The Memory Game by Sharon Sant

Author: Sharon Sant
Pages 116
Date Published: September 30 2013
Publisher: Lightfoot Press

Introduction
       After a fight with his mother David Cottle goes to do his paper run, while taking the quick way around his village, he becomes the victim of a hit-and-run.
       Although his body is dead, the spirit of him is still hanging around and he doesn't know why. While hanging around his old school, he discovers that Bethany Willis, the weird girl that everybody at school bullies, including David,--when he was alive-- can see him. At first, David only talks to her because he's lonely with nobody to talk to and he believes that she might know why he's stuck here after his body has died, but as time goes on, they find that sometimes not everything ends after you die.

Cover
       I really like the cover of this. Assuming that the face is the face of David of course.

Title
       I understand the significance of the title being a reference to the actual "memory game" that Beth and David play to help David remember simple things about life that he seems to be forgetting. Although the memory game is  sweet, a better title for the book probably could have been chosen.

David
       It's refreshing reading a book with a male protagonist. I've read so many books with a female protagonist that I welcome the change. David's character is such a realistic 15 year old boy. The writing of his thoughts and his character himself really sound like what a 15 year old boy would. I enjoyed his character development throughout the book and reading the way his opinion changes on Bethany was great as well.

Bethany (Slight spoilers)
       Bethany is known as the "weird girl" at school and she doesn't have any friends. Her mom died a year prior to when the story takes place, so it's just her and her father, but she pretty much takes care of him instead of the other way around. As for the secrets she keeps, you can take a pretty good guess at what's going on after the first chapter or too, which might seem kind of quick to find out what she's hiding, but the book itself isn't very long, so I think that the character development of Beth was well done.

Ending
       I kind of expected the book to end like this, but I'm not disappointed. It was a very bittersweet ending but I am pleased with the way it went.

Conclusion
       I didn't think I was going to be able to get attached to David or Beth due to the length of the book. I just didn't think I was going to have enough pages to really get to know them, or like them at all. But I was wrong. This book was lovely and a little sad. I enjoyed every moment of reading. I think boys could read this, although this is classified as a love story, it isn't too heavy on the relationship front between David and Beth. I wouldn't recommend this book to younger readers as it deals with sensitive and mature topics such as self harm, alcohol, and domestic violence and I believe very brief mention of sex through I'm not sure of that one.

Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Author: Gena Showalter
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 480
Date Published: September 24 2013
Publisher: Halequin Teen

Introduction
       Alice's life is going as good as it could ever be, she has a beautiful new temporary home, her friends are as safe as she can hope for, and she has Cole. Really has him. Then, every wall of her life caves in. When she fights a new wave of zombies, she gets bitten and everything spirals even more out of control. When she looks into a mirror, she sees her. As a zombie. She now suffers from terrible urges to hurt, bite, infect, and kill her friends. She need support, she needs help, she needs to calm the urges in her mind.Only thing is, now nobody is willing to help her. Nobody else can see her zombie refection, nobody can hear the voice inside her mind. So what can she say to convince everybody that she will be okay, if only she had some help.If only she could figure out why this was happening to her.
       To make matters worse, two new slayers have come to town and joined the team. Gavin and Veronica. Cole is convinced that Alice is falling for Gavin, and that they are going to do some fooling around. While Alice knows that her heart belongs to Cole, Cole is having doubts. Leaving Alice almost completely alone.

Cover
       I like how the cover is doing a little play on the original Alice in Wonderland with the top hat and the bunny. I'm not to fond of the way the Alice's face looks on this. So fake. So plastic. I do however love the shattered mirror background, with all the other reflection.
       One more thing that I would like to mention is that when you open the book, you see the eye-catching black and yellow (Ha. Ha.) checkered pattern. I love it. You don't often see something that colorful outside of the cover and I love it.

Characters/Relationships
       I don't want to say much about the characters and the relationships in this book, because it would ruin all the twists and turns, so if you really want to know what happens, your going to have to read it yourself. *Wink.* *Wink.*

Gavin
        Fine. I'll say something about Gavin. He's a player. A cocky, cocky player. He does come on to Alice, but Alice won't have it. She doesn't want anybody but Cole, but still Gavin tries. He does it in his jokes and his smug remarks, but he can still be serious when he needs to be. I mean, really needs to be.

Veronica
       I want to throw up all over this girls existence, but I guess then, I would have to throw up all over Gavin's existence too, but I don't really want to do that. At least Gavin can mange to be civil and nice.

