with Sid Sawyer, almost immediatly puts the tattling Tom (brother of Sid) on her revenge list and is mostly just happy to make some friends and have adventures.  But when attempting to get grave dirt for "protection spells" against the Widow Douglas (a known witch), so that the girls can win a five-dollar bet to take something from her house, they get into more trouble than they can handle!  They stumble upon a grave-robbing and barely escape with their lives!  Becky has to decide whether being grown up means telling the truth and accepting punishment, or having adventures - or if she can possibly do both.  I love the writing style of Lawson in this book!  Unlike Twain, the dialect isn't so heavy that you have a hard time reading it.  It's still there, but not as thick.  Also, there are some beautiful prose passages and Becky, is a loveable heroine who never once got on my nerves.  Overall, I would recommend this even to people who just like historical fiction with a sense of humor, even if they've never read Mark Twain.  You'll still like it, I promise.  Or as Becky and Amy would say I "vow" it! :D

Favorite Quotes:

--  'I found my way to the riverbank.

"Hello, Miss Issipi," I said.  "You're looking awful pretty this morning, with that fog coming off your water.  You're going your way and I'm going mine."  I tipped my hat, but the Miss ignored me.  I didn't mind a bit, though.  I liked the river real well.

...I stared at the Miss, watching the first bit of sunlight make flashes on the water.  I wondered if Jon up in Heaven could see those flashes, if he'd met Jesus at all, and if he'd put in a good word for me.'

--  "Kiss my grits," I swore.  "That brother of yours has done it again."  I hit Sid's shoulder.

Joe spit on the ground.  

"How'd he find out, that sneak!"  Though he sounded mad, I could tell Joe was as worried as the rest of us.

   "I thought I saw Tom when I was putting out your flames," I told Sid.  "Probably told Aunt Polly that I tried to set Mrs. Douglas's house on fire."

   "Who's Mrs. Douglas?" Joe asked.  His face wrinkled up like when Dobbins asked him a math question.

   "You can go to jail for doing something like that!" Amy cried.

   And the widow might go to jail for grave robbing, I thought.  Maybe we'll be stuck in the same cell.

VERDICT:  4/5 Stars

*No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.*

Christmas All Year 'Round

Published: September 24th, 2013

Christmas on 4th Street (Fool's Gold #12.5)

By: Susan Mallery

Harlequin HQN

ISBN-13:  9780373777822

Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute.  That's why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool's Gold, California.  The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that's magical about her favorite season.  Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel's memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp.  Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year's eggnog.  Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle...and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can't stop sharing.

Gabriel didn't think he was made for happily-ever-afters.  But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse...

Review

       So, imma be completely honest: I just wanted a cute, slightly schmaltzy, Christmas romance.  I have never read any other books by Susan Mallery before, including the others in this series.  In other words, I started twelve and a half books into a series.  I am a dum-dum and I FULLY admit it.  But that doesn't mean I think I'm rating/reviewing this book unfairly.  It just means that I don't have the rose-colored glasses and series-fan filter that many other readers are going to have going in to it.  I can admit also, that had I read the other books in the series, I think I STILL would have been disappointed.  Her name is Noelle, she runs a store called "The Christmas Attic" and lives in a small town called Fool's Gold.  His name is Gabriel, he's an army doctor struggling with PTSD, and is just in town to visit his brother for the holidays.  Of course, the two of them meet-cute and it's instant attraction.  Unbeknownst to him, Mom and Dad are visiting too; so he does the only thing he can: offers to work at Noelle's store (she's short-handed) to get out of the house.  The attraction only grows but can the two of them work past their issues, and end up happily ever after?

       Their cheesy holiday names didn't bother me that much.  Neither did the dumb way they met each other.  It was her Mary-Sue perfectness, topped with the "loveable ditz" routine, that really got on my frickin nerves.  Her stupidity when driving on snow and ice really made me roll my eyes and scoff - then again, I'm from Michigan.  If I drove like she did, I'd be laughed out of the state.  They had no real reason to resist attraction.  The whole of their "obstacles" were forced at best and tritely unbelievable at worst.  He doesn't believe in love.  And that's pretty much the base of the whole thing.  Not to mention, his leave from the army is forced and he doesn't even want to really be there.  The whole thing of why she lost her job/quit and moved to Fool's Gold - to open a Christmas store of all things! - was so cliched, even for a romance during the holidays, that it kind of made me gag.  And his family problems were resolved way to easy.

