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Tag: Young Adult

Book Review | Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix

Posted on April 12, 2016April 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix

Published by Katherine Tegan Books on October 13, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Format: ARC

Pages: 304

Source: Book Expo America

Goodreads: ★★★

On her eighteenth birthday, Lady Truthful, nicknamed “Newt,” will inherit her family’s treasure: the Newington Emerald. A dazzling heart-shaped gem, the Emerald also bestows its wearer with magical powers.

When the Emerald disappears one stormy night, Newt sets off to recover it. Her plan entails dressing up as a man, mustache included, as no well-bred young lady should be seen out and about on her own. While in disguise, Newt encounters the handsome but shrewd Major Harnett, who volunteers to help find the missing Emerald under the assumption that she is a man. Once she and her unsuspecting ally are caught up in a dangerous adventure that includes an evil sorceress, Newt realizes that something else is afoot: the beating of her heart.

In Newt’s Emerald, the bestselling author of Sabriel, Garth Nix, takes a waggish approach to the forever popular Regency romance and presents a charmed world where everyone has something to hide.

REVIEW

I received an ARC of Newt’s Emerald while attending Book Expo America in 2015, and was excited to read a book by well-known fantasy author Garth Nix for the first time. Newt’s Emerald is a magical fantasy story that takes place in London during the Regency era. The book follows Lady Truthful as she turns 18-years-old. Her father shows her the emerald she will inherit during her birthday dinner, when suddenly a big storm occurs and the emerald is stolen. Truthful travels to London to visit her aunt, and to help find the emerald.

I thought the idea for Newt’s Emerald was a lot of fun, but unfortunately the book fell a bit flat for me. My first issue is with the writing style. Nix does an excellent job of writing in the British English of the time period, but it was difficult to adapt because there was a lot of vocabulary I didn’t know. While there is a glossary in the back of the book, many of the words I looked up weren’t listed there. Similarly, Nix assumes that the reader is already familiar with the magic system in the book. Perhaps if you read a lot of books in this genre you would be, but I would have liked a lot more world-building. This is especially true for a young adult novel, in which many of the readers might not be familiar with this particular magic system.

Moreover, I also found that the book’s short length held back the story. The characters were underdeveloped, as was the romance. A longer book would have also helped to build suspense. This is especially true at the end of the novel. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I will say that I was very disappointed with the ending. The book built up to a climax that happens in the last couple of pages. Then, the book is suddenly over. This sudden ending really detracted from my enjoyment of the story. This could have been solved with a longer book, or even an epilogue.

That being said, there were still some things I liked about Newt’s Emerald in addition to the plot idea. First, I loved the character of Truthful’s aunt, Lady Badgery. Ever since becoming an aunt, I’ve loved aunts in literature. Lady Badgery is sassy and smart, but also quite loving. She really takes Truthful under her wing, and I loved seeing how their relationship played a role in the book. In addition, I loved the glamorous setting of Newt’s Emerald. Not only was glamour a part of the magic system, but I really liked all of the balls Truthful attended, as well as the careful attention to fashion. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book in the Regency era before, and this definitely piqued my interest.

All in all, I was quite disappointed with Newt’s Emerald because it was underdeveloped and slow-going. It reads more like middle grade than young adult, so I would recommend it for younger readers. While I thought the story had a fun plot, it just wasn’t done well for my tastes. I am interested to hear your thoughts on Nix’s other books. I know his Abhorson series is well-loved, so I might give that a try in the future.

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5 Romantic Reads for Valentine’s Day | Blogger Collaboration

Posted on February 9, 2016February 9, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite romantic books with all of you. I’m not a huge romance reader, but I’ve noticed that this past month I’ve picked up more lovey dovey books than normal. This blog post will feature five of my all-time favorite romance books, and you’ll notice I typically go for light-hearted and cutesy stories. I’ve also teamed up with bloggers Kayla, Amélie, and Colleen who are sharing their picks today, too. Their posts will be linked at the end, so please be sure to check them out!

5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

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My first pick is a young adult contemporary, and is more of a coming-of-age story than a romance. I think this is a great book for those who may not like mushy love stories, because this book features friendship more than traditional love. We follow teen boys Aristotle and Dante as they meet one summer. Both are shy and have trouble expressing their emotions. The book follows their journey, and is a beautiful story. I highly recommend this book!

4. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

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I read Stargirl years ago and immediately fell in love with it. This young adult novel takes place in high school, and follows Leo Borlock as he begins to notice the ‘weird’ girl in school. She’s named herself Stargirl, and is often bullied because of her uniqueness. I love this book because it shows how appearances aren’t everything, and how it’s important to stay true to yourself. This is also a very quick read if you’re short on time!

3. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

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If you like romantic comedies, you need to check out The Rosie Project! This is an adult contemporary novel that follows main character Don Tillman. Don is a scientist, and has similar character traits to Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. One day he decides to begin The Wife Project, because he wants a life partner that meets his very specific criteria. Then he meets Rosie – a woman who doesn’t check any of the boxes on his list. The book follows their journey together to find Rosie’s biological father. It’s cute, funny, and the perfect Valentine’s Day read!

2. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

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Another great adult contemporary is Attachments. This is my favorite book from Rainbow Rowell (so far), and follows Lincoln O’Neill at the turn of the 21st Century. Lincoln works in the IT department of a newspaper office, and his job is to monitor the emails of the workers. He becomes enthralled with the emails of Beth and Jennifer, and soon begins to fall for one of them despite never speaking with her in person. This book is adorable, but also deals with some deep issues, too. I think it’s perfect for millennials!

1. The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

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Last but not least, I have to recommend The Geography of You and Me, a young adult contemporary romance. This book is the epitome of cute, but is also extremely well written. It follows two teens in New York City during a blackout. They happen to meet when the power is turned off, but once the city is restored to normal, they aren’t sure how to keep their relationship going. If you’re looking for a quick read with some depth, I highly recommend this one!

That wraps up my top picks for Valentine’s Day! Please make sure to visit my fellow bloggers to see what books they have to recommend for you. You can also leave me a comment with your favorite romantic books! I’d love to know what you recommend, too.

Kayla

Kayla Blogs

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Amélie

A Wanderer’s Adventures

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Colleen

Buckeye Bliss

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Book Review | Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Posted on January 21, 2016January 15, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Published by St. Martin’s Griffin on September 10, 2013

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 433

Source: Gift

Goodreads: ★★★★

A coming-of-age tale of fanfiction, family and first love

CATH IS A SIMON SNOW FAN. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan… But for Cath, being a fan is her life–and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath that she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words…and she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

REVIEW

I was very excited to read Fangirl after hearing so many wonderful reviews of it. I’ve read Rainbow Rowell’s two adult novels, and really enjoyed them. I had a feeling Fangirl would be another great book. The story follows Cath, an introverted teenager who is starting her first year at college. Cath hoped she could experience her first year with her identical twin sister, Wren, but Wren wanted to do her own thing. This leaves Cath alone in her dorm room, afraid to even leave to find the cafeteria. Cath spends her time writing fanfiction for the beloved Simon Snow book series, which is comparable to Harry Potter.

I had some trouble getting into Fangirl at the beginning. I had flashbacks to my freshman year of college, which was a very difficult time in my life as well. I could relate to Cath even though she is a very extreme version of who I was in college. I was rooting for her from the start!

The characters in Fangirl are my absolute favorite part of the novel. There is family drama, love interests, surprising friendships, and more. I love that Rowell writes characters that struggle with real-life issues that are often not represented in young adult literature. For example, Cath’s father has bipolar disorder, a mental illness that takes a toll on his entire family. In addition, Cath’s identical twin Wren goes the ‘typical’ college student route, and begins non-stop partying. It is so refreshing to have such distinct and well-developed characters in this book.

That being said, I did have a few issues with Fangirl. First, I didn’t really get the whole Simon Snow thing. In between each chapter there is an excerpt from either a Simon Snow novel or Cath’s fanfiction based on Simon Snow. I really didn’t like those excerpts, mainly because I couldn’t connect them to what was going on in Fangirl, and there wasn’t enough for me to form a full picture of the Simon Snow world. While I thought it was great that Cath was so into fanfiction, I didn’t enjoy when she read portions of her work out loud for several pages.

