Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Release Date: February 12, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages: 352

Summary: Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

My Thoughts:  Why did I wait so long to read this one? I really enjoyed it!!!

We are introduced to Addie who can do searches. Basically, she can see what her future holds. She can see the choices she could make and than do the opposite if need be.

Addie was a very unique person. She was caring but also very soft spoken. She didn’t usually break rules. I loved reading about Addie and her best friend. I liked seeing them interact and her friend was so funny. Her name was Lelia and Lelia can erase memories. Everyone who lives in this small community has a gift or talent. The catch, they can’t tell anyone outside.

We see things from Addie’s point of view and what could happen. In one situation, she stays with her mom and dates the star football player named Duke. Or she can stay with her dad and meet a guy named Trevor. Trevor is such a nice guy, kind of a cowboy and really sweet. I loved Trevor, and I liked this scenario better.

I really liked seeing what could happen from both but we finally get to the end of the book and want to scream because we realize that both scenarios aren’t perfect and Addie is in a tough situation. I kind of knew what was going to happen or had a feeling and it left me feeling devastated. Read this one, and you’ll know what I mean.

Pivot Point was full of amazing characters and it had an amazing plot. I wish I could search like Addie. I loved all the little things that happened and I loved going on this journey with Addie.

I just can’t believe it ended like that!!!

Overall: I thought this was pretty neat. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not but I ended up loving it! I can’t wait to read Split Second!

Cover:  Like it! Its a good perception on this one!

What I’d Give It:

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel And Friends
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 560

Summary: Rapunzel's tower is a satellite. She can't let down her hair - or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker – unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

My Thoughts: I really loved Cinder and enjoyed Scarlet so when I heard about Cress, I knew I had to read it! And Rapunzel, score! And it was amazing! In reality, probably my favorite so far.

We are introduced to Cress who lives in a satellite above earth. She fantasizes about going to earth but knows she will most likely never see it. She would be lucky to ever get outside that darn satellite and interact with real people. She only has interaction with a few people and that isn’t exactly fun.

Cress ends up talking to Cinder and plans start to form. And of course she researches Cinder and her crew. She knows almost everything you can could possibly know. And she starts to develop feelings for Captain Thorne. She sees him and just swoons! So its only perfect that she spends a lot of time in this story with him.

I loved how in detail Meyer is when she describes Cress. I loved picturing her hair in my mind! It was neat.

I loved all the other characters once again too. Loved Cinder, Scarlett, Wolf, and even some of the new ones. But most of all I loved Kai. Oh Kai, how I love thee. You are my favorite and I loved all the scenes with you. And Captain Thorne, swoon. I liked him even more in this one and I liked getting to know him.

Cress made me laugh so much. This novel had so many funny moments woven between the pages! But it was also heartbreaking at times too. I loved the whole plot of this one. I loved how Cinder is trying to overthrow the Queen and take her rightful place. I loved when Cinder told Kai the truth about herself.

I also loved seeing Cinder in this one once again. She is one of my favorite characters and I liked hearing about her plans.

Cress was amazing. It made me laugh, want to cry, and swoon and swoon and swoon. I knew exactly what Cress was going through because I felt it too with Kai and at times with Thorne.  I actually enjoyed reading both from both Cress’s and Cinder’s point of view. I liked both stories. I liked seeing how they intertwined.

I don’t know what else to say without ruining it. I just loved this one. One of my favorites of the year! I have been reading a lot of favorites lately. Its been a good year for novels so far!  I will say one thing though, not a lot got wrapped up in this one at the end. So I’m assuming the next one will hopefully tie up some loose ends. I can’t wait!

Overall: Cress was an amazing novel in this series, and I can’t wait to read the next one! I loved the new addition to the set of characters- Cress. She was brave, but sheltered.She was a neat character. And I enjoyed the plot. And I enjoyed the return of all the characters. Loved it! If I could give it more than 5 cupcakes, I would!

Cover: Its beautiful!!! More so than I thought it would be! My favorite cover so far of the series. Love her hair!

What I’d Give It:

Alienated (Alienated #1) by Melissa Landers

Alienated (Alienated #1) by Melissa Landers

Release Date: February 4, 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352

Summary: Interplanetary relations have never been more exciting! The first in a funny, romantic YA sci-fi series.

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

My Thoughts: Wow, I truly enjoyed and loved this one. I haven’t read many Alien books at all!

We are introduced to Cara who is smart. She gets good grades and has a few close friends, and a boyfriend. She is chosen to host a boy from another planet. The planets are trying to merge, and this is the perfect opportunity for alliance the government believes. I'm not sure if you can really call it that but I'll say it anyway.

