January 23, 2012

DROUGHT by Pam Bachorz

Drought by Pam Bachorz
Published January 25th 2011 by EgmontUSA


 Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?


This is going to be a hard and short review. The reason I've read this book was because of the plot seemed so intriguing and that It has a very low ranking at Goodreads I was more curious to know why, so that also means that the reviews were not that positive. Well now I understand why, but I wont deny that I kind of enjoy this book. Also I'd like to let you know that this isnt a dystopian at all. 

This book somehow reminded me of this movie The Village(2004) living in a small town surrounded by woods without knowing the outside world at all. DROUGHT was all about this "cult-thing-people" who lives in a woods who worship a man named Otto, this man's blood can heal the almost anything. One day, he was gone, but left 4 vials of bloods which his people could drink mixed with water for communion. But not only that, he also has a child from Sula, named Ruby, so our protagonist also carries Otto's blood and now her blood is now being mixed with the Water for her people but they are a slave as well by this man named Darwin, who beats them after a hard days work of scraping the water from the leaves into their cups, to gather a Water. So I'll stop from here.  

The thing is, Ruby has been living for 200 years and she isn't quite what you can say mature but as naive as she can be I really did enjoy reading her point of view, she was naive but atleast she did think of fighting back. And her people were just ridiculous, they are so hung up waiting for this Otto to save them from being a slave, they only endure,they do not fight back, like what the hell? It was ridiculous, I could laugh. Some details just doesnt makes sense to me. Trust me I did a lot of mental hitting and slapping. I also cannot believe why no one has ever found these cult people living in this woods. I was also left with so many questions after I finished this book, I'd like to know what happened to her annoying mother and people and if Otto is ever really going to rescue them from being a slave or if he really is holly because of her magical blood. Otto was always mentioned here but never showed up at all. I wanted resolution, so curious I demand a second book. 

This book is not for everyone, that I'm sure of.  This book has so much potential but I guess it was overlooked, overall it was an okay read. But please don't let my review stop you from picking up this book, remember its always nice to challenge ourselves once in a while. :)

January 21, 2012

DON'T BREATHE A WORD by Holly Cupala

Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala  
Published: January 3rd 2012 by HarperTeen

Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.
"He had reduced me to ashes.

And now I would rise." - Triste

Raw, gritty and terrifying but beautiful. Don't Breathe A Word is a kind of book that will give you a healthy dose of realism. It has the kind of characters that will make you feel their struggle, frustration, anger, pain and happiness as if it was yours. The kind of book that will make you think hard, throwing yourself questions if you were in her shoes, "what would I do if it was me"? The beautiful writing pulled me into the story from the first page right untill the end. This book is on first narrative, the story deals with an asthmatic young girl named Joy and her story was revealed bit by bit leaving you to crave for more information of what drove her to leave the safety of her home into a very dangerous world of homeless people in the street. Intense dangers and also vivid settings as a part of street life, at some point my heart skipped a beat maybe even more, or so angry I felt a little sick, terrified or just pure joy.

I know this is already overuse but well, I'd use it again if needed.. unputdownable.  I finished this right after I got home, no matter how exhausted I was, I just had to know what happened.  So eventually Joy had to change her name from Joy to Triste, which she/I reckon fits her life that moment. I also loved how music was a part of this story, since I came from a family who loves and plays music, and I really really like a guy who plays guitar mind you! His name is Creed(loved the name!), who was also a runaway whom Triste/Joy met in the street. And from there their journey begins...