Moreover, my biggest issue with Fangirl is with the ending (or lack thereof). I won’t spoil you in this review, but suffice it to say I was very frustrated with how this book came to a close. Cath’s first semester of college is drawn out and fully explored, and then her second is rushed. In addition, there are so many unanswered questions. Readers don’t get to find out if Cath finished her fanfiction in the timeframe she wanted, or what happens to a lot of the characters. It really bummed me out that the book ended this way, because there is so much about Fangirl that I really loved, but I had a sour taste in my mouth as I closed the book. It seems that Rowell loves to leave her readers unsatisfied.

All in all, I did enjoy the journey of reading Fangirl, and I can see why so many people love the book. I ended up giving this book a four star rating, even though it probably is more of a three because of the ending. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book if you are the shy one. Cath’s story is very relatable, and I can see it comforting many who may feel alone whether at college or at any other stage in life. Of course, if you enjoy young adult contemporary and a good love story, this is a great option. I look forward to picking up Carry On, Cath’s fanfiction that is now its own fantasy novel, at some point very soon.

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Book Review | Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Posted on January 14, 2016January 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Published by Roaring Book Press on June 2, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Religion, Coming of Age

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

Source: Gift

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

Rachel Walker is devoted to God.

She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy.

But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can’t shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.

REVIEW

I’ve been wanting to read Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu ever since I had the opportunity to hear the author speak at BookCon in 2015. As soon as I heard the premise of the book, I knew I would love it. Devoted follows 17-year-old Rachel Walker, whose family is a part of the Quiverfull movement. This is a fundamentalist Christian sect in which children are seen as blessings and procreation is very much promoted. Rachel is one of ten children and her mother is pregnant with another. While Rachel loves her family dearly, she becomes curious about the world outside her own, and begins to explore how ‘worldly’ people live.

I really enjoyed Devoted, and I knew I would because I am fascinated with different religions and how people live their lives in a way that is different from my own. Rachel is a great first-person narrator because she is instantly likable and I was rooting for her from the start. Similarly, Mathieu has a great writing style. It is quite relaxed, and that made Devoted a really quick read.

My main critique of Devoted is that nothing big happens in the story. Perhaps I’ve just been reading more science fiction and fantasy lately, but I didn’t find any sort of climax in the story. Nonetheless, I do appreciate that Devoted focuses on a young woman growing up and making her own choices. The book is truly about her growth, and it’s refreshing to read a young adult novel that praises a young woman’s personal autonomy. While I would have liked a bit more excitement, or even some romance thrown in, looking back I can see how Rachel’s journey is an important one.

Moreover, I also would have liked to learn more about Rachel’s family. Maybe I’m just a bit obsessed with learning about people who practice fundamentalist religions (one of my all-time favorite television shows is Big Love, for example), but I needed more about Rachel’s parents, older sister, and even her older brothers. This is a small critique, but one I want to mention nonetheless.

Overall, I really enjoyed Devoted and am so glad I finally got the opportunity to read it. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who are interested in different religions. If you are looking for a young adult contemporary that isn’t all about romance, this is also a perfect choice. I can’t wait to read more of Mathieu’s work in the future!

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Book Review | Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Posted on December 17, 2015December 9, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Published by Speak on January 1, 2008

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 352

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★★

The weather outside is frightful, but these stories are delightful! When a huge blizzard (that doesn’t show signs of stopping) hits, Gracetown is completely snowed in. But even though it’s cold outside, things are heating up inside, proving that the holiday season is magical when it comes to love. In three wonderfully (and hilariously!) interconnected tales, YA stars John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson create a must-have collection that captures all the spirit of the holiday season.

BOOK REVIEW

While I wouldn’t call myself a seasonal reader, I was very excited to pick up Let it Snow as soon as the holiday season began. There is something magical about Christmas stories, and Let it Snow contains three. I had no idea that the three stories in the book are interconnected, and that was a great surprise for me. Each story takes place in Gracetown, a small town that is experiencing a huge snowstorm on Christmas Eve. In each story we follow a different cast of characters, but, of course, each is a holiday romance. They are sweet, silly, and super enjoyable.

The book begins with Maureen Johnson’s The Jubilee Express. This is my favorite story in the book, and it follows Jubilee as she travels south by train to visit her grandparents in Florida after her parents are thrown in jail on Christmas Eve. I really enjoyed Johnson’s writing – it is snarky and funny, and flows really well. Even though The Jubilee Express features the insta-love trope popular in a lot of young adult fiction, it was enjoyable in this short story.

