A Scandalous Marriage (Marriage #2) by Cathy Maxwell

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Leah Carrollton just wanted to find love. As a great beauty in a family struggling to maintain their ton-ish lifestyle. A bank account was more important than the love Leah sought. But a love affair found her anyway. Two love affairs to be exact.

Leah’s first love was star-crossed. Falling for Viscount Huxhold, Devon Marshall, was unfortunate. A grudge lasting a generation means that any hope Devon and Leah had for a traditional Happily Ever After was lost from the start.

After losing her great love. Leah rebounds with a less than honorable man. One who leaves her with a baby on the way. But fate expects more from Leah and Devon. Their stars and paths are to cross yet again. And the troubles they incurred during their separation may be the very things that save their love…

Review

I enjoyed this one so much more than the first. Thought starting with the baby’s delivery then flashing back to the start of Leah and Devon’s love then coming back to the delivery was really different. Really cool. I got to know the characters in a way I wasn’t expecting. Their backstory helped explain motivations and feelings…and kept the delivery from seeming too random.

Though it must be noted that no one recovers from giving birth as quickly as Leah does. Seriously?! the day after a traumatic (and premature!) birth and we’ve got our heroine throwing the baby in a drawer (yep. a dresser drawer. padded with blankets. duh.) and riding a coach to London. Leah even feels the stirring of desire for Devon. You have to ignore a lot of logic to bridge the unrealistic-ness of this situation. But if you can get past it watching Devon and Leah rebuild their love is rewarding.

What was great about this read was how much I enjoyed these characters as people. Getting to know Leah better in this novel makes such a difference…and sheds so much light on her, shall we say, sluttiness of the last novel. I actually liked her. And Devon is simply the sweetest. Even if it took them FOREVER to say the L-word. That confession was pretty obvious way before the characters admitted their feelings.

Again, the second in this series keeps the ‘drama’ to a minimum…at least in the main character’s relationships. This semi-drama-free relationship was one of the things I most like about the first book, Married in Haste. No grand displays followed by white knights to be found here. Just major issues sorted out by realistic people.

Finally, the epilogue to this book was better than the first in the series. It completed Leah and Devon’s story, giving a Happily Ever After that is the sweetest I’ve read in awhile. Well done Maxwell.

Rating: 3.5/5 A swift, sweet novel worth the hour or two of escape it provides.

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Married in Haste (Marriage #1) by Cathy Maxwell

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The Earl of Merton can have his choice of debutantes. Sweeping in from his family home in Wales, Brenn is on the hunt for a wife.

Tess Hamlin is the belle of the Ton. She’s held the supreme position of Queen Bee for years now…so many years in fact, she’s running out of suitable men to turn down.

On the surface Brenn and Tess are perfect for each other. He is her fresh meat, and she is his wealthy wife. But neither comes to this marriage without a secret motivation. Neither is what they appear. So when the truths are revealed will the love they’ve built be enough to weather the results of their secrets…

Review

I liked that in Brenn and Tess’s relationship nothing was too “dramatic” – no one flounced off, slammed a door, left in the dead of night – even in situations where other romances would have gone there. We’ve all seen the third act escape…where one or both of the characters runs away for some flimsy reason that a simple, honest discussion would have cleared up. And while all that drama can be fun. It was refreshing to read a romance that didn’t depend on a dramatic crisis to prove character love. The key to this was that these characters kept fairly open hearts and minds through out the story. Not that they always did it for love (sometimes they were agreeable for their own gain) but they seemed to work together with understanding.

However, now that I’ve just complimented such a perfect couple, I’ll say I disliked how long Brenn and Tess kept their secrets. So many times one or the other could have unburdened themselves. Shared the secret weighing on their mind and the relationship. Maybe it would have given a bit of dramatic depth to the story to reveal…without having to involve the cliche ‘foot-stomp’.

Also, Tess’s brother was hard to swallow.He was the genesis of such a common trope – The ‘used’ daughter/sister. Tess is somehow to pay for her brother’s exorbitant debt and lifestyle.  The brother gets off without a smidge of change or shame. At least Maxwell openly states how women are used…helps watching yet another female romance character fall into the sacrificial lamp role. But seriously, Tess’s brother was a little too extreme for me to feel that Tess’s sacrifice was worth it…even if she did end up with a good man.

