Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating… monsters.
Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life–a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
Review
I had a hard time deciding the rating for this book and I'll explain why.
The plot of the book was simple and 1 dimensional. There weren't layers of intricate plotting. Michelle didn't tried to break your heart with feels or connections. You know how sometimes stories linked together and pieces of the book fitted when the story began to conclude? Yeah, those were what I called connections. This book didn't offer me that but that doesn't mean it was a total negative thing. By having a 1 dimensional plot, the story moved fast which kept my attention. Imagine if it was a simple plot that was draggy? Phew, this book wasn't, in fact I loved how the book was such a breezy read. What the book lacked in intricacy, it gained in pace. And having said how the plot was simple, it wasn't a bad plot. The plot of the book was a great one! Because of the fast pace, the events didn't dwell and not did it got dull. It was like turning over new leaves in a short period of time, it had excitement in it.
But not only did the plot lacked connectivity, the characters did as well. I also didn't form any emotional attachments to them as well. It felt as if they were cardboards and if one person died, I wouldn't care and either would the other characters. You would think that a group of teens stuck in a POD for a long time equalled character development, but nope. The conversations were……..eek!It felt amateur as if horrible actors were delivering the lines. And adding romance into the pot didn't made this any better. Sure Eva and David were in love but they didn't felt like it. There were a lot of "I love you" and lots of kissing but I didn't feel their love for each other. I just dislike apocalyptic romance. Sorry just don't care. Every single book I read disappointed me, this book was no better. The romance was so forced and cliche. Boo!
Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?
Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.
It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.
#1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale brings his brilliant plotting and breathless pacing to SYLO, the first in this ultimate end-of-the-world adventure trilogy.
Review
There are many words I could use to describe SYLO. I could say it was thrilling, tense, and explosive, but those would merely be good words. The best words I thought SYLO demonstrated were: “as refreshing as an ocean breeze.” I am not joking. Those words were taken right out of the notes I took while I was reading the book. It is a bit of an odd description, if you were to compare it to the previous three words. Sure, the book had me holding my breaths and clenching my fist, but I’m going to tell you why it was also my perfect “Beach Read.”
Firstly, in my honest opinion, I think MacHale nailed the setting for this story. This is sometimes not done very well in YA or MG because people are more focused on the plot or the characters. But the atmosphere established by the author is so important in helping readers experience the story and I am so pleased that D.J. delivered. The setting of this book, if you don’t already know is fictional Pemberwick Island in Maine. I don’t know much about Maine, but I am fortunate enough to know about tiny islands. In my grade 12 year, my school’s science department once again ran their one-week-trip to the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. During our stay, we worked hard and we played hard. One of the places we visited really helped me establish what Pemberwick Island really looked and felt like. I will link this review to an album from out trip right here. A special thanks to all of the people who contributed to this album; not all of these pictures are my own.
This reminded me of the Patricia
What’s for dinner?
This could be the Sleeper’s house
The whales welcome you to New Brunswick!
In case anyone is interested to learn how lobsters are caught, here is Rick Mercer’s attempt:
Now that we’ve discussed atmosphere, let’s move on to the second thing you need to have in a good novel: plot. This story can be best compared to Virals by Kathy Reichs meets the TV show Haven. It’s part-mystery and part-sci-fi, which I think rivals the good ol’ PB & J. The plot had enough twist and turns that I was beginning to feel seasick (in a good way). Just when you think the story was headed on way, a wave comes to knock you in the opposite direction. But usually, stories start off well, but the tricky part to write when you’re writing a series is the ending. Authors love to taunt you with gut-wrenching cliffhangers, so you feel compelled to read on. And most of the times, you hate them for it. MacHale was able to end it at a place that had enough resolution to the story, that almost gives the reader a sense of an ending, but left enough unanswered questions for readers to stay around. It’s the desire to read on, without the urge to murder the author. Thank you for that, Mr. MacHale. My heart needed a break.
