Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Title: Hysteria
Author: Megan Miranda
Published: February 5th 2013
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past. But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.

In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

My Thoughts:

When I first saw the cover I was a little freaked out. Then I read the synopsis and the cover sort of grew on me. It's weird... but there's something thoroughly awesomely creepy about the whole thing. Just like reading the book. It is a mess of confusion, there's no doubt, but it is worth it.

I felt compassion for Mallory from the start. Her family is so distant, and it makes my heart break, especially knowing the struggle Mallory is facing INSIDE her head alone. They force her to go to the prep school, and she's basically alone there, even though she does have people she can talk to. I really liked the way Mallory interacted with her best friend Colleen and with Reid, the boy she knew before she transferred to the school.

She keeps getting these strange feelings that overcome her, weird sensations that take over her mind and body. She doesn't know who to trust, or if she can even trust herself. As you're reading, you sometimes think you know what happened but then you doubt yourself. Especially when you're nearing the end. With all the tricks of the mind that Mallory has had, along with the realities coming to light, you just don't know what to think. The actual end, where we find out the truth, had moments of insanity but I was surprisingly pleased with it.

Reading Hysteria was a ride and a half. Everything that Mallory goes through, real and imagined, is so completely thrilling and scary at the same time. There is so much going on, and not going on, that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. All in all, Megan Miranda can really create a story that is both chilling and pulls you in until you can't get enough.

My Rating:

Review: Escape Theory by Margaux Froley

Title: Escape Theory
Author: Margaux Froley
Published: March 12th 2013
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Mystery
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Sixteen-year-old Devon Mackintosh has always felt like an outsider at Keaton, the prestigious California boarding school perched above the Pacific. As long as she’s not fitting in, Devon figures she might as well pad her application to Stanford’s psych program. So junior year, she decides to become a peer counselor, a de facto therapist for students in crisis. At first, it seems like it will be an easy fly-on-the-wall gig, but her expectations are turned upside down when Jason Hutchins (a.k.a. “Hutch”), one of the Keaton’s most popular students, commits suicide.

Devon dives into her new role providing support for Hutch’s friends, but she’s haunted by her own attachment to him. The two shared an extraordinary night during their first week freshman year; it was the only time at Keaton when she felt like someone else really understood her.  As the secrets and confessions pile up in her sessions, Devon comes to a startling conclusion: Hutch couldn't have taken his own life. Bound by her oath of confidentiality—and tortured by her unrequited love—Devon embarks on a solitary mission to get to the bottom of Hutch's death, and the stakes are higher than she ever could have imagined.

My Thoughts:

I originally got this book via NetGalley but was unable to finish it. However, the first chapters alone had me HOOKED so once I was able to buy it, I was excited to get back to it. There was something incredibly intense about Devon and Hutch, I had to know what really happened to him.

The story starts with the moment they shared together in Freshman year. This moment, involving Nutter Butters and pancakes, is so beyond incredible. In between what is going on at present, we hear bits and pieces of that day. This is what attached me to Devin and Hutch. Especially Hutch. Why? Because the things he said to her that day resonated with me big time. Like these:

“Because I figure there's two kinds of people in the world. The ones who do everything that's laid out for them, the supposed-tos, and then there's the people that look above it and do what they want to do. I prefer the latter, but maybe that's just me. A not-supposed to.”

“I just like the idea of looking back at my life and feeling like I made different choices than everyone else, you know? Most people are inherently boring if you really dig deep. They don't want much, they don't veer from their chosen path, and they're generally scared of change. I don't know, at least that's how my grandfather tells it. I don't want to be like fifty and realize that I was one of those people who didn't bother to think outside the box.”

And that's not all. There was something infinitely amazing about their connection that day. It was like this perfect moment in time. Inescapable in its perfection. I get chills thinking about it.

Back to the present... As she conducts the therapy sessions with her peers, she begins to put pieces together. Based on what she learned of him that one day, and what she's gathering now, she just knows that Hutch couldn't possibly kill himself. She knows it's up to her to find out the truth because everyone else seems convinced that it was suicide. Throughout this ordeal in the aftermath of his death, she deals with a lot--having to console Hutch's friends and attempting to come to terms with it herself. And in the end, she does find out the truth.

Escape Theory was a stunning novel. It delves deep into the way people are and what they become when they are placed in certain situations. The romance between Devon and Hutch... simply beautiful. Margaux Froley kept me entranced by their story, from their moment to their last moment. It tore me up and sewed me back together again. Very impressive and a must read.