The second story is by none other than John Green, and is called A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle. I was quite disappointed that Green decided to use a gay slur in his story, and that his characters used the R-word (more information on that HERE). Otherwise, I really enjoyed his story, which follows Tobin and his group of friends attempting to visit the local Waffle House after a bunch of cheerleaders get stranded there. Of course, it is quite outlandish, but it’s a lot of fun, and perfect for the holidays.

Finally, Lauren Myracle’s story is called The Patron Saint of Pigs. It has a very different feel than the other two stories in the book, and is my least favorite simply due to the main character Addie’s negative demeanor. Nonetheless, I still thought it was enjoyable, and I loved how it rounded up the overall story of Let it Snow.

All in all, Let it Snow is a great book to pick up during Christmastime, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a holiday-themed read. Keep in mind that it is a little bit corny, but I think it is justified during this time of year. I am definitely going to be rereading this during Christmases to come.

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Book Review | Extras (Uglies #4) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on November 26, 2015November 23, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the fourth book in a series. It will contain spoilers for the first three books in the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. Please read at your own discretion.

Extras (Uglies #4) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse on January 1, 2007

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 417

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★

Fame

It’s a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. “Tech-heads” flaunt their latest gadgets, “kickers” spread gossip and trends, and “surge monkeys” are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it’s all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of “American Idol.” Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn’t suck enough, Aya Fuse’s rank of 451,369 is so low, she’s a total nobody. An extra. But Aya doesn’t care; she just wants to lie low with her drone, Moggle. And maybe kick a good story for herself.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity…and extreme danger. A world she’s not prepared for.

REVIEW

I was a bit hesitant to pick up Extras, the final book in Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series. This fourth book lives up to its title, as it is an extra addition to what was originally a trilogy. I’ve heard mixed reviews, and I was also wondering what an Uglies novel would be like following a different cast of characters. The book takes place three years after Tally took down her government, and focuses on a new main character called Aya. It was definitely weird to follow Aya instead of Tally, and it took me a while to really get into the story, simply because I was adapting to a new world.

Aya’s city has an economy based on face-rank. Basically, the more famous you are, the richer you are. Aya is a kicker, which means she posts stories to her feed in hopes that it will be shared. Sound familiar? This is quite similar to today’s social media culture, and I really liked how this concept is so relevant to today’s world.

That being said, there were definite issues with Extras. First, Westerfeld does a poor job at describing the setting. I was under the impression that the book takes place in Tally’s city, but it wasn’t until the book was half over that we find out Aya is actually from Japan (versus Tally’s California). It would have been helpful to have this set-up earlier in the book.

In the same way, there are a number of grammatical mistakes and copyediting errors throughout the book. It felt as if the release for Extras was rushed for publication. I deducted from the book’s overall rating for these errors, because I really don’t like when published books have so many mistakes.

Moreover, I was very excited when some of our favorite characters from the first three Uglies books made an appearance. I will keep it vague so as to not spoil you, but seeing these characters from another point of view was quite interesting. It really made me think about the first three books, and I liked this new perspective. They added a lot to Extras, but also to the original trilogy.

Overall, I am very glad I read Extras and officially finished of the Uglies series. While it was the weakest book in the series, I still liked the concept and plot, and thought it brought up some issues that are affecting us today. I will also mention that I certainly teared up in the final scene. I really enjoyed this series, and this was a poignant ending that I definitely recommend.

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Book Review | Specials (Uglies #3) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on November 24, 2015November 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the third book in a series and contains spoilers for the first and second books. Please only read this review if you’ve read Uglies and Pretties by Scott Westerfeld.

Specials (Uglies #3) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse on January 1, 2006

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 384

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

“Special Circumstances”: The words have sent chills down Tally’s spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor — frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally’s never been ordinary.

And now she’s been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.

Still, it’s easy to tune that out — until Tally’s offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she’s programmed to complete. Either way, Tally’s world will never be the same.

REVIEW

I continued my back-to-back reading of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series, and picked up Specials immediately after finishing Pretties. This series was originally written as a trilogy, with the fourth book being published later. Thus, Specials can be thought of as a conclusion to the storyline readers have been experiencing thus far. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite of the first three books.