The ending was quick and the epilogue was long. I think the beginning of this story deserved a more fleshed out ending and a shorter ‘tacked on’ epilogue. ‘Cause that extra bit was practically another story in and of itself!

Rating: 3/5 This one had potential had the author not relied so heavily on tropes and kept her character’s secrets this one would have been stronger. 

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The silver solution was a little…”duh”…wondered that Maxwell never let the ‘battery’ investment pay off as batteries do in fact exist – and it would have been a major windfall. Could have added some historical significance to the tale.

Loved, loved the bit about Brenn wooing Tess in Wales. Again we had a situation of the townspeople falling hard and fast for Tess (uhm, totally unrealistic!). But the flowers…the priest…really really sweet. It was stuff like this that kept me reading!

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Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) by Kristin Cashore

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“This is a man’s world…but it ain’t nothing without a woman or a girl…”

Katsa was born with two different colored eyes. Eyes that would be especially beautiful if they didn’t tell the world that Katsa was graced. Eyes that could potentially still be an asset if Katsa’s grace didn’t instill fear in all who recognize her.

Katsa is a Killer. Her grace of fighting leaves her practically invincible battle.

That her guardian, her Uncle the king, has used her as a henchman and a tool of power since Katsa’s first accidental kill as a young girl leaves her feared across the Seven Kingdoms without friend and with very few natural foes.

Until she stumbles upon a man who can take her down. An attractive, perceptive man who can take her in a fight. A man who wants to care for her as a woman as well.

But this tale is not a love story. It is a tale of survival, of political intrigue, and of finding yourself. If learning what your true grace is grants you the ability to love as well…then life may just be worth living…

Review

Before I began this beloved book I did a little poking around the internet. I knew people always mention this book and I wanted to gather a sense of why (without too much spoiler-ific plot giveaways). What I noticed from the start was this fairly heated discussion of the feminist view of the book.

People generally fall into two camps when looking at the character of Katsa:

Man-Hater or Feminist

And I’m here to say that I’m not sure the character of Katsa is either. True, she doesn’t trust men much…but she’s been ostracized by men because she’s been graced with a traditionally ‘male’ grace. She also doesn’t care for women…but again, she’s been treated more like a man and shunned by polite society because of her grace. Why would she find enjoyment in a societal stereotype that so greatly works against her?

No wonder Katsa has retreated into her own world – she’s been mistreated, misunderstood, and shunned by almost everyone.

One thing we need to remember before saluting certain characters for being feminists is the difference between an Author’s point of view and the Character’s point of view. Often times (like with Katsa) we call the character a feminist because she upholds certain ideals –

I.E. being a strong woman, deciding what is right for her and her body when it comes to sex even if her choices fall out of society dictates, saving the day and exceeding men in manly talents and starting a school for women.

While all of these examples fall into a traditional feminist theme. The biggest issue is that Katsa herself has no conscious intentions to better the role of women in her society. None. She hates the women as much as she hates the men. While in the end Katsa does start a training school for women – it is the only point where she actively does something proactive for female society. And, quite frankly, if there was a woman who preferred needlepoint to a round-kick Katsa wouldn’t give her a second thought.

If she’s a feminist in any way it’s an accident, or confusion on the reader’s part mixing up the Author’s and the Character’s intentions. If anything it’s Katsa’s complete lack of social awareness and perspective that makes her seem like a mean feminist/man-hater. It’s really all an accident. Cashore, however, seems to be very concerned with the role of women. Each of her books is teeming with unique situations that ask her female characters to interact with a society not welcoming to their particular gifts. It’s thought-provoking to watch these women change and make decisions based on their own preferences rather than societies’.

I’ll admit that after my internal discussion concerning Katsa’s feminism (or lack there of) I found I didn’t always like her. I respected her. I enjoyed her story – especially the second half – but I had trouble liking her. I think why I truly didn’t connect was because she was so incredibly imperceptive of her own feelings! I mean really, obviously she was attracted to Po sexually. And not everyone was so repressed in this society. Po himself is more than perceptive. Even without his grace Po is one smart cookie, there were times when I wondered how he wasn’t becoming frustrated with Katsa.