Lastly, on our tour of How to Write a Good Novel, the pawns characters. These are the things I enjoy about them:
– Tucker, our protagonist, is not a “I-Can-Do-Everything” type of main character. – His shyness is believable, unlike many YA books where the main character is the quite, awkward girl (or boy) that no one should fall for, but somehow always does. – Or, is he the full-of-attitude, “strong” character that we encourage female characters to be. (Please see my review of The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey for reasons why I despise characters like these.) – It’s refreshing to read about a male perspective where his main objective is to act silly and boyish. Many time, in YA, the boys are either super mysterious and sexy or is the funny, goofy, comic-relief. I like how Tucker was truly the “student you would forget you ever taught” because he appeared ordinary.
– For once the main character’s best friend was the “Entrée.” Quinn is smart, funny, brave and should have gotten the girl. I really liked the change in dynamic.
– Tori Sleeper was precisely the female character I want to read more in YA. She has physical strength and mental power. Her brain runs fast, wickedly fast. In fact, she has the perfect blend of Quinn and Tucker: smart, cunning, humourous, focused, and independent. You might read that list and say: “Hey Stella, what the heck? How can she be humourous and serious (focused) at the same time?” Well, Confused Reader, I can tell you from experience, people are more than just a list of synonyms. Someone fun and bubbly can be also determined, focused and committed, while the serious person can be funny, laid back and lazy. People have different sides to them which D.J. really illustrated with his characters, whether it was the “ordinary” Tucker, the “quiet” Tori or the “snobby” secondary characters. 😉 – Additionally, it was really nice to see the parents aren’t forgotten in the story. Most of the time, the parents are no where to be found in YA. They are a hassle to write, and usually is an obstacle, halting the hero’s adventures. They are the rational voices that keeps the adventure from happening, but in SYLO, not only did they exist, they were well-written. I really felt I got to know they them. Again, keeping the word refreshingly true.
So far, SYLO has been the best book I’ve read in 2013, with Saga Vol.1. being my favourite graphic novel. This book gets five sparkly stars from me!
Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?
Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.
It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.
#1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale brings his brilliant plotting and breathless pacing to SYLO, the first in this ultimate end-of-the-world adventure trilogy.
Review
There are many words I could use to describe SYLO. I could say it was thrilling, tense, and explosive, but those would merely be good words. The best words I thought SYLO demonstrated were: "as refreshing as an ocean breeze." I am not joking. Those words were taken right out of the notes I took while I was reading the book. It is a bit of an odd description, if you were to compare it to the previous three words. Sure, the book had me holding my breaths and clenching my fist, but I'm going to tell you why it was also my perfect "Beach Read."
Firstly, in my honest opinion, I think MacHale nailed the setting for this story. This is sometimes not done very well in YA or MG because people are more focused on the plot or the characters. But the atmosphere established by the author is so important in helping readers experience the story and I am so pleased that D.J. delivered. The setting of this book, if you don't already know is fictional Pemberwick Island in Maine. I don't know much about Maine, but I am fortunate enough to know about tiny islands. In my grade 12 year, my school's science department once again ran their one-week-trip to the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. During our stay, we worked hard and we played hard. One of the places we visited really helped me establish what Pemberwick Island really looked and felt like. I will link this review to an album from out trip right here. A special thanks to all of the people who contributed to this album; not all of these pictures are my own. Read more »
Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends, and doesn’t stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend’s family to die-of “natural causes.” Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target.
But when he’s assigned to the mayor of New York City, things change. The daughter is unlike anyone he has encountered before; the mayor reminds him of his father. And when memories and questions surface, his handlers at The Program are watching. Because somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and parents; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program’s mission.
In this action-packed series debut, author Allen Zadoff pens a page-turning thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, introducing an utterly original and unforgettable antihero.
Thank you HBG for providing an ARC for review!! <33
Review
I’ll be on vacation starting June 12th, which is the coming Wednesday and I really want to squeeze in a review before I go AFK, so please excuse this rushed, transcribed-from-my-notes, not-nearly-as-polished-up-as-I-would-like review.
