|Review| Golden by Jessi Kirby

Title: Golden

Author: Jessi Kirby

Published  May 14th 2013 by Simon & Schuster

Genre: contemporary YA 
Rating: D

Goodreads summary: 

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

I'll just say, this book is really just not for me. I really thought it would be because I like contemporary YA and I loved Jessi Kirby's debut but Golden was not a book for me. It all started with:

-Super smart main character with a boring life? check

-Fashionista, pretty, sidekick bff who's wild? check

-Unlikeable mom? check

-done with boring life & wants to do something main character? check

This made me groan and say "not again!" because I've read this book before. Multiple times. But I hoped that Jessi Kirby will make me forget all about that and wow me with her awesome writing and while her writing WAS awesome, I just couldn't get into the book.

I just did not care about Parker and her story. Sure I liked her, but I didn't care. Anyone can relate to Parker because everyone at one point was feeling confused about their life and wanted to do something more but the way this was addressed in Golden was so. damn. cheesy. I couldn't stomach it.

The book revolves around Parker finding a composition notebook of a girl who died but was never found. The composition notebooks is an English assignment, a journal that seniors write in and turn in to the teacher and in 10 years, the teacher will mail the composition notebook to the their owners so they can see how much they have changed and grown and if they have followed their dreams. This presented a mystery to Parker and I found the mystery pretty ridiculous and added to the cheesiness. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes. Though at one point I couldn't stop reading because I had to find out more about the mystery but that was in hope that what will be revealed will make me like the book. But it never got better for me and I also didn't find it very realistic. However, I REALLY loved the composition notebook idea. I'm even considering doing one. It will be a before college -- after college thing because even though I'm a senior and this is the perfect time, I don't think I can wait 10 years to look at it again.

There was also an art vs. artifact tone to the book and a lot of characters wanted to be painters, poets and such. Yeah, no. You want to be an artist? super cool! But I'm over the art vs. artifact debate because it's usually portrayed as so black and white. Nothing is black and white.

More cheesiness: love at first glance, literally. First kisses in the rain. Talk of constellations and stars (god, I *hate* this one. You don't even know. I don't find it even one bit romantic. If a guy ever told me something about stars, I would laugh at his face. And I've done that before. He called me a bitch after. Umm, hell yeah I'm a bitch.) and what killed me: someone named Hope. I was done at that point. Add a weak romantic interest & romance plot, weak mom character and I just can't say that I liked this book.

This was NOT a terrible book! Not at all but my reading experience of it was not pretty. I don't think I can find a part of it that I actually enjoyed BUT I can say that it did present questions worth thinking about and I like how it was centered around this quote, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your own wild and precious life?" (--Mary Oliver) but I didn't like the execution. But like I said, the composition journal is actually really cool and other quotes and questions presented area always something to think about. But there is also so much cheesiness and soul searching I could talk before I have to throw up. Don't let me stop you from reading from Golden though. Everyone enjoyed it, why wouldn't you?

Rating: [D] Unfortunately, nothing really worked for me.

First:

There is no such thing as a secret in this town.

Favorite:

"Well, could you give it a little gas, then? I'm starving." 
"How can you be hungry? You ate two breakfasts."
Trevor glances down at the speedometer. "I'm already doing eighty."
"I have a fast metabolism." Kat says. "Apparently faster than Trevor Collins here is willing to drive."

Teaser:

 There are a few other things I've decided to take a chance on in these two days of my one wild and precious life.

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|Review| The Program by Suzanne Young + Giveaway

Title: The Program

Author: Suzanne Young (Website | Twitter) 

Series: Program #1

Published April 30th 2013 by Simon Pulse

Genre: dystopian YA 
Rating: B-

Goodreads summary: 

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program. 
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

I've waited for The Program for a long long time now and I'm glad to say it did not disappoint! The book is split into 3 parts and the book got better as I further went into the book. I had my doubts during part 1 because it was full of cheesy "I'll save you" romance but I didn't mind it when I realized that it did play a part in the book and it was toned down later on. From the beginning, I was invested with the characters and yup, I had feels.

The dust jacket of The Program. The title on the front & on the spine in the final copy is white though.

The Program, both the book and the actual program, is well, scary. Imagine having your memories stripped away from you? Your past, lost? and all of this is LEGAL. Heck, your parents make you go thru this! Creepy. Some parts made me feel violated. I just wanted to hug my brain and my memories because what are we without those memories? This line really stuck with me and it sums the problem The Program creates:

He sounds frustrated, and I realize that he has the same conflicting feelings that I do. Emotions that are there, but without cause. Feelings that aren't attached to memories and therefore meaningless.

