Waiting on Wednesday: The Mystery of Hollow Places

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, where you get to showcases upcoming releases you are eagerly anticipating! 

This week I am waiting on...

Title: The Mystery of Hollow Places

Author: Rebecca Podos

Genre: Young Adult Mystery/Contemporary

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Synopsis via Goodreads: 

All Imogene Scott knows of her mother is the bedtime story her father told her as a child. It's the story of how her parents met: he, a forensic pathologist, she, a mysterious woman who came to identify a body. A woman who left Imogene and her father when she was a baby, a woman who was always possessed by a powerful loneliness, a woman who many referred to as troubled waters.

When Imogene is seventeen, her father, now a famous author of medical mysteries, strikes out in the middle of the night and doesn't come back. Neither Imogene's stepmother nor the police know where he could've gone, but Imogene is convinced he's looking for her mother. She decides to put to use the skills she's gleaned from a lifetime of her father's books to track down a woman she's never known, in order to find him and, perhaps, the answer to the question she's carried with her for her entire life. 

Rebecca Podos' debut is a powerful, affecting story of the pieces of ourselves that remain mysteries even to us - the desperate search through empty spaces for something to hold on to.

COMING JANUARY 26th 2016

When I first read this synopsis I added it to the top of my 2016 TBR list. This sounds like an emotional mystery with a contemporary feel to it. I love mystery's that blend into the lines of contemporary. 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Tell me in the comments below! 

Review: Bone Gap

Title: Bone Gap

Author: Laura Ruby

Pages: 368

Genre: Young Adult Magic Realism, Contemporary, Mystery
Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Publication Date: March 3rd 2015

 

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Everyone knows Bone Gap is full of gaps—gaps to trip you up, gaps to slide through so you can disappear forever. So when young, beautiful Roza went missing, the people of Bone Gap weren’t surprised. After all, it wasn’t the first time that someone had slipped away and left Finn and Sean O’Sullivan on their own. Just a few years before, their mother had high-tailed it to Oregon for a brand new guy, a brand new life. That’s just how things go, the people said. Who are you going to blame?

Finn knows that’s not what happened with Roza. He knows she was kidnapped, ripped from the cornfields by a dangerous man whose face he cannot remember. But the searches turned up nothing, and no one believes him anymore. Not even Sean, who has more reason to find Roza than anyone, and every reason to blame Finn for letting her go.

As we follow the stories of Finn, Roza, and the people of Bone Gap—their melancholy pasts, their terrifying presents, their uncertain futures—acclaimed author Laura Ruby weaves a heartbreaking tale of love and loss, magic and mystery, regret and forgiveness—a story about how the face the world sees is never the sum of who we are.  

 

REVIEW:

Bone Gap is a book you want to go into not knowing what to expect. This is what I did and my mind was taken on a stunning wild ride. I don't think any words can truly describe Bone Gap but I will give it my best shot. Bone Gap is a magical, unique, captivating, and thought provoking read.

 

This story pulls you in from the first chapter. The book is set in a very small town and I loved what that added to the story. You get pulled into the town of Bone Gap and it is like nothing else exists. The townspeople were also fantastic. Every character had a different type of personality and I loved that. There was great social diversity between them and it was very interesting to watch them all interact and go through their everyday lives. My favorite character was Finn. Finn is a boy lost in the clouds and the moment you read his narration you cannot help but immediately feel for him.

 

Talking about feels....this book makes you feel all of them! This book is definitely filled with a feeling of sadness. But it is not a in your face and consuming sadness that upsets you it is written in a way that is underlining and just kind of sneaks up on you. When it is written this way I think it has an even bigger impact on the reader. You will immediately become invested in Finn and all the other characters emotions. The story is told in alternating points of view which I always enjoy because you get to understand enjoy character more and see the story unravel from all sides.  