"We're words enough to count as hurting?"
 Yes! "Words cuts deeper than sword." And that my friend, will play a big part in this book. Ending was the kind of ending I'd like to read over and over again. I really really enjoyed this book, I think I even loved it. And after reading this, it's made me more self-aware, about young runaways and how we could do something about by simply helping those people close to you who needs a friend, or by our neighborhood donating or by volunteering in a shelter. "A portion of her(Holly Cupala) proceeds goes toward helping sexually exploited girls around the world."

loved this:
Creed took another bite of his sandwich. “There was this
horse I used to know. Callisto—named after a nymph of
Artemis.”
“Goddess of the hunt,” I supplied.
“Yes. She was so beautiful—honey colored, with deep
black eyes. She used to love to run on the beach, except
she’d always pull toward the water. Over and over again,
this would happen. I took her out to run on the beach, and
she would try to gallop straight into the ocean.”
I realized I wasn’t even eating anymore, didn’t feel the
cold—only the rhythmic gallop of a horse named Callisto.
“So what happened?”
“One day I let her.”
“You let her go into the ocean?”
“Yeah. I just held on to the reins and let her go wherever
she wanted to go.”
“And?”
“She kept going. Into the ocean, further and further until
she was all the way up to her neck, straining against the
water. She didn’t swim. She just kept trotting, trying to go
where she knew she was meant to go.”
Maybe like Creed and his music, straining against the
waves. Like me, straining against my asthma and the reins
my family and Asher put on me because of it. At some point
the horse would have to stop struggling and go back to
shore or she would die. But for now, she’d left the reins
behind.
“I always think about that, when I think about why I’m
here,” Creed said.
The sun was almost completely behind the mountains
now, except for a sliver of gold. It was so beautiful, I thought
I could cry.

How I imagined Creed <3

January 18, 2012

BAD GIRLS DON'T DIE by Katie Alender

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender 
Series: Bad Girls Don't Die #1
Published: March 20th 2010 by Disney Hyperion

Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence: dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy thirteen-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude.
When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction to dangerous. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green; she uses odd, old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her weird behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves, water boils on the unlit stove, and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough for the girls to see their breath.
Alexis wants to believe it's all in her head, until these seemingly harmless occurrences become life-threatening--to her, to her family, and to her budding relationship with the student council vice president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey; but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?
 Uber-creepy! Enticing!


I've been craving for a good creepy story lately, and was lucky to have picked up this amazing book. I finished it in one day, started at midnight, had to put it down at 5 am continued right after I woke up.  But before I give you my thoughts about BAD GIRLS DON'T DIE, Id like to share this with you, while I was in the middle of reading this book- in my living room, and mind you, it was even day time and would never mind a situation like this if I was reading something else, -suddenly the power just died, house eerily dark and quiet with my dog at my feet looking at me like I have sprouted some thing in my head and confused(I must have been doing the same stare at her), you know that feeling like you'd like to jump out of you skin, and scream but you couldn't? Like in some horror flicks that Ive watched with victims rooted on the spot, stunned looking around wildly and waiting to be murdered(I thought it was dumb), thats what happened to me, and man will I ever make fun of those movies again. I think I must have done something like a gasp or a squeak. Whatever. And then I jumped off the couch, ran to the door with my dog following me behind(poor baby) and went outside barefooted, holding my phone in my hand, like my life depends on it. Ugh, *palms on face* 

Anyways, I loved this book, the descriptive elements were quite lurid, it felt so real and I could picture the "architectural jumble" ancient house where Alexi and her family lives, in my head. I don't know with you guys but I believe in a haunted house. What about those dolls her sister were obsessively collecting in her room? Or hiding underneath a table inside a dark basement? Not only that, characters were potent and believable. At first though, I hated Alexi, because she was kind of bitter, aloof, loner, but as I read further, I get to know her and her reasons why, I actually end up really liking her and had me snorting at some point. And her sister, I was like "spank-the-hell-out-of-her-already-will-ya?" but then Id realize she was just not herself, possessed by some evil spirit, so I had to take a deep breathe and kept telling myself that.

 But putting the scary stuff aside, this book also sends a message, about friendship, family and being just who you really are.  Also, the romance here was just enough, without any love triangle or instahlove atleast that's what I felt, an instant connection yes, maybe. The plot could be a cliche, an old creepy house with a ghost haunting in it, but for me, I didnt even think about that at all, because the story was really stitched together nicely, narration was fascinating and scenes had me gripping the book and shifting on my seat, and yeah made a fool of myself too. *rolls eyes*

 Overall, I really enjoyed this book. At some point I thought I was watching a real movie.Cant wait to read the second book, FROM BAD TO CURSE, hope it would be as good as this one. For those who likes evil-ghost stories I think you'd like to check this one out. By the way, creepy cover too, it totally represents the freaky contents of this book.









