Review: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

"Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.
In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.
Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.
The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?"

Title: The Scorch Trials

Author: James Dashner

Release Date: October 12, 2010

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 360, Hardcover

One word: Insane.

You'd think that since The Scorch Trials is the second book in a trilogy, it'd be the most boring. You've all heard of it; the first book is the attention-getter, book two is the filler, and the final book is the one with all the answers and satisfying ending. Well, The Scorch Trials is one true exception to that statement. In fact, The Scorch Trials was even BETTER than it's predecessor!

James Dashner stays strong with everything that came from book one: amazing plot twists, deathly cliffhanger chapters, and intriguing characters. Think that and times 154702. It's that much better. If you thought The Maze Runner was intense, think again, because book two leaves the reader wanting SO much more than before. More questions, more enemies. It's all in there.

And you know that awesome THRILL you get when you don't know who the good guy is or who the real bad guy is? Well, there is PLENTY of that. It's exhilarating and unbelievable.

However, the setting change was a little weird for me. I was so used to the characters being in the Glade, and the setting change to the Scorch was… different. In my opinion, even the genre changed a little (can you believe it?). The Maze Runner was definitely more dystopian, but The Scorch Trials was dystopian + zombie apocalypse (add in the Cranks, and there ya go!).

All the same, The Scorch Trials did not disappoint, and only leaves the reader wanting more. Much, much more.

Grade: A++

Source: Library

  

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

 "Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers."

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Release Date: October 18, 2007

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 288, Hardcover

Thirteen Reasons Why is a powerful story that is must read for every teenager, whether they are being bullied or not. The voice of Hannah's character is very strong and compelling. Not only is the lesson learned extremely important, the story is told in a unique manner.

I had read this one a couple years back, so it's definitely a re-read. I remember the first time I read Thirteen Reasons Why, I really enjoyed it. The second time through, my feelings remain the same. It definitely deals with much more serious issues than I'm used to; bullying, suicide, and a some rape. But it's these types of contemporary novels that I get the most out of. Thirteen Reasons Why definitely stands out in the YA genre.

Clay Jensen, the main character who is listening to Hannah's tapes, is a very likeable boy. His struggles felt very real to me and that's what I loved. His thoughts were fathomable and I was able to connect with him surprisingly well. Although I understood Hannah's motives for recording the tapes, something in the back of my mind kept nagging at me; I felt like Hannah only recorded the tapes to make her victims feel bad. Anyone else have that thought when reading this book?

Aside from that indistinct concept, Thirteen Reasons Why leaves the reader walking away with a different mind and heart. I won't be surprised if this novel becomes required reading in the future!

Audiobook Performance: The audio was alright, pretty good. Not stellar, but definitely acceptable. Hannah's narrator felt a little old, but it was done well. It was difficult getting accustomed to Clay's voice, but in hindsight, I enjoyed it. Definitely give the audio a try, since you'll be listening to an audio tape on audio! ;)

Grade: A-

Source: Audio Library

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

"When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse enclosed by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them, open. Every night they are closed tight. And that every 30 days a new boy is delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. Only the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets that are buried within his mind."

Title: The Maze Runner

Author: James Dashner

Release Date: October 6, 2009

Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers

Pages: 374, Hardcover

Guys. Guys.

I read this book about a year and half ago, before I remotely even knew about the blogging world. I picked it up simply because my friend told me to read it. And I did. And I LOVED IT. Reading it the second time, I love this book just. As. Much. There is still the non-stop action, intensity, and sheer AWESOMENESS of it all. So. FREAKING amazing y'all.

Everything was perfect for me in this book: the world building, the characters, and of course, the cliffhanger endings at the end of each chapter. I absolutely canNOT wait to continue with the series. The Maze Runner is a unique dystopian that will not leave readers disappointed.

First, the world-building. It's incredible. The fact that the main character, Thomas is inserted into the world of the Glade with no memory of his past is a perfect setup for the readers. As Thomas learns more and more about his new world, it's as if the readers are learning right alongside him. And there is so much detail! James Dashner sure did a fantastic job creating this distinctive world. It definitely stands out.