And that whole husband vs. lover argument…Seriously? Are we forgetting that in any relationship freedom taken is freedom given by the other party. The man doesn’t hold all the cards in either situation. True, without the legal committment in this world there are certain freedoms women automatically get to keep (like their land and money) but what matters most is emotional investment – Katsa is only fooling herself if she thinks it’s easier one way versus the other when it comes to feelings.

Rating: 4/5 How I love the ending of this book! Everything after part 1 – their love, their growth, their acceptance…well done!

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Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

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The definition of a Witch Hunt is to persecute those who practice witch craft and/or to search out and deliberately harass those who differ from the majority.

Jack St. Bride is no stranger to the witch hunt. Roughly a year ago he was accused by a student of crimes that tanked his career as a private school professor and sent him to jail. Now a newly free man, he’s simply trying to figure out his role in this new world. One where from the beginning of every relationship he’s suspect.

Addie Peabody is a woman haunted by her own ghost. One that she feeds a burger and fries to on a daily basis. The owner of the local diner, Addie has no idea of the change she invites into her life – the test she is about to take on – when she hires a vastly overqualified Jack St. Bride as a dishwasher.

Gilly Duncan is a motherless child, a beautiful girl, and head of her coven. Gilly is a witch. In a religion based in heady power, Gilly won’t treat it with the respect it deserves.

Like hysteria in the Salem of 1692 this modern day witch hunt will be started by a teenage girl with too many issues and more power than she deserves. A he said – she said battle will rage in the courtroom…leaving the reader guessing till almost the last minute where the true blame should fall…

Review

If you’re looking for a Picoult novel minus the emotional tears you’ve found a contender. Like most of her plots this one comes with it’s own twists and turns. You know that until the final page there’s always room for a plot point you never saw coming. Picoult plays the reader by revealing critical information so slowly you’re dying to have the whole picture. Right. Now.

I’ll admit this book starts a little slower than I expected. It definitly took about 50 to 70  pages (till the first twist happens) to really get hooked. What keeps you glued to the story is the need to find out if Jack really did it. I swear there were several points where I wanted to throw the book against a wall…

“He couldn’t have done it!!! Could he??? Ahh!”

Mind you, my frustration was exacerbated by the fact that my assistant had just read the book…She knew the ending! You have no idea how badly I wanted to get the ending from her; how many times I begged for her to tell me if Jack did it! She’s a woman of strength though, and managed to restrain herself from spilling the beans.

I have a special place in my heart for the Salem Witch Trials. They were the focus of my minor in Women’s Studies. Some really cray cray stuff. I loved the way Picoult picked and chose which parts of the historical situation she pulled out exact and which she remixed in a new way. The choice to include an actual Wiccian Coven in the book was very cool. The part they played; remixed and interesting.

As much as I enjoyed the book a few parts didn’t do it for me. It was actually the fact that she was a little grandiose in her characterization and motivations that the plot fell a bit flat. Some of the conversations were so dramatic as to feel forced. Like it was trying too hard; stressing too much. Plus the real bad guy never gets his due.

3.5/5 Worth the addictive read…even if it doesn’t work perfectly. 

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Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins

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Parker Wells is loaded. Girl’s rich like Midas and raising her son in the family compound. But Parker isn’t just some spoiled rich girl. She’s focused on raising her son along with her son’s father…who just so happens to be married to Parker’s BFF. She has a bestselling series of children’s books featuring a band of  rollerskating angels named The Holly Rollers. And those perky pipsqueeks are about to debut in their first full lengh feature film!

Life is really comfortable for Parker…sure there’s no man turning on “Lady Land” but a girl can be happy with a beautiful child and full life.

That is until Parker’s Dad…and all of his assets (including Parker’s trust fund and home) are seized by the government. Parker is now homeless, and almost penniless looking at a pretty bleak future. Her only hope is renovating and selling a forgotten Aunt’s coastal home in rural Maine. Pumped up with hope, a new puppy, and a hot, but annoying minion of her father’s tagging along Parker may be able to change her life around…And she may find that her new life is worth far more than the wealthy one she lost…

Review

I loved this book. Can I just leave my review at that?