First impression: there’s too much rambling about how he doesn’t have emotions. Rather than doing that, I prefer the character to show how heartless they are. Words can be said, but they are just the speaker’s perspective. It’s actions that define you.
And when he does begin to show emotions, it was all too clichéd. Some girl and her father was able to change you for the better. Granted, Sam was a total badass. I don’t care how she was described to be tall, fit and beautiful, she didn’t let anyone push her around. She played people like a keyboard, and she even caught Boy Nobody off guard. It really showed that outer beauty doesn’t translate to being dumb, or vice versa. But I really wished she could have handled her emotions about boys a little better. Damn, that girl has some baggage. She somehow became a weak puppy when she “falls” for boys, and I wish she wasn’t like that.
It was really neat to read about Boy Nobody’s analysis of the situation he is in. The way he injects himself into someone’s life, now to act on the first day of school, whether to take on the role of a badass, a loner, a jock etc.
Sometimes, I had to roll my eyes because problems would be solved way too quickly; things that prompted a “well-that-was-convenient” eye roll from me. This is the part where I really drove home how similar this book was to Person of Interest. On the show, John almost never runs into any problem and even if there was a billion machine guns firing it at him, he manages to avoid being shot and take out half a dozen men with his Nerf gun (not really, he always has a real hand gun that comes to him whenever he requires it). Similar things happen in Boy Nobody, like a perfectly lived-in apartment so no one will suspect you are an assassin, or fighting with a group of men on a subway, only to have no one noticing or mentioning anything. It’s really easy to hide under the excuse that all of the background stuff are taken care of by The Program, but I really would have liked to see a little bit of Boy Nobody setting up from his assignments, like charming the old landlord into getting an apartment near his new school for a lower price, or going to find proper clothes to fit in as a teen, or special clothes he would wear when he gets to meet the mayor. You know, more stuff that accumulates to him gaining Sam’s trust, instead of gaining Sam’s trust by being mysterious, flirty and hard-to-get.
With all that said, I totally love the show Person of Interest. The cases are interesting, the villains are great villains, not to mention John and Harold makes a great team. Boy Nobody comes close to how entertaining Person of Interest is. My favourite part has to be how The Program communicates with Boy Nobody. They talk in code and it’s so interesting to read about the reason behind each code, like the length of each assignment is disguised as the size of a picture file, to how to signal for a clean-up crew (by reporting in a Hazardous Condition using the Weather Channel app). Man, I want an iPhone that can go into secure-mode…not that I need a clean-up crew to clean up any dead bodies…
I’ve seen a couple of reviews talking about how the writing of this book is a bit amateur. I have to agree, mostly because it’s fairly choppy. There are a lot of dramatic emphasis put into the writing but I saw it as an expression of Boy Nobody. He has always been about getting from Point A to Point B in the most efficient way, which means the chapters should be kept short and accented, because that’s the way he thinks. It also adds to the pace and suspense of the novel, to have quick, short chapters. But I think Allen Zadoff missed out on an opportunity to show Boy Nobody’s transformation a little bit further, by elongating the chapters as the story progressed. Granted, the pace of the story would have been slowed down by quite a lot. but I think the way Boy Nobody conducted his actions also slowed down. Ah, whatever, I’m just rambling on now. This is what happens when I realized how bad I was at analysing books back in high school. Now I’m trying to over-compensate by over-analysing. 😛
Overall, this was an okay thriller that deals with espionage, assassins and finding one self. Considering it’s hard to find YA books within this genre, it is a worthy read. But, if anyone is interested, they should watch Person of Interest instead.
Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends, and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die-of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target.
But when he's assigned to the mayor of New York City, things change. The daughter is unlike anyone he has encountered before; the mayor reminds him of his father. And when memories and questions surface, his handlers at The Program are watching. Because somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and parents; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.
In this action-packed series debut, author Allen Zadoff pens a page-turning thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, introducing an utterly original and unforgettable antihero.
