REVIEW: Zac & Mia by A.J. Betts

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this tough and tender young adult novel that's a lot about love (and a little about cancer). "When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics." So says seventeen-year-old Zac Meier during a long, grueling leukemia treatment in Perth, Australia. A loud blast of Lady Gaga alerts him to the presence of Mia, the angry, not-at-all-stoic cancer patient in the room next door. Once released, the two near-strangers can't forget each other, even as they desperately try to resume normal lives. The story of their mysterious connection drives this unflinchingly tough, tender novel told in two voices.

I received an advanced reader's edition of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4 of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below). 

Though similar to John Green's The Fault In Our Stars, I think I might have to say that Zac and Mia was one of the best books that I've read all year; it was so heart warming and refreshing. I remember myself cracking up every few minutes each time I would try to read in an Australian accent, since the novel is Australian. I loved how awkwardly Zac and Mia met, and how their differences sparked such a great friendship (especially their morse code conversations about Lady Gaga and texting over Facebook). Friendship, not romance. It's so common for healthy and friendly relationships in YA books to turn into romance, and I loved how Zac and Mia's stayed the same, it never changed, making it such a breath of fresh air. Out of the two perspectives that the book was told in (Zac and Mia each had a perspective), Zac’s by far had to be my favorite (Did I mention that he loves Emma Watson?!). He was such an interesting character. All of his decisions were driven by math and logic, except when it came to Mia. Mia on the other hand was a bit selfish and reckless, but I really enjoyed seeing her change as a character Zac as the story progressed, and her changing herself was great as well. Overall, I would really recommend this book to anybody who likes to friendship, crazy bus road trips, and especially if you loved The Fault In Our Stars. 

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:
Grace

REVIEW: Awaken by Jaime Guerard

Three things run through my mind at this very moment… ONE, my life as I once knew it will never be the same. TWO, the person I’m in love with might not even exist. THREE, the deception that has unfolded before me has the power of life and death. Sixteen year old, Breanna Davis, has heard the saying; life isn’t always what it seems…well, that saying rings true now more than ever. As horrifying visions appear before her, revealing tragedies that will forever change the fate of those she loves, she realizes that she may be the only person who can stop them from becoming reality. Amongst the chaos of this new discovery, Bre is faced with a stranger, Eve, who moves in on Bre’s friends and begins to follow her every move. As Eve’s true motives begin to surface, Bre must fight against, not only the visions, but the dangers Eve holds close. There is another secret kept- Collin, a boy held captive in Bre’s dreams, the boy she is secretly falling in love with but isn’t sure he even exists. As she tries to make it work with Austin, an old friend who could possibly be more, Bre battles against her feelings for Collin. Bre is faced with an almost impossible decision, to choose her life or follow her destiny. If she doesn’t intercede, people will certainly die. If she does, her own life could be at stake. In the end, if she fails, she’ll lose everything.

Rate:

4.5 out of 5 stars

★ ★ ★ ★

I seriously regret not reading this sooner! I couldn't put it down and the ending left me in one of the biggest book hangovers I have ever been in! When you first hear about this you think it's just like any other paranormal book; Girl has super natural powers, is misunderstood by the world, she falls in love, a crazy event happens where she can show her powers are good and finally everyone accepts her and then she has a happy ending. Well, boy was I wrong!  Awaken was NOTHING like a basic paranormal book. Sure it has the romance (and can I say it is BEAUTIFUL)but the way it happens isn't your typical love story. 

The book itself is beautifully well written, It's such a unique story line and I honestly have never read anything like it. The way the author Jamie approaches everything is so unique and very different.  In almost every book I read there is a character that is just there, they are very unnecessary and its just pointless to mention them. Yet in this book there is never that moment, all the characters have a point in the story, they are there for a reason even if you think they aren't necessary in the beginning, they will be in the end. The whole plot has a mixture of mystery,suspense, love etc. It just pulls you in and leaves you with tears either from happiness or sadness. I absolutely LOVED it and it is on my list of favorites!  I recommend it to everyone because it was just so spectacular and it will leave you wanting more. I promise.


Reviewer:
Samantha

REVIEW: Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott

Time is slipping away.... Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race. The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher Scholastic for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

4 of 5 stars (please see my rating system further below. 