Just as with Pretties, Specials begins with Tally in her new form, except this time she is a Special. I had a very difficult time getting into this book, mainly because the writing was awkward and difficult to follow. I can tell that Westerfeld has again shifted his writing style. This time, the writing takes on the harshness of Specials. While it is impressive that Westerfeld can adapt his writing in many ways, this new tone definitely made the reading experience less enjoyable for me.

In addition, I found that Specials follows a much similar formula that the two earlier books in the series do. Tally beings the story in her city in one form, and then leaves to discover something beyond the borders. While I won’t go into the details of the action so as to avoid spoilers, it was a little frustrating that I could somewhat predict the next step in the book because it was following such a formulaic arc.

My last main critique of Specials flows from Pretties. I really don’t like how Shay and Tally are part of a clique called the Cutters. Self-harm is a series issue in today’s society, and I feel like Westerfeld introduced it in an uncomfortable way. While Tally does stop cutting, it is never truly addressed how serious and dangerous such a habit can be. Not only can this aspect of the series be triggering for those who struggle with self-harm, but it downplays it as well.

Nonetheless, despite the issues I had with Specials, I did enjoy the story overall. While some characters acted outside of their developed personalities, there were a number of scenes that truly shed light on Tally’s society in an intriguing way. I was touched with many of the emotional moments, and the ending itself was solid. If you’ve been wondering whether or not to continue on with this series, I highly recommend doing so! Tally is an incredible protagonist, and I truly enjoyed her story.

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Book Review | Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on November 19, 2015November 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the second book in a series and contains spoilers for the first book. Please only read this review if you have read Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse on May 5, 2005

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 370

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she’s completely popular. It’s everything she’s ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun — the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom — is a nagging sense that something’s wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally’s ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what’s wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life — because the authorities don’t intend to let anyone with this information survive.

REVIEW

I picked up Pretties immediately after finishing the first book in this series, Uglies. One of the benefits of reading an older book series is that there is no waiting between books, and I certainly prefer to read them all in a row so as to not forget any details. Pretties picks up about a month after Uglies finishes. Tally is, of course, now Pretty, and she is living in New Pretty Town and enjoying all the benefits that come with being Pretty. I was immediately impressed with how Westerfeld is able to change his entire writing style to fit the tone of this book. He adapts a new vocabulary, and emits a new aura to represent the laid-back and bubble-headed Pretty mentality. Just as Tally becomes Pretty, the reader does, too.

I really enjoyed reading the portions of the book that take place in New Pretty Town. In Uglies, I only had a glimpse into what it meant to be Pretty. I was glad that Westerfeld really dove into the Pretty culture in this book. I found the idea of cliques to be really interesting, and I loved seeing how the Pretties interact with one another. Westerfeld does a great job at flushing out the world he created in book one.

Moreover, I also liked the introduction of the new characters in this novel. I instantly loved the character of Zane, the mysterious leader of Tally’s new friend group. I was rooting for him and Tally to be a couple, and loved whenever they were in scenes together. Be forewarned, though, if you don’t like love triangles in books this may be a drawback for you. I thought this triangle was well-written and also very logical considering Tally’s Pretty status, so I don’t think it takes away from the story at all.

In addition, I also liked other new characters introduced, and the people Tally encounters as the story continues. While I won’t explain more due to spoilers, suffice it to say Westerfeld is no stranger to surprising the reader and adding in some fun twists and turns. One of the reasons I really enjoy this series is because of its fast-paced and addictive qualities. Pretties definitely keeps up with Uglies in terms of pace.

The one main critique I have is a small plot hole that for some reason really took away from the credibility of the novel. In Uglies, we get to meet Tally’s parents, who encouraged her to listen to Special Circumstances and help them find the Smoke. In Pretties, we never hear about her parents. What happened to them? Did they meet Tally after her operation? Do Pretties not have contact with their parents? These questions were left unanswered, and while this is not a main part of the story, it still didn’t sit well with me.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed Pretties, and thought it was a great continuation to the series. I highly recommend reading it if you’ve read Uglies but haven’t yet continued on in the series. The book is such a quick read, and I was still extremely invested in Tally and her story by the end of this second book. Westerfeld definitely knows how to keep a series alive!

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Book Review | Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on November 17, 2015November 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse in 2005

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 406

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. In just a few weeks she’ll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she’ll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.

