Dare You To by Katie McGarry

It's official, Katie McGarry has bottled the secret to thrilling high-school romances with unexpected twists, veering turns and chapter cliff-hangers that dare you to put her books down. Her second novel avoids the sophomore slump and left me craving even more from this circle of friends. Although we were introduced to Beth and Ryan in Pushing the Limits, as only Katie McGarry can do, she creates an entire world behind each character that leaves you vowing never to judge a person upon first meeting them,  Long after closing Dare to You, I'm still be thinking about Beth and Ryan, and I'm sure I'll still be thinking of them for a very long time when I see the typical "jock" or "skater girl."

From Amazon.com:

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.... 

Katie McGarry obviously knows teens. She delves into the world of her characters, from learning baseball, to listening to their music and creating playlists for each book, or as she calls them "literary symphony[ies]." Hmmm, maybe she can even be persuaded to share those playlists! Grab Dare to You as soon as it hits the shelf in June and get ready to enter the world of teen angst, instant decisions, and passions... and enjoy the ride.

The Eternity Cure

While I absolutely adore reading and am always on the hunt for a series that has eluded me and an author I've overlooked, I'm not a huge fan of vampire novels. I realize this means I'm missing I'm entire YA genre, but seriously, how do you make a bite to the neck and love triangle feel feel unique after all the other vampire novels that, yes, I've read? When I received an advance copy of The Eternity Cure, by Julie Kagawa, I almost put it aside. Almost. What caught my eye and introduced me to a new beloved writer was one simple word about her that has absolutely nothing to do with vampires, or the fact that she is a New York Times bestselling author, or that she's another series that hit a home run, The Iron Fey. It was the word: Louisville. How could I ignore another Louisville transplant. I couldn't, thankfully, and now I'm a full-fledged Kagawa-groupie. The Eternity Cure is the second book of the Blood of Eden series and is "set in a bleak futuristic realm where humanity is besieged by vampires and monsters." Although the setting is bleak, the compassion of Allison Sekemoto, or Allie, the vampire we follow on a quest to save the world, is part of the reason I adored the book. There is also a family dynamic that adds humor to the  fantasy setting, and no love triangle. Finally, no love triangle. There is fighting, action and gore, but there is also romance and longing. In the true teen spirit of Romeo and Juliet, Allie's and Zeke's separation seems unsurmountable... yet the passion of the characters will keep a reader glued to the very last bloody drop. 

I do need to know what happens next and I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series. I'm seriously hoping to bump into Julie Kagawa around town and see if she'll spill any secrets about Book 3. (I'm thinking she's the human version of Allison Sekemoto, a kick-ass author with a vivid imagination who I'd love to just chat with about ... um, I don't know... anything, but maybe Book 3.) But, my advice to anyone who was overlooking The Blood of Eden series (The Immortal Rules + The Eternity Cure) thinking they were just mere vampire novels: ignore your first instinct and pick them up and read. I'd start with The Immortal Rules and then read The Eternity Cure, because I wouldn't want to miss a word.

(The Eternity Cure available April 30, 2013) 

Pineville Heist

I am addicted to Law & Order, the new season and every rerun that exists... which is a lot! I love crime shows, drama, cute guys, and a great book. If you like action-packed stories, with a little mystery thrown in for fun, that happen to have a hot guy as the main character (and we know he's hot because Booboo Stewart from Twilight is playing him in the movie!)  then get your hands on The Pineville Heist by Lee Chambers. Lee Chambers (author) and Booboo Stewart (star of Pineville Heist)

What's so cool about this book is that it was written by a screenwriter, so it kind of happened backwards. Most books are written and then optioned to be made into movies. This book is already going to be made into a movie, starring Booboo Stewart, who played Seth Clearwater in Twilight.

http://youtu.be/bRkB30jSedU

As soon as you begin reading, you get a clear picture of Aaron Stevens, a stereotypical teenage boy who just wants attention from his workaholic father. But life veers from ordinary to chaotic when Aaron takes a short-cut through the woods on his way to school, and he stumbles across a bank robbery that quickly escalates into a day that goes haywire. Aaron doesn’t realize that witnessing this crime scene will forever change his life, and potentially change his relationship with his father.

There is action non-stop throughout the book that makes it hard to find a good stopping point since there is always a cliffhanger that left me wanting to know more! My only complaint is that the action at the end gets a little repetitive, but I can understand it since it is based on a screenplay, and that scene is going to be awesome in a movie. Plus, there were so many surprises that I didn't expect, that it kept me on my toes all the way until the end.

I'd recommend this book if you like crime, drama, hot guys, reading about how teens get along with parents... or just want a quick read that will grab your attention and not let go. And, um, we'l be in line to buy tickets to the movie. Probably first in line.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

If you’re a fan of books with a little bit of mystery with romance thrown in, then Pushing The Limits is definitely a book you want to pick up ASAP. This book is a little “darker” than most teen books, but that's what drew me into it once I started reading. And once I started it, I couldn't stop for the 2 days it took me to finish it. Pushing the Limits has received well-deserved praise, and you can add ours to the list. I love this book and absolutely recommend it!