To everyone who is comparing this book to The Hunger Games and saying it's not worth the read: Yes, this book does have similar aspects and definitely has a "The Hunger Games vibe", but overall, Fire and Flood is so different. First, I absolutely loved how Tella was just a normal girl who loved her brother; she wasn't a trained girl who had experienced hardships and knew what the "Games/Brimstone Bleed" would be like. Her biggest challenges in life at the time was not being able to listen to the radio, not being starved to death. The fact that she wasn't going through such hardships made me really admire on how well she adjusted to the Brimstone Bleed and its challenges. I adored all of the characters in this book, they all seemed so real to me; I loved how relatable they were; They were human; real. Victoria Scott's writing style is so easy to read and flowed so well. I read this book in a straight 2 hour sitting; I wouldn't stop reading until I was finished. My only complaint is how vague the book is on the actual world and government. From the little information there was, Fire and Flood takes place in the modern world, but there is something very wrong with the government because of the high quantities of diseased people. Hopefully there will be more explanation in the next book! Expect me to read it as soon as it comes out. 

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace

REVIEW: Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

Veronica doesn't think she's going crazy. But why can't anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes? When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months. But the Scottish countryside holds other plans. Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna's great aunt—and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation. Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica's daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they've longed for...or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.
DOON is loosely based on the premise of the musical Brigadoon, with permission from the ALan Jay Lerner Estate and the Frederick Loewe Foundation. Follow the journey at http://www.DoonSeries.com

I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

3 of 5 stars (Please see my rating system further below). My favorite part of Doon would definitely have to be the setting. The fact that the story is woven around the dynamic country of Scotland and a high fantasy secret land beyond a bridge made me enjoy the book much more than if it had been written in a regular generic setting. The writing and the fantasy aspect of this book brought so many memories of my childhood filled with epic high fantasy. The 2 protagonists Veronica and McKenna are very relatable to, which made reading from their perspectives much more enjoyable; I liked reading from Veronica's point of view much better than reading from McKenna's. Doon is also based off of the musical the Brigadoon; I love the idea, but I felt like that element of the book was under executed. There were definitely mentions of it, but I would've liked the authors to go more in depth and use it more profoundly, then just naming a river and bridge. Unfortunately, Doon does feature one of my biggest bookish pet peeves; instalove. Both Veronica and McKenna experience love in Doon, because both have experienced what is called a "calling"; this means that you have a soulmate in the magical land of Doon, and that you were meant to be with each other. Right when Veronica and McKenna meet their soul mates, the story turns into a cheesy romance novel that was less likable (for me at least) then the epic tale of two best friends and a secret fantasy world. Overall, I found this book quite entertaining; It had me at the edge of my seat, and I definitely indulged this book until I was finished.

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....


Reviewer:
Grace

REVIEW: Winterkill by Kate A. Boorman

Emmeline knows she’s not supposed to explore the woods outside her settlement. The enemy that wiped out half her people lurks there, attacking at night and keeping them isolated in an unfamiliar land with merciless winters. Living with the shame of her grandmother’s insubordination, Emmeline has learned to keep her head down and her quick tongue silent. When the settlement leader asks for her hand in marriage, it’s an opportunity for Emmeline to wash the family slate clean—even if she has eyes for another. But before she’s forced into an impossible decision, her dreams urge her into the woods, where she uncovers a path she can’t help but follow. The trail leads to a secret that someone in the village will kill to protect. Her grandmother followed the same path and paid the price. If Emmeline isn’t careful, she will be next.

I received a finished copy of this book before the release date from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

  2.5 of 5 stars. Please read my rating system further below. 

As a die-hard fantasy lover who hadn’t read a fantasy in over a month and a half, reading Winterkill to me seemed like a breath of fresh air, something to pull me back into a genre that I knew well and loved. While I enjoyed Winterkill immensely because it was action-packed, had a strong and interesting premise, and was indeed a fantasy, (which is my favorite genre) I still felt like Winterkill lacked in execution. First of all, the romance, it’s instalove. Not only is the romance instalove, but its forbidden instalove. Never have I enjoyed reading about “instalovey” relationships, but I’ve learned to deal with them and let go of my grudge against them since they are so common and popular in YA. But, I have never, and I mean never, liked forbidden love. Forbidden love is just something that is so overdramatic in my opinion, and a lot of the time, I don’t seem to care for it (even though surprisingly there are rare cases in which I have liked forbidden love). So when I’m about 50 pages into Winterkill and read that Emmeline is already “blushing” from the look that Kane gives her, I was really trying hard not to gag. Besides the instalove, I liked most of the characters, and the fact that Emmeline’s settlement was practically unknown and settled in a place where pretty much no one’s survived (my prediction is that the settlement is probably in modern day Siberia), made me all the more curious about Winterkill and it’s mysteries. I liked how Emmeline was so much like her grandmother, and how cunning she was towards the end of the book. For some reason, I also really liked Brother Stockham, even though he was the villain. I thought that he made a great “villain” and that there was a lot of depth to his character, especially his reason for asking Emmeline’s hand. Overall, Winterkill was a fast-paced and promising fantasy that had me hooked for most of the beginning, lost me in the middle, and had me back at the end. 