Thank you HBG for providing an ARC for review!! <33
Review
I'll be on vacation starting June 12th, which is the coming Wednesday and I really want to squeeze in a review before I go AFK, so please excuse this rushed, transcribed-from-my-notes, not-nearly-as-polished-up-as-I-would-like review.
First impression: there's too much rambling about how he doesn't have emotions. Rather than doing that, I prefer the character to show how heartless they are. Words can be said, but they are just the speaker's perspective. It's actions that define you.
And when he does begin to show emotions, it was all too clichéd. Some girl and her father was able to change you for the better. Granted, Sam was a total badass. I don't care how she was described to be tall, fit and beautiful, she didn't let anyone push her around. She played people like a keyboard, and she even caught Boy Nobody off guard. It really showed that outer beauty doesn't translate to being dumb, or vice versa. But I really wished she could have handled her emotions about boys a little better. Damn, that girl has some baggage. She somehow became a weak puppy when she "falls" for boys, and I wish she wasn't like that. Read more »
Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In a few months, he’s going to die.
One Mission
Jack needs to find seven magic loculi that, when combined, have the power to cure him.
One Problem
The loculi are the relics of a lost civilization and haven’t been seen in thousands of years.
Seven Wonders
Because they’re hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Review
Ever since I finished the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, I haven't been able to find a good alternative. There are some great middle grade series out there, don't get me wrong. But none of them had the same feel to it as PJO.
Until now.
This book had a lot of similar elements to PJO. The one stood out to me the most was its humour. Rick Riordan was able to infuse humour into his books even when things got tense. What's even better was that the humour did not come from one single "comic relief character." Peter Lerangis took a page right out of Riordan's How to Write a Fantastic Book Series and did exactly that. Every one of the characters was capable of delivering a funny punchline and that showed great versatility. I really love it when a character is more than just "The Hero", "The Clown" or "The Nerd." Because in some way, everyone has those characteristics within them. Jack, Marco, Aly and Cass all displayed those characteristics and it made the story much more believable. And the best part of all is that they all had equal opportunities to shine; although the story was told in Jack's perspective, all of them could be viewed as the main character. Read more »
Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In a few months, he’s going to die.
One Mission
Jack needs to find seven magic loculi that, when combined, have the power to cure him.
One Problem
The loculi are the relics of a lost civilization and haven’t been seen in thousands of years.
Seven Wonders
Because they’re hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Review
Ever since I finished the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, I haven’t been able to find a good alternative. There are some great middle grade series out there, don’t get me wrong. But none of them had the same feel to it as PJO.
Until now.
This book had a lot of similar elements to PJO. The one stood out to me the most was its humour. Rick Riordan was able to infuse humour into his books even when things got tense. What’s even better was that the humour did not come from one single “comic relief character.” Peter Lerangis took a page right out of Riordan’s How to Write a Fantastic Book Series and did exactly that. Every one of the characters was capable of delivering a funny punchline and that showed great versatility. I really love it when a character is more than just “The Hero”, “The Clown” or “The Nerd.” Because in some way, everyone has those characteristics within them. Jack, Marco, Aly and Cass all displayed those characteristics and it made the story much more believable. And the best part of all is that they all had equal opportunities to shine; although the story was told in Jack’s perspective, all of them could be viewed as the main character.
Another character I thought Lerangis delivered really well was Torquin. He is a large henchman to the Karai Institute. Stereotypically, the large henchman is not the sharpest tool in the shed, and is usually used as a comic relief. Sure, Torquin had his funny moments, but he also showed that he is just like you and me. He gets frustrated when he has to come in on his day off, he hates babysitting the kids, yet, he is smart enough to monitor the entire institute’s surveillance system and can notice when things feel off. At times you feel bad for him, and then you realize you really hate his stubbornness.
If you’re not a fan of Rick Riordan (although that is impossible), there are other aspects of this novel that might appeal to you. Like in the 39 Clues, this book drew in historical elements and made me really interested in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. I go gaga for anything about ancient civilization, which made my time in my time in my grade 11 history class oh so enjoyable. This book had puzzles and riddles that needed to be solved and fans of the 39 Clues series should definitely check it out.
