Showcase Sunday (#25)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea. It's an opportunity to share the books you may have bought, borrowed, been sent or gifted. Are you taking part in a similar meme? Feel free to leave a link!

I haven't done one of these in awhile (or so it feels!). Here are the reviews I posted since my last Showcase edition:

• Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
• School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
• Dare You To by Katie McGarry
• Icons by Margaret Stohl
• The End Games by T. Michael Martin
• Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield
• Reboot by Amy Tintera
• The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Follow the links if you missed any of those and would like to catch up. Also, for anyone interested, there are just over 24 hours left to enter the Dare You To Prize Pack giveaway (if you haven't done so already). Here are the new books I received and bought recently:

  

Golden by Jessi Kirby
Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance

  

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Acid by Emma Pass
Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Thank you to Egmont, Bloomsbury and Macmillan for the review copies. I'm currently reading The Bone Season, though this isn't actually very true given the lack of reading time that I've had recently. I'm having to squeeze in a page here and there when I can, which is SO annoying, but the the world-building in this one is very thorough and interesting. I like what I've read so far, at least. I devoured Unbreakable as soon as it arrived and loved it a whole lot (*squeezes Ben*). And I'm most eager to get started on Golden from the rest. Although it's not something I would normally be drawn to, the positive reviews so far have me more than curious. It better be good!

A quick and unrelated note for my regular readers: My sporadic presence around the blogosphere of late will most likely feed into the next couple of weeks. There's a good chance that there won't be any new posts around here for several days, either. In the meantime, I will be trying my best to make the days longer. Hope you all have a great week!

Review: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Spirit (Elemental, #3)
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Published: May 28, 2013
Buy: The Book Depository

There’s something quite distinctly addictive about this series. Brigid Kemmerer’s sharp and straight-forward style works wonderfully for her characters, and even better for the reader. While the plot could benefit from some added complexity, the Merricks, Hunter and the female leads have all so far given us more than enough reason to continue reading. Kemmerer’s ability to switch so effortlessly between these characters (and to then ensure that there is a solid story for each one) is quite remarkable. What’s most astounding though is the author’s effect on me. Never before have I been forced to change my mind so often…

We met Hunter Garrity in Storm. Our pierced, hair-streaked boy morphed into someone a little more interesting after the Gabriel-Hunter bromance in Spark. Spirit, the third and most recent Elemental novel, gives us all the reasons to fully adore him, and then some. He is full of quiet rage, incredibly defensive and quick to pull away. He is also at the centre of an Us vs Them situation, with the Merricks on one side and the Guides on the other. His loyalties are tested momentously in this book, and while a lot of his responses (or lack of) incite the want to kick him where it hurts, there is an underlying goodness to him that is perfectly endearing. He is flawed in the most human of ways – much like all of Kemmerer’s main characters – which only makes him all the more well-defined and believable. 

This is where I wonder if I am the most fickle Merrick fan. Nick won me over instantly in Storm (though I couldn’t possibly put into words why), yet Gabriel earned my affection totally and wholly in Spark. Michael did funny things to my heart in this book with his finely-tuned bullshit detector (and very nearly kicked Gabriel and/or Nick off the top spot), but never did I think the favourite position would be occupied by a non-Merrick. Hunter has me questioning every previous thought I had about him, but one thing that is more than clear now is Brigid Kemmerer’s ability to make me fall for anyone and everyone (which is a little frightening). Kate Sullivan helps draw to surface the true reasons why Hunter deserves some recognition. Although she is not instantly loveable, her feistiness and confidence develop into admirable qualities, and, along the way, she strengthens Hunter’s character. Their relationship is filled with sexual and romantic tension (a certain Ferris wheel scene is sure to please), but there are also a handful of heart-stopping emotional moments, too.

