Tempestuous by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes

Release Date: December 18, 2012
Publisher: Merit Press
Pages: 224
Series: Twisted Lit #1
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Recently banished, unfairly, by the school’s popular crowd, former “it girl,” Miranda Prospero, finds herself in a brave new world: holding dominion amongst a rag-tag crew of geeks and misfits where she works at the Hot-Dog Kabob in the food court of her local mall. When the worst winter storm of the season causes mall workers and last-minute shoppers to be snowed-in for the night, Miranda seizes the opportunity to get revenge against the catty clique behind her social exile. With help from her delightfully dweeby coworker, Ariel, and a sullen loner named Caleb who works at the mall’s nearby gaming and magic shop, Miranda uses charm and trickery to set things to right during this spirited take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

My Thoughts:
There’s something about a story where teens are trapped in one location that always intrigues me. Mix that with being trapped in a mall (who hasn’t dreamed about that before?), and the fact that this is a “twisted lit” novel based on Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, and you definitely have a winner on your hands.

What I really liked about ‘Tempestuous’ is that it’s just plain fun. Miranda is an over the top character, but in a good way. She’s someone who is just realizing how her actions have affected others in the past, and while she’s still a bit judgey in the beginning, she really starts to come into her own throughout the novel.

I felt like it was easy to figure out who was responsible for the store robberies, and yet it was still fun figuring out when the teens would discover the true culprit. Despite deducing the overall plot (because of being a bit familiar with ‘The Tempest’), I was still wondering what exactly would happen next and how the play would be referenced and connected.

‘Tempestuous’ features some really fun side characters that stuck out as individuals, especially Ariel, who is all kinds of adorable. The relationship between Caleb and Miranda throughout the evening seemed natural. There was cute banter and, eventually, begrudging respect from both of them. I loved the plot device where they were literally tethered together, so you had both of them present at all times.

This book is a big mall adventure that you could almost see as cinematic, with all the hijinks going on and the visual way they are described. Pretty much if you’re looking for a really fun reading experience, then look no further.

The Cover:
I really like almost as a piece of artwork (you know, minus the soda cup), but as a book cover I'm not sure if it sticks out that well.

Rating:
[4/5]

Find Tempestuous by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: December 18, 2012
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 496
Series: Darkest Minds #1
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her--East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

My Thoughts:
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Guys, I just totally adored it. It’s a long book (500ish pages), but it kept me totally glued to my seat. I was obsessed with this future version of America, with the concept, and especially with the characters themselves. Seriously, do yourself a favour and order this book now because you will definitely want to read it.

There are tons of apocalyptic and dystopian books out there, but 'The Darkest Minds' separates itself from this pack with its sci-fi super powers element. While “super powers” via science experiments is becoming a bit more popular trope in YA, it’s still unique enough to keep my attention every time. In this case I loved how Alexandra Bracken assigned colours to each type of power, so especially at the beginning of the book it’s a bit of a mystery which colour is what type of ability.

The plot itself is exciting and action-packed. The group is on the run from others who would do them harm, and they’re on a quest to find help. While this was a lot of fun, what really made the book, for me at least, was the characters. I loved them individually, I loved their relationships, and the progression of them working together and getting to know one another. I truly cared about the characters, which made me excited to keep reading.

‘The Darkest Minds’ is a thrilling and emotional read, with an ending that will definitely leave you itching for book 2, and will quite possibly break your heart. This book was definitely one of my favourites for the year.

The Cover:
Really like it, especially the ominous barbed wire.

Rating:
[5/5]

Find The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where bloggers feature upcoming book releases that they're looking forward to.

This week I'm eagerly anticipating...

Nobody But Us

by Kristin Halbrook

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 29, 2013

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Bonnie and Clyde meets IF I STAY in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts.

They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run.

Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger....

When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough.

Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love...and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending. Described as “beautiful, heartbreaking, and exhilarating” by Kody Keplinger, author of The DUFF, Nobody But Us will prove irresistible to fans of Nina Lacour, Jenny Han, and Sara Zarr.

Add it on Goodreads.

This one just sounds so intense! The cover is what drew me in, but the synopsis really cemented it being on my TBR list. I love books that are both heartbreaking and hopeful. And bonus, this one is a 2013 debut!