My Rating:

Review: Serial Hottie by Kelly Oram

Title: Serial Hottie
Author: Kelly Oram
Published: July 10th 2012
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Mystery
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Hockey-obsessed tomboy Eleanor Westley has never been the object of a guy's affection before. So when the hottest boy she's ever seen moves in across the street and starts treating her like she's the center of his universe, naturally she's going to be a little skeptical. But everything starts to make sense when girls who look just like Ellie start dying all around the city. Obviously the new guy is the killer, and of course he only likes her because he wants to slice her into tiny pieces. Right? The more Ellie gets to know Seth the more she's convinced he's a psychopathic killer. Problem is, he's the sweetest psychopathic killer she's ever met. Not to mention he's brutally hot. No matter how hard she tries, she can't help but fall for him. Will Ellie find true love, or will her summer of firsts turn out to be a summer of lasts?

My Thoughts:

When I first started reading this, I couldn't help but find it super amusing. In the first chapter, it felt reminiscent of Rear Window and I found that super intriguing. Not to mention the totally hot guy living across the street. I kept reading because of the intrigue and mystery, the gorgeous Seth, AND due to the fact that, although it's a serious situation, it is also funny how everything gets pieced together.

When it comes to the way Seth was with Ellie, I do have to admit, it was kind of a little... strangely obsessive for no apparent reason. And yet, despite that, I still found myself engrossed in the interactions between the two of them. One minute, you're like, "You two need to just kiss already!" and the next minute you're like, "Oh my god, get away from the guy!" Though, dude, it is so hard to figure out in your head how to feel about the guy. He seems nice, then creepy, then wonderful, so you're just at a loss as to whether you can trust him or not.

And the whole serial killer in town thing. Oh boy, does that take you for a spin. You're constantly bombarded with moments where it seems apparent that Seth is most likely the killer, and then you get hit with something else that completely contradicts it. And vice versa! Ellie kept going back and forth on how to feel based on the information she collects. As I was nearing the end and everything was being pieced together, I had this moment where I thought, "I know what's happening!" and then... I found out I was so wrong.

Serial Hottie is completely absorbing and hilarious at the same time. The mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was beyond wrapped up in the potential romance that it became hard for my brain to be reasonable about the dangers. The sexual tension, oh yeah, definitely worth it. Kelly Oram definitely kept my attention with everything going on. I sooo need to pick up another book by her soon!

My Rating:

Review: Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley

Title: Pretty Girl-13
Author: Liz Coley
Published: March 19th 2013
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Reminiscent of the Elizabeth Smart case, Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing and powerful psychological mystery about a girl who must piece together the story of her kidnapping and captivity.

Angie Chapman was thirteen years old when she ventured into the woods alone on a Girl Scouts camping trip. Now she's returned home…only to find that it's three years later and she's sixteen-or at least that's what everyone tells her.

What happened to the past three years of her life?

Angie doesn't know.

But there are people who do-people who could tell Angie every detail of her forgotten time, if only they weren't locked inside her mind. With a tremendous amount of courage, Angie embarks on a journey to discover the fragments of her personality, otherwise known as her "alters." As she unearths more and more about her past, she discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: When you remember things you wish you could forget, do you destroy the parts of yourself that are responsible?

Liz Coley's alarming and fascinating psychological mystery is a disturbing-and ultimately empowering-page-turner about accepting our whole selves, and the healing power of courage, hope, and love.

My Thoughts:

It’s amusing to me how I forget the synopsis of a book and then I start reading it thinking it was different. That happened here. I completely had no recollection of the premise and when I began to read it, I was thrown off… but in a good way. This story totally blew my mind.

Angie has been through a lot and her mind created a world to help her not remember the bad. This world consists of multiple personalities that took on different aspects of her life. These personalities, you can’t help but be drawn in by each of them as separate characters. As new information is brought to light by each, you learn what Angie really went through, the pain and the cruelty. Her therapist, Dr. Grant, guides her through the process of discovering the truth of the three years she lost. Since the personalities are still with her, she has moments where she loses time when they take over to protect her.

Angie longs for the days when she was thirteen. Her friends from back then are still around when she goes back to school. Of course, things have changed a lot for all of them. She manages to be friends with Kate again, and to open herself up to Abriam. She is figuring out how to move on and get the memories of her alters to meld into her own. She struggles to find the balance between it all, suffering the losses and the gaining of memories. And in the end, there is more to what she endured than she ever imagined.

