Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: November 15, 2011
Source: Publicist

Overall:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Shatter Me completely exceeded all of my expectations when I was pulled into the harsh world of Juliette and Adam. The world-building was brutal and at times, disturbing. Mafi will have readers tangled up in so many lies and doubts, making it nearly impossible to predict what happens next.

Mafi's writing was absolutely stunning. The imagery and the strike-throughts did a good job of conveying Juliette's feelings of isolation and betrayal. The sometimes-blunt writing made Juliette's world seem all the more real. The storyline was complex and each unpredictable event occurred one after the other; keeping me on my toes.

Juliette's narrative completely entranced me and I was really able to connect with her because of her strong literary voice. I was able to watch her grow not only as a character, but also in her beliefs and her determination. She seemed very fragile at first, but as she started to trust Adam more and more, those layers were slowly peeled away. The chemistry between Juliette and Adam is unmatched from the very beginning. And because they share an even deeper physical connection, it just adds to their romance.

Shatter Me is dangerous, sexy, and original all in one. I was shattered when it had to end.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Pages: 435 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: January 4, 2011
Source: Publicist

Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge

Overall:

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Romantic and enigmatic, Unearthly, Hand’s debut on angel mythology, deals with a strong heroine and ventures out with a love triangle. Unearthly is a new take on angels… the strong heroine has to choose tough decisions, and not like in other young adult novels, does not run around in circles of falling into discovering their supernatural being.

Hand captured me ever since the first page. The creativity and inspiration she had thrown into the world had quickly absorbed my attention. Hand’s writing is not only beautiful, but it’s poetic and perfectly expressive. Wyoming was where the story was set, and Hand’s writing just blew me away… so picturesque. The plot heaved to Unearthly was so mesmerizing and extremely unpredictable. When the story was set in stone with a certain plot, Hands would just add in fun twists and turns, making it completely different.

With Clara knowing she’s an angel, the story was stable on Clara’ journey, rather than discovering she’s an angel. Clara, determined and confident is a nephilim’s (half angel & half human) daughter. Her attitude is so like-able and she isn’t cliché… She has her flaws and imperfections. Clara’s mom had a unique relationship with her. It wasn’t something you’d see so frequently. Even though she was an angel blood and was not human, she acted as if she was just a normal teen girl. Clara did have her purposes, choices, and barriers.

Tucker stole my heart… he just did. He was such a perfect guy and he was extremely sweet, kind and funny (swoon-worthy too). The relationship between Clara and Tucker was very different because it was slow, not instant. It took time for them to finally open up to each other. Christian, on the other hand, was not my favorite. I mean, he was interesting, but he was a bit confusing with his change of heart when it came to Clara.

There is still a lot to cypher from Unearthly…. After reading it, there’s still so much to discover and figure out with the characters and the mysteries that lie within. With that ending, I’m definitely coveting for a sequel already. I need that sequel.

Unearthly is a heartrending tale about a unique spectrum of angels into the supernatural paranormal genre—it’s mind blowing and riveting. I dare you to read this novel.

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Subway Girl by P.J. Converse

Title: Subway Girl
Author: P.J. Converse
Pages: 256 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Source: Publicist

Overall:.5

From the moment he sees Amy on a Hong Kong subway, Simon wants to talk to her. But when he finally works up the courage, he finds out he can’t. Because Amy doesn’t speak Chinese, and Simon is failing English. But despite their language barrier, Amy and Simon connect, and they discover they understand each other.

In this stunning first novel about class differences, cultural arrogance, unwanted pregnancy and abortion, sexual double standards, and love and friendship, two vulnerable teens carve out a relationship even though each seems way beyond the reach of the other.

Likeable and lifelike, Subway Girl is a light, but yet powerful story over coming different languages and it’s barriers. There are many teen issues that occur in this novel, making it a pleasing learning experience; no matter the culture, society, or background.

With alternative perspectives in the chapters, both Amy and Simon were well established by the end. Amy, who does not know how to speak Chinese, grew up in America and has the American beliefs and background. Simon, who barely speaks English, goes through a lot of developments and undergoes the language barrier. Nothing was that special about the characters, but, they were realistic with the fact that they made mistakes and weren’t perfect.

Converse does tackle many teen issues in Subway Girl. Friendships, relationships, teen pregnancy, and cultural differences all occurred in this novel. Amy does confess her mistakes to Simon as soon as they get close. Early on in the story, their friendship starts out here and there, but then it gets serious and their feelings suddenly start to luster.

With Converse exposing her teaching in Hong Kong, Subway Girl is a new type of take onto two very diverse cultures. This story has some authentic layers and communicates with a voice indicating teen issues and the emotions that comes with them.

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Mega HarperTeen 2011 Winter Giveaway

I haven't had a mega-big contest in a while, so I decided to have one now! I've reached 1200 followers, and I am happy as ever! Thank you so much to all! And, there are so many freaking amazing upcoming books coming out on 2011, which means, CONTEST. I have saved a lot (barely buy any books now) just for my blog contests, and I'll use some of my precious money for you guys!

There will be two prize packs, two winners, each prize pack having three HarperTeen titles, which I'll be pre-ordering, and you'll receive each one once it is out.

Prize Pack 1 (oozing awesomeness):

• Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
• Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
• Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Prize Pack 2 (part of a series awesomness):

• Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder)
• Afterlife by Claudia Gray (Everlife, Stargazer, Hourglass)
• Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston (Wondrous Strange, Darklight)

Are you drooling already? Bet you are! You can be a lucky winner of one of these prize packs!

And who knows, I might add in more, if my follower count raises up! :)

Official Information:

• fill out the form below
• December 1 is the deadline (it's really far away but all these books release 2011 so I want to give everyone some time to enter!)
• entrants must be 13 years or older
• open internationally (one prize pack will be a US resident and the other will be an international resident)
• prize packs for the two winners will be chosen by random
• check my contest policy
• contest closed - winners announced