       I think what REALLY made me mad though, was the ending.  They have known each other for six-freaking weeks!!!  I do not know anyone (at least anyone SANE) that would jump from misunderstandings, to sex, to not speaking, to marriage!  It must be luuurrrvve apparently.  The whole thing with the town "booming" and needing all those doctors, etc. just seemed so Mayberry that it had me rolling my eyes every time the Mayor or anyone else talked about how great the town was, or how they'd never expected to love it so much.  Uh-huh, okay...  Overall, not the series or writer for me.  It was just too cheesy and cutesy, and I hated the ending.  I'm sure fans of the author and people who liked the other books in the series might feel differently.  But I for sure won't be revisiting Fool's Gold.

VERDICT:  2/5  Stars

*I received this book from Harlequin HQN, on NetGalley.  No favors or money were exchanged for this review.  This book was published on September 24th, 2013.*

Where Have All the Heroes Gone?

Published: November 11th, 2009

Wolverine: Old Man Logan

By: Mark Millar & Steve McNiven

Marvel Comics

ISBN-13:  9780785131595

Nobody knows what happened on the night the heroes fell.  All we know is that they disappeared and evil triumphed and the bad guys have been calling the shots ever since.  What happened to Wolverine is the biggest mystery of all.  For 50 years, no one has heard hide nor hair from him...and in his place stands an old man called Logan.  A man concerned only by his family.  A man pushed to the brink by the Hulk Gang.  A man forced to help an old friend -- the blind archer, Hawkeye -- to drive three thousand miles to secure his family's safety.  Get ready for the ride of your life, Logan!

Review

       The synopsis basically explains everything you need to know to be able to dive into this particular story arc.  It's been 50 years since all the supervillains finally figured out that by teaming up, they could get rid of the heroes and take over completely.  Wolverine is now just known as Logan and has let himself just become an old man, caring for his family in a harsh new world.  The Hulk Gang (Bruce Banner's inbred, cannibalistic descendants) runs what used to be California and they come calling when Logan falls behind on the rent.  After beating the Hell out of him, they demand double next month or they'll kill his wife and kids.  Then Hawkeye, also an old man (and blind to boot), shows up looking for a cross-country driver.  The money he's offering could set up Logan's family for quite awhile, so he accepts.  But he refuses to do anything but drive, as he hasn't used his claws in 50 years - since the tragic night when Wolverine disappeared from public life.  Can Logan manage to save his family and will he ever be able to get over the horrors he lived through the night the heroes died?

       I mostly LOVED it!  It made sense that out of everyone, Wolverine and Hulk would be two of the only "heroes" left standing when all the others had been assassinated.  I love that Logan has decided to put away the Wolverine, but still hasn't completely lost that part of himself just yet (the awesome panel near the beginning where he imagines ripping apart his Hulk landlord demonstrates just that).  We get to see a completely different side of Logan than normal and the westernized feel of the artwork and the storyline (man goes on journey to save family from destitution/death by evil landlord[s]) definitely lends a dystopian feel to things.  I liked that Hawkeye had gone through a lot of the same things, but led a completely different life.  Blind, three-times married/divorced and ornery as ever, Hawkeye calls out Logan constantly for hanging up his claws.  But they come to mutual understanding, when Logan finally tells him what horrific things happened on that night 50 years ago.  As someone who has never read a Captain America comic, the thing with Red Skull and his trophy room still sent shivers down my spine.  Also, the scene with the Iron Man suit was perfect.

       My main problem, the one thing that really kept this from being perfect for me, was the motivations of the Hulk and the ending that they led to.  I thought it was a very weak, "bwahahaha" type of characterization and kind of disappointing.  Seeing Hulk be just plain insane would be one thing, but the over-the-top, backwoods hillbilly tint didn't really make all that much sense.  Bruce Banner, the counterpart of the Hulk, was a very educated man and I never really bought that he would've married/mated with his first cousin, Jenny (She-Hulk).  He would've known the kind of genetic problems that would cause in his bloodline.  And the rationale?  She was the only one who could keep up in bed...um...okay then.  I guess in the context of true insanity, anything can be explained away, but it just didn't really ring true to me.  I did enjoy the end though, with Logan walking into the sunset holding Baby Bruce Banner Jr. on his back, ready to start fighting again.  Overall, a mostly fantastic comic book and a great alternate universe story, with some mostly overlooked weak spots.  I highly recommend it.  And boy oh boy, is it hella gory!

