Review: My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

Synopsis: From Amazon
Daniel tells me that he’s always loved me. That I feel the same. That I always have.
Not just in this life, but in my last life, and all my lives before.
But I don’t remember him.
He says he is always searching for me. Always hoping that one day I will remember. But it is only he that carries the memory of our love.
I know that finding true love is never easy. Perhaps you have fought for it. Perhaps, like Daniel, you have endured the pain of it being unrequited.
But I hope your quest ends happily.

I hope you never have to face the heartbreak that inevitably awaits us.

This is our extraordinary, unforgettable story.

Review:
As well as having a gorgeous cover I was captivated by the synopsis. The whole idea of reincarnation and soul-mates really appeals to me. I knew I had to read this one and thanks to the awesome Keris Stainton for sending me a copy, my wish was granted.

Unbelievably complex writing technique brings 1st and 3rd person narration with interweaving chapters of the past and present settings give a incredibly detailed insight into the characters/interactions within the book.

Daniel is such a wonderful character to create in your imagination. The whole past lives aspect is fully developed with detailed chapters written in first person narrative, starting at his earliest memories of life up until he present day. You can fully understand is complexity, his reluctance to get close to people and his inability to interact on personal level. Yet, he never fails to search for his soul mate, tortured by the memories of his past life with her many incarnations. Daniels happiness is directly linked to his ability to find this missing piece of himself in every life.

I have heard the saying 'this one is an old soul' a lot especially after having my children. The term takes on a more significant meaning after reading this book.

Hypnosis and Regression therapy are touched upon within the plot. It made me wonder what it would be like to access memories from a previous life. Would I be left wishing to be back in that time if it was better than the life I had now or would I be weighed down with guilt for some past wrongdoing.  Looking at the plot from this angle helps build empathy for Daniel and even Lucy. Has anyone else said to themselves when things go wrong in their lives; "I must have done something really wrong in a previous life to have to pay for it now". The whole ideal of karma and reincarnation blending together so you have to atone for mistakes made in a previous lifetime is flawlessly incorporated into the narrative.

The 3rd person narration for the rest of the book is very subtle, the narrator does not have a strong individual voice, instead the narrative is focalised  from either Daniel or Lucy's perspective giving it the feel first person narration.

Lucy is the current incarnation of Daniel's soul-mate. He is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He is not subtle about the information he reveals to her. Completely shocking and bewildering her, at first she is incredulous. Yet, as we get to know Lucy we see her strength of spirit and her capacity to see below the surface of people (for want of a better explanation I hope it makes sense). Circumstances lead her to believe not only Daniels past lives but also her own.

Elements of the supernatural are incorporated into the storyline adding an extra dimension to the plot.

I adored this book - right up until the ending - when I could have quite cheerfully pitched the book across the room. I am hoping, praying and may even resort to begging for a sequel. I have too many unresolved issues outstanding with this one to leave it like that. Please someone tell me there is a sequel. Then if you know someone that can send it to me immediately.

I adored the characters and the theme, just about everything so *yes I will beg* please don't leave me hanging like this.

Review: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged. Young, fabulous and fanged, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth instalment of the Blue Bloods series.


Review:
Following the shock occurrences at the end of Revelations. We find Schyler on the run, choosing friendship of love :(

This is actually my favourite book of the series so far. Told in 3rd person narrative but alternating chapters focalized from the point of view of the 3 main female protagonists, Sky, Mimi and Bliss.

We already have quite a deep knowledge and understanding of Sky from the previous books so her chapters are mainly keeping the reader up-to-date with key aspects of the plot. While further examining her interactions and relationships.

I really liked the chapters focalized from Mimi and Bliss's point of view. Giving insight into their personalities and relationships while adding depth and dimension to their characters. Until this book I had harboured ill will to Mimi seeing her as only shallow and self-centred. Through her focalization we as the reader can appreciate that she has more than one side to her. The characters really come to 3 dimensional life. Dare I say, I even started to like her a bit :D Through her relationship with Kingsley we are able to fully appreciate the barriers she has created for herself.

