Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld

(4.5/5 stars)

This is the very first Steampunk book I've ever read, and it'll definitely not be the last. And, not only is Leviathan Steampunk, but it's also Historical meets Sci-Fi meets Fantasy/Adventure/Action meets everything I could ever ask for in a book! So basically, I was in love with this book.

What I liked: The world, oh my, the world. Set at the dawn of World War I, Westerfeld creates a world that not only separates the Allies from the Axis, but also the Darwinists from the Clankers. The Darwinists being the countries who use genetically modified creatures as their weapons, while the Clankers use giant machines. It's a beautiful alternate reality to what actually happened, and it is thoroughly believable in every way. Then, we move on to the characters. I can just feel the character development arc beginning and I can't wait to see where it goes, for both characters. Deryn (Dylan) disguised herself as a boy in order to join the air force, and she's almost a more convincing boy than the other male characters sometimes. She's straight up badass with a wicked spark of energy and you'll root for her to go all the way from the very start. Next is Alek, who starts off a bit pompous and entitled, though it's a bit expected since he's the son of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and now heir to the throne. No big deal. But he's smart and there's so much room for growth and it'll be awesome! Also, the pacing of the book was really well done and the nonstop action had me at the edge of my seat the whole time.

What I didn't like: Like I said two seconds ago, nonstop action, but the story didn't really start start until the characters meet about half way through. So, as much as I loved the characters individually, I enjoyed the book much more when they were put against each other and forced to interact. Their conversations and banter added to all the crazy that was going on plot-wise. So, I guess my problem was that I wanted more of the plot right away, even though I enjoyed the backstory that was necessary to set everything up.

Leviathan deserves every ounce of praise it's gotten, and if you haven't read this yet, you need to get on it. Even if it's not your genre, it has something for everyone and spreads across the genres, giving it that great multidimensional feel. It's a wonderful read and the series lives up to its expectations.

-Annie

Getting Over Garrett Delaney, by Abbey McDonald

(5/5 stars)

fjafdkafjkdlfdafkdlncklmejtijklsajfd (keyboard smashing translation: I loved this book). I loved this book so much that I gave it a hug after I finished it, a long hug and didn't want to let go. How do I even describe this book? Okay, how about this: A fun read about self-discovery, friendship, and independence filled with Gilmore Girl-esque humor and indie fab situations. Yup, that just about covers it.

What I liked: Um, everything. The story really hit me hard. It's about Sadie, who loves her best friend, Garrett, except he doesn't know it. So when he leaves for a literary summer camp, Sadie has no idea who she is without him. Cue up great scenes of trying to boy-detox, get a new job, and meet new friends, the journey Sadie takes is so real and relatable. She has to start over on her personality because everything she liked, she liked because Garrett did. Woah, that's unhealthy. Yes, yes it is and we get to watch Sadie realize that and discover who she really is. Girl power, man! Did I mention that she also happens to work with a super cute boy who can cook and is really sweet? Because hello!

I'm not even going to include a "What I didn't like" part because I have nothing to say on that subject. I honestly thought this book was going to be cheesy and cliche, and I'm so glad it wasn't. In fact, I think it's one of those books that every girl should read at some point in her life. It teaches important lessons about sisterhood and being yourself, and we all need to hear that every now and again. It's not condescending, but instead it's profound in a different way than I was expecting. I could go on and on for days, but I won't (ain't nobody got time for dat). Instead, I'll just run to the bookstore to buy a copy (since my copy was from the library) and make all my friends read it! Friends, you have been warned! :)

-Annie

Daughter of Smoke & Bone, by Laini Taylor

(4/5 stars)

(I love LOVE this cover)

Wow, what a beautiful book! It's just absolutely beautiful, from the front cover to the words on the pages. Let's just start with the opener: Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well. Ugh, that's a great first line! It just flows so well and encompasses the romanticism of the book, that was enough to capture my attention.