VERDICT:  4/5  Stars

*No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.*

The Glad Game

Published:  February 1st, 2002 (First published 1913)
Pollyanna (Pollyanna #1)
By: Eleanor H. Porter
Aladdin
ISBN-13:  9780689849107

When orphaned 11-year-old Pollyanna comes to live with austere and wealthy Aunt Polly, her philosophy of gladness brings happiness to her aunt and other members of the community, somewhat to their surprise.

Review

     I love reading classic children's books, for the simple fact of them drawing me into their stories in a way that adult, or even teen books can't seem to manage quite as well.  I can lose myself in my childhood again when I pick up an old friend, or a new one that is centered on the story of a child.  Children's books from a hundred or more years ago, like Pollyanna, are no exception to this particular feeling of enjoyment.  I never read this one as a child, but did see the Disney movie of the same name starring a young Hayley Mills (I found it a little saccharine to be honest).  The book isn't exactly the same as the film, thankfully.  It actually reminds me quite a bit of Anne of Green Gables, as it's the same style of writing.  The book is made up of what is could almost be classified as vignettes, but not quite since they are a coherent story thread with and obvious timeline.

     The plot is centered around young Pollyanna, whose minister father has just died and now that she's an orphan, she's being sent to live with her rich Aunt Polly across the country.  Polly of course is absolutely miserable, and lives by herself in a big house on the hill.  Polly likes things neat, orderly and quiet.  So of course young Pollyanna's presence, with her "glad game" and constant cheerfulness is a thorn in her side.  Pollyanna plays a game every day that she calls the "glad game," which she started with her father.  In everything that happens in her life, good or bad, she looks for something to be glad about.  Before she knows it, Pollyanna's encounters with the townsfolk while playing her game, have managed to transform the lives of a great many people.  But then tragedy strikes Pollyanna - can she find something to be glad about, even in her darkest hour?  I highly recommend this to adults and children alike.  It has a great moral to it, the individual stories are all rather funny (especially the one about young Jimmy Bean trying to be the "India boy" for Pollyanna's Ladies Aide back west), and the conclusion had me on the verge of tears.  I think fans of Anne will especially enjoy it, because as I said before it's definitely in the same literary vein.

VERDICT:  5/5  Stars

**No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.**

Somewhere, Beyond the Sea

Published:  April 1st, 2014

The Mermaid and the Shoe

By: K.G. Campbell

Kids Can Press

ISBN-13:  9781554537716

Each of King Neptune's 50 mermaid daughters boasts a special talent, except for little Minnow, who seems to be good only at asking questions.  When she finds a strange object, Minnow follows her questions to a wondrous place and finds answers, including an answer to the most important question of all:  Who am I?  A gorgeously illustrated story about finding one's purpose.

Review

     Minnow is the youngest and smallest of King Neptune's mermaid daughters, and unlike her sisters, she hasn't discovered her talent and special place in the family yet.  One day she finds an object floating near her and doesn't know what it is.  She thinks it's interesting and goes about asking all her sisters, the other sea creatures and anyone she can think of what it is!  Minnow goes above the surface, hoping to find the answer up there.  And lo and behold, she sees a little girl and eventually learns what a shoe is and what its purpose happens to be.  Minnow goes home to her father and sisters, and tells them the story of what a "shoe" is for, and her father proclaims her an adventurer and storyteller!  Minnow has finally found her place in the family and what she is meant to do in life.