 

I also very much enjoyed reading the budding romance between Finn and Petey. I thought they were a perfect match for each other and added something each others lives. The romance does play an important role in the story and both of these characters growth but the book does not revolve around it. Petey ends up finding something (you will not see this coming at all) that reveals a lot about Finn and what he is going through.

 

This book is a magic realism story. In other words their are some parts that are very unique and will not make sense at first. This is a book the you have to have some patience to read. Things are not revealed until the last couple chapters. When I say you must have patience that does not mean the book is slow. It is not that at all. I actually read the book extremely fast because I needed to understand what was going on and the reasoning behind it. I could not put it down. I loved the magic realism aspect because it makes you think more and it makes the story more mesmerizing and enchanting.

 

The thing that made Bone Gap even better is that it is not one thing. Bone Gap can be interpreted as a contemporary read about these characters and their growth, it doubles as a mystery as you try to discover where is and what happened to Roza, and it is also a unique story about a magical world. Bone Gap will have you entranced in this story and the town within seconds. If you are a fan of magic realism that also enjoys books that make you think and see things differently (also don't forget those feels!) then this is a book I highly recommend for you.

 

 

Review: My Heart and Other Black Holes

Title: My Heart and Other Black Holes

Author: Jasmine Warga

Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Publication Date: February 10th 2015

 

Synopsis via Goodreads:

A stunning novel about the transformative power of love, perfect for fans of Jay Asher and Laurie Halse Anderson.

Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There's only one problem: she's not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel's convinced she's found her solution--Roman, a teenage boy who's haunted by a family tragedy, is looking for a partner. Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other's broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together.

 

REVIEW:

My Heart and Other Black Holes is a heart wrenching and beautifully written book.

 

This book had me writing down quotes like crazy. It seemed on every other page Aysel would say/think something that just made me stop and think or admire the writing. There are tons of stunning quotes about kinetic energy, music, emotions and more. The girls over at Epic Reads actually told me they are planning on doing a post on the best quotes of the book, so stay on the look out for that! Beautifulness aside, the book was in general well written, easy, and fast to read.

 

I did have one struggle that held me back at the beginning though. At first I had a hard time seeing the chemistry between Aysel and Roman. When they start out as suicide partners that's really all they are, maybe leaning towards a friendship and I had a hard time seeing how this was going to progress to a romantic relationship. They just didn't seem to work together for me. But as the book goes on romantic hints are dropped, they get to know each other better and so do you. While they open up to each other you start to see the romance build and start to realize they are good for each other. This happened about halfway through the book for me.

 

When you go into this book do not expect a romance with grand gestures or steamy make out scenes. Aysel and Roman do fall in love but the fact is these are two sad and very depressed individuals. I was  glad to see that Warga portrayed the romance this way because it was realistic. There are small genuine scenes where you get to see them make each other smile. I liked these subtle scenes because it gives you a tingle of hope that they can save each other. There is one "bigger" kiss scene and Roman does win Aysel a stuffed animal at a carnival but those are the biggest physical romantic gestures you see. Roman is determined to go through with the suicide pact so in his mind Aysel and him won't go on past these couple weeks. There is a romance and it really is beautiful it just is not as intense and steamy as in other young adult novels today.

 

I absolutely loved seeing Aysel's mind slowly change. It was so hopeful for a teenager to read and see things get better for her. This book also makes you think about the wonderful people you are thankful for in your life. Spending time with Roman and the happiness she feels with him helps her see a future for herself and she tries to do the same for him.

 

My Heart and Other Black Holes is a magnificently written book about the power of love and that shows teens that things get better.

 

 

P.S. Have you looked at the cover yet? It is just as gorgeous as the writing!

 

Waiting on Wednesday: Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke

Title: Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke

(Prisoner of Night and Fog #2)

Author: Anne Blankman

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

 

Synopsis via Goodreads:

The girl known as Gretchen Whitestone has a secret: She used to be part of Adolf Hitler’s inner circle. More than a year after she made an enemy of her old family friend and fled Munich, she lives with a kindly English family, posing as an ordinary German immigrant, and is preparing to graduate from high school. Her love, Daniel Cohen, is a reporter in town. For the first time in her life, Gretchen is content.

But then, Daniel gets a telegram that sends him back to Germany, and Gretchen’s world turns upside-down. And when she receives word that Daniel is wanted for murder, she has to face the danger she thought she’d escaped-and return to her homeland.

Gretchen must do everything she can to avoid capture and recognition, even though saving Daniel will mean consorting with her former friends, the Nazi elite. And as they work to clear Daniel’s name, Gretchen and Daniel discover a deadly conspiracy stretching from the slums of Berlin to the Reichstag itself. Can they dig up the explosive truth and get out in time-or will Hitler discover them first?  

 

 

COMING APRIL 21st 2015

 

I love reading World War 2 historical fiction. When the first book Prisoner of Night and Fog came out last year I immediately grabbed it up and absolutely loved it. I have been eagerly waiting to hear what happens to Gretchen next. If you have not started this series yet and enjoy historical fiction I highly recommend picking it up before the sequel comes out in April!

Review: Get Even

Title: Get Even

Author: Gretchen McNeil

Pages: 389

Genre: Young Adult Mystery

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: September 16th 2014

 

Synopsis via Goodreads:

The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars in Gretchen McNeil’s witty and suspenseful novel about four disparate girls who join forces to take revenge on high school bullies and create dangerous enemies for themselves in the process.

Bree, Olivia, Kitty, and Margot have nothing in common—at least that’s what they’d like the students and administrators of their elite private school to think. The girls have different goals, different friends, and different lives, but they share one very big secret: They’re all members of Don’t Get Mad, a secret society that anonymously takes revenge on the school’s bullies, mean girls, and tyrannical teachers.

When their latest target ends up dead with a blood-soaked “DGM” card in his hands, the girls realize that they’re not as anonymous as they thought—and that someone now wants revenge on them. Soon the clues are piling up, the police are closing in . . . and everyone has something to lose.

 

REVIEW:

Get Even is a fun, suspenseful, girl mystery novel with a strong Pretty Little Liars feel.

There is a wide variation of main characters in this story which I thought was great because it gives  something to every type of reader. The four main girls all have different personalities, interests, and social groups. You get Olivia the popular girl in love with acting, Margot the quiet and smart girl with inner turmoil, Kitty the athlete and part of student government, and Bree the rebellious one. You also get to see the story from all of their point of views. This way you got a wide range of angles of the story and you were able to find a character that you best fit with.

Their target ends up dead near the beginning of the book which allowed you to jump right into the mystery and suspense. There are many different parts to the mystery to keep you busy. The murder investigation is action-packed in itself but you also get other mysteries when somebody, possibly the murderer, starts sending them manila envelopes which uncover secrets buried in their own group. McNeil did a good job balancing everyday high school situations with the murder investigation. I liked this because you still got to learn more about the girls lives and their backstories instead of just everything focused on finding the killer. Speaking of the killer, I have no idea who they are. I have had multiple guesses throughout this book but I have a feeling they are way off. I want the second book so I can get to the bottom of this, also that ending needs to be resolved. I have to know the outcome of what she did and if certain people survive!

The only thing I wish there had been more of in this book was the actual acts of their group DGM. You get to see them pull one small prank right at the beginning of the book but the moment the murder happens their group starts to fall apart. I had thought the concept of DGM was intriguing and added something more to it making it more then a basic teen murder mystery. I just wish I had got to see the group in action.

Overall Get Even is a great teen murder mystery which girls and especially Pretty Little Liars fans will love.

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday: Exquisite Captive

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine ,where we get to share our most anticipated upcoming book releases!

 

This week I am eagerly waiting on.....

 

Title: Exquisite Captive

Author: Heather Demetrios

Pages: 480

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Synopsis via Goodreads:

 

Forced to obey her master.
Compelled to help her enemy.
Determined to free herself.

Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.

Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?

Inspired by Arabian Nights, EXQUISITE CAPTIVE brings to life a deliciously seductive world where a wish can be a curse and shadows are sometimes safer than the light.

 

 

COMING OCTOBER 7th 2014

 

 

What are you all waiting for this week?

Tell me in the comments below!

 

Review: The Promise of Amazing

Title: The Promise of Amazing
Author: Robin Constantine
Pages: 371
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

The Promise of Amazing follows the story of Wren and Grayson. Wren is ranked in the middle of her class and has spent her high school years as the quiet good girl but she is ready to change that. Grayson was the star of his private school until he was caught in the middle of a term paper selling job and was expelled. One night when Wren is working a wedding at her family's venue that Grayson is attending, he starts choking and Wren steps into save his life. Grayson is determined to get to know the girl who saved his life and along the way they might just fall in love.
There is one thing that always irritates me in the publishing industry and that is when a book comes out with a synopsis and then the book turns out to be something else. The book is about Wren and Grayson falling in love and how they help each other see the best in themselves but I almost felt like that was just a side story in the book. A big chunk of the book follows Grayson and his old friends from his private school who were all in on this scheme to make money to send them on this big trip after graduation. To make the money they stole from houses. They would actually find girls who had rich houses and get the girls to take them to their houses. They would flirt with the girls till they found out when they would not be home and then go back during that time and steal expensive belongings from the houses. Graysons ex-best friend does not want him to walk away from the plan. When he finds out that Grayson no longer wants anything to do with it he threatens to take Wren away from Grayson. Most of the book followed this story and this was never mentioned in the synopsis. I thought this would be a light fun read but it was not that.
Putting that aside it was not a bad book. It had its dull spots but it was interesting. If the synopsis had said something about the stealing scheme I would have been more on board with the book. There is nothing specifically bad I can say about this book it was just one of those books that just does not stand out. I liked reading it but it is one I probably will not think to mention in the coming years because it just had no lasting effect on me. I did like how it was told in alternating points of view though. It allowed me to see both sides of the story even though I lot of the plot evolved around Grayson.
Overall The Promise of Amazing it is an interesting read about teens who are trying to find their way out of their mistakes with an interesting twist and a hint of romance. I will not say this is a book you need to go out and buy because it is not a must read but if you are looking for a new contemporary novel to try out to pass the time give this one a shot.

Review: The Boyfriend App

Title: The Boyfriend App

Author: Katie Sise

Pages: 312

Genre: Contemporary/Romance

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Review:

    The Boyfriend App is a charming book portraying the ideas of loss, hope, and of course high school romance. 

    The Boyfriend App follows the story of Audrey who is in her senior year of high school and desperately wanting to get out of her small hometown. But a couple years ago Audrey's father passed away and her mother is barely able to pay the bills making her chance at going to college very slim...unless she can get a scholarship. And just her luck a big company is holding a contest to see who can design the best mobile App and the winner gets a full scholarship to college. Audrey enters the contest immediately and starts brainstorming ideas. Audrey then comes up with the perfect App for any teenager,The Boyfriend App. But creating this App has more of an effect on her life than she ever thought possible.

     Most people told me that this book was just a fun fast read. But being completely honest it just dragged on and on for me. It did have it's good aspects of being funny and genuine in places but it just did not do it for me.

     A lot of the characters were great. My favorite was the protagonist, Audrey. She was relate able and had a touch of humor to her narration. I also liked her cousin Lindsay who was full of energy and opinions. Sise also created the perfect high school mean girl, Audrey's ex best friend Blake. But I also like how in the end Blake turned out to have somewhat of a good heart at times.

    The storyline originally sounded intriguing and fun to me. But after reading it I'm sad to say it didn't work. A lot of the book just did not seem very realistic to me and that made me enjoy it less. Parts of the book seemed over the top and exaggerated and kind of turned me off.

      The Boyfriend App I think had potential, with the unique plot and great characters but it just didn't come together.

2 Stars **