The male protagonists seem to take a background role in this story, although their actions are pivotal to the plot development.

Through Bliss's focalization we are able to fully comprehend the nightmare she is experiencing. Her strength of mind/character is something to be admired. Due to circumstances beyond her control she is cast as the 'villan' yet we are able to sympathise with her. Personally I would like to know how she came to be in this situation in  the first place and also have the connection between Allegra & Lucifer fully explained???

As always the action is fast paced. The imagery is terrifically sensory - full immersion into the Blue Bloods World achieved ;) The interwoven tapestry of religion, history and mythology continues to flow seamlessly and adds a realistic element to the plot. There are some shocks and surprises in store, additional story-lines are picked up and developed.

As much as I adore the Blue Bloods series I do have concerns regarding Bliss in the finale of this book. I am hoping that it will be explained as the series continues.

I am now on a countdown to Keys to the Repository and Misguided Angels :)

Trailer: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

To tease you ready for the next review of this awesome series here is the book trailer:

How much do you want to read it now ;)

Review: Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon

For the Young, Fabulous and Fanged...All is never what it seems. Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy has just been called into question: is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force. But when an ancient place of power is threatened in Rio de Janeiro, the Blue Bloods need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high, the battle is bloody; and through it all Schuyler is torn between duty and passion, love and freedom. Romance, glamour and vampire lore collide in the highly anticipated third book in best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series.

Review:

To use a UK commercial catchphrase 'it does exactly what it says on the tin' LOL

The secrets and mysteries are peeled back layer by layer, with a few (or more) shocks and surprises in store. Revelations cleverly picks up the threads of plot from Masquerade. These are definitely not stand alone books, if you haven't read the beginning of the series then you will not understand the intricacies of the plot and character interactions.

Written in 3rd person narrative, mainly focalised from Schyler's point of view (who we have grown to know/understand in the previous books). Schyler is so easy to relate to; an outsider in more ways than one. Within this story Sky's vampire powers are developed further but at what cost? You can also fully appreciate the dilemma she faces torn between her BF and 1st love.

The male protagonists especially seemed to gain a lot more depth of personality in this book, whereas they have previously played more of a background role.

Religion, history and fantasy are all woven together seamlessly into the plot. Topical issues such as the 'credit crunch' are entwined in the narrative adding a sense of realism. I especially adored the depiction of Lucifer. It has always baffled me as to why angels would have followed him in the beginning if he was a horrible/ugly/terrifying monster. Of course, he is all of those things but on the inside. This portrayal would certainly explain a lot :)

Reports are interspersed throughout the book adding intrigue and another dimension to the plot.

The start of the book deals mainly with plot building and character development. Quickly followed by fast paced action and drama culminating in a thrilling cliffhanger.
I was left pondering the questions:
1. Who decided on the bonds. How were they made in the 1st place. As it doesn't necessarily seem to work out for the best.
2. How were the vampire laws made?
Hmmm I wonder........

If you like supernatural romance/action/adventure with lots of fast paced action and ingenious plot twists then this series is a MUST for you ;)

The Sky is Everywhere Trailer

I read & reviewed this fantastic book a few weeks ago.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - please click the link if you want to read the review ;)

Published by Walker Books on sale 7/6/10

So to wet your reading appetite further here is a trailer for the book ;)

You will want it so much after watching it that you can immediately click the links below to order your copy ;)

Review: Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis: From Amazon
Preparations are under way for the ball of the century. But as any true Blue Blood knows, it's the after-party that counts. And the cunning Mimi Force is getting ready to make sure her masquerade ball is the place to be for the Young, Fabulous and Fanged. But Schuyler Van Alen has more on her mind than fancy dresses, even if her crush Jack Force, is sure to make an appearance. She's getting closer to finding out what's been preying on the young vamps ? and discovering the deadly secrets hiding under the masks...Rich with glamour, attitude and vampire lore, this second instalment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

Review:
Following the 1st Blue Bloods story we are thrown right in to the middle of the action from the beginning of this book. Schyler has travelled to Venice with Oliver in order to find her long-lost grandfather, Lawrence Van Alen, as per her grandmother's, Cordelia's, last request. You really do need to read this series in order to fully understand the plot twists and character interactions.

