Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: The Dial Press
Pages: 446
Series: n/a
Review Source: Finished copy for review from EMG Promotions

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London’s fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she’s completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at thirty, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates—just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago.

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive—but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben’s colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend’s career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better...or worse.

My Thoughts:
If you've read any books by Sophie Kinsella (such as her Shopaholic series), then you know that her works always include zany hi-jinks and over the top characters. That was definitely the case here, but I mean that in the best way possible. The crazy was delivered in a really fun way. It was exactly what I would expect from a Sophie Kinsella book, and yet the characters were interesting and different enough to stand out.

The book goes back and forth in POV from two sisters, Lottie and Fliss. Reading from these two perspectives gives you a really wide view of the whole story, seeing things not only from two different people, but also featuring different casts of characters and different locations. I was surprised by how much of the book was from Fliss’ perspective, considering the title and concept of the book revolves around Lottie. I ended up being glad for this, though, because I really loved Fliss, especially when she was bantering with Lorcan.

You can see where the book is heading from the beginning (helped along by a prologue from a third character), and yet the story wasn't so obvious that it took the fun out of things. There were times when a Happily Ever After seemed out of reach for both ladies, and even though you knew everything would work out, you wondered how exactly it would all happen.

If you’ve read and enjoyed Sophie Kinsella’s books in the past, then I’m sure you’ll love 'Wedding Night'. If you haven’t read anything by her before, then I definitely recommend you check out 'Wedding Night' and her other novels. ‘Wedding Night’ was just the right book for me at the right time. I definitely enjoyed it, and I think you will too if you're looking for something with humour, heart, romantic sparks, and a family element to it.

The Cover:
I like it!

Rating:
[4/5]

Find Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas

Release Date: May 15, 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 462
Series: n/a
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
KYLIE: Tijuana WHAT? I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY, and is this a wedding band on my finger.

MAX: It all started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics Okay, it was kind of hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded in TIjuana. WIth less than twenty-four hours before graduation. Awesome.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring thier passports across the border--but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: I just walked in on my boyfriend, Max Langston, canoodling with Kylie Flores, freak of the century. Still, I can't completely hold it against him. He NEEDS me. It's even clearer now. And I'm not giving him up without a fight.

My Thoughts:
This is a novel about letting loose, discovering yourself, and making the most of life, and it was so much fun to read. I have to say that I’m a sucker for the hate/disdain turned into love trope, and I loved it here because the authors did such a good job with it. There was a really slow progression between the two main characters, realizing that the other is different from what they initially seem, and then that feeling of attraction between them - not just for looks, but for personality as well. There was some really giddy moments between Max and Kylie, and I really adored them together.

I’m not normally a fan of books that have so many different POVs but it really worked in this situation because it was mainly just the two main characters, occasionally going off to the secondary characters. It gave you perfect glimpses into the other characters and locations without going off the main plot too much.

This book is full of crazy, silly teens behaving “badly”, so if you have a problem with teens drinking then it’s definitely not the book for you. However if you don’t mind that reality then I think you’ll really enjoy it. It was fun and funny and sweet, with some serious emotions and conversations mixed in with all the craziness.

I really identified with the main character Kylie and her studious nature: how she rarely let herself go to have fun. I also adored Max because he was smart and sweet and good, but still acted like an idiot teenage boy (aka he wasn’t too perfect, which was a nice change from a lot of YA books, actually).

Overall this is just a very fun contemporary YA novel that will make you laugh and smile and fall in love with the characters; I definitely really enjoyed it.

The Cover:
I like it - I think it fits well.

Rating:
[4/5]

Find From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 327
Series: Hex Hall #3
Review Source: For review from Hachette Book Group Canada (@HBGCanada)

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:
There is a lot to like about this book and about this series, especially when you consider the characters. Sophie is adorable, punchy, sarcastic, and strong. I think she's relatable, despite her great power, because she's kind of like an every girl and someone to aspire to all wrapped up in one person. She feels things we all feel, but then she makes the choice to rise above and do what is brave and right.

The thing about this volume of the series is that there is a lot happening, almost too much so. The book has a frenetic pace to it, where it seems like greater details are glossed over. The romance aspect isn't really my favourite either, because the love triangle is just kind of strange. See, Cal is awesome and sweet and I totally dig him, but does it ever really feel like he has a chance with Sophie? Sophie and Archer are together with real feelings, so what's the point of having Cal as a third wheel? I understand Cal liking Sophie, but from Sophie's POV the more-than-friendship feelings seem almost forced.

I know this was supposed to be a trilogy, but I'd be surprised if there weren't more Hex Hall books after this. It felt like there were too many loose ends at the end of the book, especially with new characters who had been introduced without any resolution to their stories. The series just doesn't feel done, so I'm interested to know if more books are (or have been?) announced. I really liked the humour of the first two books, and thankfully that does continue in this one. Plot-wise I don't think this book is as strong as the previous two, but it's still very enjoyable. I like Sophie as a character, and if there were more books I would definitely be interested in reading further in the series.

ETA: I just found out there will be a Hex Hall spin-off. (See here, also). Makes sense, I think!

The Cover:
It's not my favourite (doesn't the girl look scary thin?!), but I do enjoy the continued theme from the previous covers.

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Find Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

Release Date: March 1, 2012
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 288
Series: n/a
Review Source: eBook for review from author/publicist

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…

My Thoughts:
Omiword this book is funny. So, so funny. Like, it would be impossible to overestimate how many times this book made me giggle. As in when I was talking to my Mom I read some paragraphs aloud because they made me snicker so much, and when I was reading it during lunch at work I thought people would give me weird looks because I was literally laughing out loud. Kelsey is just so sarcastic and true to life. She's an adorable narrator who just seems like a real girl in grade nine, wanting to be mature and have new experiences, but still a bit naive about high school and the world.

