Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton 
Released: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Series: Gods and Monsters, Book 1
Followed By: A Beautiful Evil
Page Amount: 273, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Ari)
Buy it here: Barnes & Noble•Amazon

OVERALL:

Plot-18/20

Characters-18/20

Creativity-17/20

Writing-16/20

Pace-9/10

Ending-8/10

=86/100 B

★★★★/5

SUMMARY:

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is. Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued. She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her. Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
I have avoided reading this book for years. Why? The cover seemed a little cheap to me. This is why you should not judge a book by its cover. The pages within this boring, seen a billion times cover held a remarkable, intense, action-packed book. I loved it! The whole beginning didn't drag over descriptions like some books do. No, this book started with a very well put together plot. From the first pages where Ari talks about her silver hair and discovers her mother's true past, the book became addicting. I did not expect mythology, other than Medusa of course, to play a part. I really enjoyed that surprise. My main issue with the book is Ari's narration. I loved Ari as a character, just didn't enjoy all of her commentary, mainly her one word comments that were really unnecessary. Just trust me and pick up this book. Don't let the cover detract from all the twists and intrigue that this book has to offer. 

The characters were very very well written. Ari is a strong, independent woman. Me likey strong protagonists. Ari is very different from most narrators and really stood out to me as being tough and intelligent. She won't let anything get in her way. OKay, maybe that's not right, Sebastian distracts her a lot. That being said, there is some very blatant insta-love in this book. The book even acknowledges this fact. Literally after a few hours of learning his name, Ari is sucking face with Sebastian. It was borderline comical. I think I kind of liked it for that reason. Anyway, the characters are detailed. All of the characters in New 2, the home of the, um, gifted. They all had a distinct personality, especially, my favorite, Violet. Ari loves the little Violet because she embraces her abnormality. I loved how realistic it was for teenage Ari to be able to learn from this little vampire. Their relationship was truly something beautiful. 

The ending was really well done! Personally, I typically don't go for all that mythology stuff, but this book made it enjoyable. The big shocker at the end really made me excited. I cannot wait to see what is going to happen next. I just wish Ari wasn't going to make a war happen, but I guess if she took the easy way out there wouldn't be a sequel. All in all, give this book a try. I can guarantee that it will exceed your expectations. 

My Favorite Part: Ari's feelings towards Violet.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes this book is totally underrated! It is so good, but I think the cover turns people away.
Will I be reading the next book? I have to!!!

Thanks for reading!

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young

Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young 
Released: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Amount: 304, ARC
POV: 1st Person (Caroline)
Buy it here: Barnes & Noble•Amazon

OVERALL:

Plot-17/20
Characters-19/20

Creativity-17/20

Writing-19/20

Pace-9/10

Ending-8/10

=89/100 B

★★★★/5

SUMMARY:

Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life. The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both. Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted. Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
Caroline has to make a decision about whether she wants to stay with Grandma, who is dying in the hospital, or go to a party for the night. From that point on the book is split into alternating chapters about the repercussions of making one choice or the other. This made this book extremely intriguing because her life was so different when she made the opposite choice. When she chooses to stay, Joel, the boy she's been chasing at her school finally notices her, but isn't all she hoped for. When she chooses to go to the party, she meets college boy Chris, who is just plain amazing. It's not just the boys who are different but also her relationships with her family. I really liked this book because she has to deal with some tough stuff, including pressure from a boyfriend, repairing relationships with siblings and dad, dealing with death, and handling what is thrown at you, good or bad.   

The characters were the driving force of this book for me. Caroline was so different yet similar between the two paths. She was a very interesting perspective to read from because she hated herself at times when she wasn't there when her grandma died, yet when she was there she felt like she could live her life because that is what her grandmother wanted. Her feelings about every situation made this book really realistic. Joel was a jerk from the start. I hated him because I've had guys like him in my life before. Caroline made some mistakes, but she picked herself up and learned. Chris was the good guy. He was super real to me because he was a sensitive guy. All the other characters like Simone and Caroline's family were very well done. This book wouldn't have been as enjoyable without them.   