Just say: “Read It”

Tell you to find a comfie couch, cup of coffee, glass of wine and read, read, read

Offer the advice to “Save this one for when you really need a great dose of chick lit”

…For when you want to find a funny and surprisingly strong heroine make the most out of life

When you want to see a fiesty relationship spring from a misunderstood past…

When you want to kick back with some lemonade and imagine watching the hero nail some shingles to your beach cottage…shirtless…

I Change my Mind. Wait till the summer to read this one. Save it for a beach chair and some waves, a deck and a cold beer, a pool float and some SPF.

Enjoy watching characters from Higgins previous books (Catch of the Day and The Next Best Thing) find more Happily Ever After.

Laugh about all the references to “Lady Land”

Just read this one…You’ll thank me, because like I said after I read Until There Was You, Higgins only gets better and better with each book released.

4/5 For an almost perfect Chick Lit read. 

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Silence (Queen of the Dead #1) by Michelle Sagara

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Emma was the chick who liked to hang out in the graveyard. Not, like, a goth chick…more like a girl who’d lost too many people she loved. First her father, followed by the boy she loved. Emma goes to the graveyard to seek the comfortable silence that those she loved provided in life and now in death.

She’ll ignore the fact that she needs to keep these nightly ghost walks with her pet rottweiler a secret. No one would really understand…

What Emma didn’t see coming was stumbling upon the cute new kid, Eric, in the graveyard. Eric having a conversation with an old woman in rags. The old woman offering Emma a gift that doesn’t appear to be real…Until the headaches start, until Emma starts to see ghosts, until Emma becomes a Necromancer…until Eric divulges that he’s bound to kill her…

Review

First things first, why oh why does Silence not pop up when you search for it on GoodReads? So not cool because this was a great start to a supernatural series. I loved that Emma was allowed to be smart and caring, and that while she admits Eric is cute…there’s no insta-love in sight. Emma is still dealing with the death of the boyfriend, as well as the general drama of a teenage life.

I liked that Sagara had different supporting characters. We have the smart but shy bff, the teen queen, and an autistic boy named Michael. What’s so cool about this mix of people is what brings them together…not Emma, but Michael. The girls decided early on in school to band together and help Michael navigate the torturous world High School can be for a person who is autistic.

And Michael was such a smart addition to the story. As Emma and her band of misfits get deeper and deeper into the world of necromancers Michael’s ability to see and intercede in situations that freeze other characters (literally) is an obvious plus. Because Michael only understands logic (and not the gray area most of our reasoning occurs in) he becomes this walking truth indicator for the group. If Michael sees it, believes it, accepts it…it must be true. Helps to bring a lot of the characters into the paranormal loop fast.

But, supernatural aspects aside, why I enjoyed this book so much was because it reminded me of  Deadly Cool in its feel. Romance was not the central focus of the story. A girl learning who she is, what she is capable of is the point of the tale. Emma is allowed to be cool and smart, and not necessarily a sex symbol. It was a breath of fresh air in the YA division. I’ll definitely be sticking around for the rest of the series because this first installment leaves you with questions!…

• Why is Emma a Necromancer?
• Why is she so powerful?
• How the heck could she open that door?!
• Who is the scary lady?/The old man?
• What the heck was ____ going to tell her?!

So not fair I have to wait months to get my answers!!

Rating: 4/5 For a smart, normal girl mixed up in a ghost ridden paranormal series. 

*Book received via the publisher (DAW Books, Inc.) I was not compensated in any way other than the offer of a free read. Any comments and opinions are my own and were unsolicited. Thanks!*

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The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

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Every November the brave men of Thisby participate in a bloody rush of an ocean-side horse race called: The Scorpio Races. Legendary Capaill Uisce – water horses – begin to rise from the waves off the Island of Thisby in the early fall. A Celtic legend in itself, Thisby is the only Island where the horses still appear; the only Island that still holds true to the superstition and magic that – at times – can control these wild animals.

Sean Kendrick has won the race for the past 4 years running. His father’s horse, Corr, has lead him to victory more times than the Island deems lucky. He’s amassed enough winnings to raise him up in social standing…but it’s not the position he wants. It’s the desire to own Corr, a horse that is as much a part of Sean as his own heart.

