Archive for YA Contemporary

Publisher: Walker Children’s
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Format: ARC
Status: Stand alone
Source: Received from the publisher for review.
Genre: Teen Contemporary
Other Info: This is Wolf’s debut.
Description and link from Goodreads): 

     I was first interested in Breaking Beautiful because the description suggested that it was a Best Friends Romance. It does not lie, but I can’t say that Breaking Beautiful was at all what I expected. Perhaps my mind intentionally glossed over the term “abusive relationship,” but I was surprised when the author began dropping clues about the “true” nature of Allie’s late boyfriend. What this meant, most of all, was that I had to make a pretty huge shift in my expectations. Breaking Beautiful is not a romance. It has romance in it, but mainly? This is what Small Review calls an “issue novel.”
     I don’t mean to denigrate this novel because of this, but you should know that I don’t generally enjoy reading novels about abusive relationships. I find them to be dark, morbid and largely unsatisfying. I also have a hard time identifying with the heroines. Breaking Beautiful has a third component that also gets under my skin. Literally no one has any idea that Trip had been abusing Allie, which sent me off into an irritate tizzy.
     Breaking Beautiful exemplifies what I find unappealing about issues novels. It’s so focused on the psychology of Allie’s staying in a relationship with Trip, and why Trip is the way he is, that everything else suffered. In addition to the abusive relationship, the book also piles on poverty, the reality of having a parent serve abroad in the Armed Forces–and then return home practically a stranger–and both having a physical disability and living with someone who does.
     Ultimately, the end of the novel left me feeling dissatisfied. Allie is in a better place at the close, and the mystery is ultimately solved, but… The end didn’t address the things I found most compelling. The suggestion that Allie’s mother played a role in Allie’s decision to stay with Trip is brought up and then completely dropped. And adjusting to life with a stranger who is also your father? Barely touched.
     In all, I’d say Breaking Beautiful was written for an audience that wasn’t me. It wasn’t bad, but neither was it a particularly groundbreaking exploration of a meaty topic. Once I was on board with the issues of the novel, I began to want more than was delivered.

3 Matryoshkas: I would have coffee with this book.

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: December 7, 2010
Format: Trade paperback
Status: First in the Lying Game series, followed by Never Have I Ever, Two Truths and a Lie, and, later this year, Hide and Seek.
Source: Purchased by self.
Genre: Teen Paranormal, Mystery
Other Info: Shepard is also the author of the Pretty Little Liars series. The Lying Game was made into a TV show for ABC Family.
Description and link from Goodreads): 

     My desire to read this book is based entirely on the fact that I recently watched the entire first season of The Lying Game and, to be honest, was completely engrossed in it. I enjoy look-alike life-swapping plots, especially when they involve identical twins. It’s my childhood obsession with Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield rearing its ugly head.
     Because I watched the TV show first, it was impossible for me not to compare the two, so I warn those of you who have neither watched the TV show nor read the book that I’ll probably be spoiling you a bit, as differences will inevitably be discussed in this review. By the same token, if you’ve read one and watched the other (or vice versa–so to speak), please be forewarned.

     Right away, The Lying Game differentiates itself from the TV show (I saw it first, so it’s my first example) from the book by a pretty huge twist. In the show, Sutton is still alive when Emma takes her place. In the book, Sutton is dead. A virtual ghost, she can only follow Emma around as her long lost twin tries to take her place. As a method of narration, I suppose it’s a bit different, but not, I think, particularly effective. Sutton plays a completely passive role in the book. She doesn’t remember the events that led up to her death, nor very much about her life. She can’t communicate with Emma or anyone else. Perhaps this will be addressed in later volumes, but I didn’t understand why Shepard didn’t just tell the story from Emma’s perspective.
     In the television series, as much as the book, Sutton is portrayed as a villain. She’s the twin that got the good life–who has it all, and appreciates none of it. In fact, the only thing she’s done with her privileged life is hurt people, been mean, and played elaborate, often horrific practical jokes on people (the eponymous Lying Games). Emma, by contrast, was in the foster system and tried to make the best out of a string of bad situations.
     I read the book almost in one sitting, but I finished it feeling kind of empty. It lacks many of the things that I enjoyed about the television show–the way that Emma formed real relationships with the people in Sutton’s life, and Emma herself–and, frankly, the convoluted, soap opera-esque plot. It makes sense that Emma doesn’t form relationships in the book, because it takes place during a relatively short period of time. Also, Sutton takes bitchiness to a whole new level. She’s not just a bitch, she’s a MEGA-BITCH. I found myself wondering why I would even care that anyone murdered her. Hey, it’s fiction! It’s not like someone really died.
     On the question of whether or not I’ll continue with the series…I’m not sure. I definitely won’t buy them, but if my library has copies, I just might check them out. I didn’t hate the book, and I don’t think it was poorly written…but I’m not sure I liked it, either. I’m all about relationships between characters. Romantic ones, definitely…but when the MC has no relationships with anyone else besides her romantic one? Well, I get bored. End of story.