Dislikes
       The only thing that I didn't like about this book is the fact that it can be a little repetitive. Mostly with Zombie Alice (Z.A) but sometimes she managed to spice it up a little.

Just Warning You
       This book has several references to having sex, how Alice is ready for Cole, and other things like that. But I assure you that nothing too serious happens.

Conclusion
       All in all, I really like this book. It's probably tied with the first one in this series. I am most defiantly going to continue with the series, as soon as the 3rd book comes out.

The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

I've hit a milestone guys! This is my 100th post!

Author: Ali Novak
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Expected Publication: August 4 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Introduction

                The Heartbreakers are the most popular band in America, and everybody loves them. Except Stella Simone. Stella can’t stand the band, so she could have never pictured herself at a Heartbreakers autograph signing, but, as much as she hates the band, she loves her sister Cara. On regular circumstances, Cara could have gotten the autograph herself, and would have been perfectly happy to do so, but Cara is undergoing treatment for lymphoma. Stella, Drew, and Cara, have a competition to see who can get each other the best birthday gift every year, and Stella and Drew know that with the autographed merchandise, they can’t lose.

                Stella expected to take a road trip to Chicago, get the autographs, and leave. What she didn’t expect was to meet a boy with a breathtaking smile while getting her early morning caffeine-fix. She also didn’t expect to see him again signing autographs. The boy with the breathtaking smile is Oliver Perry, lead singer for The Heartbreakers. It just so happens that they are staying at the same hotel, and despite the fact that Stella hates his band, he still gives Stella his number. When their paths cross again, Stella makes quick friends with the rest of the band, and she knows that she’s falling for Oliver, but can she risk falling in love with him even with Cara being sick always in the back of her mind?

Cover

                I’m going to safely assume that the cover features Stella and Oliver. It’s not really what I pictured them looking like, but I think that the cover is cute, nevertheless. They look happy, and I think it’s adorable.

Stella

                Stella was pretty cool. I like how much she cares for her siblings. Throughout the book she struggles with living her life while her sister is sick and might not ever recover. I like development she makes with this issue throughout the book. I also enjoy the fact that she isn’t dumb when it comes to the relationship between her and Oliver, the first few times they met, she knew getting attached would be a dumb idea, because she would probably never see him again. Even after that, when she knew that she would see him, she kept her heart guarded because she knew that having a relationship would be difficult. I respect that.

Oliver

       Oliver is known for being a heartbreaker (haha pun intended.) I don’t really have a ton to say about him, but the thing near the end that has to do with him being an idiot and the reason behind why he did what he did? Called it. I freaking called it.

JJ

       JJ, who I believe is the drummer for The Heartbreakers is by far the most eccentric member. His lighthearted playful flirting with Stella always made me smile. I liked him a lot, because for the most part, he was always there to lighten the mood.

Xander

       You don’t really learn about Xander much, I wish he was focused on a little more, because from what I did learn about him, he seemed interesting.

Alec

                I loved the way that Alec always gave Stella answers when she needed them and nobody else was offering anything up. He was always so supportive, and while everybody was probably fangirling over Oliver, I was waiting for more scenes with Alec.  

 Cara

When I first started this book, I thought that Cara was going to be bratty about how her sister is involved with the band, and how she is romantically involved Oliver Perry.  I expected her to bug Stella to meet the band. Maybe even get jealous of Stella and want her to stop dating him. It turns out that Cara was very supportive in every situation that Stella finds herself in. It was very refreshing and I’m glad her character wasn’t how I was expecting.

Photography elements

               

I’ve noticed a lot of books recently feature protagonists that are interested in photography and that’s okay, as long as the interest in photography is legitimate. Stella seems to care a lot about photography, but the actual way that Stella gets a job with the Heartbreakers? I’m not completely convinced by it. It’s not realistic at all. It’s an interesting idea, but not realistic.

Conclusion

I liked this book a lot. More then I originally thought I was going to. The ending was very, very sweet. I would recommend this book mostly to girls. I don't believe a boy would enjoy this very much. If a sequel of this book was ever published I would have every intention of reading it, as I thoroughly enjoyed this,   

Mini Review: Black Butler: Volume One by Yana Toboso

     
       **I wrote this over a year ago and thought maybe I should get around to posting it now.

       I picked up this manga after a friend recommended it to me, it's short so I figured that a mini-review will suffice.

Synopsis (from Goodreads)
       In the Victorian ages of London The Earl of the Phantomhive house, Ciel Phantomhive, needs to get his revenge on those who had humiliated him and destroyed what he loved. Not being able to do it alone he sells his soul to a demon he names Sebastian Michaelis. Now working as his butler, Sebastian must help the Earl Phantomhive in this suspenseful, exciting, thriller manga.

