Orleans by Sherri L. Smith

I think I came across this one as a part of someone's WoW post a long time ago, I don't remember whose, but it definitely sounded intriguing. I have a strange interest in books about contagious diseases. I know, it's weird.

Here's the summary from Goodreads: First came the storms. Then came the Fever. And the Wall. After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct… but in reality, a new primitive society has been born. Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival.

What I Liked: 1) Well, again the whole contagious disease thing freaks me out in one of those, "I can't look away!" ways. And I thought it was very well researched and presented in a way that I understood it easily enough. But it wasn't so scaled down that it was unbelievable. This was one of the coolest parts about it, that I could actually see how it happened. 2) In the very front of the book, there is a letter signed by the President of the United States as well as the Governors of a number of the Southeastern states that says that the US basically can't figure out how to save everyone, so these states are no longer going to be a part of the US. My jaw practically hit the floor. I mean, I know it was fiction and everything, but just the thought of that, I was like, OMG! So, the inclusion of that was VERY COOL! 2) I admired Fen's determination. There was a lot to her, development-wise, and her backstory was revealed slowly but you learn quite a bit about her. Daniel, while he seemed more forthcoming, ended up being more of a mystery. And I never quite figured out why these two stuck together, but that made it even more intriguing. 3) Even though this story is set in the future, there were pieces of that world's history that was recongnizable. Places, names, events that all struck a chord with me while reading, and lent credibility to the story. Made it even freakier in that it made me think, OMG, well, that actually did happen (Hurricane Katrina is what jumps to mind) so it isn't too big of a leap to get here!

What I Didn't Like: Biggest problem I had was the language. Fen, while obviously educated, she spoke what is referred to as "tribe" in the book, which was supposed to keep her safe. It was mostly some reversed parts of speech and dropped words, but my brain had a hard time following along. It worked, and definitely made sense with the book, but I personally had a hard time with it. I also had some issues with the flow of the plot. It was like, a series of events with white noise in between. Does that make sense? Like what bearing does this have on the storyline? It was very similar to the stopping and starting that I've discussed with other books. I just think some it was a tad unnecessary.

Overall Thoughts: An intriguing idea that translated okay into book form, Orleans had several bright spots, including the determined, loyal, and fearless Fen, and the well-meaning Daniel. So much of this story was historically accurate that it came eerily close to a believable and scary future. Other than some personal problems that I had following Fen's "tribe speak" and the "white noise" problem with the plot, I thought Orleans was an interesting and very unique story.

My Rating: 3 shots

Waiting on Wednesday (76)

Good morning/evening/afternoon, whenever you happen to be stopping by, and welcome to another edition of Waiting on Wednesday! Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It highlights the books that we just can't bear to wait for any longer! Eek! Can't wait!!

   

This week my WoW is....

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown 

Release Date: June 11th, 2013

Here is the summary from Goodreads: Anna Van Housen is thirteen the first time she breaks her mother out of jail. By sixteen she’s street smart and savvy, assisting her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, and easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums and mentalists in 1920’s New York City. Handcuffs and sleight of hand illusions have never been much of a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother, who will stop at nothing to gain her ambition of becoming the most famous medium who ever lived. But when a strange, serious young man moves into the flat downstairs, introducing her to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, he threatens to reveal the secrets Anna has fought so hard to keep, forcing her to face the truth about her past. Could the stories her mother has told her really be true? Could she really be the illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician of all?

This is one of those books that's been on my To-Read list for a long time, just waiting and counting down the days until it's released. You all know by now how I feel about the Roaring Twenties, so I'm very excited about this new piece of historical fiction! What are y'all waiting on this lovely Wednesday? Leave me links so I can come visit!!

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Do you remember the first time you fell in love? I do. And I couldn't help but feel nostalgic about all those firsts as I fell head first into Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park.

Here's the summary from Goodreads: "Bono met his wife in high school," Park says. "So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers. "I’m not kidding," he says. "You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen." "What about Romeo and Juliet?" "Shallow, confused, then dead." ''I love you," Park says. "Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers. "I’m not kidding," he says. "You should be." Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under."

What I Liked: 1) I loved the all of the emotions that swirled around this book, and the emotions that it stirred in me as I was reading. We see a lot of "insta-love" in YA fiction, or even the, not quite insta-love, but where the characters will suddenly realize they love each other after spending a week arguing about something. The most poignant thing about Eleanor and Park is their slow, sweet slide into love. It's not something either of them are looking for, in fact they silently fight it for a while. And their love story develops without many words being exchanged at all. It's a different kind of romance, very moving and sweet. 2) Nothing about this book is simple. Eleanor is living in a harsh world where she has no privacy, and even less stability from adult figures in her life. Her psyche is damaged but still she manages to find beauty in certain things in life, and is truly inspiring in both her ability to find strength in unlikely places and her devotion to her siblings. Park's life, while it's been much easier than Eleanor's, isn't a bed of roses either. Yet even though neither of them know or understand deep and true love, they manage to find it within each other. 3) Bright spots of humor. I was chuckling aloud at some parts of this book. They fit so perfectly with the tone of the book, not out of place jokes just brought in to punch up dialogue. 4) This book was beautiful. There was beauty in the devastating and simple act of two misfits falling in love, and believing it can last when everything they know seems to be against them. Even now, days after having read it, their story is still on my mind and in my heart. It triggered nostalgia deep in me that made me think of the first time I fell in love, that sweet, woozy feeling, pounding heart, fireworks, and sweaty palms. 5) The ending. It was bittersweet, but also perfect in the way they made sacrifices for each other. Again, I'm struck by how beautiful I thought it was.

