[Review] Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne

Title: Since You've Been Gone

Author: Mary Jennifer Payne [Blog | Twitter]

Publisher: Dundurn Group

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller

Release Date: February 17, 2015

Source: eARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country.
Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.

Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life." – via Goodreads

---

There was a girl...
I was not overly impressed with Edie as a character however I did appreciate some attributes of her personality. While many of her actions/reactions to things were not desirable I did find them human and a realistic byproduct of her situation. As the book would say, teenagers can be little twats. I did like in the end that Edie tried for redemption, another human like quality.

and a whole lot more plot.
The book weighs in at a little over 200 pages which was a way to short to delve into any sort of character development. On the other hand we are raced out of Toronto within the first couple of chapters and onto the busy streets of London. Within a few days the mystery of Edie's mom takes center stage. The pacing is great with each twist and turn keeping Edie on the hunt. There are a couple of points that I feel like could've been modified to really raise the stakes but alas, did not happen. There are a few writing inconsistencies that may be cleared up during the final editing stage but it was noticeable when the story is told in first person.

A great read for...
those looking for a quick and exciting story. I think the subject matter is important and handled with care but could use a higher page count to really flush everything out, not to mention character development.

3 Stars –  An exciting, quick read without all the nuts and bolts.

[Review] Unremembered by Jessica Brody

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Title: Unremembered

Author: Jessica Brody [Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Website] 

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillian

Genre: Young Adult- Science Fiction, Romance

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Source: checked out from library – review policy here.

Synopsis via Goodreads:

When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find survivors. Which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe.

Even more strange is that her body is miraculously unharmed and she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories period. No one knows how she survived. No one knows why she wasn’t on the passenger manifest. And no one can explain why her DNA and fingerprints can’t be found in a single database in the world.

Crippled by a world she doesn’t know, plagued by abilities she doesn’t understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can’t remember, Seraphina struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. But with every clue only comes more questions. And she’s running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?

We meet Sera as she's floating in the ocean post plane crash. The only memory she has is that it's the year 1609, or so she thinks. With heavy genetics sci-fi and a dash of time travel we're introduced to a cast of characters all hoping to reclaim Sera for better or worse. While the plot is not wholly unique it does combine a healthy mixture of sci-fi staples to weave together a new story for a new generation. Particularly in how the time travel is achieved. 

With quick pacing we're sped through Sera's discovery, placement into foster care, introductions to the love of her life, her "father", and her nemesis. There are brief moments of reprieve as her memories return where we're able to fill in the gaps of her lost memory. The writing style is reflective of someone who has experienced memory loss and entertains us with descriptions of items for everyday life, which are both winded and humorous.

“Trust your heart."..."It's the only thing
that will never lie to you.” 

Sera's character may have little to no previous memories but her character is intuitive and anti-hero, especially with her tendency to "flight" not fight. Zen is in love with Sera and has all his memories, bonus!, but we never get to hear his point of view. I'd love to know how it feels to have to make a girl fall in love with you again everyday. Forget love, I mean trust. While their love is spoken of we get very little first person insight into their love-building. Especially since Zen does not give up and has the patience to remind her of everything and this isn't the first time...

It does start to heat up towards the end and leaves us with a major cliffhanger. 

  

The second book has been released in this series, Unforgotten. 

Unremembered has been optioned for film. Follow the film on Twitter and Tumblr. 

Check out Jessica Brody's Tumblr and other social media to see her character/casting "wishlist".

4-Stars: Really quick and easy read. Cannot wait to get book number 2!

 This cliffhanger is seriously ridiculous! 

[Review] The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

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Title: The Here and Now

Author: Ann Brashares (Twitter, Facebook, Website) 

Publisher: Delacorte Press/Random House

Genre: Young Adult- Science Fiction

Release Date: April 8, 2014

Source: advance copy from the publisher – review policy here.

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. 

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. 

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. 

I will start with the fact that I've never read a single Ann Brashares novel or seen any of the movies based on her novels. I will also say, I was intrigued at a non-serial sci-fi novel condensed down to less than 300 pages.

I liked the premises of a time traveling peoples who need to escape their dystopian future so they leave to settle into the past. Who wouldn't want a chance to start over again? Unfortunately, the time travelers must stay isolated as to not interfere with the future. 