Puck Connolly is a girl on the verge of womanhood. Newly orphaned she’s facing losing her eldest brother, the bread-winner, to the call of the mainland and losing her home to the wealthiest man on the Island. Armed with strength of spirit, fear of suffering yet more loss, and her mother’s pony, Puck makes the rash decision to become the first woman ever to enter the Scorpio Races.

Both Sean and Puck desperately need to win the Race. They both believe that the winnings will provide them with the money to fund their deepest desires. And they may be right…but a deep and underlying attraction to each other and an Island on the verge of change may reveal to each that what they thought they wanted wasn’t what they desired after all…

Review

If you’re familiar with the Wolves of Mercy Falls series Stiefvater found YA fame with know that The Scorpio Races is going to be a different experience. For one it’s a standalone. Yes. Stand-A-Lone.

Everyone take a moment to breathe that *sigh* of relief for not having to wait for subsequent books to finish the story.

And while this tale does have supernatural elements (hello: horses born and then raised from the ocean) it’s told in the vein of legend rather than the paranormal. I loved the feel of a legend; I loved the superstitions that pervaded the text. As a gal who always throws spilled salt over her shoulder I very much appreciated the salt rings, rhythmic knot tying, and use of iron that controlled the Capaill Uisce. Because I’ll admit that my own salt throwing is based as much in habit as it is in superstition. It was a truly beautiful experience to see Stiefvater imagine a world in which such cautions provide actual results.

Watching Puck and Sean grow up was interesting. They grew in such a unique way. Not your usual “become mature” YA style. They didn’t run into an issue and “grow up”. In a lot of ways both Sean and Puck were traditionally adult already. Caring for their respective families, holding down jobs, orphans…they seem to have run the gamut of situations that authors use to mature their teenage characters.

The small, almost back-woods island has kept not only traditions alive, but a slightly antiquated view of life. An earnestness, almost repressive, but ultimately a genuine feeling. It’s a place still haunted by legends of yore – a rough place to live in general – disconnected from modernity. You can see how such serious children grow there. The character George Holly (who stands as a modern counterpoint to the people of Thisby) captures the feel of Puck and Sean succintly:

“You do fancy him, don’t you? What a strange, wonderful, repressed place this is.” (324, 1st ed.)

Because that’s what this story is about. Puck and Sean finishing the process of growing up.

Puck is beginning to see herself as a woman. No suffrage movement to be found. For Puck, finding her femininity was more shocking than actually being a woman in a man’s world. There seemed to be no higher theological/societal aspiration for furthering feminist theory…at least none that originated from the character’s own choices. What the author was trying to promote was up for grabs; I’d like to think that Stiefvater was demonstrating a post modernist point of view: that women should have choice, free of the trappings of theory. In the end Puck was pledging herself to her island. What started as a foot-stomp became a realization of her womanhood and a strong connection to the land she loves.

For Sean the experience of this particular Scorpio Race provided a different outlook. From a young age Sean was running a HUGE horse operation. To have found and cultured your purpose in life at such a young age is disconcerting. For Sean these races are more about realizing he needed to work his gifts of his own accord rather than under the shadow of someone else.

And back to what I loved most about this book. It’s probably one of the best examples of magical realism/practical magic I’ve ever read. The working superstitions feel so real, you forget these rituals hold no power…at least none that a modern world seems to recognize. Stiefvater did this by giving the superstitions/rituals/charms weight. She gave them physical consequence.

Rating: 4/5 Beautiful writing, Graceful story

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Breakaway (Blades #11) by Deirdre Martin

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Erin O’Brien and Rory Brady were childhood sweethearts and in their small town of Balleycraig they were famous for their long distance love. Years of teenage romance fueled by summers spent lounging under an old tree in an Irish field seemed to be enough to keep these love birds strong for the winters spent in separate countries; as Rory had moved to the US in his early teens. When Rory’s illustrious hockey career began it appeared as if all the couples dreams would come true.

Until Rory dumped Erin.

