Book Review: The Girl I Used To Be by April Henry

Genre: YA Mystery
Publication: May 2016 by Henry Holt and Co.
Acquisition: read a free eARC via NetGalley

Synopsis:

Fourteen years ago, a three-year-old girl was the only survivor at a horrific murder scene. Now she’s determined to search for the truth—and the killer is even more determined to stop her.

When Olivia’s mother was murdered and her father disappeared, everyone suspected her father had done it. Fast-forward fourteen years. New evidence now proves Olivia’s father was actually murdered on the same fateful day her mother died. That means there’s a killer still at large. Can Olivia uncover the truth before the killer tracks her down?

(from Goodreads)

4 / 5 Stars

I love April Henry's YA thrillers. They remind me of the hoards of Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine books I devoured as a teen.

The Girl I Used To Be is no exception.

It's a little neat and clean and this worked for me. Loved how independent Olivia is, even if her circumstances are a bit unrealistic. Loved the subdued romance. Love how I didn't guess who the 'bad guy' was before it was revealed. The mystery was pretty standard but there were a few twists.

I thought the whole 'emancipated teen' route bugged me bit as I see it as an excuse to write young characters who can act 100% like adults because the parents have been taken out of the equation. For Olivia though, it worked.

April Henry has been fast becoming an auto read author for me.

The Girl I Used to Be is a quick, fun mystery with some thrilling parts that make a lasting impression.

Book Review: The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude

Genre: YA Mystery
Publication: May 2016 by HMH Books for Young Readers
Acquisition: read a free eARC via NetGalley

Synopsis:

Stay on the roads. Don’t enter the woods. Never go out at night.

Those are the rules in Rowan’s Glen, a remote farming community in the Missouri Ozarks where Ivy Templeton’s family has lived for centuries. It’s an old-fashioned way of life, full of superstition and traditions, and sixteen-year-old Ivy loves it. The other kids at school may think the Glen kids are weird, but Ivy doesn’t care—she has her cousin Heather as her best friend. The two girls share everything with each other—or so Ivy thinks. When Heather goes missing after a May Day celebration, Ivy discovers that both her best friend and her beloved hometown are as full of secrets as the woods that surround them.

(from Goodreads)

3 / 5 Stars

Flew through this one. Not at all what I was expecting but good nonetheless.

Had it in my head that it wasn't set in present time - but it is - but I did question why a few times.

The community is remote and lives an old fashioned type of life with seemingly little to no contact with the 'outside' world. It worked for the most part but I had lots of questions - like why they didn't have a doctor and why some things, like modern 'cool' sneakers were ok but other things like indoor plumbing wasn't.

In any case, the story is more about the characters then it is about the setting so I just kinda went with it.

The May Queen Murders is at its heart, a murder mystery. Lots of speculation - boogie man in the woods type of superstitions so of course I could tell the truth was going to be something totally different.

I was right. And it was pretty good. Until it wasn't.

There is a climax to the story and lots of details are revealed and I was like, oh, ok, that kinda makes sense.
Then more details and I'm like, yeah, that fits better..sorta.
And then more details and I'm like WTH.

Lots of connecting pieces that only seemed to connect after the fact. I still have no idea of the motives behind like 50% of the action that takes place.

All in all, I enjoyed The May Queen Murders and even with the setting not actually being all that important (imo) I really liked it.

The silly issues I had are just that, silly, and some people might not have any issues at all.

Glad to have read and would recommend.

Book Review: Safekeeping by Karen Hesse

Genre: YA Futuristic Dystopian Adventure
Publication: paperback January 2016 by Square Fish
Acquisition: bought

Synopsis:

The president is assassinated, the government has been taken over, and all hell is breaking loose.

Radley's parents warned her that all hell would break loose if the American People's Party took power. The news is filled with images of vigilante groups, frenzied looting, and police raids. It seems as if all hell has broken loose.

Coming back from volunteering abroad, Radley just wants to get home to Vermont. When her plane lands in New Hampshire, her parents-who always come, day or night, no matter when or where she lands-aren't there. Her cell phone is dead, her credit cards are worthless, and she doesn't have the proper travel papers to cross state lines. Out of options, Radley starts walking. . . .

This is a vision of a future America that only Karen Hesse could write: real, gripping, and deeply personal.