There was also another element of this story that I enjoyed and it reminded me a bit of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel series (by Michael Scott). But I will put this under the spoiler tag just in case you find it spoilery. [I like how the children don’t really trust Dr. Bhegard and the Karai Institute, just like Josh and Sophie with Nicholas Flammel. I think their suspicion is justified and I am curious to read on to see if any of them would turn against the professor. (hide spoiler)] [I like how the children don’t really trust Dr. Bhegard and the Karai Institute, just like Josh and Sophie with Nicholas Flammel. I think their suspicion is justified and I am curious to read on to see if any of them would turn against the professor.]
One minor thing that I disliked about this book were the titles given to each chapter. I usually LOVE chapters with their own title, but only if they added to the mystique of what was about to happen. Some of the chapter titles in this book did the opposite; some (only some) of the titles kind of gave away what was about to happen in the upcoming chapter. Nothing major was given away or anything, but it still took away some of my excitement.
P.S.: Totally adored the illustrations! They were an essential part to the puzzle solving. Excellent.
Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?
Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.
Thank you so much Razorbill Canada for allowing me on this blog tour! I am soooo excited! Thank you!!
Review
NOTE: quotes are from the ARC and can be subject to change.
I still remember being in grade 10 and one of my friends practically breathed Sarah Dessen, and who swore by Along for the Ride. Back then I was NOT a contemporary fan so I brushed it off. But now being a contemporary noob, I was sooooo excited to read The Moon and More. For a first timer with Sarah Dessen, I think I am disappointed.
When I started the book I loved it! It was light, fun, and simple. Everything seems so bright and colourful, and I called it "a perfect beach read". It was a novel that anyone could read without wrecking his/her brain (and that stayed true until the very end). I was so very excited and it just seemed like the perfect book for me (because it reminded me of Of Poseidon and the beach-y fun-ness). Wow beach-y fun-ness…what the heck is that Ash??? And you know what, I was super excited to dive into the father issue Emaline had with her father. It got be so pumped. I was raging. I never had father issues before or any parental issues (my parents are awesssuuummmm), but it was a topic that I think anyone could relate. It doesn't have to be a parent, it could be anyone. That feeling of disappointment and being let down is easily sympathizable (once again, not a word). Below you will find a rant by me, right after I read a little part of the book that enraged me. Note it is not edited. It was exactly what I typed when I read about Emaline's father.
Can I rant about Emaline's father. God where do I begin? Have you ever been let down? Yes? Ever been let down soooo many times by the same person? Yes? Maybe? Well that's Emaline's father for you. He is a smart guy, with a great education background, but what a douchbag he is! He is a sweet talker, acting like he cares and at the moment that you needs him the most? He vanishes. Gosh I hate people who acts like that. One moment you think they've actually changed and cared for you but in reality he/she have been putting up a fake face and was lying to you the whole damn time. All those broken promises. I hate it. I mean if it is only once or twice, I get it. It is life and life sucks. But all the time? No. I don't buy that, not even one tiny bit. It is like giveaways. I know from personal and friends' experiences, that blogging world's giveaways have become somewhat unreliable. I mean of course there are still actual and true giveaways out there but there are so many other fake giveaways as well Nothing hurts more than waiting on something you love and then an email reply of "oops, blah blah blah, sorry, won't be sending this" excuses, excuses. Or no reply at all. OR the worst, promise you something else for compensation and don't deliver either. Two promises, broken. I just can't deal with him. Joel Pendleton, you suck! See how emotional I got when reading about Emaline's father? It got my blood pumping, fingers typing, mind ranting. It was the part of the book that I was passionate about, and curious about. When Emaline was with her father, it was awkward but things were interesting and I wanted to see where it goes. Plus when ever Benji was in the picture, I loved every single moment of it. Sadly, this book lacked many of the exciting parts.
Anyway, around half way through the book, I felt frustrated. Why?? Because I felt like one part of the book (not the father part) was unnecessary long and frankly boring! And you ask: what is this part? Well the romance, and the complication. Read more »
Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo’s sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline’s mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he’s convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she’s going?
