The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

Goodreads Summary

After seeing so many positive reviews on Goodreads I expected to love this book. I did like the overall plot and summary. The author handled the undercurrent of unease between two cultures that were not so fond of each other (Jamaican American and Korean American). I did like the ending in an overall sort of way. The writing style of the author is pleasant and upbeat. However (you knew this was coming), I did not really like the main characters. Natasha was a bit rough and sort of lawless. I do not think that you understand the world and are "oh so brilliant" as a teenager. Daniel is the perfectionist, which is easier for me to relate to, but he takes it too far. I think the story would have been better for me if I had been more invested in the characters. 

One of my favorite aspects was the book beginning and ending in a single day. I really liked how the author managed to pack so much into one day. It left me with a lot to think about (I probably waste my days). Although it was an emotional day for the two characters, I thought it was a little too emotional. This book started off and ending well for me, but lost me in the middle.

3 Stars

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Flawed by Cecilia Ahern

You will be punished…

Celestine North lives a perfect life. She’s a model daughter and sister, she’s well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she’s dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation where she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found flawed.

In her breathtaking young adult debut, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society where perfection is paramount and flaws lead to punishment. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything.

Goodreads Summary

Celestine lives a life that many of us would want to experience for a day. She comes off as perfect in every way and the author writes it in such a way that it is difficult to get mad at her for it. A single mistake can brand someone as an outcast and everyone is always striving to be more and more perfect. When the government could not guarantee world peace there were standards put on how to act and live. I would call this world dsytopian (my favorite genre!). However, everyone makes mistakes and soon it is Celestine and not her unruly sister who is under the radar.

I liked Celestine's character in some ways. She was awfully annoying with her insistence on regimentation (which has its place, but over-done it gets grating) and the ideals of perfection. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge perfectionist (it feeds my OCD) and I can appreciate the concept. I wish the author had worked a little more on character and plot development instead of pounding in the idea of perfection. I got it after the first chapter and didn't need the consistent reminder.

3 Stars

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.

Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.

Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.

Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.

The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love?

Goodreads Summary

Piper has already picked out her dream job at a young age; she is bound and determined to be a journalist. She gets into a prestigious academy and hopes to realize her dreams. At her new school, there is actually a prize for student journalists. She knows she must win to further her fledgling career. When she meets Rafael, she sees her opportunity; however, the more she gets to know Rafael as a person, the more she thinks over her plan. Will she expose Rafael or will she protect him?

When I first started this book, I saw the ending coming a mile away. I didn't really like Piper's character though she was ok. She was too pushy, snoopy (I realize journalists have to be), and over-bearing for me. I liked Rafael's character better, but his shenanigans leave much to be desired. I thought their budding romance was cute and sweet. I liked how it took time to grow and develop. The book didn't hold my attention the whole time, but I liked the swift writing style of the author. The characters did "learn" something in the end and I always like books with a slight lesson. This was a fun book from an author I enjoy.

3 1/2 Stars

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (“gleaned”) by professional reapers (“scythes”). Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythe’s apprentices, and—despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation—they must learn the art of killing and come to understand the necessity of what they do.

Only one of them will be chosen as a scythe’s apprentice. And when it becomes clear that the winning apprentice’s first task will be to glean the loser, Citra and Rowan are pitted against one another in a fight for their lives. 

Goodreads Summary

I can't imagine a world where disease is eliminated and I honestly (unpopular opinion, but I know my biology) don't think that that would be a good thing. However, as a plot in a book, I was hooked. Citra and Rowan are in training to be scythe's apprentices; eventually, they will kill those who are supposed to be "gleaned."  Although neither knows if they actually want the job, to lose is to to die.  

The plot was fast-paced and detailed. I loved the idea behind the book. Shusterman has a wonderful imagination; the characters were well-developed and the reader will find he/she cares for both of the characters and doesn't want either to fail in his/her task. I personally preferred Citra. She's a little more prickly and not quite as effusive as Rowan's character, but I thought she was thoughtful and intelligent. I loved the moral issues and was glad that the author did not get bogged down with them. Deciding who should die to stretch resources and ensure there is enough would be a monumental task that I would not want to complete. I did like how the author handled the morality and ethics behind scything. It was fascinating to read and I finished the book within a week. This book is highly recommended to young adult/teen readers.

4 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