While a few unexpected turns make this book far less light-hearted than the previous ones, it wouldn’t be an Elemental novel without a good helping of clever humour. The banter between the boys is as present as ever, with plenty of witty comments being exchanged back and forth. The Merricks’ brotherly antics, frustration and love puts a wonderful emphasis on family – and this is the one clear aspect that truly defines this series for me. The paranormal edge, although not uninteresting, doesn’t feel quite as important when thinking about the better parts of this book, but Kemmerer does succeed in engaging from beginning to end. Nevertheless, the next book, Nick’s novel, is where I hope we’ll get a plot with just a fraction more substance.

All in all, Spirit is a very pleasing addition to this series. While I enjoyed Spark a touch more, it’s clear that Kemmerer has everything nicely under control. I am more than ready for the next one.  

Rating: 4 stars

Review: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Title: School Spirits

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Published: May 14, 2013

Buy: The Book Depository

Despite the slight character and plot clichés, the Hex Hall trilogy has always been a firm favourite of mine. Rachel Hawkins’ witty style is irresistibly good – so much so that turning a blind eye on some of the weaker aspects of her books in the past hasn’t been too difficult. This is where the reading experience with School Spirits differs slightly. While the writing doesn’t lack that distinct sharp and humorous quality that Hawkins is known for, there is a disappointingly diluted feel to the storyline here. Nevertheless, for a swift and entertaining read on a rainy weekend (which, let’s face it, is most weekends where I am), the first instalment of this Hex Hall spin-off series is just about good enough. I certainly had a lot of fun with it…

Although, for me, main-character Izzy is no Sophie Mercer, her light and effervescent personality is instantly infectious. She is a Brannick – stronger than most people and built for hunting and capturing out-of-hand Prodigium. This includes the usual; vampires, fae, witches, werewolves… and the odd wayward ghost. When a haunting at a local high school draws Izzy and her mother to a new town, Izzy finds herself on a solo mission, one that involves acting like a ‘real’ teenage girl. This, of course, is easier said than done (no matter how many episodes of ‘Ivy Springs’ Izzy manages to get through with mirror-bound Torin). Cue the grins from this point forward! Izzy finds herself in all manner of unfamiliar social and high school situations, each and every one of which prove to be highly amusing from the reader’s perspective. It’s only when she joins the school’s 3-member paranormal society that things really pick up, though.

Romy, Dex and Anderson adopt Izzy into their small group pretty quickly. While the three of them are not (knowingly) investigating the haunting for the same reasons as Izzy, the friendship between them feels genuine from the get-go. Witty dialogue is the weapon of all weapons here, and Rachel Hawkins is the skilful administrator. While the plot is lacking in some sophistication (it’s nothing particularly exciting when you think about it), the light banter and playful group dynamics just about make up for it. The highlight here is Dex. As someone who has been known to ‘rock the occasional manbracelet’ (his words, not mine!) and has an impressive collection of purple clothing, he is a refreshingly original love interest, and also incredibly delightful. Admittedly, it probably won’t take a great number of weeks before I struggle to recall his name (or any of the characters’, for that matter), but he is likeable enough, for what it’s worth.

The ending is very weak. The hurried pace gives it an almost nonsensical and juvenile feel. Coupled with the indication that there may not be a sequel for a while, this is the most disappointing part of the whole book. Still, despite the less-than-satisfying final chapters, Hawkins leaves enough of an impression with her new book to stir up some interest for more. If nothing else, I definitely want to revisit Dex’s character one day. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review & Giveaway: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Today, as part of the Dare You To promotional tour, hosted by the brilliant Kismet Book Touring, I have a review and a couple of epic giveaways to share. First, for those of you who are new to Katie McGarry's work, here is a little more about her latest book:

Title: Dare You To

Author: Katie McGarry

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Released: May 28, 2013

Buy: The Book Depository

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

REVIEW

“We all have our fears. Those things that exist in the dark corners of our minds that terrify us beyond belief.”