Pretty Girl-13 is a tangle of emotions. I’ve noticed that while I may be in a book and close to the characters, sometimes my heart isn’t as into it as I thought. This time, however, Liz Coley brought me to tears. To those who have read this one, can I just say that one moment near the end, did it hit you too? In an instant it HIT me and I instantly jumped and said out loud, “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.” Anyone who enjoys a twisting psychological tale inside the mind will thoroughly fall for Angie’s story.

My Rating:

Review: The Evolution Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Evolution Of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Published: October 23rd 2012
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

My Thoughts:

Holy schnikees Batman.

While there’s something intensely incredible about the first book in a series, there can be a lot to say about the second book in a series. This book was one of them. What a thrill ride. There were a few things that were revealed in the first book, but a few things were still unknown. In Evolution, those unknowns were explored.

A lot of it was honestly a bunch of insane things happening. And of course, you don’t know if it is in Mara’s head or if it is really happening. Which is why this series is so awesome because it messes with YOUR head. Nearly every time I finished a chapter, I had either gotten more confused, figured something out, or was reeling in shock of what just happened. The biggest thing about Evolution was the incident that happened at the very end of Unbecoming. It’s a major spoiler, so I will not mention it in detail. I will say, however, that this thing is the basis of the mess that Mara is in now and continues to be in, and it will keep you hanging on.

I would be remiss to not mention the beauty that which is Noah Shaw. It had been nearly a year since I read the first book and fell in love with him. The second book made me fall in love with him all over again. FALL IN LOVE is almost an understatement. He was so beautiful and swoon worthy, as usual. There were those two parts that were absolutely the best… the notebook and the event that followed reading it.

The Evolution Of Mara Dyer was a great, no, a marvelous continuation of this psychological thriller. Mara and Noah’s relationship is just plain epic. The first book was on a scale of 1 to 10 for sexual tension a 9. The second book is an 11. Seriously. That sexual tension… and the kissing… oh man. I just loved it. And the end? Well played, Michelle Hodkin. Well played. One of the best series I have read and as much as I want to find out what happens, I want to savor it forever.

PS: I don’t buy the one part for a SECOND. Trust me, I KNOW it isn’t true. (You guys who read the book know what I’m talking about. And you don’t believe it either.)

My Rating:

Review: dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman

Title: dancergirl
Author: Carol M. Tanzman
Published: November 15th 2011
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Ever feel like someone's watching you? Me, too. But lately it's been happening in my room.

When I'm alone.

A friend posted a video of me dancing online, and now I'm no longer Alicia Ruffino. I'm dancergirl. And suddenly it's like me against the world.— everyone's got opinions.

My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy,— even he's acting weird. And some stalker isn't content to just watch anymore.

Ali. Dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose way more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.

My Thoughts:

For some reason, I find stalker books fascinating. I don’t know what it is, just the whole psychological wanting to understand people kind of thing. So I had to pick this one up and see who her mysterious stalker really is.

In the beginning, it’s all very harmless. Alicia’s friend Charlie films her dancing and it becomes an internet sensation. Of course, it comes with a price, because now some strange things are happening. The whole way through it was very suspenseful. You were always looking behind your back along with Alicia, wondering who is watching, because someone is watching more than just the video online.

It was easy to get into Alicia’s head and empathize with what she’s dealing with. And I absolutely adored her best friend Jacy. He was just one of the perfect best guy friends ever, so helpful and caring. Even the side stories had depth.

All in all, dancergirl was a pretty good read. You’re constantly unsure of who to trust and who to believe. There was a lot of misconstrued thoughts and assumptions along the way. Carol M. Tanzman can keep you on the edge of your seat. The whole thing was very well done and ended well.

My Rating:

Review: Untraceable by S.R. Johannes

Title: Untraceable
Author: S.R. Johannes
Published: November 29th 2011
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
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Caution: May contain spoilers

16-year-old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Oh my goodness. When I picked this one up, I figured it would be full of intrigue and mystery. What I didn’t realize is how much I would be given. Or how much I would be sucked into the story. Or how much I want to pick up the next book immediately after finishing.

Grace is one of those characters some people may not like because of her total disregard to following direction. But you have to admire her tenacity and determination to uncover the truth behind her father’s disappearance. She’s a tough girl who knows something isn’t right, and she will stop at nothing to get answers.