I think this book contains a perfect combination of introspection, everyday life, family, friends, and a bit of romance. I could go on and on, but really I just think this is a great contemp novel. It has the balance of all those great aspects, and it's a perfect read to cheer you up because of the humour and how much fun it was to read. Definitely recommended.

The Cover:
It's cute, I really like the design.

Rating:
[4/5]

Find Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Release Date: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 316
Series: Anna #1
Review Source: First read from library; sent review copy from Raincoast Books

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

My Thoughts:
I'm having a hard time writing up my thoughts about why this one is so great. It totally kept my interest, and I just wanted to keep reading it. When I wasn't reading it I was peeking over at the book thinking "Hmm, when can I read some more?" So, to me, that's an indication of an awesome book.

Basically I think this one is just so unique and interesting. Cas is a ghostbuster, though he would smack you if you called him one to his face. There's the name connection with Supernatural, and I have to say that Cas's personality, with his wry sense of humour, and his vocation totally reminded me of the show. It even had that perfect creepiness that wasn't too scary. (And believe me, I am a total scaredy cat).

Interestingly enough I didn't totally buy the romance angle of the story. Honestly, I loved the connection between Cas and Anna, but taking it to the level of romance was weird to me. I don't know, I'll have to think about it more. So Cas and Anna were awesome, but so were all the supporting characters. They all came together to form a crazy cool ghost-busting Scooby gang, and all their interactions were quite fun.

Basically I appreciate how funny and interesting this one was, even amongst creepier and darker moments. Plus I was totally psyched with the Ontario setting, even though I've never actually been anywhere even close to Thunder Bay. Not my typical read, but everyone convinced me of how awesome this one was, and after reading it? I totally agree.

The Cover:
I think it's pretty awesome and creepy!

Rating:
[4.5/5]

Find Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond

Release Date: January 18, 2011
Publisher: Dream Books LLC
Pages: 164
Series: The Lakeland Knight #1
Review Source: eBook from author for review

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way. Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a sparkling instead a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains plans. Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the sparkling is not easy to get rid of, and of course his understanding of best interests is quite different from what Lord Arkus has in mind.

My Thoughts:
‘My Sparkling Misfortune’ is a super cute story that takes place in a fairy-tale like kingdom. It involves a fairy realm, the place where Sparklings (good fairies) and Gormacks (bad fairies) come from. Arkus is our main character and he thinks himself a villain, yet his actions and words prove that he’s quite heroic. Arkus basically spends his life running from a beast who has been tasked with killing him, and he ends up with a new identity in a kingdom where people think he is their hero.

Arkus provides a very humourous narration. He’s sort of self-deprecating and is almost teasing the reader as he keeps proclaiming what a villain he is. The relationship between the two main characters (Arkus and Tulip -- or Jarvi as Arkus re-names him) is very funny and filled with quips back and forth. As I said, this is a very cute and fun story, and my only real complaint is that it leaves off without real resolution. Some things are wrapped up, but it does leave you hanging for Book 2, as Arkus just decides to end the story at a certain point. Overall a very charming book; a quick read that I think most people would appreciate.

The Cover:
I don't think it really does the story justice; love the old-timey writing, though.

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Find My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond on Goodreads, Smashwords, & Amazon (currently free for Kindle).

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Release Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 513
Series: Heroes of Olympus #2
Review Source: For review from Hachette Book Group Canada (@HBGCanada)

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
In the first pages of this standalone sequel to The Lost Hero, Percy Jackson remembers only his name and the name of Annabeth, a mysterious woman he associates somehow with the city of San Francisco. From those sparse clues, he must somehow complete a mission for the leader of the Roman camp even as he is being pursued by the two sisters of Medusa, who possess an apparently unquenchable thirst for vengeance: Even when killed, they spring back to life. Rick Riordan's second Heroes of Olympus promises even more excitement than the first.

My Thoughts:
When I was reflecting on how much I enjoy Rick Riordan’s books, I decided that the greatest thing about them is that they are enjoyable for so many different age groups. I could hand it to a 10 year old and there would be jokes that kids that age would find especially appealing, yet there is a complexity to Riordan’s books which appeals to adults as well. The books don’t talk down to kids, and with all the great characters, the action, and the mythological base to the story, the books are completely awesome for every age.

It’s hard to write a coherent review for this specific book, or even for the series, because I had such a good time reading it. I adored the Percy Jackson books and I think I like the Heroes of Olympus books just as much, if not more. I loved Jason, Piper, and Leo in the first book, and I loved Hazel and Frank in this one. And then there’s the fact that Percy is a main character in this book, which was awesome. It was so fun to come back to that character and see things from his perspective again. Riordan has a real gift for making you fall in love with his characters and really care about their well being.

Reading about Camp Jupiter and seeing the Roman side to things was quite interesting, and I can’t wait to see what happens when the Greeks and Romans come together in the next book. There are so many great moments in 'The Son of Neptune', but I can’t really mention too many of them without being spoiler-y. I will say this: keep an eye out for Ella the harpy, because she is just so sweet and also hilarious, as well as when the Amazons make an appearance using Amazon.com headquarters as a front (so, so funny and clever).

Basically, if you have an appreciation for heartfelt characters, intricate mythological plots, as well as lots of laughs and action then I think you will love this book and this series.

The Cover:
Pretty cool; I especially love it when covers represent actual scenes/details from the book.

Rating:
[5/5]

Find The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.