But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world– and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally’s choice will change her world forever…

REVIEW

I’ve wanted to read the Uglies series for a few years now after hearing YouTuber Joey Graceffa mention it in one of his videos. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian genre, and this one sounded really intriguing. Uglies follows Tally Youngblood. She lives in a city where at the age of sixteen everyone gets a surgery to become Pretty. Tally is excited for her operation, and looking forward to the future. Yet everything changes when her new friend Shay decides to run away and not get the operation. Tally is forced to help the government track Shay down, or never be Pretty.

I was instantly sucked into this world, and found the writing extremely addicting and really fast-paced. While the world is not completely unique, it was still really cool. I liked the different technology involved, especially the hoverboards that take Tally and her friends around the city. In the same way, I liked that Westerfeld kept Uglies in the third-person narrative. This is different from many other young adult dystopians in which the main character is narrating, and I found the change refreshing.

As for the characters, I instantly connected with Tally and was rooting for her from page one. She is an extremely likable character, because while she wants to fit into society, she also wants to do what she thinks is right. I did find that Tally was a bit too gullible, but other than that I think she is the perfect protagonist. Both Shay and David, on the other hand, I didn’t trust. This is proof of Westerfeld’s excellent writing skills, though, as Tally is unsure whether she should trust them, too.

My main critique of the story is that everything seems to work out a bit too easily for Tally. Yes, she faces some unsurmountable challenges, but despite how quickly the adventure unfurls, everything settles nicely. That being said, I was able to let that slide because I was so invested in the story. I couldn’t wait to pick up the next book in the series when Uglies came to a close!

All in all, I really enjoyed Uglies and am so glad I finally picked it up! I highly recommend it for fans of the dystopian genre. The book has a great discussion on what makes a person good or evil, and it is also the first dystopian world that I was willing to live in myself. I know this is an older series, so if you’ve read Uglies please share your thoughts with me!

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Book Review | The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel

Posted on November 12, 2015November 9, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the second book in a series, and contains spoilers for the first book. Please only read this review if you have read The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel.

The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel

Published by Entangled Teen on November 3, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Dystopian, Romance

Format: eARC

Pages: 290

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★

Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty — forced

marriages and murder plots — for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside

Westfall’s borders.

But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy’s life, she must

decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she’s fought for.

REVIEW

The Revolution of Ivy was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I am so excited to be a part of a Blog Tour to celebrate the book’s release. I absolutely loved the first book in this young adult duology, and was anxious to see how Ivy’s story would end. This book begins just where The Book of Ivy ends, with Ivy waking up beyond the fence after being put out of Westfall. I did have some issues remembering the details of the first book, but thankfully was able to jump right back into the story rather quickly. That being said, I definitely see a reread of this series in the future!

As with the first book, The Revolution of Ivy is exceptionally well-written. Ivy is an excellent first-person narrator. She speaks in a dreamlike manner, but she is always easy to follow. I also really liked the addition of new characters Caleb and Ash. They were added to the story seamlessly, and were developed well throughout the book. The pacing of the novel was well done, too – Engel knows when to share details, and when to jump forward.

That being said, I did find the story to be a bit predictable, especially to a reader who is no stranger to the dystopian genre. There were definitely some big plot twists and unexpected scenes, so I deducted a half star from my rating for the touch of predictability. There were also a few moments in the book that I didn’t find fully convincing, so I decided to settle on a solid four star rating for that reason.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed The Revolution of Ivy. I cannot give much away in this review, as the story is so action-packed even the slightest hint of the plot will give a lot away in advance. The story is very emotional in more ways than one, and I can really connect with Ivy and feel for her in terms of what she experiences. I don’t necessarily agree with all of Ivy’s choices, but I still absolutely loved how this duology concluded.

Overall, I highly recommend picking up The Revolution of Ivy if you read The Book of Ivy. This duology is really incredible, and I am looking forward to the next book Engel writes. I know I will be reading this series again in the future. I’ve fallen in love with these characters, and will need to return to them throughout my reading life!

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GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a signed copy of The Revolution of Ivy and a necklace! This giveaway is open to US residents only, and is hosted by the publisher. Good luck!

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This blog post is a stop on a Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. All opinions are my own. Giveaway is hosted by the publisher, Entangled Teen, and I am not responsible for choosing or contacting the winner.