     This picture book is a very sweet, short look at finding yourself in a family that seems to have it all figured out.  Minnow starts off feeling lost, in a sea of talented sisters.  By the end of the book, she's recognized her own importance in their lives.  The illustrations were beautiful, and I loved the disgust Minnow has for feet!  It's so funny, especially after seeing mermaids traditionally envy the ability to walk on land.  Minnow definitely prefers her tail to the feet of the humans (whom she describes as "half mermaid, half octopus legs").  One thing I missed in this was the bright, primary colors associated with a lot of children's picture books.  This one is beautiful, full of soft blues, greens and grays, with the occasional pop of color.   But as its set under the ocean, everything is rather muted.  I could definitely see myself reading this one to my four year old niece.  It's a very cute book, and I recommend it if you'd like new book to reinforce to a child how special they really are! :D

VERDICT:  3.5/5  Stars

*I received this book from Kids Can Press, on NetGalley.  No favors or money were exchanged for this review.  This book was published April 1st, 2014.*

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1) by: P.L. Travers

Published:  June 1st, 2006

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1)

By: P.L. Travers

HMH Books for Young Readers

ISBN-13:  9780152058104

From the moment Mary Poppins arrives at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane, everyday life is forever changed at the Banks house is forever changed.

It all starts when Mary Poppins is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks house.  She becomes a most unusual nanny to Jane, Michael, and the twins.  Who else but Mary Poppins can slide up banisters, pull an entire armchair out of an empty carpetbag, and make a dose of medicine taste like delicious lime-juice cordial?  A day with Mary Poppins is a day of magic and make-believe come to life!

Review

     I have read all manner of classic and modern classic children's books, during my childhood and as an adult.  But somehow while reading about red-headed orphan girls, wardrobes that led to magical worlds, a great Emerald city, and the immortal Tuck family, I somehow never managed to read any of the books about Mary Poppins.  This, the first book in the series, introduces us readers to Mary Poppins, a magical nanny who comes to the Banks family in their hour of need.  The children Jane, Michael, and the baby twins (John and Barbara) are in need of a nanny.  Mary herself is somewhat vain, no-nonsense, strict and yet somehow bordering on magical.  The most peculiar things truly do happen when Mary is about - but you'll never get her to admit to them.  This book follows Mary's adventures with the children, through a series of vignettes chronicling their life together.  That is, until Mary leaves on the wind just as she first came to them.

     Sometimes a series of vignettes instead of structured chapters can do a book some good.  It certainly didn't hurt Jean Webster at all and looking back, L.M. Montgomery's style was similar and on the border of it, if not quite uniform to this particular format of writing.  In regards to how much it resembles the Disney movie based on it, the answer to that would be not all that much.  There are a few scenes, such as the chalk picture day, although its a date between Bert and Mary, and doesn't include the children at all.  Also, Bert is only in the one chapter of the entire book.  Noticeably the same was the scene with Mary's Uncle Albert, who serves them tea in midair and the Bird Lady was also included.  The next door neighbor's dog Andrew has his own story, all about how he wants to be a common street dog, rather than the coddled thing that he is currently.  

     There are other stories with zero similarities whatsoever.  Mary Poppins takes the children Christmas shopping and they help one of the stars (Pleiades to be exact) find gifts for her sisters.  The one involving the night zoo, with all the humans as the attractions, quite possibly wins for most bizarre story.  And the one with the gingerbread lady and the paper stars was beautiful.  But the absolute best was John and Barbara's story, about losing their ability to speak to the winds and the starlings.  It was so melancholy for a kid's book!  It did seem somewhat choppy at times, and there was also the conundrum of Mary.  She definitely came across as a cold, strict, sarcastic bitch for a good portion of the book.  Then you'd get a glimpse of her caring heart and it would soften the blows of her words/actions.  All in all, I enjoyed it and I'm glad that I read it.  But I think that I would have been better served to be introduced to this world as a child and not a cynical adult.

VERDICT:  3.5/5  Stars

**No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.**

Road to Somewhere Blog Tour - Book Spotlight and Giveaway!!!

TOUR SCHEDULE: 

http://www.itchingforbooks.com/2014/02/blog-tour-sign-uproad-to-somewhere-by.html

Release date: March 11th 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark

Purchase: Amazon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18460372-road-to-somewhere

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

New! From Bloomsbury Spark, a sunny heartwarming story of discovery and sisterhood. 

A road trip. A singing competition. And super-hot cowboys. 

What could be better? 

For Charlie, a post-high school road trip isn't just a vacation, it's life changing. While her parents think she's helping a friend move, a chance at fame is the real reason to grab her best friends and drive to L.A. But when her super annoying, uber-responsible, younger sister, Lucy, has to tag along, it isn't quite the summer of fun she imagined. 