January 15, 2012

ANEW by Chelsea Fine

Anew by Chelsea Fine
Series: The Archers of Avalon #1
Published: December 7th 2011 by Acacia Publishing


 Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery...until she met a boy with a familiar voice.

Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet's determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he's kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer.

Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past...might just be the death of her.


"What was the point of living if only to die? Her eyes still closed, Scarlet listened to the forest."

Dark, cute, heartbreaking and hot hot hot immortals! I want more!

I EFFIN LOVED THIS BOOK! I was kind of avoiding books about souls reincarnation thingo these days,not many authors can pull this off. But this book was actually quite a pleasant surprise! A romance that will pull at your heartstrings. Chelsea Fine did an amazing job weaving a beautiful (but tinged with sadness) story about a mysterious girl who knows nothing of her past but her name, Scarlet Jacobs.

I was completely engrossed with ANEW. This book is on third-person narrative of multiple characters, that's Scarlet, Gabriel and Tristan. Characters were great, they have actual depth and personality. I was mesmerized by their story and anxious for them. And man, the love triangle, it was refreshing and so good, well executed. One thing I don't like about Scarlet was she can be a kill joy sometimes (cant blame her though, not having a memory at all suck) but a great strong character nonetheless. And this twins Gabriel and Tristan were so cool and funny and sexy! Gabriel is a sweet, jolly guy while Tristan is a broody, mysterious kind of guy, its because he has a reason to be, I adore him. Loved it when the brothers bicker with each other, and also Nate and Heather such a cute and great friends.

Plot twist was great and unpredictable,   mystery has kept me from guessing, the storyline was more of revealing the curse, and Scarlet meeting the boys, the complicated love, pain, life and death and a great friendship and a little bit of memory flashbacks. Great for para and romance lover. But there's still some questions that needs answers and I guess it would be on the second book .And the ending! OMG breath-taking! I cried!  It was a good darn CLIFFHANGER! I really want more! *dies*

Quotes I loved:

Tristan was silent for a few moments, looking at the leaves before them. "Life isnt about the past and the future. Its about today." He paused. "Its about five minutes from now and two seconds ago. Its moments, you know? Not years. Years arent what define us."
"Knowing death is nearby gives you a chance to live...deliberately." -Tristan
" Before life was no longer fragile.
Those were the days when life truly meant something.

When life was hard but worthwile, and love was valuable because your days were numbered.
That was living." -  Tristan




Its also true that this has a comparison with Fallen, but thats only about Scarlet's souls reincarnation, the rest of the story were different and pure awesomeness. :)

In My Mailbox 29

Hosted by The Story Siren

January 11, 2012

FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

Fracture by MeganMiranda
Published: January 17th 2012 byBloomsbury Aus


Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine

-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.
Thought-provoking. Dark. Inspiring.

 "If you had one day left to live, what would you do?" A striking question that blew me away.

This book is gorgeously written, no doubt about it.  I loved the dark and mysterious tone of this book. Fracture is a mix of paranormal and contemporary. It deals with a young girl Delaney, drowned for 11 minutes, died but was saved by her bestfriend Decker- and  was in a coma for 6 days. When she woke up, she began to sense death around her, pulling her leading her to a dying person. Apparently, Troy found her too. From there, the story begins.

Its true that this book was a bout love and friendship and life and death. The story also gave me a sinking feeling of lost, yearning but hopeful at the same time. I also felt jealous, scared and happy while reading this book.
    "I hoped he'd take his dog and drive down to the ocean. I hoped there was still time. I pictured him sitting on the gray rocks with the waves crashing and spraying white foam. Maybe he'd hear something in the roar of the ocean, feel some limitless power, believe that there's something greater. Something more. Maybe his heaven was at the coast, with a dog's head in his lap, with nothing but water and depth from there to the horizon." -Delaney
How can you not cry or even touched with that? *sniff* Anyway, The story can be a reminder how life could be sometimes cruel, short, and unfair but sweet for certain. That for the very last breath, all you'd want to hold on to are those people you love and cherished memories. I loved how the author's voice described what heaven and hell could be, that maybe hell wasn't a place but a contagious thing or that heaven was just the wood-floored room, simply being with someone you love.