3 Matryoshkas: I would have coffee with this book.

Publisher: Poppy (an imprint of Little, Brown)
Publication Date: April 10, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Status: First in the Belles series.
Source: Received from the publisher for review.
Genre: Teen Contemporary
Other Info: Jen Calonita is also the author of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series, in addition to a number of chapter books for younger readers.
Description and link from Goodreads): 

     It’s difficult for me to write negative reviews, and this is especially true when I’m dealing with a book I’m also giving away. I toyed with a few alternate ideas, and even asked around a bit. People suggested interviews with the author and things like that, but when it came down to it, I kept coming back to the same thought. It’s as important for me to write negative reviews as it is for me to write positive ones. Additionally, I had opinions about this book that I wanted to get off my chest.
     The reason that I was so highly anticipating Belles is, perhaps, what made it such a big disappointment for me. The book’s title, its description, the tagline, the marketing, the cover–everything about Belles emphasized the South. Unfortunately, it did not deliver. Belles, could have taken place in any part of the United States where there’s a substantial difference between classes. So, yeah, pretty much anywhere. There was nothing to add to the charm of the book–not even a single accent or Southern saying–and I had been very much anticipating the opposite.
     I’m not from the South. I’ve spent very little time there, and where I’ve been does not include North Carolina. I’m willing to concede that there are Southern stereotypes I buy into (and more I’m not even aware of believing). BUT. If you’re going to promise a Southern angle, by gum, you need to deliver. Because Belles didn’t, I felt cheated. Where, I demand to know, was the sweet tea? The antebellum mansions? THE SPANISH MOSS? Does North Carolina not have these things? Okay, fine. Then tell me what it does have. Do not serve me up a piping hot dish of Anywhere, America, and call it the South.
     If, perhaps, the story had made up for the lack of setting, I might have been able to move past the lack of distinct setting. Belles did not do this. It was peppered with shallow, unformed characters and thinly veiled plot lines. I got to page 319 (of 352) and DNF’d it. I usually DNF books far earlier, but I wanted to give this book a chance. Too bad predictability, unrelateable characters and two characters named Hayden and Brayden defeated me. 

1 Matryoshka: I would avoid looking this book in the eye.

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Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: February 16, 2012
Format: Paperback
Status: Standalone
Source: Purchased
Genre: Teen Contemporary
Other Info: Jensen also wrote Falling in Love with English Boys.
Description and link from Goodreads): 

     I’ve been in something of a reading slump for a while now, though that hasn’t stopped me from acquiring zillions of books at a steady rate. However, the more I acquire, the less I seem to want to read. This is becoming a problem, I daresay, because I have some pretty good books on my shelf. I’ve come to the conclusion, however, that what I need is a little genre break. For the past year or so, I’ve been reading mostly Paranormal stuff, with a healthy dose of Dystopian. It’s hard to get away from these, as they’re all the rage. And don’t get me wrong–I love them and I’m not about to give them up–but I also think it would be good for me to try something different for a bit.
     This theory–which I’m also pairing with a break from reading review books all the gosh-dang time–is based on the fact that I went from starting five books only to put them down again to swallowing The Fine Art of Truth or Dare in less than 24 hours. Truth or Dare is Romantic Comedy fare. It has certain elements of depth, but for me, its greatest appeal is its formulaic nature. The story is familiar–unpopular girl-falls-for-wealthy boy–with very few twists.
     By way of explaining, I should explain that, mostly, I share the books that I read with my dad. He borrows them and makes fun of himself for reading teen fiction, but we both like paranormal stuff. When I finished The Fine Art of Truth or Dare, I passed it on to my mom. I knew she’d like it because of Ella’s family, in particular. She goes crazy for anything with a multicultural spin. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of her favorite movies, and Ella’s extended, restaurant-owning Italian family is right up her alley.
     There was a lot to like in this book. Ella is sweet, shy, and lacks self-confidence because of a disfiguring scar from her childhood. She escapes real-life by delving into art, to the point that she holds imaginary conversations with one of the founders of her school. Ella’s friends are also a highlight, and I appreciated that Jensen didn’t take her gay friend, Frankie’s, dislike of Alex in the obvious direction. On the other hand, I wanted to see more of Frankie’s twin, Daniel, and felt that his storyline was truncated to the point that I felt cheated. I wonder, however, if Jensen has a companion novel planned. I wouldn’t be surprised.
     If this book had a downside, it was Alex, and therefore the romance. I never felt like I really got to know him. He reminded me of the hero from Sixteen Candles. His main interest in Ella seemed to come from a boredom with his too-perfect life. He’s popular, he’s wealthy, his parents are wildly successful, and his girlfriend is the hottest girl in school. I kind of doubted that his attraction to Ella would last once the novelty was over for him.
     To hear me say that the romance was the weakest part of this book probably makes you wonder what made me like this book so much. I think I enjoyed it for just about everything else. It’s definitely made me crave more Contemporary YA. And, on that note, I’d love any suggestions you have!

Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: September 5, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Status: Companion to The DUFF.
Source: Received from the publisher for review.
Genre: Contemporary Teen 
Other Info: This is Keplinger’s sophomore novel.
Description and link (from Goodreads): 

     You may remember that I had a great many problems with The DUFF, Kody Keplinger’s debut novel. I’m happy to say that this sophomore attempt worked a lot better for me. If you know anything about Keplinger’s books, you know that Shut Out is a sort-of retelling of the Greek play Lysistrata. What you need to know, in a nutshell, is this: Boys make war. Girls tell the boys: Fine. You won’t be making love so long as you’re making war. Stand off begins. That’s the Greek version. The Keplinger version involves a rivalry between the soccer and football teams at Hamilton High–which you might recall as the setting for The DUFF. For those that are wondering–no, you don’t meet those other characters.
     The story begins with the MC (Lissa) being ditched by her boyfriend during some topless making out. Why is he ditching her? So he can continue the chase the soccer team boys that interrupted them. Lissa informs us that having this happen twice was basically the last straw for her, but my first thought was “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Basically: I found it difficult to respect a character who would be with someone who would do this to her. I realize that a large part of Lissa’s character arc was her realization that her boyfriend wasn’t worth everything he put her through, but the issue of her timidity was entirely overshadowed by her developing romance with Cash. In the beginning, Lissa’s best friend encourages her to communicate with Randy, her jerky boyfriend, and I thought things were going to get interesting. After all, communication is an important skill. I’m an incredibly shy person, so this was an issue I definitely related to, and I was sorry to see it go by the wayside.
     Additionally, the Lysistrata storyline is a thinly veiled disguise for what Keplinger seems to really want to discuss. She’s much more interested in exploring the double standard and the sexuality of teenage girls. This is, of course, a fascinating topic. The day it will stop drawing debate is probably the date the world will end. Still, there was nothing particularly fresh came out as a result of Keplinger’s exploration. Our culture is still uncomfortable with teen girls having sex. Am I meant to be surprised by this? Keplinger’s perspective on this issue comes back around to her age for me. I think she has a while yet before she can really tackle this. She needs to be at least 21.
     All joking aside, I want to address a conversation between the MC and her best friend, Chloe. Chloe is known for her promiscuity. She tells Lissa that sex is the way she feels like she can take control amidst the chaos of her life. I don’t have a problem with Chloe liking sex. I admit to natural concern over her promiscuous behavior (or, I would if she were real), but she’s old enough to make that decision for herself. However, I really squirm at the idea of Chloe using sex to feel like she’s in control. Call me old-fashioned, but that doesn’t seem right. I totally wanted Burt Hummel (from TV’s Glee) to be around to give Chloe this Talk. Minus the gay stuff, seeing as that doesn’t really apply to her.

“When you’re intimate with someone in that way, you gotta know that you’re exposing yourself. You’re never gonna be more vulnerable, and that scares the hell out of a lot of guys…With two guys you’ve got two people who think that sex is just sex. It’s gonna be easier to come by and once you start, you aren’t gonna want to stop. You gotta know that it means something. It’s doing something to you, to your heart, to your self-esteem, even though it feels like you’re just having fun…When you’re ready, I want you to be able to do everything. But when you’re ready, I want you to use it as a way to connect to another person. Don’t throw yourself around like you don’t matter, because you matter.”                                                                                                                     –Glee, ep. 2.15

     So now that I’ve embarrassed myself by quoting a TV show’s sex talk, it’s really time for me to wrap up this review. A lot of my thinking about this book came after the fact. While I was reading it, I enjoyed it. It’s a quick read and I don’t think that, if I hadn’t been reviewing it, I would have given it much thought after I reached the last page. I don’t really know whether to recommend this book or not. On reflection, I have issues with the story, the plot, the characterization (Lissa’s far, far too easy reconciliation with her former best friend) and the message. I wasn’t a big fan of the heroine, Keplinger was a bit clunky with her writing, often telling instead of showing. However, Keplinger is an author who has a lot of potential. I’d like to see what she can do in another five to ten years. In the meantime, I’m up in the air about her upcoming retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.