Book Review-The Farm

Late last night, I finished reading The Farm by Emily McKay.

From Goodreads:

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

I knew that the premise of this book sounded interesting, but honestly, I wasn't sure I was going to like it.  It sounded like a zomibe novel and I don't usually get into those.  They're always cold and distant and I thought this would be like that.  The thing that drew me in was Mel, who had autism.  I've taught several kids with autism and have a special place in my heart for them.

I'm so glad I gave this book a chance.  It was way more than just a zombie or vampire novel.  The characters drew me in.  I loved Mel's way of looking at things.  Everything related to music and the sounds they made.  Lily was so super protective of Mel.  She was a normal girl but was kick-butt when she needed to be.  And Carter had me guessing.  I kept wondering if he really had feelings for Lily or was just using her.

There was some pretty good action with some twists and turns.  There was a surprise reveal at the end, but I had guessed it pretty early on.  I think this is the first book in a series, and while it wraps up nicely and didn't leave me feeling like I was hanging on, there is definitely a whole other story that could be done.  And I sure hope so!

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 86
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 22
What's in a Name? 5 Challenge: Type of House
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 74

*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free Penguin Group (USA) for a honest review.

Book Review and Giveaway!- Easy

I just finished reading Easy by Tamarra Webber.

From Goodreads:

A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

I really really liked this book.  Because of its sensitive topic, I'm not sure if it's right to say that I enjoyed it.  But boy did I just get completely into it.  I'm not sure if its because its considred a "new adult" novel (I think that's what they're calling the stories that take place in college) so that it wasn't as juvenile as some of the YA books can be or if it's just that the writing was so great.  But yeah, it had me hooked.

Rape and attempted rape is such a serious topic.  I think this book handled it really well.  I think the author captured what I must imagine the victim must feel like and go through.  And I loved the idea of the self-defense class.  Such a great thing for college girls to do.

Jaqueline was a great character.  I could completely sympathize with her following a boyfriend and then getting dumped and feeling lost.  She just seemed completely real.  And then there was her roommate, Erin, who was a sorority girl.  She could so easily have been they stereotypical air-headed sorority girl, but thankfully the author decided not to portray her this way.  I loved how she was bubbly but smart and had a strong backbone and morals.  And Lucas.  Yum!  Bad boy with a fierce protective streak.  His story broke my heart.  I can't even imagine having to go through what he went through.  But he and Jacqueline's chemistry was hot!

I cannot reccommend this book enough!  This book had it all for me: an important topic, great characters, and a hot romance!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 85
Completely Contemp Challenge 2012: 2012-16

*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by the publsiher for an honest review.


Now for the giveaway!!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ffe1764/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review- O, Juliet

I just finished reading O, Juliet by Robin Maxwell.

From Goodreads:

"One of the queens of historical fiction" offers a new take on the mesmerizing young woman and poetess who inspired Shakespeare's most famous female character.

Before Juliet Capelletti lie two futures: a traditionally loveless marriage to her father's business partner, or the fulfillment of her poetic dreams, inspired by the great Dante. Unlike her beloved friend Lucrezia, who looks forward to her arranged marriage, Juliet has a wild, romantic imagination that knows not the bounds of her great family's stalwart keep.

The latter path is hers for the taking when Juliet meets Romeo Monticecco, a soulful young man seeking peace between their warring families. A dreamer himself, Romeo is unstoppable, once he determines to capture the heart of the remarkable woman foretold in his stars. The breathless intrigue that ensues is the stuff of beloved legend. But those familiar with Shakespeare's muse know only half the story...
 
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated by Romeo and Juliet.  It probably started when I remember seeing my mom cry for the first time watching a movie (it was the older version of Romeo and Juliet).  The next time it came on, she let me stay up late to watch it with her.  I don't think I understood most of it at the time, but I was hooked.
 
Growing up, I loved Shakespeare's version of Romeo and Juliet and often used monologues from the play.  So when I was offered the chance to read this version of the star-crossed lovers' tale, I immediately accepted.
 
I enjoyed this version.  The story was set in a different time and location (fifteenth century Florence instead of sixteenth century Verona) but there was still the main plot.  Romeo and Juliet were older in this story, but that made more sense to me, for them to fall in love so quickly.  The only thing I felt was awkward was that some of the things that the characters were saying and thinking didn't really seem to fit the time to me.  But I enjoyed it all the same.  I also liked how the pair was extremely fond of the poet Dante because it was something they had in common and I also liked how the ending was slightly changed.
 
If you're a fan of historical fiction, or love the Romeo and Juliet story, then you will enjoy this one!
 
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
 
This book was released today.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2010 100+ Reading Challenge: 18
A to Z Challenge: X
 
*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by Caitlin at Penguin Group (USA) for a honest review.