Next up, the characters. James Dashner was easily able to portray each character's thoughts expertly. I was able to understand very well of what each character was going through; whether it be stress, loss, hope, I got it. I really, really loved Newt & Chuck. Even though they may not be the brightest of the lot, they have a special place in my heart for being there for Thomas.

Lastly, the cliffhanger chapters. Mr. James Dashner is a clever, clever man. He does this thing, called CLIFFHANGERS. At the end of literally, EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER. It's not frustrating, nope, not at all. It freaking makes the reader keep on reading, and reading, and reading, until the last page is flipped. Now that's talent.

To sum it all up, The Maze Runner is a fast-paced dystopian that is a MUST for all dystopian lovers. If you love tension, LOTS of action and all that good stuff, The Maze Runner is NOT one you'll want to miss.

Grade: A+

Source: Library

  

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

"After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined."

Title: Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's

Pages: 416, Hardcover

I was really freaking scared to start this book.

Why? Well, obviously this book was hyped up to the MAX. Literally every review I read was "FIVE STARS FIVE STARS READ THIS BOOK NOW." Thankfully, I was very satisfied with Sarah's masterpiece. I certainly understand why everyone was in love with this one: the action, characters, romance, intensity, mystery, and more! However, there's just this one thing that brought my love for this book down a notch: the pacing in the beginning that was supposed to grab my attention.

First, though, let's talk characters. Every character was so, so unique and important, even the background characters. They all somehow intertwined into the story, making themselves significant. . Celaena is one kick-ass heroine everyone is sure to love. She's bold, strong, and smart. Everything I love about a female character! And then there's Chaol. I loved him from the start. He is always, always, always at Celaena's side. Surprisingly, I didn't find it annoying at all. Instead, I found it heart-warming, and yes, even if he IS a guard, I don't know, it just made me love him that much more. And Dorian. At first, I really, really, despised Prince Dorian. From my point of view, he was just a bratty, arrogant player. But now… I kind of really like him. I'm still a bit undecided on which "team" I'm on. Guess we'll just have to find out what happens in book two, eh? ;)

Next, the elements that were thrown in expertly into this novel. We've got action, mystery, romance, fantasy, everything that makes a reader a happy cookie. All of these were mixed in very well and I can say that I would LOVE to see more. The action kept me on the edge of my seat; the romance had my heart thumping a million beats a minute; and the mystery had my skin crawling. Everything was great.

Then there's that pacing in the beginning that I didn't like. Throne of Glass was hard to get into. For sure, it definitely lagged, and I had to push myself through, telling myself, "The good part is coming soon, I can feel it!" It was quite detailed and just slow in general.

But aside from that minor defect, Throne of Glass is a wild ride you won't want to miss, filled with tension, a murder mystery, a sweet romance, and much, much more. I cannot wait to see more from Sarah J. Maas.

Grade: A

Source: Publisher via Netgalley--Thank you so much, Bloomsbury! 

Review: The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

"Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever. 
BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally. 
But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after. 
With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?"

Title: The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Author: Jess Rothenberg

Release Date: February 21, 2012

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Pages: 375, Hardcover

I was five pages in when The Catastrophic History of You and Me drew me in. In that instant, I knew I had already fallen in love with this book.

I went into this one not expecting too much. All I knew was that it would be cute, light read about love and a broken heart. And maybe some grief along the way. However, after completing the book, THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME became one of my favorite contemporary/paranormal novels. It was definitely cute for sure, but it wasn't exactly light the entire time. It was heartfelt and tender, as well as profound and beautiful. Jess Rothenberg has truly blown me away with such a intangible and delightful read with entertaining characters and fabulous imagination.

I love how the story started off with a bang. Death. In the beginning. We readers don't see that too often. Brie dies of heartbreak, and she pretty much goes up in heaven to meet Patrick, a Resident Lost Soul. Throughout the story, she goes through the 5 stages of grief and eventually recovers and learns that who she thought she was meant to be with is actually the wrong person.