Sarah Dessen’s devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.
Thank you so much Razorbill Canada for allowing me on this blog tour! I am soooo excited! Thank you!!
Review
NOTE: quotes are from the ARC and can be subject to change.
I still remember being in grade 10 and one of my friends practically breathed Sarah Dessen, and who swore by Along for the Ride. Back then I was NOT a contemporary fan so I brushed it off. But now being a contemporary noob, I was sooooo excited to read The Moon and More. For a first timer with Sarah Dessen, I think I am disappointed.
When I started the book I loved it! It was light, fun, and simple. Everything seems so bright and colourful, and I called it “a perfect beach read”. It was a novel that anyone could read without wrecking his/her brain (and that stayed true until the very end). I was so very excited and it just seemed like the perfect book for me (because it reminded me of Of Poseidon and the beach-y fun-ness). Wow beach-y fun-ness…what the heck is that Ash??? And you know what, I was super excited to dive into the father issue Emaline had with her father. It got be so pumped. I was raging. I never had father issues before or any parental issues (my parents are awesssuuummmm), but it was a topic that I think anyone could relate. It doesn’t have to be a parent, it could be anyone. That feeling of disappointment and being let down is easily sympathizable (once again, not a word). Below you will find a rant by me, right after I read a little part of the book that enraged me. Note it is not edited. It was exactly what I typed when I read about Emaline’s father.
Can I rant about Emaline’s father. God where do I begin? Have you ever been let down? Yes? Ever been let down soooo many times by the same person? Yes? Maybe? Well that’s Emaline’s father for you. He is a smart guy, with a great education background, but what a douchbag he is! He is a sweet talker, acting like he cares and at the moment that you needs him the most? He vanishes. Gosh I hate people who acts like that. One moment you think they’ve actually changed and cared for you but in reality he/she have been putting up a fake face and was lying to you the whole damn time. All those broken promises. I hate it. I mean if it is only once or twice, I get it. It is life and life sucks. But all the time? No. I don’t buy that, not even one tiny bit. It is like giveaways. I know from personal and friends’ experiences, that blogging world’s giveaways have become somewhat unreliable. I mean of course there are still actual and true giveaways out there but there are so many other fake giveaways as well Nothing hurts more than waiting on something you love and then an email reply of “oops, blah blah blah, sorry, won’t be sending this” excuses, excuses. Or no reply at all. OR the worst, promise you something else for compensation and don’t deliver either. Two promises, broken. I just can’t deal with him. Joel Pendleton, you suck! See how emotional I got when reading about Emaline’s father? It got my blood pumping, fingers typing, mind ranting. It was the part of the book that I was passionate about, and curious about. When Emaline was with her father, it was awkward but things were interesting and I wanted to see where it goes. Plus when ever Benji was in the picture, I loved every single moment of it. Sadly, this book lacked many of the exciting parts.
Anyway, around half way through the book, I felt frustrated. Why?? Because I felt like one part of the book (not the father part) was unnecessary long and frankly boring! And you ask: what is this part? Well the romance, and the complication.
From reading the synopsis, you know Theo enters Emaline’s life. Can I say BORING!! I mean I know a book like this needs romance. But the thing was that I didn’t felt the romance. I wasn’t Team Luke nor Team Theo, I felt Emaline should just be single. Theo was kind of your geeky, artsy student. He also was enthusiastic about a lot of things. He acted like a boy at Christmas morning for most of his time with Emma (kind of like Spencer Reid when he is on his knowledge rant…cute). And yes, back in high school he got bullied a lot so I can imagine this adorable boy/man(?) that gets giddy by a girl he likes. Because of that, he plans everything out perfectly (or to the best that he can). He will take note of your likes and dislikes and remember it. He would care for you. But I really thought he wasn’t a dating material. He was like a boy who got excited about a new toy and soon he would slowly drift away and have a new found interest. He was not a keeper. As for Luke, he was the gorgeous, strong boyfriend that you had a backstory with. Because of the time they spend with each other (a total of 3 years), I felt that Luke was a bit more suited for Emaline. Emaline will forever be a small town girl at heart and I felt like Luke could be her match. But really, I didn’t strongly sway one side, if I had to choose it would be Luke, though he could be a tiny jerk. So in summary of the romance? I just really didn’t care for it! I skimmed through it and just yawned. I just wanted the book to conclude to something. I didn’t care about in between. I really just didn’t see a point in it.