       The synopsis for Volume one gives away a little more than I picked up from reading. I know that Sebastian is a demon, as stated in the story, and I know that Ciel has sold his soul to him, but what I didn't pick up from reading was the reason that Ciel sold his soul to him. Above it says that it is because Ciel wants to get revenge on those who have humiliated him but it mentioned nothing of that in this volume.

       The beautiful illustrations really sold me here. I loved it. Everything was so detailed

       I really like the characters. Sebastian manages to be mysterious, yet simple at the same time. Ciel seems kind of bratty, but I wouldn't expect any less from him. He is only twelve after all. Plus I'm pretty sure that if I could get whatever I wanted, I would be pretty bratty as well.

       Although not too much happened in this book, it was more about getting to know the characters, I loved it. I am without a doubt going to continue with this, and I am so excited to read the second volume.    

Liebster Blog Award

       No. Way. I can't believe I've been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award again. I'm pretty sure everybody that has nominated me just stumbled upon my blog and decided to nominate it because I have less than 200 followers, regardless. I am grateful. So the rules of accepting are as follows:

Link back to the person that nominated you:You can find this wonderful person's blog by clicking this link right now.

       Answer the questions posed to you.

       Nominate 10 other bloggers that have less then 200 followers and ask them 10 questions (This rule changes, in terms of how many questions asked and how many bloggers nominated.)

       Anyway, on to the questions I must answer.

       1. Favourite book format?

       I prefer physical over e-book but quite honestly I'm down with either.

       2. Why did you start this blog?

       This question gets absolutely exasperating sometimes, I wish I could say that a big explosion happened and the only way to save my family was to start a book review blog, name it something lame, rant and rave about YA books while drinking coke and watching old reruns of dumb television shows, was the reason behind this blog...but alas, it is not. The reason I started this blog was because I was sitting with somebody I know on a cold January day, driving an old van and the person I know said:
       "You should start a blog" and of course I replied with:
       "What could go wrong?"
   
          And boom. Reviews of YA Books was born.

       3. Favourite childhood book?

       Um. I think it was probably Saber-tooth at Sunset...maybe? I'll ask my mother someday.

       4. Top 4 books on your TBR list?

       Ummm. Dorthy Must Die, Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick and Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Sowalter
   
       5. What do you think it your most under-appreciated post?

       I don't really think any of my posts are under appreciated. I think, for the amount I actually post, I'm pretty darn appreciated.

       6. Who is your favorite author and why?
      
       I thing my favorite author is Tahereh Mafi. Author of Shatter Me trilogy, which, if you've read my reviews of the first two (I still haven't gotten around to reading the last one. I can't bear the trilogy ending.) you should know that they are definitely on the list of my favorite books ever. Mafi has a beautiful writing style that's kind of hit and miss with some people, but I love it. It just flows so elegantly.

       7. What is the most prized book that you own?

      I would like to say that I love all my books equally, but that's not entirely true. I take care of all my books the same, but I don't love all my books the same. Anyway, my most prized book? Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. I feel kind of bad that the answers to most of my questions have something to do with the Shatter me trilogy, but oh well.

       8. If you had a magic lamp what would you wish for?

       I get three wishes right?

       #1. Every time I go to buy something, always have the exact amount of money I need in my pocket

       #2. To have a million more lamps so I could make more wishes.

       #3. To be musically inclined.

        9. Describe your blog with one phrase

       Please don't put this pressure on me.

      10. Favorite season?

       *Cue stereotypical white girl answer.* Autumn. It's just really pretty.

        11. Share with us your favorite quote.

       "If you can't beat fear, just do it scared"

        "What matters most is how well you walk through the fire."

       "The purpose of literature is to turn blood into ink."

       "I like fire more than people, because all it does is destroy. People do that too, but at least fire admits it."

      I don't know guys. So many people say pretty things that I enjoy.

       Here are the 10  2 people I nominate!

       Sydney at Pika Pages

       Courtney at Ya Lit Reviews For Teens and Libraries


       I know I'm supposed to nominate 10 people but I don't follow many blogs. Much less any that have less than 200 followers. Recommend me some!


Questions

1. How many books do you think you read a year?

2. Is there a reason behind your blog title?

3.Do you read more than one book at once?

4. Do you review every YA book you read?

5. Hobbies beside reading?

6.Are you surprised at how long you've kept your blog going?