What I Didn't Like: I liked everything!

Overall Thoughts: I loved Eleanor and Park. It was a beautiful story than will touch anyone with a soul! ;-) Rich characters will tug at your heartstrings both with their back stories, and their love stories. But most of all, their tumble into an undiscovered land of love for both of them is stirring and emotional, and very raw. Readers of all ages can fall head over heels for these two, and will leave you remembering the passion and nerves of your first love.

My Rating: 5 shots

The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

I came across The Rules for Disappearing while perusing NetGalley one day, and thought it sounded really interesting. The cover is very different than anything else out there right now, and I don't think I've ever read a book with a storyline that includes witness protection! So I jumped at the chance to read it when it came my way!

The Rules for Disappearing hits shelves May 14th, 2013.

Here's the summary from Goodreads: She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last. Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself. But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

What I Liked: 1) The prospect of reinventing yourself intrigues me. I always thought it would be fun to be someone different for a while. I suppose that's why I spent a lot of my childhood in theatre. But Meg brings to light a lot of the downfalls of her current lifestyle. There is a lot of depth in the storyline with how much Meg has had to deal with in her 17 years, and author Ashley Elston approaches it with just the right mix of sincerity and lightheartedness. 2) Do you ever think about how well an author knows their characters? I know that sounds crazy, right? Since they made them up, then of course they know everything about them. But I think that there are huge differences in how authors approach their characters, some know them really well, and some let their characters develop over time. I have to say that I knew going into it that this one was going to be tough. Since MC Meg has lived 6 different lives, how do you create someone that has pieces of all of them? Well, if anyone needs tips, ask Miz Elston. Meg was wonderfully developed from the very beginning, with emotions so raw I could feel them myself. But it wasn't just Meg. Her mom, dad, and little sister Mary all handle this lifestyle in different ways and it's easy to sympathize with each and every one of them. 3) Ethan gets his own little section here because he is one of the most realistic and genteel guys I've met in a book recently. His farm-boy persona tugged at my southern-girl heartstrings and I found him to be very loveable. The way he interacted with Meg's younger sister was very endearing and I was rooting for he and Meg from the moment he crossed the page. 4) The romance. What a refreshing change for a romance to be as slow and sweet at this one was. Instead of a love-at-first-site deal which is ever so popular right now, they just kind of drifted into love. I thought it was very realistic and made me all melty inside. 4) The story-arc. This plot had all of the elements that make me love books. Her plotlines were so brilliantly woven together that each piece fit perfectly with the story and nothing ever felt disjointed or out of place.

What I Didn't Like: I loved everything about this book.

Overall Thoughts: The Rules for Disappearing is a fantastic mix of drama, humor, romance, mystery and action. I felt as if I was living this story, every pain, every fear, every ounce of determination, and every apprehension, and every piece of hope that our MC Meg felt, I felt it right along with her. The emotions ran high as I kept hoping that with every new day Meg might find some scrap of evidence that might give her a semblance of normalcy in her life. I wanted it for all of her family members. Rich and realistic characters put this already awesome story over the top, and the refreshingly sweet romance was something that touched my heart. I loved every piece of this story, and talked about it nonstop for days and days after closing the final page. I highly recommend you add this to your TBR lists!

My Rating: 5 shots

 
Special thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar

Genies, huh? Other than Aladdin, I have no exposure to genies - they don't seem to be something that pops up in YA literature (or any other literature) very often. So when I came across Lindsay Ribar's The Art of Wishing, I thought "well now, here's something new!"

Here's the summary from Goodreads: He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life. Margo McKenna has a plan for just about everything, from landing the lead in her high school play to getting into a good college. So when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the chance to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Why should she put her life into someone else's hands? But Oliver is more than just a genie -- he's also a sophomore at Margo's high school, and he's on the run from a murderer. As he and Margo grow closer, she discovers that it will take more than three wishes to save him. A whole lot more.

