Review Wednesday: The Heiresses by Sara Shepard

Title: The Heiresses

Author: Sara Shepard
1st Date of Publication: May 12 2014

ISBN: 9780062259530
# of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

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Book Description:
You know the Saybrooks. Everyone does. Perhaps you’ve read a profile of them in People or have seen their pictures in the society pages of Vogue. Perhaps while walking along that choice block on Fifth Avenue, you’ve been tempted to enter the ornate limestone building with their family name etched into the pediment above the door.

The only thing more flawless than a Saybrook’s diamond solitaire is the family behind the jewelry empire. Beauties, entrepreneurs, debutantes, and style mavens, they are the epitome of New York City’s high society. But being a Saybrook comes at a price—they are heirs not only to a dizzying fortune but also to a decades-old family curse.

Tragedy strikes the prominent family yet again when thirty-four-year-old Poppy, the most exquisite Saybrook of them all, flings herself from the window of her TriBeCa office. Everyone is shocked that a woman who had it all would end her own life. Then her cousins receive an ominous threat: one heiress down, four to go.

Was it suicide... or murder? In the aftermath of the tragedy, the remaining heiresses—Corinne, the perfectionist; Rowan, the workaholic; Aster, the hedonist; and Natasha, the enigma—wrestle with feelings of sadness, guilt, and, most of all, fear. Now they must uncover the truth about their family before they lose the only thing money can’t buy: their lives.


Setting: 21st century in New York City, NY
Point of View: 3rd person- Corrine Saybrook, Aster Saybrook, Rowan Saybrook, and Natasha Saybrook-Davis

Goodreads Rating: 3.48

My Rating: 3.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I really like the look of this. It looks classy and ritzy. It makes me want to live in New York City
View on Title: How do these girls get such an inheritance that each is known as an "heiress."

Pros:

• This is a murder mystery story so it gets very suspenseful. Sara Shepard really knows how to keep her readers on their toes.
• I think it was really cool how the characters are basically celebrities just because they're wealthy business owners.
• As things unfold, everyone and everything is not who or what they seem. Everything is hidden by all the glamor.
• I'm not a fan of 3rd person but Sara Shepard does an excellent job writing while following different characters.

Cons:

• This seemed a little bit like the Pretty Little Liars series Sara Shepard has written and finished.
• There is also the issue of several female characters with a similar surname (Saybrook) that it gets confusing at first who is who.

Critics' Reviews:
"The sexy, silly frolic that is summer reading kicks off with The Heiresses in which four really, really rich cousins skirt murderous mayhem in Manhattan’s priciest zip codes.” -New York Daily News
"A Pretty Little Liars for grown-ups, mines the bold-faced misfortunes of sisters plagued by sex-tape scandals and seersucker—and, perhaps, a serial killer." -Vogue

Sara Shepard's Website:
http://www.saracshepard.com/

Other Recommendations:

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Review Wednesday: A World Away by Nancy Grossman

Title: A World Away

Author: Nancy Grossman
1st Date of Publication: July 17, 2012

ISBN: 9781423151531
# of Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 13+

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Book Description:

A summer of firsts

Sixteen-year-old Eliza Miller has never made a phone call, never tried on a pair of jeans, never sat in a darkened theater waiting for a movie to start. She’s never even talked to someone her age who isn’t Amish, like her.

A summer of good-byes

When she leaves her close-knit family to spend the summer as a nanny in suburban Chicago, a part of her can’t wait to leave behind everything she knows. She can’t imagine the secrets she will uncover, the friends she will make, the surprises and temptations of a way of life so different from her own.

A summer of impossible choice

Every minute Eliza spends with her new friend Josh feels as good as listening to music for the first time, and she wonders whether there might be a place for her in his world. But as summer wanes, she misses the people she has left behind, and the plain life she once took for granted. Eliza will have to decide for herself where she belongs. Whichever choice she makes, she knows she will lose someone she loves.



Setting: Iowa and Illinois in 21st Century

Point of View: 1st person- Eliza Miller

Goodreads Rating: 3.82

My Rating: 4.0

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I really like the butterflies in the jar. It seems like a metaphor. The one  butterfly that is help must be a character that  is finally free from being confined.
View on Title: Does a character travel out of their country or their surroundings? Is life better, worse, or the same?