During her searches, she meets up with a nice young man named Mo. He’s quite swoonworthy and you guys know how much I love swoonworthy boys. And an English accent? Oh yes. Grace doesn’t know what his story really is, but she does find herself falling for him.

As time goes on, Grace discovers some things that are not adding up. And the stuff that she does add up, could it possibly be true? Is there something bigger than she expected happening in her town? Nobody seems to want to help her, and even if they would, can she trust them? In the end, we find out who she can and can’t trust. And it is nothing she ever could have known possible.

S.R. Johannes has come up with a brilliant story. Just brilliant. I could hardly put it down, or finish one chapter without wanting to go to the next one, even if I needed to get to sleep! Untraceable was the perfect start to a series. I cannot wait to dig into the next book, Uncontrollable, which is out now. I highly, HIGHLY, recommend that you pick up Untraceable.

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

Review: Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Title: Heat Wave
Author: Richard Castle
Source: Purchased
Genre: Mystery/Crime
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A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light.

Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. PulitzerPrize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them. The one called heat.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Well, everyone who knows me knows why I read this one. I love the show Castle. LOVE IT. So when I found out they actually published Nikki Heat books in conjunction with the television series, I scrambled to get my hands on a copy of the first one. I had no idea exactly how the book would be. Whether it would have a thread like the show or be completely in its own category. I heard snippets about it on the show, so I had a feeling it would be like the show.

So, of course, there’s Nikki Heat, being followed by a reporter, Jamison Rook. A set up similar to the premise of the show. There’s a murder of a prominent man, Matthew Starr, with several possible suspects close to him, including his wife, Kimberly. As we learn more about him, his wife, his friends and colleagues, a picture starts to develop as to where his life was when he died, and the reason why he was murdered. Although the whole point of a murder mystery should be the story surrounding the murder, I was more focused on the relationship between Heat and Rook.

With good reason… I love the chemistry on the show Castle (between Beckett and Castle), and seeing that chemistry play out on the pages of a book, OH YEAH. It was awesome. There are a lot of quips and quick wit bouncing back and forth between them, and also the other detectives, Raley and Ochoa (in other words, Ryan and Esposito). I noticed some parallels from the lines in the book to the show, but it didn’t bother me. I mean, the whole point of the show Castle is that he gets his inspiration from what he experiences, right? So, it is going to expressed through his novel.

Since Heat Wave was almost exactly like watching Castle, I thought the book was made of pure awesome. That’s right PURE AWESOME. The mystery intrigued me, and kept me wanting to find out more, and find out why, and find out who. I think a subconscious part of me knew who it was, but I pushed it aside more than once. Shows what I know! But the best part of the story was Nikki Heat and Jamison Rook. I loved the way they were together. Do I recommend this? YES. YES I DO. Especially for those who love the show Castle. You will absolutely adore Heat Wave.

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Title: Forgotten
Author: Cat Patrick
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
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Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Prior to my vacation, I was looking through the books I chose to bring with me on vacation. I picked this one up and read the first couple pages. I got hooked on the idea even more than the synopsis led on. Talk about intrigue. I spent the second half of the ride down to NC reading this whole book.

London Lane (which seems more like a comic book character name than a fictional character name) can’t remember the previous day. She can only remember what takes place in the future. She knows things that people are going to ask her and things that people are going to do. But she can’t remember what she wore the previous day or what she did last night.  So she writes notes every night before bed reminding herself of everything she needs to remember the next day when her mind is reset and her past is lost.

When she meets Luke, she is left wanting more. Yet, she can’t see him in her future. Why bother trying to take note of him to remember him? So she doesn’t. At first. She can’t help but want to be with him, despite not being able to remember him from yesterday. Luke is truly amazing. Their first date with that past life scenario they posited. Cutest. Thing. Ever.

London tries her best to keep some of the bad future memories from turning out like they will. There is only so much she can do, the rest is up to the other people involved. Her best friend Jamie doesn’t like hearing about it, especially when it rains on her parade. Then London starts to see a new future memory, one that takes place at a funeral. Who is going to die? She only gets it in little clips, so she keeps coming to different conclusions, but never any real answer. Piece by piece, she uncovers clues about what will happen. She also tries to recover her past, tries to tap into her real memory, things that have already happened.

By the time we’re nearing the end, we discover unexpected answers to questions we didn’t even dream to ask. I guessed as it went along, and although a couple pieces fit the way I thought they would, I did not expect the whole picture. In fact, it was nothing I even thought would be possible. And the end. The end was brilliant. Brought everything full circle and didn’t leave me hanging.