The overall plot is interesting and unique, however I feel like there is enough written about time travel to follow a basic theory of how time travel works (fixed history, history is flexible or alternate timelines). If none of these theories apply in this world then I feel like I should have received a set of rules to truly understand the impact of the time travelers existence in the present day (2014) and feel the weight/consequence associated with the 12 rules the community must abide by. 

With the plot in place and understanding the domino effect that plays out the I feel like we're leaning towards alternate timelines, which would lean towards the grandfather paradox. And this is where I have to hold the phone... The biggest issue is when a life-changing occurrence with one of the main characters is buffed with no foreseeable consequence taking place. There are also other minor inconsistencies within the plot that prevent me from fully understanding the full ebb and flow of the time traveling community's presence. 

With a low page count and no sequel, I feel cheated in the world building department. I have so many questions about the world, time travel, and the plague, that I'm not satisfied and left wanting. The lack of world building also effects the pacing of the story, which is found incomplete as we transition from big science revelations, changes in community leadership and Prenna's letters to the past. 

The story is told through Prenna, female teenage time traveler, who begins a reluctant relationship with Ethan at school while avoiding the watchful eye of the community's counselors. The highlight of Prenna's development comes with sacrifice in order to preserve her community and the health of the world.

Ethan's character is very fluid. There were times when he appeared to be a "one size fits all" romantic interest and hero. It is said he is intelligent, however there's no clarification on his specialties such as glass cutting, CIA trainee or computer hacktivist. There are also claims made regarding his future with little explanation or foundation to believe this. Some of the secondary characters seem to have more of a solid background story than Ethan does and that makes me sad.

Prenna and Ethan's story isn't that romantic as much as it is a connection. Their connection is intimate in nature and builds as time passes but I'm not convinced any one is the other's the one. I definitely would have liked to seen more world building done versus an attempt at building in a teen romance story.  

This may sound like a negative review but I assure you it's not. I am really, really interested in this world and the concept of time traveling in this world. So interested, that I want more! I really want to see an expansion of this world. I want to live in this world and save this world. This is a plot where world building makes all the difference to me.

You should know that Ethan is awesome! So awesome, he's son of...

He can do ALL. THE. THINGS. He can break you out of a safe house with one tool and

 not one single person will stop you. He can see the future and prepare for some
dire consequences, with little notice. In a computer jam? That's okay, he'll fix you right up!

3 Stars: It's a good book, I enjoyed it but was not in love with the characters or other story elements.

Recommended for those who would like an intro into Sci-Fi or
for those looking for a fairly quick read with a fresh plot.

[Mid-Week Reads] Red at Night by Katie McGarry

Mid-Week Reads focuses on novellas, short stories and those in between.

Typically these stories will be under 100 pages making for a nice evening read.

FREE on Amazon

Title: Red at Night

Author: Katie McGarry (Twitter, Facebook, Website)

Publisher: Harlequin Teen; More Than Words

Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary, Romance

Release Date: April 1, 2014

Format: free ebook via Amazon, 84 pages

Synopsis via Goodreads:

In Red at Night, Stella and Jonah are total opposites. She's the girl with purple hair from the wrong part of town. He's a high school senior who hangs with the cool crowd. Until a car accident leaves him haunted by guilt, and Jonah starts spending time at Stella's favorite refuge…the local cemetery.

Stella knows she should keep her distance—after all, she spent her girlhood being bullied by Jonah's friends. Once he's sorted out his tangled emotions, Jonah won't have time for her anymore. Too bad she's already fallen for him…

I always enjoy reading the synopsis after the read... That last sentence should definitely say "Too bad he's already fallen for her..." 

"A storm's always coming," I state. "Some don't have rain."

It's such a short read!!! I need more Stella and Jonah in my life. Both of the characters are a little bit broken and find a pathway to becoming whole after developing a friendship that leads to more. Yay, for relationship building and not insta-love, though there's definitely some insta-lust. 

"I fist the material of his shirt and it's not to keep him close, it's to prevent me from running." 

Everything about them is completely opposite with the exception that they are both genuinely good people. Which is good because I feel like this story is about drawing out the good in yourself, and washing away guilt, doubt and all the haters. Sometimes you just have to "do you" and make sure you surround yourself by those who are going to prop you up. As the story says, change is a choice. You can change your spots if you want to because it's all about attitude. 