Pros:

• A view of two different societal worlds are seen. The world that Americans live in and the other world is the Amish culture that lives within parts of the United States. There's a glimpse of Americans looking into the lives of the Amish, which the reader is also doing. The primary glimpse is when the reader gets to see an Amish girl who glimpses into the world of the modern American citizen.
• Amish culture is revealed in this book, such as rumspringa and the plain clothing. Rumspringa is the "free will" period where teenagers come of age to run free to have parties, listen to music, and possibly drink before they decide whether they want to continue being Amish or be shunned and live in the modern American lifestyle.
• Eliza's character is very interesting because she is similar to a child who is learning how the world works for the first time. She is fascinated by everything and pretty much not afraid to do everything. She's a fighter and passionate as she urges her parents to let her go into every day society.
• I knew there was going to be a love interest since this kind of book involves a "naive" girl who doesn't truly understand how Americans' motives are after all the technological and social advances. It really shows how experiences shape both our perspective and perception of the world.
• Eliza's mother, Rebecca, plays a key role in this novel, which really added depth to the story because I really enjoyed learning more about Rebecca.

Cons:

• I was frustrated with the love triangle aspect of the book. I don't think it is necessary because she knew she was going to end up marrying Daniel if she decided to return back to her Amish life. Josh's character would have been enough to continue the plot without either Daniel or Josh.

Critics' Reviews:

"This sensitive debut grabs hearts right away and doesn’t let go… Readers experience their own world through the girl’s naive eyes, marveling at technology, experiencing new relationships, and worrying through her difficulties. Grossman’s love for her story seeps into every page, locking readers into the narrative. She produces a heartfelt tale that will be difficult for readers to resist. Simply lovely." -Kirkus Review
"With an easy-to-read style and an engaging main character, Grossman’s novel creates an intriguing and appealing foray into the Amish world. Eliza’s struggle for self-identity and acceptance make her a well-developed character, reflective of teens in all walks of life. Both school and public libraries will find this title an excellent addition to their collections." -VOYA
"In this honest and meticulously detailed first novel, Grossman offers a rare glimpse into Amish culture, bringing to light core values and the difficulties Amish people, especially teens, face living apart from the rest of the world. Eliza emerges as an intelligent, vulnerable heroine who gains wisdom and maturity from the mistakes she makes and the friendships she builds." -Publishers Weekly

Nancy Grossman's Website:
http://nancy-grossman.com/

Other Recommendations:

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Review Wednesday: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Title: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver
1st Date of Publication:  March 2, 2010

ISBN: 9780061726804
# of Pages: 490

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Mild Violence, Mild Sexual Content)

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Book Description:
What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Point of View: 1st person- Samantha "Sam" Kingston

Goodreads Rating: 3.92

My Rating: 4.10

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The girl's eyes are very piercing and pensive. Why is the girl laying down on the grass? Why does she look worried? What is she contemplating?
View on Title: Questions went through my head. What fall is she talking about? And what does she have to do before she can fall? Why does she fall?

Pros:

• I loved this book because it's unique. When I read this, I immediately thought of Groundhogs' Day and Mean Girls. I love how a girl who has it all but loses it and must figure out what she has done wrong in the past and immediately that day.
• How would you feel if you had to relive the same day but die because of your past? This book truly shows that the little decisions you make in life change how things become in the future.
• I love how quickly Sam's character grows as she learns from her own mistakes and that the reason why she has not moved on from her death because she is part of something more.

Cons:

• The only real issue I had with the book was that it felt really long. That could be because the of the way the chapters were set up. I thought that the chapters should have been split up into parts where it said something like "Day 1" with chapters that follow under that day to help people go at their own pace rather than scrambling by just trying to find where they left off in the book.

Critics' Reviews:
“Oliver’s debut novel is raw, emotional, and, at times, beautiful....readers will love Samantha best as she hurtles toward an end as brave as it is heartbreaking.” -Publishers Weekly
“Samantha’s attempts to save her life and right the wrongs she has caused are precisely what will draw readers into this complex story and keep them turning pages until Sam succeeds in living her last day the right way.” -VOYA
“Oliver, in a pitch-perfect teen voice, explores the power we have to affect the people around us in this intensely believable first novel...This is a compelling book with a powerful message and should not be missed.” -ALA Booklist

Lauren Oliver's Website:
http://laurenoliverbooks.com/

Other Recommendations:

Saving June by Hannah Harrington
Shine by Lauren Myracle

Review Wednesday: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Title: The Sea of Tranquility

Author: Katja Millay
1st Date of Publication: September 5, 2012

ISBN: 9781476730943
# of Pages: 434

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Mild Violence, Mild Sexual Content)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Point of View: 1st person- Nastya Kashnikov, Josh Bennett

Goodreads Rating: 4.37

My Rating: 4.50

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The spilled ice cream bowl seemed very interesting to me. It made me wonder if it was about summer and why it was spilled over and melting in a little stream of ice cream.
View on Title: I know that there is a place named Sea of Tranquility where Apollo 11 landed on the moon. I also love the ocean and the idea of peace so I thought it would be a pretty good read.