Add in a detour to her grandparents' ranch in Texas, and between mucking the stalls, down-home cookin’, and drool worthy ranch hands, this could just turn into the best, and most complicated, summer of their lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Kelley Lynn was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands. Music plays a large role in her writing process as well as the characters and plot lines within her stories.

getbetweenthebookends.blogspot.com | twitter.com/KelleyLynn1 | facebook.com/AuthorKelleyLynn

Jenny S. Morris is a YA author who loves all things geek, may have a Kdrama addiction, and prefers the rainy NW to any place she's ever lived. Road to Somewhere is her debut novel.

jennysimaginaryworld.blogspot.com | twitter.com/jennysmorris | facebook.com/JennyS.Morrs

GIVEAWAY

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Warrior Beautiful (Riders of Paradesos) Blog Tour - Review, Top Ten Quotes and Giveaway!!!

Warrior Beautiful (Riders of Paradesos, #1)

Author: Wendy Knight

Check out on Goodreads!

Purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

Synopsis: 

Working with the ex you secretly love to save the souls of the innocent is almost as bad as working with a mighty battle unicorn who would be thrilled to watch you plummet to your death.

Scout is used to pain. Her body has been broken, her heart has been broken, and the only thing keeping her together is her relationship with her younger sister. Lil Bit be-lieves in unicorns and terrifying monsters she calls soul stealers. But unicorns and monsters aren’t real…are they?

When Lil Bit falls prey to the mysterious disease sweeping the country, Scout has two options – believe the doctors who say it’s a pandemic or believe Lil Bit, who says it’s the soul stealers. She chooses her sister and goes looking for the unicorns who are supposed to save them. What she finds aren’t the cute pastel mythical creatures she expects. Battle unicorns are big and tough and full of attitude. Who knew?

Unicorns are real and so are the monsters. Soul stealers are reaping the souls of the innocent, and the unicorns are fighting to stop them. But to save the world, they need the help of humans – the enemy they’re dying to protect. And first to sign up for the fight is the ex-boyfriend Scout’s heart won’t stop loving, no matter how determined she is to hate him.

About the Author

Wendy Knight was born and raised in Utah by a wonderful family who spoiled her rotten because she was the baby. Now she spends her time driving her husband crazy with her many eccentricities (no water after five, terror when faced with a live phone call, etcetera, etcetera). She also enjoys chasing her three adorable kids, playing tennis, watching football, reading, and hiking. Camping is also big: her family is slowly working toward a goal of seeing all the National Parks in the U.S.

You can usually find her with at least one Pepsi nearby, wearing ridiculously high heel for whatever the occasion may be. And if everything works out just right, she will also be writing.

Where to Stalk Wendy

Website/Goodreads/Amazon Author Page/Twitter/Facebook

My Thoughts

     I have read very few young adult books about unicorns.  I feel like they are hard to come by, especially ones in a contemporary setting like this novel.  So when I was approached about doing this blog tour and writing a review, I jumped headfirst into it with the hopeful assumption that I would really enjoy it.  Thankfully I was right and absolutely loved it!  The main character and heroine of the novel, Scout, is still recovering from a car accident that almost took away her ability to walk a year ago.  The only person she feels truly understands her is Lil Bit, her truly special younger sister, who everyone else is busy telling she needs to change and she's crazy.  Because Lil Bit believes wholeheartedly in unicorns and their nemeses, soul stealers.  Scout believes that Lil Bit is telling the truth as she sees it, not intentionally lying.  But she's not sure whether or not to believe that either phenomenon is real, even though she might've seen a unicorn in the hospital after the accident.  Scout is full of hurt and anger, but her family loyalty was something fierce to behold that I truly admired.  I understand the feeling that you would walk through fire to get back your sibling from danger.

     Trey is the other side of the coin, Scout's ex-boyfriend who abandoned her after the accident they were in together and now regrets his awful decision.  He's wrestling with guilt over Scout's injuries and he's still in love with her, even though he's in a relationship with a girl named Kylin.  But when the soul stealers attack the entire town, including Trey's family, he and Scout are taken to Paradesos to train with the battle unicorns to attack and kill the evil beings.  He immediately bonds with a unicorn named Torz, while Scout has a tenative understanding with a sarcastic unicorn named Astra who has also suffered great pain in her life.  A huge chunk of this book was set in Paradesos, while both teens were training to become warriors with their respective unicorns, and it was definitely some interesting world-building that I enjoyed reading.  I really enjoyed the in-depth characterizations and the fact that this book was in third-person omniscient.  It really let me get an inside look at both Trey AND Scout's feelings, so I never ended up hating Trey for his mistakes with Scout, or vice versa.  Probably the most beautiful part of the book for me was the sister-to-sister relationship between Lil Bit and Scout.  I also appreciated the fact that this book was clean.  It was nice to read a book where the romance was key, but it didn't become the entire novel and the author didn't use it as an excuse to get nasty.