This book did end like it should have. That doesn't mean I really liked it. Maybe I'm just stupid and missed something, but I feel like I was waiting for Caroline to make a choice. I get how life puts you where you need to be, but I kind of wanted Caroline to make a decision or something. That was my only issue with this book because I feel like the ending kind of made this book pointless to me. The plot was based on the two different paths so when they began to lead to same outcome it made me wish something drastic would differentiate the two, because Joel isn't cutting it for me.

My Favorite Part: I really loved how one little decision split Caroline's life in two different directions.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's very intriguing! 

Thanks for reading!

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Miracle by Elizabeth Scott

Miracle by Elizabeth Scott
Released: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Amount: 224, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Megan)
Buy it here: Barnes & Noble•Amazon

OVERALL:

Plot-18/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-19/20
Writing-18/20
Pace-8/10
Ending-9/10
=91/100 A
★★★★★/5

SUMMARY:

Megan is a miracle. At least, that’s what everyone says. Having survived a plane crash that killed everyone else on board, Megan knows she should be grateful just to be alive. But the truth is, she doesn’t feel like a miracle. In fact, she doesn’t feel anything at all. Then memories from the crash start coming back. Scared and alone, Megan doesn’t know whom to turn to. Her entire community seems unable—or maybe unwilling—to see her as anything but Miracle Megan. Everyone except for Joe, the beautiful boy next door with a tragic past and secrets of his own. All Megan wants is for her life to get back to normal, but the harder she tries to live up to everyone’s expectations, the worse she feels. And this time, she may be falling too fast to be saved..-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
This book is not for the faint of heart. Its plot is based on a devastating event and circles around the repercussions it causes Megan. By the end of this book I was wondering what kind of twisted person could write a book as depressing as this, but then I kept thinking about the book. I couldn't even help it, the book was literally engraved in my brain. This is one of the few books that has actually made me feel uncomfortable. Probably because of its stark reality of the fragility of life and death's effects. It's a book that really makes the reader think. Most people would hate a book if it made them uncomfortable, but not me. I am in love with this book because of how it made me feel. I cannot get this book out of my mind because of how honest it was. 

I can understand why some people would have an issue with these characters. Megan isn't the typical protagonist. She's not happy, she doesn't feel emotion. A lot of readers may see this as just a monotone narrator who doesn't care about anyone, but I think I saw Megan the way Ms. Scott imagined her. I grasped Megan's voice the whole way through the book because my recent loss of a best friend caused me to lose feeling emotions, just like Megan. I could relate to Megan because I understood how she couldn't help not caring about anything. She just wanted to be left alone. Don't we all want that sometimes? I absolutely loved Megan throughout this book and totally agreed with all of her beliefs and feelings about life and family. Her parents were very protective, but it made sense for them to be. I would have rebelled just like Megan against their bubble.

The ending was not happy like I suspected. Sure it showed a big improvement of Megan's sanity, but I was still not completely happy with the ending. It's probably just because I'm used to all those happily ever afters. This ending was so beautiful probably because of how different it was and how closely it resembles real life. Too often in life are we disappointed and depressed. I applaud Ms. Scott by being unique and not writing a replication of the "perfect teenage breezy romance." This book will remain in my head for a long time because of it's exceptionally heartbreakingly beautiful lesson on life.  

My Favorite Part: How the story stays with you and how amazingly uncomfortable it made me.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes if you are tough enough to deal with the feelings.
Will I be reading more of Ms. Scott's books? To be honest, I am scared to death to. But I HAVE to ;)

Thanks for reading! 

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Clean by Amy Reed

Clean by Amy Reed

Released: July 19, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse 
Page Amount: 304, US Paperback
POV: 1st Person (alternating Kelly and Christopher)
Buy it here: Barnes & Noble•Amazon

OVERALL:

Plot-17/20
Characters-17/20
Creativity-18/20
Writing-16/20
Pace-9/10
Ending-8/10
=85/100  B
★★★★/5

SUMMARY:

You’re probably wondering how I ended up here. I’m still wondering the same thing.