Shall we discuss our main character? Emaline was perfect. She was organized, carrying, and popular. In the family she took care of a lot of stuff. At times she felt very “mom-ish”. She had to order her friends: ” ‘Come on,’ I said. He just looked at me. ‘Now‘ ” (page 44). It just come off wrong with me. You know the type of girls who think they are much more mature and responsible than you are and just acts like your mom? I’ve seen a few in my life time. *shivers* Anyway, Emaline’s mom’ side of the family was “uneducated”, meaning no college degree. Emaline’s father’s side was completely the opposite. All they cared for was education, learning etc. Even Benji, a young child (who was just adorable), was “forced” to do word puzzles instead of playing with crayons. I really didn’t liked that. I was reading about choosing a college, preparing for SAT etc. made me nauseous from pressure. It was the feeling of stress and uncertainty that got me. I mean I don’t really have to worry about it since it was not me but I definitely felt it. It was uncomfortable and unbearable. Call me crazy but life of a student, right?
Now to one of my favourite characters, Morris. Warning, I didn’t like him in the beginning. He was……..a bit “slow”. He didn’t take initiative. He was the follower. He won’t do anything unless instructed, even if that thing is sooooo obvious. I would not be able to deal with him. He had a back story with no father and his mother was not the best, but he was………frustrating to deal with. I wasn’t patient enough. But there were times where his personality really helped. You could tell he was an honest guy who was not fake. He would not be the one faking a smile or a hug. He would be true to you and would be there when you need real comfort. He said stuff that no one would said and would always be the right thing that needed to be said. That’s that make sense? He was just the perfect friend, surprising but true.
As for other characters? I loved Daisy!!! She was your Asian fashionista with sass! Okay she hated being called “fashionista” so maybe I shouldn’t called her that….eeeks! “It’s a vintage A-line, Emaline. It’s classsic. Knows no season.” (62) When Emaline is with her, it brings back memory of “Of Poseidon” and Emma and her friend in the first few chapters. It was funny, sassy, and pure fun! She had the gut to tell Emaline the hard truth and wouldn’t hold back. She was a true friend. “The any-other girl thing” she said to Emaline on page 80 of the ARC, PREACH Daisy!!
Emaline’ sisters all had personalities. To me they were necessary and all got enough attention from the readers to like them or at least have a particular feeling towards them. Margo was strict and stubborn. Amber was whiny and the type of girl who would chew her bubble gum loud (she didn’t do that but I felt like she would…aha). And gosh, how I loved Emaline’s mom. She was sweeeeeettt!!! Not the fake “oh honey” sweet but the one whose actions made her loved. And it kind of brings me to the title, which I ABSOLUTELY LOVED! The title’s background was linked to the mom instead of Emaline’s love interest. It just made it super sweet, and teary eyed worthy instead of extra cheese. If you don’t want to know the story from my review because you think it is a SPOILER, skip the little section below. “But she’d told me often of a book she read aloud every night when I was a baby, about a mother bear and her little cub who won’t go to sleep. What if I get hungry? he asks. I’ll bring you a snack, she tells him. What if I’m thirsty? I’ll fetch you water. what if I get scared? I’ll order all the monsters away. Finally he asks, What if that’s not enough? What if I need something else? And she replies, Whatever you need, I will find a way to get it to you. I will give you the moon, and more. […] She had nothing, but wanted everything for me. Still did.” (21-22)
Seriously, that got me a little teary eyed. May I direct you to “Mother” by 96猫?