What I liked: The writing! Oh the writing! Wow, Laini Taylor has a way with words and that made her story completely come alive. Segue way into the world building- I've never read a book about chimaera and I loved that mythology a lot. The mythology was so different from what I was used to, so it was nice to get a fresh idea. The characters were vivid and a mix of different animals, and their personalities were really well done. The romance was decent. Like, there were times when I felt like it was going too fast, but it made sense, especially towards the end when I started putting everything together. Most of all, I loved the setting. Prague. Yes. I'm ready to read anything set in Prague. Gimme more Prague books, please! The description was so well done and I could see Prague so well and boy, was it magical. Laini Taylor really put a lot of romanticism into the setting and the words, which I totally appreciated!

What I didn't like: Okay, to be honest, I could have done without the last hundred pages. Sure, I found all the backstory with Madrigal extremely interesting, but having all of that in the end really pulled away from the story. Like I think it would do awesome as a short story, or if it was the beginning of the book. I just kept flipping through, wanting to get back to the action and what was going on with Akiva and Karou/her reaction to finding out about everything. I'm also really over the word "perfect" as a descriptor for a person, even if he is an angel. 

So basically, if you like pretty sentences that make you swoon and descriptions that will light your soul on fire, you should read this book.

-Annie

Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins

(5/5 stars)

This book sang the song of my people, no joke. I had heard so much praise about this book, which is what led me to pick it up (regardless of the cheesy title), and I can now join the fan club and cheer from rooftops about my love for Anna and the French Kiss.

What I liked: That is was scary relatable. How many of us have fallen for a person who is so completely unattainable? I've done it so much I've lost count. There were just so many times in this book where I felt like I was Anna because I've been in some of the same situations she was facing. Is he flirting or is he just really nice? Am I making this all up in my head? Been there, done that. But those aren't the only reasons I loved this book. The setting is phenomenal- I'm ready to pack my bags and head out to France this very instant. The entire voice of the book is charming and funny, and you really want to be Anna's best friend by the end of it. There are face palm moments, laugh out loud moments, and slam the book shut, did that just happen moments- all done with a light and quirky tone. Big fan. And I also really liked what the author did with the entire switching between Etienne and St. Clair symbolism. That was super cute.

What I didn't like: Dave. He really didn't have to be such a d-bag, I wouldn't have liked his character even if he was a decent guy (Anna/Etienne 5ever). And then I found myself frustrated with Etienne a lot, which was kind of the point... but still. His decision making stills aren't to be admired.

But what a great book! I can't stop talking about it to my poor roommate (sorry, Taylor), but it's one of those that I think everyone should read because they'll somehow be able to relate to it. It's a feel good book, full of warm fuzzies and joy. Read it, and love it as much as I do.

-Annie

Cinder, by Marissa Meyer

(4/5 stars)

I can tell you the very first time I realized I wanted to read this book. I was sitting in my Writing the Short Story class, fall semester of my junior year, and my professor had us reading the first chapters of books that were really successful. Two things about this book stood out to me right away and made me want to pick this book up: 1. Marissa Meyer wrote Cinder during NaNoWriMo and 2. Cyborg Cinderella. The second I read the first chapter, I was hooked... too bad it took me forever to actually get to the rest of it!

What I liked: Did I mention Cyborg Cinderella? Because it's probably the best thing ever. The world building is excellent, and the character interactions are extremely well done. Meyer does a great job at showing what it's like to feel so different from everyone else. Cinder is a cyborg in a world of humans who look down on other android-like forms. Not to mention there's a deadly plague infecting the world and Cinder is immune. The Sci-Fi feel in this book is awesome, and it really has all the aspects you can want in a Sci-Fi YA novel: hover cars, cyborgs/androids, plagues, moon people, etc. Overall, I'm really excited for the whole story arch as I continue to read this series. The first book was a good introduction, but I'm very much looking forward to what's going to happen next.