And Rory became the official sh*t of Balleycraig. Now years later Rory is back sure that all he’ll have to do is show up and smile to win back the heart of his childhood love…Rory may have to think again. He’ll need time, perseverance and a bit of Irish luck to right his past wrongs. Because the Erin he left all those years ago isn’t the same woman he’s returning to…

Review

My biggest issue with this book is that Rory never got a swift kick in the balls. Emotionally or physically. He got off the hook too easily. All was forgiven without too much hassle. Almost like his mere presence was enough to soothe his past wrongs. As a reader it wasn’t enough for me. Apparently I’ve got more chutzpah than our beloved Erin O’Brien.

I will bow down to the fact that this plot is probably more realistic. Erin is obviously still in love with Rory, and to be honest the fact that he’s back does more to melt her than anything else. But it still doesn’t stop me from wishing for more. In real life fate rarely gives us the perfect words or situation for retribution. But isn’t that why I’m reading romance novels? People rarely have multiple-orgasmic sex with a professional athlete in the back of a Range Rover on a beautiful day in Ireland. Mostly because it’s constantly raining. If Martin can give me a sunny day in the Irish Isles she can give me a perfectly structured moment of understanding for Rory…Or at least one well tongued criticism that makes him see the light.

I liked Erin well enough. I thought that her issues with her mom were tidied up a bit quickly in the end. But ultimately I was simply bored by the book. It dragged.

Rating: 1/5 One egotistical Hockey Player plus One small town Irish Lass equals One bored reader…

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TheLibrarian Listens…Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

So I’m still running. After my half marathon in January I enjoyed it so much I decided to sign up for another one this May in Pittsburgh. This means months of long runs and the same neighborhood/beach loops…217 miles and that means roughly 2,170 minutes too! Whatever shall I do to break the monotony? Why, listen to audiobooks of course!

Without Further Ado…Cinder

BookTalk

Cinderella’s got some new shoes to fill…

New Beijing is a leading empire in this futuristic world. And it’s leader is dying of the plague…In fact, more and more citizens of earth are falling prey to a deadly sickness that can kill is as long as a few days and as little as hours. Young Prince Kai, every girl’s dream, is standing at the edge of his childhood and looking out toward a future as Emperor …

Cinder is New Beijing’s leading mechanic. Holding court at a storefront in the rambunctious Marketplace she’s the go to girl to fix everything from a Netscreen to the family Android. When Prince Kai sweeps in to drop off a broken Android of his own and stays to flirt, Cinder can’t believe her ears…

But what would be every girl’s dream in New Beijing, is the impossible for Cinder. Not only is she adopted from mysterious origins, she’s shunned by her remaining step-mother and step-sisters, she’s covered in grease, and she’s part-cyborg herself. Yep. Cyborg. Cinder’s got a mechanical foot and hand and no hope of being accepted by the royal heart-throb…But as the city begins to crack under the pressure of the plague and of the Lunar Princesses’s evil presence, Cinder is about to find she plays a bigger role in this new world than she ever believed…

Review

I’ll admit I watched this book for a bit before picking it up. There was talk of weak world building; about the similarities between the android and cyborg conditions. But when I received the audio Cd’s in the mail from fellow blogger Bookgoonie I thought, obviously, this was a sign I was meant to do this book…

And I sooo enjoyed it.

First off, I knew all the twists before they happened. ALL OF THEM.

Second, this in no way hindered me from enjoying this book.

I didn’t see as many issues with the world. I loved the addition of an ancient plague (we’re talking about the genesis for Ring Around the Rosie here people, the dark ages are back!). Is it wrong to say I loved the inclusion of a Pandemic? A relic from Medieval Europe rearing its ugly head. It added a desperation and a seediness to the feel of New Beijing. And it furthered a theme of ancient-meets-futuristic that played throughout the text…Though, you’ll have to suspend belief for a minute that in a society as advanced as New Beijing they have yet to find a cure.

As far as the android vs. cyborg debate. I could tell the difference. And I loved Cinder’s personal android pal Iko. Iko was hilarious! By far my favorite character of the book. She was so sweet, such a good friend to Cinder. I loved that Iko was there to keep Cinder acting like a teenage girl from time to time. And to care for her in ways that the evil step-mother cliché banns the family from doing.