Quick Pic Review

Read this! It was a nice reprieve from my dark contemps and paranormal reads.

Plus, it's cute... like makes you believe in love-for-life love cute.

Did you read it? What did you think?
Would you want to read more about Jonah and Stella?

[Review] The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

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Title: The Haven

Author: Carol Lynch Williams (Website)

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre: Young Adult - Science Fiction

Release Date: March 4, 2014 

Format: eARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis via Goodreads:

For the teens at The Haven, the outside world, just beyond the towering stone wall that surrounds the premises, is a dangerous unknown. It has always been this way, ever since the hospital was established in the year 2020. But The Haven is more than just a hospital; it is their home. It is all they know. Everything is strictly monitored: education, exercise, food, and rest. The rules must be followed to keep the children healthy, to help control the Disease that has cast them as Terminals, the Disease that claims limbs and lungs—and memories. 

But Shiloh is different; she remembers everything. Gideon is different, too. He dreams of a cure, of rebellion against the status quo. What if everything they’ve been told is a lie? What if The Haven is not the safe place it claims to be? And what will happen if Shiloh starts asking dangerous questions?

This book starts off a little slow and quickly reminds you of a few movies and popular books that are out there. With that said, the plot does pick up, as Shiloh is introduced to Gideon, and carries you quickly through this one-sitting read. 

Overall the storyline is predictable, but interesting enough to keep reading to confirm those suspicions. The main characters, Shiloh and Gideon, are likable but lack real depth and there's not enough background, feels or swoon to keep you emotionally attached as a reader. I think the book would've benefited from a straight third person narrative or duel point-of-views, in order to expose Gideon's back story since he's able recall more memories from the past than Shiloh. The same goes for the secondary characters, Daniel and Abigail, we just never really form an attachment to the duo. 

World building... This is set in a future Earth world. However, there are some questions about what is and isn't available in the world vs. what's available at The Haven. The Haven itself is using a couple of advanced medical technologies yet we're not clear on the current electronic communications. At certain points bits are revealed but usually chapters too late.

As the plot moves on, betrayals are revealed along with surprise assistance for The Cause. These add some needed twists and turns, but are underdeveloped with a feeling of incompleteness as the novel comes to a close. With 224 pages, the ending is wrapped up quickly, almost too easily, and leaves questions behind.   

I really did enjoy this book, despite my criticisms. Honestly, I was found wanting more answers as it ended. I can see this being more of a middle grade or early high school read. The simple plot and lower page count is better suited for the age group. 

3 Stars: Good read, would recommend younger YA readers who enjoy science fiction, or have an interest in the medical, technology, or science fields.

Review: Little Blue Lies by Chris Lynch

O and June have built their relationship on playful banter, jokes and... lies. When June abruptly ends their relationship O struggles to cope with his newfound single-dom while teetering on the edge of adulthood. In an attempt to win June back, and save her, O discovers that he may lack the white knight quality and still does not know what he wants to be when he grows up. Hurdling through an array of fun characters ranging from his hovering, mean-to-do-well mother to June's father, an unapologetic enforcer for the local mafioso, we embark on a modern romance/ coming of age tale with the jagged edge of American classism.

This was a very quick read! Immediately what caught my attention was the intentional word choices and witty phrasing, like "money-humping", that kept the story moving and entertaining. Not to mention the giggles and nostalgia of high school lingo. Teenage romance has been done in many ways but Lynch keeps it real where job, money, figuring out the future, family issues and the need to escape reality are presented in very real characters. While the ending was not a "big twist" or "shocker" it was impactful and kind of reminded me of a good "Boy Meets World" episode. I definitely appreciated it as I approach the big 3-0 even more than I would have at 18. The language can come on strong for a YA novel but levels out as the story moves on and even more so as the characters move on.

Fav Quotes:
"She's the World Wildlife Fund of self-pleasure."

"I take walks sometimes. It's not stalking. I don't take binoculars, or rope, or flowers."

Rating



3 stars

This book was released by publisher Simon & Schuster on Feb. 7, 2014. I have not been compensated in anyway for this review. I checked the book out from the library (yay, libraries!).