Forgotten was an incomparable novel. There is absolutely nothing that could ever top how one of a kind it is. The premise alone is fascinating. The story itself is captivating. The love story of London and Luke is charming. Cat Patrick has impressed me with her ability to spin this tale in the most seamless way. I couldn’t help but pre-order a copy of her next novel, Revived.

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Title: Rebecca
Author: Daphne du Maurier
Source: Purchased
Genre: Classic Mystery
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"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again",

With these words, the reader is ushered into an isolated gray stone mansion on the windswept Cornish coast, as the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter recalls the chilling events that transpired as she began her new life as the young bride of a husband she barely knew. For in every corner of every room were phantoms of a time dead but not forgotten a past devotedly preserved by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers: a suite immaculate and untouched, clothing laid out and ready to be worn, but not by any of the great house's current occupants. With an eerie presentiment of evil tightening her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter walked in the shadow of her mysterious predecessor, determined to uncover the darkest secrets and shattering truths about Maxim's first wife the late and hauntingly beautiful Rebecca.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

A friend of mine one time at the book store was looking for this book. She said she really liked the movie and wanted to read the book. I heard from her, and then read online, about the book and movie. It sounded very enticing, and since I try really hard to read books before watching movies, I thought I would go for it. It’s not a Jane Austen era classic, but a classic nonetheless, and definitely out of my regular reading range. Yet, I found this novel fascinating.

As I sat down to type up a review, I realized that I couldn’t for the life of me remember what our heroine’s name was. She was basically referred to as Mrs. de Winter throughout the majority of the book. Turns out, the author never gave her one. Which makes this all the more strange, to be honest. In any case, the story is told from Mrs. de Winter’s perspective and it was enjoyable to see this world through her. She was so innocent and peculiar, I couldn’t help but like her. And I could see a little bit of myself in her too. Her husband, Maxim, was a sometimes charming, sometimes mysterious gentleman.

The book takes place mostly at Manderley, the beautiful mansion full of secrets. Upon reading the first chapter, you’re swept away in the loveliness of the place. That’s one thing I really enjoyed, the descriptions of everything down to the detail. Sometimes detail can be too much, but there was an air of mystery throughout that it kept you interested. Once Mrs. de Winter arrives at this place with Maxim, there is an unending atmosphere of an eerie nature flowing through the hallways and rooms. The first Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca, was someone that everyone knew and everyone loved. For the current Mrs. de Winter, it is impossible for her to fill those shoes. She can’t help but wonder what happened to Rebecca, this woman that nobody could find fault with, and why everything associated to Manderley seems to be surrounded by secrets of a disturbing kind.

There are so many others in this story, members of the staff and family and friends, I don’t think I could list them all. I do have to make note of Mrs. Danvers. Oh my goodness, that woman. As I read her words, the things she dared say to Mrs. de Winter, I was in disbelief at her. I expected as much, seeing how their first encounters started, and by the end, everything she did was not shocking anymore.

The ending, however, did not go remotely as I expected. The mystery, when discovered, was more like… really? And as the time passed by after this discovery, I was thinking, NOW how will this end? How CAN it end? I was baffled. Maybe I’m just so used to being completely surprised by things. This wasn’t a complete surprise.

One thing I can say is that Rebecca did keep me wondering throughout what was going to happen. One minute you’re lead in one direction, then you’re lead in a different direction. You never know what is what, or who is trustworthy, or if the words uttered can even be believed as fact or fiction. It will definitely keep you on your toes. Daphne du Maurier wove a tale so mysterious and remarkable. I would recommend this for sure. And now, for me to see the movie.

My Rating:

Very Good: Stay up late

Review: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins

Title: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkins
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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Mara wakes up from a coma with no memory of the accident that caused the deaths of her best friend, boyfriend, and boyfriend's sister. The doctors tell her parents that starting over in a new state and a new school will be good for her and that she should let the memories come back on their own. But Mara's new start is anything but comforting when she sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere, and her world starts to fall apart. She begins to see people's deaths just before they happen--at least that's what she thinks she's seeing. On top of that, the most beautiful boy ever is pursuing her, but his intentions may not be so pure....
Part thriller, part paranormal, this hotly anticipated debut novel will have readers on the edge of their seats.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Wow.