Pros:

• I love how this book explores both the female and male protagonists. Both characters are obviously lonely and in pain from their pasts, but the way they notice each other screams that they both need each other to heal from their pain.
• Nastya is a very cryptic character and the complete opposite of Josh. She keeps to herself most of the time except when she's with Josh where she actually opens up little by little and talks. I love her obsession with names since I like to know what people's names mean to see if it fits that person. In my opinion, I think her name obsession is a replacement for her skill in music, which she lost from her past.
• Josh is a very sensitive character but he has no secrets to hide. He is obviously afraid to allow himself to get close enough to someone so he makes himself isolated from everyone else. His obsession for carpentry is interesting and adds a lot to the story.
• Their romance together is not your typical love story. Even though they obviously are very interested in each other, they don't invest in it until a long while after the book has already started. You see the friendship and the partnership first before the real emotions and physical affection is seen.

Cons:

• There is not much I did not like about this book. It is one of my favorites and it's fairly unique to many of the books I have read. I think the part that I liked the least was Nastya's attitude and reaction to some things that she pushed herself away from. I felt that it was a little unnecessary, but I guess it has a purpose.

Critics' Reviews:
"Alternating first-person narratives allow Millay to delve into the minds of both of her main characters, and she keeps readers on the edge of their seats...Populated with perfectly realized teen characters–not a stereotype in sight–this is the ideal crossover novel." -School Library Journal
“The Sea of Tranquility reminded me that books aren't just entertaining; they're more than that. This was more than that. It caused me to feel, invaded my thoughts, my heart...it became a part of me.” -Tough Critic

Katja Millay's Website:
https://www.goodreads.com/KatjaMillay

Other Recommendations:

Easy by Tammara Webber
First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

Review Wednesday: A Million Miles Away by Lara Avery

Title: A Million Miles Away

Author: Lara Avery
1st Date of Publication: July 7, 2015

ISBN: 9780316283687
# of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Lying)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
When high school senior Kelsey's identical twin sister, Michelle, dies in a car crash, Kelsey is left without her other half. The only person who doesn't know about the tragedy is Michelle's boyfriend, Peter, recently deployed to Afghanistan. But when Kelsey finally connects with Peter online, she can't bear to tell him the truth. Active duty has taken its toll, and Peter, thinking that Kelsey is Michelle, says that seeing her is the one thing keeping him alive. Caught up in the moment, Kelsey has no choice: She lets Peter believe that she is her sister.

As Kelsey keeps up the act, she crosses the line from pretend to real. Soon, Kelsey can't deny that she's falling, hard, for the one boy she shouldn't want.

Point of View: 3rd person- Kelsey Maxfield

Goodreads Rating: 3.58

My Rating: 3.65

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Title

View on the Cover: Cover didn't attract me very much since it kind of looked like a lot of chick lit sort of stuff. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was a romance story but I thought I would give it a try.
View on Title: It made me think why the title is given a hyperbole because if you travel anywhere it wouldn't be a million miles so I thought it was intriguing for this reason.

Pros:

• I haven't read many love stories with soldiers so this was a bit of fresh air, especially for the young adult world.
• I thought Michelle's death was an interesting piece of the plot because it gave a way for Kelsey to transform herself into a better person while getting a better understanding of her deceased twin, Michelle.

Cons:

• The book felt cheesy sometimes with what is said between Peter and Kelsey. I wasn't much of a fan because the book at times felt corny.
• Peter's character felt unrealistic in a way that he was too optimistic. He's in Afghanistan as a soldier and a long ways away from Michelle/Kelsey.
• Kelsey was a bit frustrating because she couldn't bring herself to tell Peter the truth and allows him to live a lie. I lost respect for her character even though she was trying to protect him.

Critics' Reviews:
"This is definitely several steps above the standard romance; Avery is a voice to watch in this genre."―Booklist
"Those who are looking for something similar to Nicholas Sparks will appreciate this light romance."―School Library Journal

Lara Avery's Website:
http://findlara.tumblr.com/

Other Recommendations:

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han