Olivia, Kelly, Christopher, Jason, and Eva have one thing in common: They’re addicts. Addicts who have hit rock bottom and been stuck together in rehab to face their problems, face sobriety, and face themselves. None of them wants to be there. None of them wants to confront the truths about their pasts. And they certainly don’t want to share their darkest secrets and most desperate fears with a room of strangers. But they’ll all have to deal with themselves—and one another—if they want to learn how to live. Because when you get that high, there’s nowhere to go but down, down, down.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
This was a pretty intriguing read. I loved how Ms. Reed wrote in honest, unique voices for each of the characters. Her writing portrayed each of their frame of minds. Because of this the writing was sometimes a bit choppy, but it suited this book perfectly. One of my favorite parts of this book was how tough concepts were written. The danger of drugs and how important help is were focal points. This is a great book to show teens that there is hope and that they aren't alone. The whole key is getting help.           

Like most teens would, the characters in this book resisted treatment and didn't know why they needed to be in rehab. As the book went on, I was able to get a peak into each individual's thoughts and their past experiences. Personally, I think that all of the kids in this book were good kids. They just had some bad backgrounds. Although I am a ton different then these characters, they were still relatable. Kelly came from a good home, but she still needed guidance. Christopher was so over-protected that his mother resisted anything being wrong with him. These characters, along with the rest, all added that spark of creativity that really got the pace moving.


The ending was hopeful. I liked it. I felt really bad for Olivia, but I'm glad she's finally on the road for recovery. All the characters really needed one another and they all touched each others' lives in incredible ways. I wish I could read more about these teens and their overcoming of a huge obstacle. This novel was certainly an inspiration to me. I hope it is the same for you.    

My Favorite Part: The plot and how Reed approached such difficult subjects.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a good book to read.

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Released: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Amount: 378, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Hudson)
Buy it here: Barnes & Noble•Amazon

OVERALL:
Plot-19/20

Characters-18/20
Creativity-19/20
Writing-19/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-9/10
=94/100  A

★★★★★/5

SUMMARY:

 Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
Cupcakes and ice-skating, what could be better? I tore through this book like a sugar addiction. (Sorry that was a lame pun, but I tried.) Seeing that I have been taking figure-skating lessons, I really enjoyed having skating as a central idea to the plot. For all those people who don't like sports out there, don't worry. This book didn't center completely on skating or hockey. Instead, it was just a great contemporary novel that had every aspect of realism. Even though it was nearing 400 pages, this book was so intriguing that I finished it pretty quickly, enjoying every minute of it.      

The characters in Bittersweet were great. Hudson, the main protagonist, was fairly likable. Sure she did some things (like abandoning her best friend) that ticked me off, but they did seem realistic for this plot line. Dani was a great best friend. She reminded me of my bff. The guys on the hockey time, whom Hudson has to help coach, were so great. They all had distinct guy-ish personalities. They seemed like the array of personalities that would be on a hockey team. Will was the popular, cool, captain of hockey team guy. He seemed to be shallow at first, but I think there's much more to him. On the other hand, Josh was the ultimate guy in this novel for me. He was sweet and enjoyable. The one big criticism I had for this book was how the romance occurred. It wasn't anything new. Just the usual girl meets boy. Girl meets another boy. Girl thinks guy 2 has a girlfriend. Girl ends up with wrong guy.      

The ending was pretty good. A little bit on the cliche side, but I was satisfied. I think I like the way everything turned out. It was a very easy book to read, and the ending just added to the easy, happy go lucky feel of the book. All in all, I liked it. A few things made me think "what was she thinking?" but overall I really enjoyed reading this book, and it is now a favorite of mine.

My Favorite Part: The cupcake recipes that were the chapter titles! Too cute!

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a really good read!

Thank you all for reading! I hope you all enjoyed this book. I love all the comments! They always make me smile! I'm so glad that I have dedicated readers like you guys!

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