For months I tried and tried to NOT buy this. I knew it was going to be really good. But I had too many other books that I need to finish first, so I kept putting it off... until I caved in and splurged to buy this beauty. I was right, it was insanely amazing. I was continually on the edge of my seat… because of what was happening at the moment, curious as to what was going to happen next. Wondering what is real and what is imagined. You’re constantly interested. It’s not like a story that has slow moments (well, maybe a couple but it's short lived). It’s always moving, always changing, always keeping you guessing.

Mara is remembering things from the night everything went wrong. Only she remembers them in short bursts, never enough to completely understand what lead to that inevitable moment, just snippets. And in all this, she’s barely able to feel anything when she can’t understand. She keeps seeing things, hallucinating, the walls and ceiling collapsing, seeing the friends that died that night. Mara is at a new school, trying to start over, but it all keeps coming back to her. Her parents are concerned about her, especially after a few incidents and seeing how much she’s not herself so she goes to a psychiatrist and receives help for her visions and hallucinations.

At this new school are two types of people--people who have it out for her (and you want to punch their faces for it), and people who want to be around her. One of them being Noah. Sensational, utterly sexy Noah Shaw. Oh yes, I see it now everyone. I see what it is about him. Talk about wowsa. I just kept reading his words in an English accent (ala Ed Westwick) and I was swooning. What is it about those bad boys?! AUGH!!! I loved Noah! And their banter. Oh that banter. It was like Gossip Girl.

When it comes to other people in Mara's life, her brothers were so sweet and cool. So was Mara’s other friend Jamie. One of those awesome guy friends that you just love for being a good friend. I love those kinds of guys.

There is just TOO MUCH to say about this book. Too much. But I'm trying really hard not to give too many details away, because that's what makes this story so amazing. There are so many little things that add up to the biggest of things in the end. So intriguing and scary and thrilling all at once. I’d definitely (DEFINITELY) recommend The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer because it will keep you hanging on to every single word.  And that cliffhanger ending? So frustratingly fall out of your chair perfect. What a story… I cannot wait until Michelle Hodkins gives us book number two!

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

Review: The Girl In The Park by Mariah Fredericks

Title: The Girl In The Park
Author: Mariah Fredericks
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Caution: May contain spoilers

When Wendy Geller's body is found in Central Park after the night of a rager, newspaper headlines scream,"Death in the Park: Party Girl Found Strangled." But shy Rain, once Wendy's best friend, knows there was more to Wendy than just "party girl." As she struggles to separate the friend she knew from the tangle of gossip and headlines, Rain becomes determined to discover the truth about the murder. Written in a voice at once immediate, riveting, and utterly convincing, Mariah Frederick's mystery brilliantly exposes the cracks in this exclusive New York City world and the teenagers that move within it.
~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Rain wants to know what really happened to her friend Wendy that night in the park. There’s so much buzz and false reports going around. And as true as it is about Wendy having a bad girl side, Rain just doesn’t believe that this was the act of a stranger that happened upon her in the park. She knows it’s somebody Wendy knew. Although they were and weren’t best friends, Rain remembers the good in Wendy, even though nobody else knows it.

I have to say, Rain’s determination is something you have to love and want to aspire to have. Her good girl nature could nearly hold her back in her quest to the truth, but she pulls through with sneaky devices. She tricks information out of the people trying to protect Nico, the guy that Wendy was obsessively after in school. Nico’s friends are surrounding him, saying things to have his back, trying to keep this not so good guy safe. Rain knows another side of him and doesn’t believe him when he says he wasn’t with Wendy that night.

Wendy was the quintessential boyfriend stealer. She purposefully went after the boys of the girls who wouldn’t give her the time of day. You want to hate Wendy because of her attitude and actions, but at the same time you feel what Rain feels: that pain of losing somebody. Then you really think about it--this is a girl who was crying out for attention, and she got it in the worst way.

As clues emerge, it points one way, then another. You think it’s over when it’s not even close. And when your reach the end… you have no idea what hits you. I’m completely serious. The way it all went down had me shocked, and it was the last thing I expected.

Mariah Fredericks is an amazing author. I had read her novel The True Meaning of Cleavage years ago and thought it was a great one. When I saw her name on this book on NetGalley, I had to request it. Upon starting the story, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But she blew me away. It was just so powerful and chilling. I loved Rain. She was one of the absolute best first person character I’ve viewed a story through. She wasn’t perfect or popular. She was just real. And I loved that.

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

~Jessica