That's why I really enjoyed The Program. I haven't read many dystopian books but in my mind, I imagined The Program set in the future and everything is in lock down and the government doesn't allow anything and etc. but I was surprised when I realized that The Program is set in a world just like today's. Everything is the same except the Program exists. Which makes this book even more believable. This really could happen! Grieving parents would allow such a program to exist if it means their children could be happy and safe from themselves. However, I don't want to get to into that because the suicide issue isn't discussed thoroughly which was fine by me because this isn't an ISSUE book but I do believe it will be further explored.

This is how the book looks like without the dust jacket. I love it!

I was definitely rooting for the characters, they were trying their best, doing stupid things in the process but really trying to make the best out of living in a really harsh world for teenagers. Sloane is a great main character and I just wanted to jump into the book to protect her. She was a normal teenage girl but the Program makes hard for teens to be carefree. James is Sloane's boyfriend and I did like him. I do want to see more depth to him in the next book though. I also loved Realm, a boy Sloane meets while she's in the Program, but I fear Suzanne Young will go in a bad direction with him. I never got the vibe that he a was part of a love triangle (neither did Sloane, for that matter!) but some people have apparently been feeling that way. I want to see even more from him and I hope his character is even explored further. Plus, I wanted Sloane to start treating him right! He does everything to help her but Sloane doesn't get it. But oh how I liked-and-hated that. On one hand, it happens, on another, Sloane! Be smart!!!

Usually with dystopian and paranormal books, I get caught up with wanting more building and explanations and that distracts me from the story but since The Program is set in world like today's, for once I wasn't asking a million questions. But I definitely how questions that I hope will be answered sometime in the series otherwise I'll be really cheated. I also did want to see more personality from Sloane's parents. But this is a problem I have with most YA parents. They're usually cardboard cut out zombies. Bleh.

The Program had a cool twist that I didn't see coming but really enjoyed and I definitely can't wait for the next book since the end was GREAT. It wasn't a cliffhanger per se but it did leave me wanting the second book immdeiatly.

Rating: [B-] A good start to a series. I'll be waiting for the sequel!

First:

The air in the room tastes sterile.

Favorite:

"I'm just saying," James adds, walking back over to the couch and dropping down next to me. "If I didn't have this one"––he hikes his thumb at me––"I might be your new stepdad."

Teaser:

They're always watching. Never forget that.

Giveaway time! Thanks to the publisher, I'll be offering 2 finished, hardcover copies of 
The Program and this is U.S. only. Good luck! This is a book you want to read.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Encore fun! Jamie @The Perpetual Page Turner has this AWESOME post about the The Program themed book club meeting she had. It's fun and true to the book. Plus she also has a giveaway!

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|Review| Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series:  The Infernal Devices #2
Published December 6th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: historical, paranormal YA
Rating: A
Goodreads summary: 

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

I don't read many series so I'm not familiar with Second Book Syndrome (SBS) but I can safely say that Clockwork Prince does not suffer from SBS. I even dare say that Clockwork Prince is just as good, if not better than Clockwork Angel.

When it comes to Clockwork Prince and the Big Major Plot that's spanning the series, nothing of extreme importance happens. a few things were set up for the climax that's sure to happen in the next book but really, Clockwork Prince was all about the characters and that worked really well!

We learn more about Tessa and same with Clockwork Angel, I still felt the barrier between Tessa and I because of the 3rd person POV. I like her and think she's awee-soome but to be honest, forgettable compared to other characters. Though I still like her! Anyways, we get more page time for Henry and Charlotte (YAY!), the couple who run the London institute Tessa is staying at and more of Sophie, a servant (but really so much more valuable than that) at the institute, which makes me happy happy happy since I LOVE Sophie. I could read an entire series with Sophie as the main character. Sophie simply is b a d a s s.

The book also finally reveals what happened to Will and I did say in my Clockwork Angel, that will is "rude to the point of cruelty" and while it's obvious that "there is  more Will than meets the eye but that does not change the fact that he was a jackass" BUT, and it PAINS me to say this, Cassandra Clare really sheds some light on Will's character and behavior and dammit, it is a freaking GOOD excuse to his behavior! I did not for one second think that I was going to let Will off the hook but grrrr, Cassandra Clare hit me with a good one and my resistance broke. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel for ya, Will Heronalde.  Do I forgive him? Not completely. I still stand by the "rude is rude" statement but yeah, Will is back on my good side. Watch out, Jem! (Yes, I still prefer Jem. Tessa could have Will. I can have Jem. Happily ever after.)

Like I anticipated, Magnus Bane DOES get a bigger role in this book and can I just say, I LOVE Magnus. LOVE him. Woolsey Scott is introduced thought he's a teenty tiny minor character but he did provide a few laugh out louds. Gideon Lightwood was also introduced and yup, another character I loved. Also, readers who read Clockwork Prince I have a Magus related question for you!