The other side character that I loved was the Doctor. I thought his placement in the plot was a good one. I wasn’t sure in the beginning what direction his character would take. But in the end I thought it was very smart, what Ms. Meyer did. Very interesting indeed. But I’ll let you read it yourself and figure it out.

As far as experiencing the story as an audio book I have to say I loved the character voices that the narrator did. The changes she made to her voice were just right for each character. My favorite was Iko’s voice. Perfect. But the audio itself kept me really interested. The plot was rewarding. I liked that the romance with the prince was spread throughout the story (honestly ‘fist-pumped’ while running a few times due to romantic happenings). Learning about Cinder’s cyborg system and her history was peppered across the story as well…it made me want to run longer just to lean more!

Rating: 4/5 A futuristic version of an ancient tale where eternal themes of society still sing strong. 

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Hana (Delirium #1.5) *Spoilers* by Lauren Oliver

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“I dream about sledding. That’s what it’s like to barrel forward toward September, to speed toward the day when I will no longer be troubled by amor deliria nervosa. It is like being on a sled in the middle of a cutting wind. I am breathless and terrified; I will soon be engulfed by whiteness and suctioned into another world.

Good-bye, Hana.” (7, Scribd ed.)

In Delirium Hana was the wild child, the best friend…a girl who, in her last summer of Love, began to fall away from Lena. We knew Hana was a party girl. She’d become addicted to the thrill of the underground parties, the beat of forbidden music, and the kisses of a man. Hana was striving for the love she knew would be forcibly removed from her in September.

What we didn’t see through Lena’s eyes was the destruction Hana’s new life was causing. That like so many sufferers of amor deliria nervosa Hana may have placed her faith and her kisses with a boy who wasn’t worthy. And if a broken heart isn’t bad enough…she’s now staring at love’s perfection, in the form of her best friend’s new relationship. It’s easy to see through Hana’s eyes how someone would want to rip the ability to love from another. If only to make them hurt as much as you…

Review

Geeze! If you weren’t pumped for Oliver’s second installment: Pandemonium (coming to a bookstore near you in just 1 week!) the novella “Hana” is sure to get you salivating.

I just want to take a second right now and remind you all that the novella is Free Online right now. If you don’t mind reading from your computer. Though from personal experience I can tell you it makes it a lot easier to read at work *wink*

But back to the story. This novella gives insight into Delirium. I thought I had Hana pegged. I thought she was a wild child who didn’t really have the guts to go wild or, err, into ‘the wilds’. I thought she was a little rich girl playing with the idea of revolution before heading back into the ranks of good society in September.

Who knew Hana was really off having her heart-broken and her ideologies of love beaten up. Seeing the story through her eyes busts apart what you thought was going on in Hana’s world. And it leads to a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming. I can’t go any further without revealing some spoilers. If you’re now dying to go out and read this one. The Link is Here.

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Honestly, what Hana goes through in this book is so very normal; downright average for our society. It’s all about Hana flirting and going to second base with a guy. Steve to be exact. Hana is dreaming of rainbows, unicorns, and escaping to the wilds to live on love. Steve just wants in her panties.

Ouch – For Hana’s heart and her panties as Steve is not the smoothest maker-outer

But Steve remains a sketchy dude, in part because that’s exactly what he is, but also because he never becomes a fully formed character in our eyes. We see that Hana is pinning her heart on a man who really isn’t in this for the long haul with her. We’ve all watched a girlfriends go through this same process…Wondering why she can’t see a booty-call for what it is…

But in a society where your shot at love is so brief, mistakenly choosing the wrong guy is akin to love-suicide. There will be no second chance.

“Suddenly all I can think about is a line from the book of Lamentations: What glitters may not be gold; and even wolves may smile; and fools will be led by promises to their deaths.” (26, Scribd ed.)

This is about the point that Hana hits her wall. You can see it all fall apart. Her view of the party raid is terrifying. Followed by learning that Lena is secretly in love…The loss of her romantic hope and her best friend is too much. Ending in that cliffhanger! Why Hana? Did you really? WTF?

Dying for Pandemonium next Tuesday!

Rating: 5/5 A little novella that rips what you thought you knew wide open. 

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