I had some issues with this book though, but it wasn't major I guess, maybe, because it didn't stop me from reading this book. First, bad communication between Delaney and her bestfriend Decker. I mean they are obviously so good together that I mentally shook them to stop messing up already. Second, Delaney's mom is annoying. I do understand she'd been through alot but your daughter needs a comfort damit! Third the ending, dont get me wrong the ending was quite GOOD, but it left me hanging in the air maybe because I wanted resolution. Still, worth my while. =))

Overall, I enjoyed this book so much.  I don't regret reading this at all.

THE WAY WE FALL by Megan Crewe ARC Giveaway!

Hi guys, you up for another giveaway? Today I am giving away one ARC of THE WAY WE FALL to a lucky winner =)) Good luck to you! x

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
January 24th 2012 by Murdoch Books (Pier9)


It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.
When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.
Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.
Because how will she go on if there isn't?
Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.
 Contest Policy:

  • Must be my GFC follower.
  • Must be 13 years old and up.
  • Winner will be emailed and must reply within 24 hours.
  • This contest is International.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

January 8, 2012

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout


Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout
Published December 6th 2011 by Entangled Publishing




Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Intoxicating. I DEVOURED IT!
Holy crap! *swoons* This book has seriously damaged my head o_0 ! joking! Kidding aside, this is the kind of book that will grip you, put you on the edge of your seat, twist you mercilessly and will completely blow your mind away.

The romance, dude *shakes head* Dayum, smokin' hot! Tastefully done. There were times that I had my moments like " Kiss him already dammit!" and "Wtf are you doing? Why are you talking to him, turn your back and walk the hell away... OK I changed my mind, go effin kiss him NOW!"  From the very first page, I was hooked and has kept me up all night. Its hard to put down.

I guess the main reasons I loved this book was because this book was hilarious and moving. I swear, I had my laugh-out-loud moments here which really counts a lot. Our girl, Kat, is very easy to love, she is so cute, and a book blogger too, how awesome is that? Although some has an issue with that, I don't,  I mean Book blogger exist man, that's for sure. The dangers faced were just frightening. So our protagonist girl moved into a new house to start a new life with her mom in a small town of West Virginia.  And enter our uber badass hot alien boy Daemon who lives next door. From there, the bickering and snide comments begins! Well, yeah they have this love-hate relationship, since our Daemon is the biggest A in the world, Kat is as stubborn and I admire her for that.  In spite of all, they are so good together.

Somehow this book reminded me of I Am Number Four movie(never read the book yet) probably because of the light thing powers but that's about it. the story was just AWESOME. This is the first book I've ever read from this author, so I might check out her books from now on. Armentrout left me swooning and thinking about this book for as long as it takes. I don't know guys, really I have nothing else to say anymore, I hope I've convinced you enough already with all the gushing up there. =))

"It would keep Kat safe.
Because Dee couldn't stay away from her and neither could I. But no matter where I went, what I was running from would still be with me-Kat. She wasn't just back in the house, in that bed. She was with me now, inside me. And there was no outrunning that." - Daemon

*thanks @novel_love for gushing about this book!was totally encouraged. Loved it*

In My Mailbox 28

Hosted by The Story Siren

January 6, 2012

Cover Love

In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling.

How pretty is this cover? I mean my Jace is looking really good, just like I've imagined.  The title suits the two of them together. I cannot wait to read this book! I loved this series so much!

January 4, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

These are the books that I cannot wait to read. I am most thrilled with Undeadly! Like Ive said I am a sucker for gorgeous covers and this one nailed it. So what you have there on your WOW? Let's check it out! Leave your WOW link and I will get back to you as soon as I can. xo

January 3, 2012

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton ARC Giveaway

OK! Giveaway time! I have one ARC of EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton. The cover is just beautiful. =) Good luck!