Angst-filled contemporary novels are hardly my favourite thing, yet there is something quite indefinably addictive about Katie McGarry’s work. Pushing the Limits caught me by surprise last year (heck, it even made me cry), placing McGarry firmly and surely the auto-buy list. With Dare You To promising an equally powerful story, I couldn’t not read it. Luckily for me, Katie McGarry seems to know exactly what I want and when I want it…

Ryan Stone and Beth Risk are almost polar opposites – a focused, career-driven boy and a troubled, hard-bitten girl. Ryan has opportunities and dreams, whereas Beth refuses to even chance the illusion of dreams. The two meet – and you know how this book ends. It is not exactly teeming with originality and the book description is transparent enough to predict the outcome. But it is the journey that is important here – the slow transition from the Beth Risk we meet at the start to the Beth Risk we depart with at the end. It is about the Ryan Stone that is instantly labelled the ‘golden boy’ and the Ryan Stone that worries about the hidden cracks in his family. It is about two teenagers who inadvertently become each other’s supports, who reluctantly play a game, and who dare to find reason to hope for better.

The two characters are likeable – very likeable, in fact – though Beth takes a fraction longer to warm to. This, I suppose, is expected. Her unsettled past with her mother leaves her in an emotional position no teenager should have to be in. She is covered in spikes, ready to expect and accept the worst, ready to withdraw within herself when needed, and ready to lash out without restraint. Trust is not something that comes easily to Beth, and this is reflected in her narrative.

“Emotion is evil. People who make me feel are worse. I take comfort in the stone inside of me. If I don’t feel, I don’t hurt.”

Ryan helps draw the true Beth out of her shell, and as he does, Beth helps Ryan gain an entirely different sort of confidence. With a controlling father that refuses to believe in anything other than baseball, Ryan is a lot less free than most people assume. His problems might seem shades away from Beth’s, yet there is never a moment when Ryan’s situation feels any less important. There is angst, yes, and maybe even a little drama, but McGarry makes it work perfectly for her characters and their combined and separate stories. It helps (it helps a lot) that the romantic tension in this book is wonderfully handled, with plenty of chemistry-filled scenes to satisfy. Even better that the usual romance clichés are turned on their heads…

Beth and Ryan aren’t the only characters capable of evoking a response here. It isn’t often that I appreciate parent figures in fiction, but Beth’s uncle – Scott Risk, baseball star and generally decent bloke – pleasantly surprised me. He has a good heart, and there are few things in this world that appeal to me more than simple human decency.

I may not have been as emotionally moved by this book as McGarry’s Pushing the Limits, but even so, I liked it just as much, if not more. This is a truly stunning contemporary book and only further reason to read anything and everything that Katie McGarry writes in the future. 

Rating: 4 stars!

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GIVEAWAY

There are TWO different prizes up for grabs here. The first is a copy of either Pushing the Limits or Dare You To. The second is a unique Dare You To prize package full of goodies, including an iPod nano, iTunes gift card, a baseball jersey, leather bracelet and a copy of Pushing the Limits and Dare You To. To enter, fill in the rafflecopter below: Open to US/CA only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the rest of the tour for interviews, reviews and other special content:

Monday, April 29th – Bewitched Bookworms

Tuesday, April 30th - Harlequin Blog

Wednesday, May 1st – The Irish Banana 

Thursday, May 2nd – Review - Tyngas Reviews

Friday, May 3rd –   Evie Bookish 

Monday, May 6th -  YA - Bibliophile

Tuesday, May 7th – Review - Realm of Fiction

Wednesday, May 8th – Book Swarm 

Thursday, May 9th – Review - Book Nook

Friday, May 10th –  Alice Marvels 

Monday, May 13th -  Xpresso Reads

Tuesday, May 14th – Review - Chapter by Chapter 

Wednesday, May 15th – Book and A Latte 

Thursday, May 16th – Review - Blog Girl 

Friday, May 17th – Supernatural Snark

Find Katie McGarry: Website | HarlequinTEEN | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads