Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits Author: Katie McGarry Series: Pushing the Limits #1 Reading Level: Young Adult Publisher: Harlequin Teen | July 31, 2012 Pages: 392 Add it: Goodreads Buy it: Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million  Synopsis:  So wrong for each other …and yet so right. No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again. “A riveting and emotional ride!”—New York Times bestselling author Simone Elkeles “McGarry details the sexy highs, the devastating lows and the real work it takes to build true love.” —Jennifer Echols, author of Such a Rush “An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!”—Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of Alice in Zombieland "Pushing the Limits is an accomplished debut, a perfect choicefor readers who thrive on edgy, riveting storytelling." --Bookpage "Real aches and real love in Katie McGarry's sensitive, complex, always surprising, really excellent first novel." -- School Library Journal

The Scene: Girl with traumatic past. Boy with troubled family life. Lots of teenage angsty drama and a hot romance make up Katie McGarry's debut novel.

The Girl: Echo Emerson is a girl with a past. She can't remember an incident she had with her mom and her only reminder are the scars that run up and down her arms. Echo has her issues but I think that's what really makes her so relatable. Katie McGarry really knows how to write characters that are engaging and stay with you even after you've finished the book. 

The Boy(s): Noah Hutchins. Bad boy (tattoos, check. scars, check. hot bod, triple check). Fiercely protective. Smartass. And also a very sweet and loving guy to both his brothers and the girl he loves, Echo.

The WTF?!: Noah calling Echo his siren or nymph. Like really? Baby sounds waaay better.

The Buzz: Pushing the Limits has all the elements for a great young adult contemporary read. I love the realness of Katie's characters and the issues that are dealt with in the book. Echo and Noah are both characters that have lots of depth that is great to read about. I literally was sad to see this book end. Suffice it to say, Pushing the Limits definitely has the buzz factor going on.   

Rating

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick Series: My Life Next Door #1 Reading Level: Young Adult Publisher: Dial Books | June 14, 2012 Pages: 394 Add it: Goodreads Buy it: Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million  Synopsis:  "One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time." The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself? A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

The Scene: Small town off the coast of Connecticut. Girl lives next door to boy..AND his whole family of seven Garretts, four brothers and three sisters, whom girl's mother disapproves of. Throw in family problems, friendship, romance, summer, and you've got a great YA contemporary read.  

The Girl: Samantha, our MC, is great. She has her stuff together, for the most part. I love that there's no over the top drama about Sam and she's there for her friends and family even when she messes up or lines blur. And of course, I loved her pondering and watching of the Garretts from her roof.

The Boy(s): Holy hell. This is what you call a book boyfriend. Jase is not like the typical stereotype that is so prominent in young adult literature today. He's not a cocky, arrogant ass that hides a heart of gold. What you see is what you get with Jase. He's a good guy; sweet, nice, hardworking, a good brother, athletic, and a helluva boyfriend to Samantha.

The WTF?!: Clay Tucker. Ick. Politics. Double Ick.

The Buzz: Everything about this book is great. From page one, it sucked me in and didn't let me go. Fitzpatrick wrote very relatable characters and a story that was realistic and compelling. I loved getting to know the Garretts and their crazy hectic lovable life. I loved seeing Samantha's relationship with Jase begin and grow. My Life Next Door is one of those books that keeps you reading late at night wanting more even after you finish it.   

Rating

Review: The Keep by Veronica Wolff

Title: The Keep Author: Veronica Wolff Series: The Watchers #4 Reading Level: Young Adult Publisher: NAL Trade | June 4, 2013 Pages: 320 Add it: Goodreads Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million  Synopsis:  JUST BECAUSE YOU WORK FOR THE DEAD DOESN’T MEAN YOU WANT TO JOIN THEM. Drew has just started her second year on the Isle of Night, and the weather isn’t the only thing changing drastically. She has ascended to the rank of Initiate. She’s also found an intimate love in the handsome vampire, Carden. But most of all, she no longer dreams of escape. She dreams of vengeance. Her friend, Emma, was brutally wounded by the savage vampire Alcántara, and may have been taken to the dreaded castle, from which none of the living return. But there are so many different stories from so many people with so many of their own deceits and machinations, Drew can’t be sure of anything—except that she must find a way into the castle to discover the truth and take down Alcántara once and for all. But Drew isn’t the only one out for revenge. Someone very dangerous on the island is also out for blood… Hers…

The Scene

Drew's on an island again doing her own kickass routine. There's lots of training in this one with Ronan to boot. The whole thing with Emma in the previous book, Blood Fever, was dealt with (kinda), thank god, but it was still sad.

The Girl

Oh gosh. Can I just say that I love Drew? She is awesome and so kickass. I love her fight, her snark, and how strong she is. Yeah, she makes some stupid decision sometimes (who doesn't?) but I think that's what makes her a bit realistic, especially for a girl her age. Drew is a huge reason why I love the Watchers series so much.

The Boy(s)

Ronan was in this book so much. And I loved it. Don't get me wrong I like Carden but I've always been more of a Ronan fan. Drew and him just need to hurry up and get together already.

The WTF?!

Ohmygosh, what the hell was up with Yasuo?! I was totally flipping because I really liked him in the previous books. He went all freaking psycho on Drew and it actually made me a little sad. And angry.

The Buzz

I can't even begin to express how much I enjoy the Watchers series and The Keep was no exception. I loved the action, mystery, intrigue, and of course romance that totally kept me captivated. 

I just cannot wait for the next book to come out! But, to tide you over (and me) there's a novella out that's in Ronan's POV. 

Yes, Ronan's POV.

It's called Dark Craving and here's an excerpt from Veronica Wolff's website.

Twelve months ago “Tracer Ronan.” The vampire Hugo De Rosas Alcántara stared at me over steepled fingers. His face was unmarred by age, features smoothed by that utter stillness borne of immortality. To him, I was merely a man. Worse, a young man. And he was trying to make me squirm. He leaned closer, peering at me. Leather the color of ox’s blood creaked beneath him, the office decor, like his posturing, meant to menace. Alcántara was ancient, but more than that, he was a ruler. A creature of power among the most powerful. “Is this impatience I read on your face?” he asked finally. Just let me get on with it, I thought. I despised my job and would have it done. It was a godforsaken place, this Eyja næturinnar. This Isle of Night. Nothing but grey cliffs, bleak skies, hostile seas. And vampires. “You young humans.” His lips pursed with contempt. “Always so anxious, racing to your own deaths.” Young, he called me. An irony, seeing as Alcántara looked no older than my nineteen years. To him, I was weak. A bit of mortal ephemera. Flesh with an expiration date—one that he controlled. “Not at all,” I assured him. Mine was a game that went deeper than impatience and fear. The day would come when Alcántara learned how greatly he’d underestimated me. For now, though, I gave him a subservient nod. “I’m merely looking forward to getting on my way.” “On your way, is it?” He leaned back with a sneer. “You fashion yourself quite the lone wolf, don’t you? A ma-ver-ick.” He pronounced each syllable of the word slowly, disdainfully, his lips peeling back as he ended on the sharp, hard k sound, revealing a pair of long, gleaming fangs. “No indeed, Master Alcántara,” I assured him in as formal a tone as I could manage. Let him think I was cowed. “Best to remember, rebels are not tolerated.” His mouth curved in a catlike smile. Lean and striking, sleek and dark, the Spanish vampire was a deadly panther in elegant human form. “You are merely a Tracer. My Tracer.” His Tracer. He believed this was all I might be. A human tool who brought unsuspecting adolescents to him—to their almost-certain deaths. “Naturally.” I thought I might’ve nodded my head in a gesture of respectful submission, but all I knew was the single thought driving me: One day this submission would end. One day I would destroy him. Slowly and with gusto.  Add it: Goodreads Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Sooooo, what do you think? Good, huh?

Rating

Oh yeah, seriously

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones Author: Cassandra Clare Series: The Mortal Instruments #1 Reading Level: Young Adult Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books | March 27, 2007 Pages: 485 Add it: Goodreads Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million  Synopsis:  When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know... Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

My thoughts {bzzzzzzzzzzz}: 

The Scene

NYC. Half-human, half-angel hybrids (aka Shadowhunters) who hunt and kill demons. 15 year old girl who doesn't know what anything about this alternate world and is thrown into it unexpectedly. Sound like a typical young adult book yet?

The Girl

Clary was like of lot of main female characters in YA. Kind of normal then gets thrown into a world where normal is anything but. I actually liked her a lot. Surprising because I usually like the more kick ass variety of female main characters. I wouldn't call Clary hardcore like Rose from Vampire Academy but she's still pretty tough.

The Boy(s)

If you like cocky, sarcastic, blond, and, well hot, look no further then Jace Wayland. Jace is very infuriating from the start and kind of a jerk. Buuut, he's also a badass demon hunter who will do anything to protect his brother and sister (not by blood) Isabelle and Alec. Also, Jace really knows how to crack those one-liners. Simon is the other guy in the equation. He's Clary's best friend and kind of in the friend zone. Simon is hilarious! I think he's a great character and definitely is another great reason why I love City of Bones so much.

The WTF?!

I don't really wanna spoil it for ya'll but I have to say it. One word: incest. Yeah, it was really frickin' weird when I found out about this. Trust me, you'll be shocked too. Luckily, almost all the other books are out so you don't have to wait to read what happens next.

The Buzz

I was completely engrossed in City of Bones and read it really fast. I loved the world building and all the different elements of the book. The characters were great, the plot was great, and it kept me thinking about it all the time.

Rating

Really, it should come as no surprise that

My New Rating System!

Hey guys!

You know all those rating systems that bloggers seem to conjure like magic specifically tailored to their blogs? Yeah, well I kinda got tired of my plain old star system. So, I've been thinking that maybe I should create my own rating system, but I've been putting it off for so long because I didn't know what each rating should be called. 

Then it hit me.

My blog name, Brianna's Book Buzz, is the perfect way to base my rating system off of. So, without further ado, here is my new rating system:

No Buzz Whatsoever: It was horrible. I did not like this book at all. There was no buzz in this book. I definitely would NOT recommend this book.

Little to No Buzz: It was okay. Really didn't have much buzz going for this book. This book wasn't completely horrible but it still wasn't my cup tea. I would not recommend this book.

Some Minor Buzz: It was just good. Definitely wasn't great but not horrible either. I had some problems with this book but was still mildly enjoyable. I would maybe recommend this book.

Some Major Buzz: It was really good. I enjoyed this book a lot but it didn't quite hit the buzz factor. Still, a wonderful book and would recommend.

The Buzz Factor: It was AMAZING. This is the book that's worthy of an award. It's the book that sucks you in where you're incapable of doing anything remotely productive because your eyes are super-glued to the pages. I HIGHLY recommend this book.  

What do you think? Do you like it? Anything I should do different? :)