Everneath by Brodi Ashton



Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..
Contest Policy:
  • Must be my GFC follower.
  • Must be 13 years old and up.
  • Winner will be emailed and must reply within 24 hours.
  • This contest is International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

 The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
Expected publication: January 24th 2012 by Murdoch Books (Pier9)


It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.
When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.
Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.
Because how will she go on if there isn't?
Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.
*Thank you Murdoch Books (Pier9) for the copy*

This realistic dystopian novel has a very interesting premise, but it took me a long time to finish it, much longer than it should have. A very, very, slow start and I would find myself disconnected with Kaelyn at times. However, she's affecting at most. I really feel for her, I mean,  witnessing people dying around you, especially your loved ones is just awful. Her hopelessness, her fear of losing her family and friends was very infectious, it touched me in a way. The story was gripping once I'd overcome the slow start.

The plot was spread thin and though individual scenes were gritty realistic and effectual, there could have been more of plot, climax and twist and strong characterization. I like the idea as a whole though, an outbreak, unknown deadly virus that's spreading  fast throughout the island and is killing so many people. It was terrifying,very disturbing and believable. Its just unimaginable.

Its also supposed to be written as a collection of letters for Kaelyn's bestfriend Leo, but it was too formal and more like a prose to me. I guess it would have been much better if it was written differently. And disappointed that Leo didn't even show up in the book, but I heard that there is going to be a second book and that Leo will be playing a huge part in the said book, so I could say that I am really looking forward for it and excited because Iam so intrigued with this character who was not in the scenes at all just a name mentioned by our protag Kaelyn.

Overall, it was an okay read for me. If you like the whole concept then I think you will enjoy this book.

Australian readers, this book is already out at Dymocks, pretty sure of it.

January 1, 2012

In My Mailbox 27

Hosted by The Story Siren

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
Published: October 1st 2011 by HarperTeen (first published June 29th 2010)
"There’s a reason why Brewster can’t have friends – why he can’t care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can’t be explained. I know, because they're happening to me."

When Brontë starts dating Brewster “Bruiser” Rawlins – the guy voted “Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty” her twin brother, Tennyson, isn’t surprised. But then strange things begin to occur. Tennyson and Brontë’s scrapes heal unnaturally fast, and cuts disappear before their eyes. What at first seems like their good fortune turns out to be more than they bargained for…much more.
Award-winning author Neal Shusterman has crafted a chilling and unforgettable novel about the power of unconditional friendship, the complex gear workings of a family, and the sacrifices we endure for the people we love

I just finished this book and I'm utterly speechless. I cannot stop thinking about how moving it was. When I found out that this was Neal Shutterman's work,  I had to read it. Why I LOVED this book? because it was well-written, humorous, inspiring and emotional.. . because It had my heart broken and healed afterwards.. because this book was able to capture a story about having to endure the fear, pain, or other unpleasant emotions in life and then able to overcome them and take them as opportunities to learn and grow. This book is not concentrating much on romance, but life in general. And I guess that's really a good one for a change once in awhile. A great story with morals.


So we have Brewster and Cody's,  Bront and Tennyson's (twins) point of views and I loved the way it was structured and I totally connected with the characters. I know, multiple POV can be sometimes confusing, but hey it was amazingly justified! I so loved Brew's it was a beautifully written  free verse. So he is our guy here, Brew has this ability to take the pain whether emotionally or physically,  away from those people he cares about.. and like pain-killers they get addicted to Brew's presence, why not? Who wouldn't want a pain-free life? But pain is what it takes for Brew to gain friends and be totally accepted. But how much can he take?

LOVED IT. The story and the characters are going to stay with me for a long time. The ending was open-ended, so its up to you where you'd like it to go, sky is the limit. =)
 
Loved this quote:
"This moment marking the first time I've seen my gift as a wonder and not a curse,
For standing between Cody and his pain is my obligation,
and standing between my uncle and his pain is my rent,
but the pain I coax from Bront is my joy." - Brew

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! XOXO