Pretty much, my reaction while reading this book is: "this book is perfect." I laughed. I was heartbroken. Things got intense at parts. I was shocked here and there. I laughed some more and I just enjoyed the hell out of Clockwork Prince and I took my sweet time reading because I wanted to savor it.  It was mostly character driven and Cassandra Clare made that WORK. The setting and time period are also just treat because steampunk is always fun to read and the paranormal world is definitely the best I've ever encountered (I've only read a few paranormal books but still!).

Rating: [A] An amazing, amazing installment. Read. This. Series. 

First:
The fog was thick, muffling sound and sight.

Favorite:
"In that case mine's 'genuphobia.' It means an unreasonable fear of knees."  
"What's the word for a perfectly reasonable fear of annoying idiots?"

Teaser:  
"I asked him why he did not end his life, and he said he still felt one thing, and that was fear-- fear of what lies after death."

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|Review| Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series:  The Infernal Devices #1
Published August 31st 2010 by Margaret K. McElderry Book
Genre: paranormal YA
Rating: A
Goodreads summary:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

I'm not a big paranormal reader but I did enjoy the first three books of the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare and I've had Clockwork Angel sitting on my shelf for a few months now waiting for Clockwork Princess release so I could devour the series in one go. And what's not to devour? Steampunk + historical setting + great heroine + two great boys + well written paranormal world = a must read book & series. 

Tessa: she's strong and likeable but due to the 3rd person POV, I didn't feel 100% connected to her. There was a barrier between us but despite that, I liked her and rooted for her because she's quite the badass heroine.

Secondary characters: at first, Charlotte was so nice, she made me roll my eyes. However I really grew to love her when I realized she had other qualities besides being so kind and angelic. I also really, really loved her husband, Henry. I would not mind reading more about them! On the same note, I also loved Sophie and Thomas. I wanted more page time for all of the them. However, Jessamine is a horrible, sorry excuse of nephilim and she should drown in the Thames. But all in all, a great, well developed group of secondary characters. Magnus Bane is present in this book but it was very brief and I wouldn't even consider him a secondary character but more on the tertiary level. But It's clear he will have a bigger role in Clockwork Prince (book two in the series) and I'm looking forward to that. 

Jem: there is nothing NOT to love about Jem. #TeamJem for the win, okay? He genuinely kind, funny and he put up with Will which say A LOT about him. We learn a lot about Jem and his family which just made me want to jump into the book and hug him.

Will: I surprised myself by not falling in love with Will since EVERYONE loves him but why would I love him? Will is rude to the point of cruelty at some parts of the book. It's obvious and it's even stated that Will has not has the easiest life however, both Jem and Tessa have also been through horrific stuff but that doesn't mean they were mean.  

"Jem says you lie to make yourself look bad," she said. "And perhaps that is true, or perhaps he simply wishes to believe that about you. But there is no reason for excuse for cruelty like this."

That quote sums up exactly what I have to say about Will. Multiple times, we see that there is more to Will than meets the eye but that does not change the fact that he was a jackass. Do I hate Will? No, I can even say I like him but after everyone's praises about him I'm just shocked. I just find the whole "I'm a bad boy but not really I just have issues so I'm gonna protect people around me by being an asshole so they don't get close to me" routine pathetic pathetic pathetic. Grow a pair and man up, buddy boy. Don't think I despised Will, because I didn't. I know he's an extremely important character and hating him will ebb my enjoyment of the series so I'm trying my hardest to see the good in him. And there is some good. 

Romance: Sure I adore adore adore Jem but Will + Tessa had better chemistry. Tessa could have Will, I can have Jem, and we can live happily ever after.

Action + plot: Great and even grotesque at parts. There was a twist that I did not see coming at all so that was awesome! (I *always* read spoilers so I'm never surprised.)

Setting: I BEYOND loved the London, 1878 setting and the time period and it really made the book that much better however I felt that the dialogue felt to modern at times. But eventually, I got over that. 

Rating: [A] The Shadowhunter world is just so fleshed out so revisiting it again is just such a pleasure. Plus plain and simple, this book is extremely well-written and reading it was a real treat. If you haven't read this series, DO IT!

First: The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts.

---

Favorite: “Are you implying that shreds of my reputation remain intact?" Will demanded with mock horror. "Clearly I have been doing something wrong. Or not something wrong, as the case may be." He banged on the side of the carriage. "Thomas! We must away at once to the nearest brothel. I seek scandal and low companionship.”

---

Teaser: “There's plenty of sense in nonsense sometimes, if you wish to look for it.”

If you haven't read Clockwork Angel go buy it right now (it's a book worth buying!) and if you have read it, what do you think? I'm I being too harsh on Will?

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