Unfortunately, Lawrence is not as Schyler imagined and after her unsuccessful 'mission' to Venice she returns to NYC. I adore Schyler's depth of character, she has the usual teenage angst dealing with friendships, falling in love, school, loss, etc on top of all these 'normal' things she has to adjust to her vampire nature while simultaneously being shunned by the prominent Blue Bloods due to her heritage.

As one mystery is unravelled within the narrative another takes its place. It has more plot twists and turns than a corkscrew roller-coaster and is just as thrilling (if you like roller-coasters - they make me sick but I thought it was a good analogue :0) A few red herrings are thrown into the mix getting the reader to question their assumptions about the plot, very, very clever plot building.

All of the prominent characters personalities and backgrounds are developed further. My dislike of Mimi increased exponentially the more I got to know her. The true extent of the relationship between Sky and Oliver is revealed (or is it). The reader is left to unravel the tangle that is the interaction of the characters. It certainly keeps you on your toes. Interactions and personalities are revealed, mistakes are made and further mysteries unravelled.The action is fast paced.

There are odd reports interspersed sporadically throughout the book. At first these appear to be random and unrelated to the main story, but are in fact another mystery to be solved :0)

The behind the scenes look at the modelling world was outstanding, you can tell from the narrative that Melissa de la Cruz has personal knowledge of these situations. Adding to the sense of realism within the narrative. Further enhanced by the description of the clothes and party, Melissa de la Cruz certainly knows her designer clothes, no wonder she writes for glamour magazines. The imagery was so sensory I felt completely immersed in the Blue Blood's world.

The addition of the Van Alen Family Tree at the end of the book was really helpful as a visual aid in keeping track of the key characters, their shared history and connections.

If the 1st book didn't have you hooked then this one certain will. As soon as I finished the last page I had to pick up the next book to continue the story. A terrific vampire series with a unique twist :0)

Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Part of the YA Bloggers Debut Book Battle 2010
Synopsis:
For sixteen-year-olds Anna Reiley and Frankie Perino, their twenty day-long, minimally supervised California vacation will be the 'Absolute Best Summer Ever' and according to Frankie, if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance that Anna will get her first real boyfriend. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie - she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. Written in lyrical, accessible prose, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it truly means to grieve, and perhaps most importantly, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

Review:
Written in first person narrative from Anna's view point. Anna is a kind hearted girl, the type of friend everyone wishes they had. She falls in love with her best friends brother, Matt, the three of them have been friends all of their lives, neighbours and practically inseparable. On her birthday all her dreams come true when Matt kisses her. They meet in secret afraid of Frankie's reaction to the development of their relationship. Before they are able to tell Frankie, Matt tragically dies from an undetected heart defect, Anna is left to hold the pieces together and unable to tell Frankie that she was in love with her brother.

The story unfolds directly into the action with some points of reminiscing by Anna to give the background details to the plot. In some respects Anna seems far more mature than her age would give her credit for. Anna takes on the role of holding people together has to hide the depth of her own loss. The emotions within the narrative were poignant and tangible. However, I did find myself comparing the story to The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson which also deals with loss, grief and first love. The main difference between the two books was the way in which people grieve was depicted. A good point to compare and contrast.

The one thing I can honestly say I preferred in The Sky is Everywhere is how the issue of losing your virginity was dealt with, with emotion and the whole ideal of making it special. While in Twenty Boy Summer it is treated as an affliction to be cast off as soon as possible. As a mother of 3 girls this idea did frighten me, I know the time will come in the future but as a parent you want your children to take these things seriously and be emotionally as well as physically ready. I did sympathise with Anna as in her mind Matt was the one and that was taken away from her, anyone else would always be second best. The whole idea that she was afraid to move on as if it would be an act of betrayal to Matt was touching. The story was an emotional journey of self-discovery for Anna.