The characters were, like I mentioned before, entertaining. Brie was so absolutely hilarious, I totally want a friend like Brie in my life. Her sarcasm is the type that I like, and I found myself cracking up on nearly every page. Patrick was so, so sweet. I was devastated when he was gone for part of the book. And HAMLOAF. <3

I also really enjoyed the paranormal aspect into the story. While I consider this book more of a contemporary, it's definitely a but paranormal because of the ghosts, zooming through heaven and earth, and Angel Island as well. It's a bit reincarnation, too. I reveled in all of the awesome creativity put into the story.

Despite the length of The Catastrophic History of You and Me, I flew through it, and before I knew it, I was done, satisfied, and wanting more. If you're looking for cute love story that is quite emotional, this is the perfect book. I will read anything by Jess Rothenberg now.

Grade: A+

Source: Library

  

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

""I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
So wrong for each other...and yet so right.
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again."

Title: Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

Release Date: July 31, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Pages: 384, Hardcover

"'Because growing up means making tough choices, and doing the right thing doesn't necessarily mean doing the thing that feels good.'"-Pushing the Limits (quoted from eARC, not final)

All 384 pages of this lovely book was worth it.

Not only did PUSHING THE LIMITS contain a steamy romance, it was able to capture the depth of two problematic teens who are just trying to find normal. I felt everything in this book: anger, love, loss, hope, and so much more. The plot, humorous writing, and the characters DEFINITELY will grab hold of the reader's attention until all 384 pages are consumed.

The plot was strong and intricate. I don't think there is a thing that I didn't enjoy about the plot. The way Noah & Echo met, worked together, and later, their relationship. Although the pacing wasn't incredibly fast, it still kept me flipping pages (er, tapping on my Kindle). The conflicts that interfered were perfect and purposeful; it was easy to follow along.

THE WRITING! I LOVED Katie McGarry's writing style! It was really comical and amusing, and I definitely highlighted a lot of lines in the story, because they are just KEEPERS.

" 'Are you ready to take the ACT on Saturday?' my father asked. Did chickens enjoy being put on trucks labeled KFC? 'Sure'." -Pushing the Limits (quoted from eARC, not final).

And, best for last, the characters. Oh lord, the characters. Can I just say that I adored just about every single character? They were all extremely different but I loved them all the same! Echo and Noah were so emotionally damaged, but their process of healing was so beautiful to watch. And their freaking relationship. TORE ME TO PIECES I LOVED IT SO MUCH. One of *the* steamiest relationships I have ever read (McGarry is the queen of steamy)! Beth and Isaiah were hilarious. Well, Isaiah was. Jacob & Tyler, I JUST WANT TO KIDNAP YOU GUYS they are so adorable. The characters really kept me going in this book.

Ultimately, PUSHING THE LIMITS is one flawless contemporary novel that has deserved a spot on my favorite books of 2012. This is one EVERYONE should pick up, for the intriguing characters,  endearing romance, witty writing, and fantastic plot.

Grade: A+

Source: Publisher via Netgalley--Thanks so much Harlequin TEEN! 

Review: The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

"Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother. 
After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists. 
With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?
Annaliese? Or herself?"

Title: The Unquiet

Author: Jeannine Garsee

Release Date: July 17, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 388, Hardcover

The Unquiet reminded me a lot of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

Kind of.

Besides the ghosts and all that in this novel, there was definitely that psychological thriller aspect in there. Yes, the ghost-part was a little scary, but no, the psyc.-thriller part wasn't as awesome as Mara Dyer. In fact, The Unquiet left me really, really disappointed. Furthermore, the novel was way too stretched out for me, and I think it could've been shorter. Or maybe that's just me, wanting the story to be over.

The characters completely fell flat for me. None of them stood out. I didn't like Rinn, the main character, because I just couldn't connect. Sure, she was different than most characters because she is bipolar and almost committed suicide, but okay. Alrighty. Now what? And at first, I liked Nate (the love interest) a lot but then I just grew really bored of him. And all of Rinn's "friends"? Shaaalllooww. Why would you ever be friends with them?