What I Liked: 1) Margo. Margo was a pretty real character. Real as in, real emotions, real feelings, real thoughts. At one point she's trying to convince herself not to hate someone just because they got something she wanted and it struck me as both funny and genuine, because how many of us have had someone in our lives that we've thought, okay, it's not their fault I didn't get that part, or they got the higher grade, or whatever? It just made me laugh and enjoy her all the more because she did become a very real and genuine person. 2) Oliver. Who exactly is Oliver? Well, I'm not sure anyone really knows, but Margo got a pretty good idea. He was veeeeeeeery smooth, and any girl in her right mind would be a little wary of a guy who is that smooth. Not to mention the magic and other various things that I don't want to give away. But despite all of that, I still thought he was a sweetheart and could see exactly how someone could fall for him. 3) Genies. Okay, since genies are few and far between in the (my) lit world, I was super excited to see how this would play out, how similar it would be to genies in other stories (ahem, Aladdin) and what kind of wishes Margo would ultimately make. 4) The ending. Wow, didn't see that one coming. Although, in hindsight, it was the only way it could play out and leave it truly satisfying. I am glad to see where it ended, and to see that there is going to be a follow up, because after that sneaky little twist, there are a ton of things I am curious about now!

What I Didn't Like: The Art of Wishing was a little...shallow in some parts, toeing the light and fluffy line a little to much in some places. But overall it held it's ground.

Overall Thoughts: So many paranormal or fantasy stories out there cross the line into dark places, and The Art of Wishing doesn't do that at all. With it's almost comical view of a magical world, this story was very light and a little fluffy. Margo is a great and genuine character, and Oliver is...well, he's hard to describe but loveable all the same. If you're looking for something to add to your summer reading list that will leave you surprised and pleased without getting too dark for poolside, I'd definitely recommend Lindsay Ribar's The Art of Wishing. Also, isn't that a fun guitar on the cover? I applaud anyone with the talent to play, because I had my first lesson last weekend and my fingertips are KILLING ME! :)

My Rating: 3.5 shots

 

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

So back in October, or maybe it was September, I went to the Austin Teen Book Festival (for the second year in a row). And I have to say that Sarah Rees Brennan was probably my favorite moderator there. She was hysterical and adorable. I think she and I should be bffs, like no joke. Anyway, I didn't get the chance to meet her because I was busy fangirling over Ally Condie, Jessica Khoury, and the duo of Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia. Also, I hadn't read anything by SRB yet, and didn't want to admit that to her. Anyway, I finally got the chance to read Unspoken by SRB a few weeks ago, which is the first book in her new series.

Here's the summary from Goodreads: Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head. But all that changes when the Lynburns return. The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

Ooo....intrigue! Also, it's set in England. Although I had a tendency to forget that as I was reading.

What I Liked: 1) I definitely liked the MC Kami. She kind of reminded me of SRB, at least for the hour or so I was listening to her. Kami is funny, curious, and not afraid to get a little dirty to get what she's after. She's exactly the kind of MC who I like to read about in YA fiction. Though there is definitely a romance lurking somewhere in there, she isn't so focused on boys that the other parts of her life are ignored. 2) Jared. Hm....okay Mr. Tall, Dark and Mysterious. Jared has had a tough life and my heard immediately went out to him for all of the problems he's had to face in his life. It's so much for a guy who is only 17, so no wonder he's a little screwed up. He fights his initial instincts to care about anyone, and has this massive walls up around himself that no one can get through. But he and Kami's shared history give us a glimpse into what he's really thinking and feeling. And while he may try not to care....I can tell he really does. *swoon* 3) Sorry-in-the-Vale. So there is this little bitty town so consumed by magic that I'm surprised it doesn't explode. I kind of started thinking of it as Storybrooke (you know, from Once Upon A Time?) where magic has almost become like currency, and one family is hoarding it. Talk about craziness. Around every corner there was something new to learn about what, from the outside, would look like a boring little town. 4) Angela and Holly. As far as secondary characters go, these two are some of the best. They had great personalities, and as different as they (and Kami) were from each other, they created a nice little threesome of girlfriends. They complimented each other nicely and brought out different sides of each other. Loved their relationships. 5) I'd be crazy not to touch on Kami and Jared's relationship a little more. They have a rough go of it once they discover they have been in each other's heads for their whole lives, each thinking the other was a figment of his or her imagination. It's emotional and sometimes painful, but definitely raw and real. I loved it.

What I Didn't Like: There was some unnecessary drama that made the book longer than it should have been. I can do without that stuff. But it's still pretty funny.

Overall Thoughts: For a gothic mystery, Unspoken was funny, quirky and even a little lighthearted in some places. Great character interactions create the foundation for the story, and a tantalizingly mysterious plot will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. For fans of gothic mystery, I highly recommend this new series from Sarah Rees Brennan for laughs, gasps, swoon-worthy boys, and great friendships!

My Rating: 4 shots

Waiting on Wednesday (75)

This is my 75th WoW post! That's kind of awesome to me! I love that FCB is still going strong, 75 WoW posts later! Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It highlights the books that we are most anxiously awaiting!

 

This week my WoW is...

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance 

Release Date: June 11th, 2013

Check out this summary from Goodreads: Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy. Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either. So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death. But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes? With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.

This sounds like a cute and playful summer read that I can't wait to sink my teeth into! What are y'all waiting on this Springy Wednesday?