Aha, it probably won’t stop the tears but at least we will get all the feels out that the same time? The line “the moon and more” will be my “for you, a thousand times over”. I will shiver EVERY single time when I read over those blacked inked words. BRB CRYING.
As for the setting of the novel? I loved. The true local setting reminded me of Grand Mannan. I was on a school trip there and it was a small, wet, city by the sea. No beaches…well, no sunny, sun bathing beaches, just cold, windy, “wild life” beaches. The locals acted the same way as in this book. A lot of people were “cold” and almost unresponsive. Maybe it was just me but I pictured Colby to be a sunny, happy, beachy place in the beginning of the book but I just couldn’t picture anything sunny as I read on. Perhaps Sarah describe it somewhere it was still nice and warm but I sure didn’t felt nice and warm. All I got was rainy, cold, and dark. It was just the mood the book brought to me. Weird eh?
As for the plot of the book, it just seemed to flatline most of the time. The small high points were when Emaline confronted her father. Everything else just seemed like words on a piece of paper, there but not felt. And dare I compare Sarah Dessen to Nicholas Spark but it just felt like some cheesy Nicholas Spark movie. I don’t know. The plot was tasteless and bland.
So after all that, I would give this book a 3/5, definitely a disappointment but would read more from Sarah.
Now I leave you with more quotes ;3
“As it turned out, that lunch wasn’t the end for us. But it wasn’t the beginning of some beautiful relationship, either. More like a door being opened a tiny crack to let a sliver of light in. It wasn’t enough to see clearly by, but from then on, we would never be fully in the dark again.” (34)
“She’d wanted so much for me: the moon and more. But maybe, right now, the moon was enough.” (39)
“…neither knowing nor caring where I was taking him. Like destinations, in general, were vastly overrated. And maybe they were. As long as you were moving, you were always going somewhere.” (175)
The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.
Thank you RazorbillCa/PenguinCa for sending this ARC! 😀
Review
First of all, I had a little laugh, looking at how many to people immediately marked The Monstrumologist as to-read, once they finished off with this book. Let me spoil the fun, by saying that book is not like this book. That book was an eye (haha) opening experience, and left me thinking while I laid down to sleep every night. That book was perfection, and this was a little sub-par.
I never expected to give this book less that five-sparkly stars. I mean, come on, it's RICK YANCEY. The Monstrumologist is one of my all-time favourite books and Will Henry remains one of my all-time favourite book characters.
I can see the appeal of this book and I understand why most people LOVE this book, but in my opinion, there are better books out there that offer more intensity, more betrayals and more heartbreak. The two books/series I am talking about is the Chaos Walking trilogy and Ender's Game.
First, I would like to talk about what makes the Chaos Walking trilogy a better substitute:
A: It offers superior alternating POVs, switching between male and female. When Patrick Ness ends one of the perspectives, he stops at somewhere that leaves you thinking, and you almost have to put the book down and reflect on life for a good five minutes. I think that occurred a couple of times throughout The 5th Wave, but most of the other times, it stops at a cliffhanger. Cliffhangers are great and they gets your heart pumping, but that is quickly sputtered out by the other POV, which is in its build-up phase. That excitement inflicted by the cliffhanger is sent into hyperpolarization, which is a term used to describe neurons in our brain. It basically means my feelings for this spiked, an now, as I see a new POV is beginning and it is in its build-up phase, I get bored. My feelings about whatever exciting just happened, drops. It drops below even the boredom of the incoming POV. Because I know I have to sit through ~30 pages before I get back to that cliffhanger. Pretend the Resting Membrane potential is me reading, and something exciting happens and action potential occurs, but the disconnection of the POVs puts me in to a screeching halt and drop into hyperpolarization. This is the exact reason why I steered away from A Game of Thrones. The anticipation dies after George R. R. Martin goes through about 15 other characters (exaggeration) before coming back to the one I was really excited about.
I'm going to put more stuff about a neuron firing under the SPOILER tag. [Observe a neuron firing below: Read more »
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