What I didn't like: To be completely honest, this book was a bit predictable. Like the second something was revealed (I don't want to spoil anything so I'm going to be vaguely tip-toeing) I knew immediately what it meant for the characters and how it was going to affect the plot. So that was disappointing. I just hope the other two books don't do that...

Regardless, I am definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the next two books and you can bet that I'll be reading those as soon as I can get my hands on them!

-Annie

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, by Morgan Matson

(4/5 stars)

After reading this book, all I want to do is throw my things in a suitcase and go on an impromptu road trip across America. Anyone care to join? A big thank you to Lisa for the recommendation! 

What I liked: I really liked how fun this book was to read, and how I felt like I was on the adventure with Amy and Roger. I found myself relating to their trip a lot, especially since I had been to a lot of the places they visited. I couldn't help but smile when Amy described the beauty of Kentucky (one of the places I've lived) and it made me miss it so much. I also enjoyed seeing them eat their first meals at places like Sonic and Chick-fil-A -- I tend to forget how much of a Southern thing those places are. The relationship between Amy and Roger was organic and not forced at all, which I appreciated in a contemporary story like this one. They were friends first, and it casually grew into something more. The story also handled the concept of loss well- Amy's dad had just died a couple months before the story starts. The emotions were very real and raw. Her dad also reminded me a lot of  how my dad is (Elvis loving, obsessed with cutting his front lawn, etc) so maybe that's also part of why I was able to connect to those feelings- that relationship was very real as well.

What I didn't like: As much as I loved Roger, I was so completely over his wallowing for his ex-girlfriend. Dude, it's over, let it be done. But no, he had to drive to her house, after she had ignored all his calls, to confront her. That was dumb and annoying. But I guess it all led to good things regardless, so I can't be too mad.

I definitely enjoyed this book, and recommend it to fans of contemporary. It kind of goes into that category of "issue contemporary" (like TFIOS and Eleanor & Park), and even though I don't gravitate towards that genre first, I had a good time reading Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and had a crazy hard time putting it down!

-Annie

Out of the Easy, by Ruta Sepetys

(3/5 stars)

I always love reading a good historical book, and this one had a special place in my heart because I bought it when I was in New Orleans (the books takes place in NOLA). It promised murder, scandal (the main character's mother is a prostitute), adventure, and all the magic of New Orleans in the 1950s. Out of the Easy was a fun, light read, but I really expected more of it.

What I liked: The setting is perfect. Sepetys captures the sights and sounds of New Orleans like no other, though I might be biased after my recent trip. But to me, it was so cool reading lines like "pulled to a stop on Conti Street" (where I stayed) and "down for the Sugar Bowl" (why I was there), though the visuals Sepetys painted were so well done I could have imagined it regardless. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters that showed up throughout the book. They were energetic and individualistic, and just plain fun. Unless you count the bad guys, who were, you know, bad. I loved Josie's motivation in the story, she was determined and stubborn which I always appreciate from a protagonist. But I have to be honest and say that my favorite characters were the ones that hardly had any time on the page- people like Charlotte and Cokie.

What I didn't like: That leads me to my feelings of Josie. She was straight up annoying at times, and, she was being too stubborn and wouldn't let anyone help her. There was a whole slew of people who cared for that girl, and I feel like she took them for granted. She continued to let her past define her, and wouldn't own up to it and let it mold her. I also didn't like how little the murder was in the plot. I was so excited to read about a murder in the French Quarter because it had so much potential- historical mystery, heck yes! But the murder took a back seat and it didn't even feel like a big deal. Disappointment. I wanted to know more about Cincinnati and his boss (who was mentioned a lot but never made an appearance- weird since he was like a super big deal, it could have added to the story).  And I would have liked to see Josie investigate more since she had such a stake in the murder or whatever.

I promise you, I did enjoy this book. It was just hard to like it so much or even love it when I had higher hopes. It's a fun read, and I didn't ever want to put it down- it definitely had me hooked. There were also some great lines in the book that made me stop and think and feel. If historical fiction is your genre, then I definitely recommend it!

-Annie