Pushing The Limits is about a Echo, a senior in high school, who has a bi-polar mother who tried to hurt her, but Echo repressed the memory of what actually happened on that brutal night. Throughout the book you follow Echo to see how she copes with what happened and the repressed memory. We all have our own issues, but what if we had to physically wear them like Echo does with the scars that were left on her arm and the assumptions others have about her? I can't imagine being in her position, and kept placing myself in her shoes and wondering what it would be like to actually be Echo... which, to me, means I'm reading such a fab book that I'm getting lost in it and kudos to the writer! I felt Echo's pain, I wanted to be her friend, and I wanted to know what would happen to her. When Echo befriended bad boy, Noah, who also had endured a tragedy, they become attracted to each other. I rooted for them both, and was drawn to these characters like true friends.

The voice of the book switches back and forth between Echo and Noah, and it’s really fascinating to see what each of the characters thinks about situations. Pushing the Limits is a book I would recommend for teens who like mysteries and dramas with an edge and romance. I'm definitely looking forward to more books by Katie McGarry and if you are lucky enough to catch her on a book tour - GO - she's awesome and welcoming.

"The Rise of Nine" by Pittacus Lore: Book Review

If you are a regular follower of ours, you know (1) we are avid readers, and (2) we are humongous Pittacus Lore fans! So when we got our hands on an advance copy of The Rise of Nine, which is set for release on August 21, 2012, you know we were ecstatic. But we were also worried... would it disappoint? Inevitably, in a series, there is going to be a blip, the dip that has to come, whether it be the sophomore slump, or after. Book One of the Lorien Legacies Series I Am Number Four blew us away. Our review of Book Two tells you what we thought of The Power of Six and we also were granted a rare Interview with Pittacus Lore, so check those out to see if there was a sophomore slump. But, could Book Three The Rise of Nine continue the bestselling progression?

The short answer is an unqualified YES! Pittacus Lore is otherworldly in his ability to entertain with non-stop action, delicious details, and imaginable, yet creative, characters! And boy was he right in his interview with us - Setrakus Ra is back and he's badder than bad. The Rise of Nine picks up where The Power of Six left off... mass confusion and potential for destruction. But the two groups of Loriens: Six,Marina, Ella and Crayton are in Spain and Nine and Four, with Bernie Kosar, are hiding out in the US and each group tells their own stories. And, if you don't want the story to be ruined, then STOP HERE!

The narration jumps around from number to number which can be a bit hard to follow, but we like how the fonts change as a visual reminder that there is a new narrator at the beginning of each chapter. As typical, there is more action than the prior books put together, and we never know what to expect next. We liked this book almost as much as I Am Number Four in the sense that it was full of unexpected surprises and new powers, especially with Number Ten Eight, who we would like to meet in person, he just seems so cool!  

In fact, there are so many characters, that without a great author, we would have felt lost, but this part of the series was not just about adventures and fighting, it seemed that it was more about learning who the characters are, learning a bit more about their Legacies, what is in their chests, and how they will be interacting with each other. And we were excited to learn a bit more about each of the characters so we could start to care more about some of them. We are still partial to Six, Four and Ten, and curious about the new Legacies and how everything works in the chests. Without spoiling too much... (stop now if you don't want to know who makes an appearance in the book!) Nine and Six might make a cute, tough couple. We are thrilled Sarah made a reappearance... but Sam?! And Sam's Dad? And Setrakus Ra is just one mean and nasty dude who is the bully we all hate at school.  'Nuff said without totally ruining the plot for you. Get it and devour it. Before the Mogadorians do. 

Divergent: Book Review

Don't start Divergent as you crawl into bed at night... that is, not if you plan on going to sleep anytime soon. But, if you are a night owl and don't mind pulling an all-nighter, then go ahead, pick it up and start reading - you'll be set until the sun rises. And then some.  Grab a copy and settle in for a mind-blowing, thrill-filled night. Because it will be. You know we love good books, and Divergent dazzles!

If you were a fan of the the Hunger Games Series, then you need to run to your local bookstore and snatch up both Divergent and Insurgent. We obsessed over the first two books of Divergent trilogy and we are not alone: it was nominated for a Teen Choice Award and we hear it's been optioned for a movie. YES! They are the kinds of books in which you want to know the next thing that happens; but, then again, you don't -- because you do not want them to end. Although a trilogy, only Divergent and Insurgent have been published. We are not certain when the 3rd book is due, but we will be finding out and tweeting about it. Promise.

All the deets: Divergent is set in a future Chicago, and instead of having political parties there are factions. You are born into a certain faction, and you have to abide by the rules until you are sixteen. Once you reach sixteen years old, you are tested to see in which faction you truly belong. Most people who go through the test end up being what they are born, but a handful of people change factions. This was true for the main character Beatrice. She actually had a choice, but ended up choosing the faction she had admired since she was little.  Although she has lived a life of selflessness, she may be seeking something a bit more exciting. But along with excitement comes danger and self-discovery. And, thank goodness, romance.

Whenever we read a sensational book that we can't put down, we ask ourselves what makes this book so readable and relatable? Divergent is amazingly written (flowing, gives you enough hints that you are curious, but not enough that the whole story is given away) and it's the perfect blend of a love story, sharp wit, and  adventure (enough to make your heart pound).  We are Hunger Game fanatics and didn't think anything could fill the gap as we waited for the next movie... and we are thrilled, beyond thrilled actually, to admit that we were absolutely and completely wrong. Divergent fills the gap and has given us a new reason to read late into the night.  Divergent is a page-turning, fingernail-biting, must read!