Aelyx and a few others come to earth. And Cara’s brother goes to his planet, and next year Cara will join her brother. It’s chaotic yet exciting. Aelyx comes and Cara meets him, and things are awkward and a little bit intense. But Cara can relate to him. She understands him, she tries to be his friend and help him. She knows this must be weird for him. And he thinks Cara is a bit weird too. He hasn’t had too much real interaction with girls so this is a new thing for him. He’s known girls but never really “known” them the way he gets to know Cara.

There are a lot of people against this allegiance and it gets somewhat scary for the two of them.

I really don’t even know what to say about this one. I want to go on and on, but since it doesn’t come out for a while (as I write this review) I don’t want to give everything away. This is either going to be one you love like me or that you find a bit weird. Personally, I thought it was creative and sweet and interesting.

I loved the plot, I loved the characters, and I loved the way everything happened. I really connected with the characters and that is what made this one so enjoyable for me.

Just give it a chance and see what you think.

Overall: A wonderful 2014 debut!  Cute, quirky, romantic and a must read for young adult fans! I can’t wait to read the next one, I’m excited!

Cover: Love! Love! As soon as I saw this cover I wanted to jump up and down. I loved the colors, I love the people, its a beautiful and amazing cover!

What I’d Give It:

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Release Date:  January 28, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult   

Pages: 384

Summary:  The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

My Thoughts: Oh My Gosh! I loved this one! It will probably end up being one of my favorites of the year!

What an interesting concept and so crazy to read about.

We are introduced to Davy who is your above average teenager. She gets good grades, plays music, has a wonderful family, awesome friends, and a hot boyfriend. Her life is pretty good. Things are pretty clear cut for her. She’ll have a nice future.

Until one day the results from a test everyone took at the beginning of the year. By this point, the test is a long ago memory. The test was to see if they had a genetic component for the kill gene. What this means is that she is capable of killing and they predict that she will.

Everything for Davy changes in an instant. Once people find out, they want nothing to do with her. Her best friend turns on her instantly. She goes from loving Davy to absolutely hating her. She loses her best friend, and mostly everyone else in her life. Even her family is a little scared of her it seems. And her boyfriend, arrggg!

Davy gets put in a new school; a public school. But she really only gets confined to one room, a room with others like her. She’s expected to do her work and graduate. I wanted to cry when the deal with the tattoo came up. Heartbreaking! But things change, and Davy gets sent away to a camp with others like her. It’s basically a training camp to make Davy use the kill gene for better things, more productive things. While Davy was in the new school she made a few friends. I especially liked Sean. Sean was such a good guy even though he came off as a badass sometimes. He really cared for people.

Sean was probably the biggest highlight of the story for me. Even though I loved the idea of this, I also really loved the characters. Great character development. I loved seeing things from Davy’s point of view, and I loved seeing how she had to deal with things.

And of course, the cliffhanger! OHHHH!! I need the next one now! I loved this one to pieces!

Overall:  Loved it! I hope I enjoy the next one in this series just as much! I adored this one! The plot was interesting and had awesome characters. I loved both Davy and Sean and even all the other secondary characters. I loved that Davy and Sean would do anything for one another. I loved this one! I hope you do too!

Cover: Its so pretty! I love the girls long hair and I think this is a neat cover!

What I’d Give It:

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Release Date:  June 19, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 224

Summary: When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

My Thoughts:  I remember picking this one up about a year ago, reading outside on my porch. I think I read about 40 pages but then I got distracted, put it down, and started something else. I finally got back to reading it and finished it.

I don’t know why I waited.

We are introduced to Travis who just returned home from Afghanistan, where he lost his best friend. He is now trying to put the pieces back together. After being to war, and losing someone so close to him he’s a mess. He is back in his hometown and he runs into a girl named Harper. A girl he kissed years ago and embarrassed pretty good.

Oh boy does Harper remember. She holds a grudge pretty well, at first but then she really opens up to him.

I loved Harper and Travis’ banter back and forth. But I also liked seeing them get to know one another. Even though they had went to school together, they didn’t really know each other. I also liked all the moments, especially with the turtles.

I’m glad we also saw Travis’ family. I am happy to see what they were like and it made me understand him much better.

I enjoyed seeing him go through what he had too to actually get somewhere. He had to learn to deal with his feelings and overcome them. He had to move on as best as he could.

I really enjoyed this one. I think most of it was due to the romance. I honestly don’t read very many novels from a guy’s point of view so this was a little hard for me to really grasp  at first.

Overall: I really enjoyed this one and am glad I finally read it. I enjoyed his voice and I also enjoyed the moments with Harper and his friends. I felt like I really got inside his head. This is a great contemp novel!

Cover: I like it! Even though its not real colorful this one would definitely draw me in. I love the dog tag and I love how they are just kissing. Think this cover is really cute!

What I’d Give It: