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Book: What you left behind Author: Jessica Verdi Pages: 368 Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3,5/5)

Synopsis: It's all Ryden's fault. If he hadn't gotten Meg pregnant, she would have never stopped her chemo treatments and would still be alive. Instead he's failing fatherhood one dirty diaper at a time. And it's not like he's had time to grieve while struggling to care for their infant daughter, start his senior year, and earn the soccer scholarship he needs to go to college.

The one person who makes Ryden feel like his old self is Joni. She's fun and energetic-and doesn't know he has a baby. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep his two worlds separate. Finding one of Meg's journals only stirs up old emotions. Ryden's convinced Meg left other notebooks for him to find, some message to help his new life make sense. But how is he going to have a future if he can't let go of the past?

Thoughts: Yet another book where I have some mixed feelings, it seems to be the trend amongst my latest contemporary reads. But onto what I actually thought about the book. There was nothing wrong with the writing, it was easy to follow but nothing special really. What bothered me was Ryden’s approach to the whole baby-situation, he didn’t want to spend time with his daughter and was overall an uncommitted parent for at least the first half of the book. Then again he was put in an extremely difficult situation, and I can’t imagine what he was going through so maybe I should cut him some slack. My favourite characters where Joni and Ryden’s mother. I think they were the kinds of people that I could see myself being friends with, they were just very caring and likeable characters. Ryden’s mom was supportive and loving without letting him off easily. To finish of I have to say I did enjoy reading the book even though I had some problems with it. And I think that it’s a good read since it discusses important issues, even though you might not agree with the characters decisions always. And the family aspects of the novel were really nice to see.

*I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Book: The Last Man: Book 1 Author: Tobias Wade Pages: 173 Rating: ★★★★☆ (⅘)

Synopsis: Farris did not believe in the old stories. Grandmother Rochette spoke of such strange things: monsters and magic and impossible heroes who could only exist in legend. But when Tom, her little brother, is kidnapped by the same monsters Grandmother spoke of, Farris is forced to change her view of reality in order to save him. Following Tom and his captors sends Farris below the crust of the earth, where layer after layer of new worlds await. She travels both within the mind and without, taking a path of harrowing adventure and personal enlightenment as she tries to free Tom. Unlikely companions join her, from her faithful goat Bumble to Gloria the magical fish, a seemingly trustworthy dweller of the Brass City, and Sasha … a man who knows far more about her than he should.

Thoughts: This book was very interesting, and I don’t mean that as a bad thing. The story is intricate and complex, with a lot of mythical elements to it, which I don’t see so often in young adult fantasy novels. I really enjoyed the originality of the plot and the aspect of magic with consequences, as well as the writing. I thought the language was beautiful and at times I stopped just to reread sentences because of the way it was worded. It should be said that I did have some issues with the novel. Although it was woven together nicely I felt there was something missing, and i think it mainly comes from the fact that I didn’t particularly like the main character. I think Farris was stubborn, naive and just unpleasant at time, though she did improve and grow during the story. I’ve read some reviews of this book where people have said something like “Farris is a poor excuse at a strong female protagonist” and I must say I disagree with this. Yes she was stubborn, and it bothered me, but she didn’t hesitate to leave everything she had known to save her brother, to do something her society told her she could never do because she was girl . And when faced with difficulties a lot of the time she just powered through them. Not all women can be physically strong, or have the confidence and sass of Buffy (from Buffy the vampire slayer), and it’s important to showcase diverse women in literature. This being said though I wouldn’t mind a few more female characters, because apart from Farris herself and some minor roles, most characters throughout the story are male.

But to end this review I must say that I highly enjoyed reading this novel, and I’m intrigued to see what happens in coming books.

Favourite quotes:

“She didn’t want to be the descendant of a bigot who thought only boys would be strong enough to have the key.”

”Some things were meant to endure so naturally that the awareness of their mortality forever changed them.”

“I’ve always said not killing someone is the first step to becoming their friend.”

Book: Crash

Author: Nicole Williams

Pages: 224

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (⅗)

Synopsis: Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now…Jude's everything she knows she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. But she's about to find out that staying away is the only thing she's incapable of.

Thoughts: I have some mixed feelings about this book. I thought that the relationship between Jude and Lucy became somewhat repetitive with the whole on and off thing. I would have understood it if it happened once or twice but here it just happened too many times and sometimes for the slightest things. I also didn’t like how overprotective and possessive Jude was. In a book that is one of my main pet peeves, when the guy thinks the girl is his property that no one can come close to. I mean come on we live in the 21st century, women should be able to be free people who can have male friends without their boyfriends becoming jealous. But that being said I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book. I needed that romance filled, easy read that you can fly through.

Favourite quotes:

“Don't let the fear of losing them keep you from loving them.”