Also, the concept didn't even make much sense. There was a LOT of things going on. I understand that it had the psychological thriller-type thing going, and the point is to blow your mind, but some areas just could have been elaborated more. For example, the Voice(s). It was pretty much described in one sentence. And the shadows. I would have loved to hear more of the history behind that.

Lastly, the ending was just disappointing. UM, HELLO. Isn't the conclusion of a novel supposed to be AWESOME since it's kind of what the reader remembers? Well, in this case, it just kind of ended for me. They were supposed to figure out the whole ghost business. They did, but in a way that I wasn't expecting (in a bad way). I was expecting so much more EPIC from it. The build up and tension right before the conclusion was so great, and then it sky-dived suddenly into a shallow pit that left me extremely disappointed.

The ONLY reason why I could finish this book was the creepiness. Yes, I do love me some creep-factor! I was pretty scared. Yeah, I liked it. It kept me up on my toes, and the suspense was really heavy at some points!

In the long run, The Unquiet was a shudder-some novel that wasn't exactly for me, simply because the characters didn't stand out, the concept left me perplexed, and the result fell short of my expectations.

Nonetheless, if you like creepy ghost and thriller-type novels, I'd recommend giving this one a try.

Grade: C+

Source: Publisher via Netgalley--thank you Bloomsbury! 

Review: On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

"When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.
T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends. 
Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man."

Title: On the Island

Author: Tracey Garvis-Graves

Release Date: (Re-Release:August 16, 2012 PB) September 3, 2011

Publisher: (Re-Release: Penguin/Plume)

Pages: 368, Paperback

Wow, you guys, seriously. One of the MOST. Phenomenal books I have read this year.

Read it.

But actually, the entire premise was breathtaking and engrossing. The whole time! I don't think I've ever read so long at a time. (3-4 hours straight? Yeah, I think so.) I was captivated because the dangers and adventures that T.J. and Anna went through was just extremely intense. I loved it. And it's inspiring. So, so inspiring.

I would like to let everyone know that this is not a YA novel. It's targeted toward Women's fiction (I'm pretty sure), but it does have YA crossover appeal. I had no problem reading it, since one of the main characters start out as a 16 year-old boy.

ON THE ISLAND is not your typical read. At first, reading the synopsis, I was a little… disappointed. Another story about a plane crash, and getting stranded on the island? First thoughts: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. But still, I went on with it and boy was I wrong. The growth of Anna and T.J.'s relationship was beautiful. I was reluctant about their romance as well, but then I thought about it and it kind of just seemed.. Natural after awhile. I would be pretty darn close to someone if I were stuck on the island with them for 4 years, too. In the end, it was all perfect and myheartjustdied. In a good way.

Pretty much what I'm saying is, go read this book. I clearly have a hard time writing a decent review for miraculous books. And this one was just beyond miraculous. Exceeded my expectations.

Grade: A+

Source: Publisher via Netgalley--Thank you Penguin Group! 

Review: Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

"Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice,until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a luminous and magnificent novel that glows with rare magic, ghostly wonders, and a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places."

Title: Liesl & Po

Author: Lauren Oliver

Release Date: October 4, 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 307, Hardcover

What an amazing middle grade! I don't usually read middle grades, but since this one was from Lauren Oliver, and I had heard so many wonderful things about it, I decided that I had to pick it up. And I'm so glad that I did! There were so many aspects that I loved about this story; the characters, the magical-ness, and the story-blending. The story simply leaves the reader yearning and wanting more.

The story starts off with many different characters. Liesl, a little girl in the attic. Will, a little boy who is an apprentice to the Alchemist. Po & Bundle, ghosts from the Otherside that only Liesl can see. The Alchemist, known to make magic. A box of magic and a box of ashes becomes an ongoing problematic chase. Each character's story somehow blends together and their issues seem to mix and the outcome of it is a very powerful and enchanting story.

The characters were so fabulous! Liesl, Will, Po, and Bundle work so well together as a team. I loved how Will and Liesl met--two orphans who crossed paths, in hiding. Of course, I loved the evil villains, they were very evil indeed, just how I like them. And Mo! We can't forget about him! Let's just say, even if he isn't the brightest, he has the biggest heart.