     Overall, I really enjoyed reading this one.  I had a hard time putting it down to go to bed, desperately wanting to know what happened next!  There is a REALLY big cliffhanger at the end, and I cannot wait to read the next book.  Exactly the right balance of action and everything else, probably my only complaint would be how heavy the angst between Scout and Trey got.  I am not a fan of angst and it became a focus point for me a little too long.  Otherwise, I could find no real faults with this one!  I highly recommend it to anyone in search of a good book involving some unicorns (be warned, these ones are rather fierce) and some interesting worldbuilding!

VERDICT:  4.5/5  Stars

*I received an ARC from the author.  No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book was published October 15th, 2013.*

Top Ten Quotes

"Scout smiled fondly at her across the table.  Lil Bit didn't hold a grudge.  She rarely got angry even.  If only we were all like you, Scout thought, and Lil Bit met her eyes across the table, breaking into a smile.  Somehow she had heard Scout.  Somehow she had always been able to."

"You don't think I can take a soul stealer?" Trey gave her a lopsided grin and her heart melted, but she ignored it.  "No.  Lil Bit says the only thing that can take a soul stealer is a unicorn."

"Don't be ridiculous.  You can't hear our thoughts.  Those are ours.  You can hear what we want you to hear."  Ashra scoffed, throwing her majestic head.

"Hey!  They're not monsters!"  Scout yelled before she even realized she had opened her mouth.  She advanced on Kylin, wishing she had a horn of her own to shoot sparks with.  "They're beautiful!  They fight the monsters, you idiot!"

"Oh good grief.  Are you always so helpless?"  Ashra muttered as her horn sparked again and flames spread, forming steps from her back to the ground.

"Kylin jumped away from the keys and they fell into the thick grass at her feet.  Her mouth opened and closed but she only made infuriated little squeaking sounds."

"The unicorns hate humans.  Basically, you wander away from me and they'll probably kill you."  Ashra sounded distinctly cheerful about the prospect."

"If I want to kick you, it doesn't matter where you stand,"  Ashra said.  She unfurled her wing from her side and knocked Scout away from her.  Scout heard Ashra's snicker in her mind, and if horses could grin, Ashra was definitely doing it.  "Watch it you overgrown bird."  Scout eyed, her thinking about shoving her back, but Ashra was huge.  It would be like trying to shove a barn over.  "Yeah, that's what i though."  Ashra whinnied..."

"But then Kylin's eyes landed on Scout and she scowled.  Yeah, cute as a vampire bunny, Scout thought.  Across the valley, Ashra tossed her head and stomped her feet, chuffing."

"Ashra twisted her long neck to study Kylin.  Scout could swear there was suspicion in her eyes.  My horsey doesn't like her either.  Ashra snorted and tried to whip Scout with her tail."

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Brooke's Blog (Book Spotlight + Book Soundtrack + Dream Cast)

Deal Sharing Aunt (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peek + Top Ten)

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Paulettes Papers (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peek)

Moonlight Gleam (Guest Post)

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Once Upon A Coffin (Book Review)

Diamond in Rough Coal (Book Review + Top Ten)

My Book Chatter (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peek)

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An Author in Progress (Rebecca Lamoreaux) (Guest Post)

Robin Ambrose (Guest Post + Top Ten)

Paranormal Book Club (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peek + Author Interview)

Mom in Love with Fiction (Book Review)

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Now is Gone (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peak)

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Indy Book Fairy (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peek)

Writing On the Sunny Side of the Street (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peek)

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Angela Corbett (Book Spotlight + Sneak Peek + Book Soundtrack + Dream Cast)

Racing to Read (Book Review)

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Lindzee Armstrong (Author) (Book Spotlight + Book Review + Sneak Peek)

Tammy's Tea Time (Book Review)

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