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

REVIEW: Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

A powerful story of a girl who is afraid to touch another person’s skin, until the boy auditioning for Hamlet opposite her Ophelia gives her a reason to overcome her fears.

Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. Touch another person’s skin, and Dad’s gone for good. Caddie can’t stop thinking that if she keeps from touching another person’s skin, her parents might get back together... which is why she wears full-length gloves to school and covers every inch of her skin. It seems harmless at first, but Caddie’s obsession soon threatens her ambitions as an actress. She desperately wants to play Ophelia in her school’s production of Hamlet. But that would mean touching Peter, who’s auditioning for the title role—and kissing him. Part of Caddie would love nothing more than to kiss Peter—but the other part isn't sure she's brave enough to let herself fall. Perfect for fans of Laurie Halse Anderson, this debut novel from Rachel M. Wilson is a moving story of a talented girl who's fighting an increasingly severe anxiety disorder, and the friends and family who stand by her. 

I received an advanced reader's edition of this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

  3.5 of 5 stars. Please read my rating system further below. 

As someone with anxiety, I definitely was a little hesitant to request and to read a book that deals with a mental illness that I suffer. I am so glad that I did read Don't Touch. Not only has Rachel M. Wilson written about the reality of severe anxiety, but she has also written/created one of the most lively and entertaining cast of characters that I've ever read about. I love the protagonist Caddie, but I loved the supporting characters even more. They all made me giddy and hysterical, especially Oscar. I also really liked the relationship between Caddie and Peter that developed throughout the novel. I especially liked how careful Peter was about being near Caddie, and how he helped her overcome her anxiety. Overall, I really enjoyed reading Don't Touch. I loved how it could make me feel all emotions, and I would definitely recommend to readers who are looking for a less "fluffy" contemporary.

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace

REVIEW: The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.  The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past. 

I received a free copy of this book from HarelequinTEEN in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thanks HarlequinTEEN! 

  2.5 of 5 stars. My prediction about this book before reading it was it would be something like the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” TV show… You know, 3 rich sisters that live in a rich environment that party, drink, and eat fancy dinners… But as I read more of the book, I realized that my prediction was kind of true (I didn’t think it was going to be). 3 sisters, who were thrown into Vegas-stardom because of their billionaire father. Sounds kind of like the Kardashians, right? My mom loves to watch “Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and she told me that the Kardashians weren’t always famous and rich, and that they we’re thrown into stardom later in life, partly because of one of the sisters, Kim. I compared the 3 sisters to the 3 Kardashian sisters and thought Savannah was like Kim, Kourtney somewhat like Peyton, and Courtney like Khloe. Just because I’m comparing the 3 sisters in this book (Savannah, Courtney, Peyton) to the Kardashian sisters doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the book. I liked how there were perspectives from all 3 sisters (I honestly don’t know how the book would be written if it weren’t), but I found that Courtney’s perspective would often drag and become more boring than Savannah and Peyton’s perspectives. I also really like how this book was printed on recycled paper; except that’s irrelevant and not related to my opinion on the actual book. (Good job, HarelequinTEEN! SAVE THE EARTH!) Overall I thought the book was rather entertaining, and I enjoyed how I got to experience the extravagant city of Las Vegas without flying there myself. 

 My rating system: (I do use half stars.)

 5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace

REVIEW: Nil by Lynne Matson

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die. Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field. Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.

synopsis

3 of 5 stars. Please read my rating system further below. 