The plot was very well-paced. The introduction to each character was great, their own stories so unique. And Lauren Oliver did such an outstanding job of slowly intertwining their anecdotes together! I was astounded and very content with the story-blending.

Lo and behold, the magical-ness! This story certainly brought me back to the days of endless fairytales and magic. It was so wonderful to read a light story for children again. This story left me a bit nostalgic.

Assuredly, LIESL & PO is a middle grade you won't want to miss out on. It's adorable, with characters that will make you want to join the adventure. It will surely leave readers wanting more MG from Lauren Oliver!

Audiobook Performance: *applauds Jim Dale* Once again, this narrator is just professional and keeps the listener engrossed in the story with great narrating.

Grade: A

Source: Online Library (Audiobook)

Review: Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire

"When plain and unpopular Annie Nutter gets zapped by one of her dad's whacked-out inventions, she lands in a parallel universe where her life becomes picture-perfect. Now she's Ayla Monroe, daughter of the same mother but a different father—and she's the gorgeous, rich queen bee of her high school.  
In this universe, Ayla lives in glitzy Miami instead of dreary Pittsburgh and has beaucoup bucks, courtesy of her billionaire—if usually absent—father. Her friends hit the clubs, party backstage at concerts, and take risks that are exhilirating . . . and illegal. Here she's got a date to lose her V-card with the hottest guy she's ever seen.
But on the inside, Ayla is still Annie.
So when she's offered the chance to leave the dream life and head home to Pittsburgh, will she take it?
The choice isn't as simple as you think."

Title: Don't You Wish

Author: Roxanne St. Claire

Release Date: July 10, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 368, Hardcover

DON'T YOU WISH was certainly the perfect summer read. It doesn't exactly take place in the summer, but it has that fun, cute, easy-going vibe that represents summer. Not only did DON’T YOU WISH have the fabulous characters, adorable dialogue, and your not-so-average contemporary story, but the reader is able to walk away with an extremely important lesson.

Annie Nutter isn't exactly your average girl. In fact, she's below your average girl. She's a nobody at her school, along with her best friend Lizzie. Everyday, it seems, they dream to be part of the perfect,  popular crowd. Drowning in her misery with Annie is her mother, who is having second thoughts on her marriage. Annie's mom could've married a past boyfriend, a man who is very, very wealthy now, and lives the perfect life. Before Annie knows it, her wish just happens to come true, in a parallel universe…

The characters were so utterly fun to read about. For me, Annie Nutter in the beginning of the story seemed very immature, like a middle schooler (they are actually juniors in high school). But once she is transported to the other universe, her personality changes a little, and she definitely matures. I could definitely understand her need to be popular and perfect. I loved watching her development as she learns that being perfect isn't always the best. And Charlie, goodness, I need a Charlie in my life. He was so pure, those perfect boys who see girls as they are on the inside, not the outside.

The dialogue was one of my favorite things about the story. Roxanne St. Claire was able to capture my full attention to the story. And, while the book is a little lengthy, I found myself wanting to keep reading and reading and reading. Annie/Ayla's voice was very addicting and witty. I loved it!

Now, the creativity of the story. While DON'T YOU WISH is considered a contemporary novel, it definitely had a little twist added in--the notion of the parallel universe. I have never read anything like it before! I enjoyed the concept very much, and I thought that Roxanne did a fantastic job creating it. It was very believable.

The lesson I personally walked away with after completing the novel was: Accept your life as is. What you think you want may not be what is truly right for you. The so-called "perfect" life you see is most likely not perfect. Underneath the flawless structure, is actually a hurt, wounded tissue. Be thankful with what you have, because it could be worse.

Needless to say, DON'T YOU WISH is a captivating, charming, and delightful read that has earned it's spot in my favorite contemporaries of the year. The creativity of the story is one you won't want to miss!

Grade: A+

 Source: Publisher via Netgalley--thank you Random House!