The thing I liked most about Twenty Boy Summer was the way in which each persons grief was depicted. For Frankie she acts out, pretends to be a completely different person to the one she was when her brother was alive. She doesn't take anyone else's feelings into consideration and that annoyed me at times. For Matt & Frankie's parents, they shut themselves off completely, not talking about Matt or even allowing anyone into his room. They are so wrapped up in their own grief that they hand responsibility of Frankie over to Anna, who is obviously far too young to be put in that position. While Anna is hiding the depth of her emotions.

The descriptions and imagery are fantastically sensory, you really feel as if you are on the beach with the waves lapping and the sand between your toes. The beach has always been one of my favourite places and never fails to make me feel at peace. So this aspect of the narrative really brought it to life for me.

All aspects of the plot tie together beautifully in the end, offering a bitter-sweet resolution. A great book giving a different view of grief and loss. You may need tissues for this one as-well.

Review: The Sky is Everywhere By Jandy Nelson

Synopsis: From Amazon

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to centre stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, with a nearly magical grin. One boy takes Lennie out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But the two can't collide without Lennie's world exploding...


Review:
Although I found the start a little odd and couldn't really relate to the female protagonist, Lennon, well at first this soon disappeared as the story progressed.
Written in first person narrative from Lennon's point of view, a musically gifted 17 year old, who was happy to stay in the background of her own life. The story deals with how Lennon not only copes with the loss of her older sister, Bailey, but amid the grief finds first love, deepens family relationships, takes charge of her own life and uncovers some skeletons in the closet along the way.
Beautifully written, I found myself drawn into Lennon's life and truly relating to her feelings. The 1st person narrative is interspersed with a 3rd person narrator finding pieces of poetry in random places and on very strange things. The poetry really added to the depth of the emotion conveyed, the 3rd person narrator takes on a whole new meaning at the end of the book *no spoilers* but it made me think of how karma works and that everything happens for a reason. It all ties together beautifully.
The music and literature references were almost lyrical, you could really feel the passion for music coming from the pages. The musical interpretation of feelings was a truly amazing analogue, personally I equate certain songs to specific events and feelings. I still can't listen to The Rose by Bette Midler without crying (it was played at my mothers funeral).

But what if music is what escapes when a heart breaks

Very powerful emotions are emanated within the prose. From the disconnected feeling of not understanding how the world keeps going on as normal when your own life has been torn into pieces and nothing feels normal. To the all consuming passion of first love, although in this case it is tainted by grief and loss.

Grief is forever. It doesn't go away; it becomes part of you, step for step, breath for breath

I adored Lennon's quirky family even if I couldn't relate to them. They really epitomise the saying of being comfortable in your own skin, and their personalities added a lighter feel to the story balancing the strong emotions. With such kooky relatives it is easy to see how Lennon was able to blend into the background for so long.
The only thing I didn't like was the relationship between Lennon and Toby (Baileys boyfriend), I know grief causes you to do strange things but I just couldn't get to grips with there relationships and actions. Some of it is later explained but I still did not enjoy that aspect of the story.
The references to the magic of nature, especially the roses, brought to mind Wings by Aprilynne Pike and The Splendour Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore who both use nature as a magical entity in it's own right.

A terrific and emotional read. Be warned you will need tissues as it is a tear-jerker. 

Review: Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder

                                                     

Synopsis from Amazon

Ava Can't see or touch him, unless she is dreaming. She can't hear his voice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here.  Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

Review:
A quick read. Set out in verse which actually really suits this story. It is wonderfully descriptive within a small amounts of words, the words literally dance across the page.  I actually cried from the start of this story; the images and emotions evoked by the funeral scene brought back memories of losing my mum a few years ago. Beautifully written so I experienced complete empathy with the feelings of loss, grief and guilt. The references to emotions as colours was inspiring and easy to relate to. It reminded me of Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley in parts. A great book for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.