Nil was an action-packed thrill ride that involved one of my favorite things in books; survival. My favorite aspect of the book was the overall concept of Nil island. The gates, the patterns, only having one year to catch a gate otherwise you die, etc. I did feel like the world development (more like island development) was a bit underdone. First of all, never in the book was the reason why Nil was named Nil ever explained (even though the people on Nil probably don't know). You have no idea how much I yearned to know why, especially because Nil is such a cool name. The romance between Charley and Thad was definitely "instalovey", and I part understand that because they have to act on their feelings since they have days left together, but I wish that Thad and Charley actually got to know each other better before they were an official item. Nil is told in dual perspective (Charley and Thad), and I enjoyed reading from both, especially Thad's. I loved how I got to experience Nil from his point of view, since he had experienced things before Charley had arrived. Charley wouldn't be considered one of my favorite female characters, but she wasn't exactly annoying, and I liked how she contributed to "Nil City". Natalie was my favorite character because she had other problems to deal with other than catching a gate and surviving on Nil. She had human problems, something the other characters lacked of since they all wanted to get back home. Natalie lost her love Kevin who was also on Nil, and reading about her coping with the lack of someone in her life was so real and invigorating. One thing that I was absolutely bothered with close to the end of the book was how much Charley cared about having sex with Thad. It was annoying to read how she went on and on about how they should do it before Thad's time ran out on the island. Overall, I really enjoyed reading Nil and I would recommend to anybody who would like to read something quick about survival, friendship, and love. 

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace

GIVEAWAY: Get Happy by Mary Amato

In this poignant, realistic, contemporary YA by a state master list star, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Gayle Forman, a young songwriter builds a substitute family with her friends in place of the broken family she grew up with. A hip high school girl who loves music, writes songs, and is desperate for a ukelele, learns to her shock that her father did not abandon her years ago and has been trying to keep in touch. She begins to investigate him, only to discover that he has a new life with a new family, including the perfect stepdaughter, a girl who Minerva despises.

Mary Amato is an award-winning children's book author, songwriter, musician, puppeteer, and poet. She writes for children of all ages, and is beginning to focus on YA. Her first YA novel was Guitar Notes. Mary lives with her family outside Washington, DC, where she also performs regularly, singing and playing her own songs. Mary is a popular speaker and runs numerous workshops for teachers and students, including many on all aspects of creative writing, even songwriting. The author lives in Silver Spring, MD. You can visit her online at www.maryamato.com.

Giveaways terms and conditions:

This giveaway is US only. No purchase necessary. You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter. Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor (Egmont USA) does not fulfill their giveaway prize. Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize. Any questions? Feel free to email us.

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REVIEW: Free to Fall by Lauren Miller

What if there was an app that told you what song to listen to, what coffee to order, who to date, even what to do with your life—an app that could ensure your complete and utter happiness? What if you never had to fail or make a wrong choice? What if you never had to fall?
Fast-forward to a time when Apple and Google have been replaced by Gnosis, a monolith corporation that has developed the most life-changing technology to ever hit the market: Lux, an app that flawlessly optimizes decision making for the best personal results.  Just like everyone else, sixteen-year-old Rory Vaughn knows the key to a happy, healthy life is following what Lux recommends. When she’s accepted to the elite boarding school Theden Academy, her future happiness seems all the more assured. But once on campus, something feels wrong beneath the polished surface of her prestigious dream school. Then she meets North, a handsome townie who doesn’t use Lux, and begins to fall for him and his outsider way of life. Soon, Rory is going against Lux’s recommendations, listening instead to the inner voice that everyone has been taught to ignore — a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming.

Review: I received this book from HarperCollins and Lauren Miller's agency for free in exchange for an honest review and read-along with BookBusters. All opinions are my own.    4 of 5 stars. One question still lingers in my head as I'm writing this review. "What if you never had to fall?" (From Free to Fall's synopsis.) Wouldn't I love to live in Free to Fall's world, where everything is somewhat easy, and you have an app to decide everything for you? I interpret "What if you never had to fall? as "What if you never had to think?". I'm asking myself "What if you never had to think?" over and over again because what if I never had to think? I would definitely not be sitting on a couch with my laptop trying to gather enough of my thoughts to write this review. The whole point of a review is about what you think. As I keep on thinking and thinking about Free to Fall's plot, characters, and overall writing, I suddenly realize, that the main focus of this review is definitely not the "basics". Free to Fall made me think about how much of my time is occupied with electronics, and that I need to take a break, and actually look up at the sky, smile at a stranger, admire the sunset, etc. All of these little things are what I'm missing as I'm indoors, on an electronic all the time. (No joke.) The worst part is, is that I know that I should change, but there's nothing that I'm doing about it. I currently am sitting in front pages and pages of notes that are filled with plot and character observations, but none are necessary. Free to Fall is a book that will make you think, pause and realize that you need to get up and take your eyes off of a screen, and it might make you change yourself a bit too (it changed me). I would definitely recommend. (I don't say that a lot.) 
Click here to watch me talk about Free to Fall on my booktube channel! 
  My rating system: (I do use half stars.)  5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect.  4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.)  3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.  2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it.  1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer: Grace