(from Goodreads)

5 / 5 Stars

I bought Safekeeping because I saw it in my local indie bookstore and it takes place practically in my backyard. My silly little NH 'city' is even mentioned by name! Hehehe

Oh - and also, the story sounded fabulous!

Well, I was right - the story was fabulous AND the place based details were totally spot on! The author actually walked the route Radley took - from Manchester NH to Brattleboro VT in order to write as realisticly as possible.

One thing I'm bummed about -- the paperback (which I bought) doesn't have the photographs the author took on her journey. I might just need to make another purchase.

Getting back to the story - I loved it. It's the future and American political society has actually fallen and one girl finds herself thousands of miles away when it all goes down. She makes it as close as she can but nothing is as it has been and she has to fight her way home.

Safekeeping is so very realistic. It's one girl's story but it could be anyone's. One thing I hate about some dystopian or post apocalyptic stories is the all encompassing change that effects everything systematically. A bigger power takes control or another governing body steps in and it's like a new chapter has started and everyone just has to go on from there.

Safekeeping isn't like that. Society is in shambles but not all of it is completely gone and nothing is 'changing' in a dramatic way. It's more chaotic which is how I see it all going down IRL.

I loved, loved, loved the journey Radley took- it feels like the sort of thing I would do if I were in her shoes.

At under 200 pages, I ate this one up! I loved the setting, and the characters. I loved what Radley does and why. I loved how real it all felt - which is actually pretty terrifying. And I also loved the ending! Not what I was expecting but it was pretty perfect!

I highly recommend Safekeeping to fans of YA futuristic, dystopian, thrillers - especially if you're looking for a quick read with staying power.

Book Review: Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication: September 20th 2016 by Roaring Brook Press
Acquisition: read a free eARC via NetGalley

Synopsis:

When Caroline's little brother is kidnapped, his subsequent rescue leads to the discovery of Ethan, a teenager who has been living with the kidnapper since he was a young child himself. In the aftermath, Caroline can't help but wonder what Ethan knows about everything that happened to her brother, who is not readjusting well to life at home. And although Ethan is desperate for a friend, he can't see Caroline without experiencing a resurgence of traumatic memories. But after the media circus surrounding the kidnappings departs from their small Texas town, both Caroline and Ethan find that they need a friend--and their best option just might be each other.

(from Goodreads)

5 / 5 Stars

A pretty powerful book. Horrific even. I don't think I'm qualified to speak on the realism but yeah, if defiantly leaves a mark.

Not for the weak of heart though. The subject matter is dark and the aftermath is messy. It could be a very emotional read. For me it was at least.

I couldn't imagine going through what any of these characters went through.

Ethan - wow. I didn't think I would enjoy being inside his head but yeah - he was extremely real for me and I was cheering him on every step of the way. His struggles were laid out in a perfect way. The alternating 1st person POV really worked for this story. We get pieces of Ethan a little bit at a time and his thoughts and his feelings are raw and unfiltered.

Caroline - she got on my nerves a bit but oh my god, her heart is in the right place. She's a mess but she loves her brother so much and she would do almost anything to help him. He can't even tell her what happened and while at first, I couldn't imagine how she could bring herself to talk to Ethan about it all, it makes perfect sense.

I'm gonna say, Afterward isn't for everyone. It doesn't sugar coat and these characters - all of them - even Ethan's mom and his therapist and Caroline's mother and father -- they are all so different but they are all reacting to the horrific situation they are in such heartfelt and real ways.

Fabulous read for me.

July 2016 Wrap Up: The Full of Memories Edition

July was a hard month. My grandpa passed away at 96 years old. He lived a good life and was surrounded by family for all of it, right up until the very end.

My grandpa-pa was very special and I find that on most days, even though the sadness of his loss is still felt, I find myself smiling when I think of him.

So many many great memories!

And I'm beyond words happy that my daughter, his great-granddaughter, is old enough to have known him and most importantly, to remember him!

So yeah, not a whole lot of blog focus this month which, ( I hope at this point I don't really need to say) is totally OK!

I did do some things though...and because reading always helps my mood - I did get in some good books.

Let's take a look!

And don't forget to add your own Monthly Review post to Nicole's Round Up!

THE REVIEWS

Heir to the Sky by Amanda Sun | REVIEW 5 / 5 Stars

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather | REVIEW 5 / 5 Stars

JUNE READS

Feed by M.T. Anderson
Unplugged by Donna Freitas
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather
The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude

Hope everyone had a great June! Happy Reading!