REVIEW: Percy Jacson app

Review:

The Percy Jackson series is my favorite series. It brings a new, refreshing air to modern day Heroes. When I finished House of Hades I was sad, because I wanted to continue reading in this world. I was asked to review this app and given my honest opinion about it. I loved it. Honestly, with all my heart, I loved it! I found it thrilling go on a journey like Percy's and to see what it's truly like to be a demigod. To read your story and choose what path your character and Sam will take is not something that many readers are able to do. It warms my heart to know that Uncle Rick actually writes these stories, because it really shows he cares about us.  Also, being dyslexic I find it excellent that you can change the font size. It's easier to get the words to stay still. Yes, it does cost money for the stories, but it's not too much. It's affordable. I believe that this app is worth downloading and taking the time to explore. I'm eagerly waiting to find out who my parent is! Athena? Apollo?

Reviewer:
Amanda

GIVEAWAY: BZRK by Michael Grant

The Matrix meets Inner Space in this third book in the BZRK trilogy from New York Times best-selling author Michael Grant. The members of BZRK are preparing for their final stand. Noah and Sadie have seen death, and it holds no fear for them. Madness does, though. And losing each other. But they will not sit back, the only witnesses to an invisible apocalypse. The world is being destroyed from the inside out. It's time for them to fight to the last, in the streets and in the nano.This is a story with both thrills and heart, packed with the author's trademark jaw-dropping set pieces and pace. Join them.

★"A great choice for readers with a strong stomach, an interest in the future of biomedical technology and the essential ethical debate, or anyone willing to embark on an unnerving, frighteningly plausible thrill ride all around the globe."—VOYA, perfect 10 review

"Like reading an action movie."—Kirkus Reviews

"The good news is that this concluding volume in the trilogy is both ambitious and riveting. Familiar characters return, but the deft juxtaposition of Lear and Plath—as well as the men in their lives—makes a strong (if gruesome) story even stronger by focusing more on psychological rather than physical damage."—Booklist

Giveaways terms and conditions:

This giveaway is US only. No purchase necessary. You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter. Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor (Egmont USA) does not fulfill their giveaway prize. Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize. Any questions? Feel free to email us.

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REVIEW AND SIGNED GIVEAWAY: Made For You by Melissa Marr

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva. For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

Rate:

3.5 of 5 stars
(please read my rating system)

★ ★ ★

I received an advanced reader's edition of this book from the author's publicity agency and a finished copy later before the release date from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own. 

  3.5 of 5 stars. Please see my rating system further below. 

Wow, Made For You was so different from anything I've ever read before! I finished reading in a 2 hour time period, and couldn't put it down from the start! I was definitely engaged, and the ending had such a plot twist! Made For You is a contemporary-murder/paranormal crime story, and I don't read a lot of books that deal with that kind of focus. 

Another thing that I found very interesting and different was that the book was told in multiple perspectives, and the most interesting one was the murderer himself. I found reading from a murderer's perspective refreshing because usually books similar to Made For You are told in one perspective (the protagonist's) so that way you can see the character progress throughout out the case. I was not exactly fond of the main character Eva, who was very single minded and only seemed to care about her relationship with Nate for a majority of the novel. Nate, Eva's love interest, was a different case, but I also wasn't that fond of him either. He was considered a "man whore" who didn't have feelings, and suddenly all he has is feelings (especially for Eva). 

Eva and Nate's relationship was very "instalovey". One moment Nate is ignoring Eva at each party they see each other at, and the next moment they're talking at the hospital and cuddling like Nate ignoring Eva never happened (even though they did discuss about it). I understand that they were childhood friends/sweethearts, but it's not exactly believable to pick up right where you left off and declare significant love for each other. The character that I did like was Grace (what a coincidence haha). She always had Eva's back, she made me hysterical at times while reading, and I just really liked her because she was one of those kick-butt best friend sidekicks. 

Another character that I surprisingly liked was the murderer or Judge (none of those are his real name so I'm not spoiling) because he had so much depth to him as a character, and the fact that he was so insane and creepy, made me like him even more. Overall, Made For You was a creepy southern-gothic tale that had me on the edge of my seat and captivated me until the very end!


Watch my video review:

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace

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