Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page

Release Date: April 1, 2014

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Age Group:Young Adult

Pages:  464

Summary:  I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened?

Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.

I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.

I've been trained to fight.

And I have a mission:

Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.

Steal the Scarecrow's brain.

Take the Lion's courage.

Then and only then—Dorothy must die!

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one but it was a bit weird. I didn’t read the novella first (when I started, I didn’t know there was one) but I may go back to it eventually.

We are introduced to Amy who has a hard life. She lives with her mother who pretty much ignores her. She drinks and just has her own life. Amy is pretty much ignored at school unless someone is picking on her. She’s quite invisible really. But she’s also average. She doesn’t really stand out.

One day a tornado comes and sweeps Amy’s home into Oz. But this isn’t any normal Oz. Its weird!!!! Everything is different or backwards and Amy is a long way from home.

I want to explain so much but if I do, I’ll give away so much and I don’t want too. This was such a fun story and I loved seeing how things are different from Dorothy’s Oz. But don’t worry Dorothy is around and so are all the other characters. I did really like the boy Amy meets and he made the story even better. I loved the plot. I love how Amy is destined to do things and how she believes she must follow them and set things right.

I really enjoyed this one and I want to say so much more but I don’t want to give away anything. If you know the original story of Oz, you’ll want to read this one and see how its different.

Overall:  Yes, its a bit long. But I enjoyed it anyway. It probably could have been shorter but I enjoyed all the moments with Amy and everyone else. I liked seeing how things played out and I’m glad I read this one!

It was a very interesting concept and I can’t wait to read the next one!!!

Cover: Like it! Its a bit dark but it makes sense!!! Neat.

What I’d Give It:

Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton

Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton

Release Date: January 21, 2014

Publisher: Balzer And Bray

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages:368

Summary:  Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

My Thoughts: I really did enjoy this series. I especially enjoyed Jack and Cole. I was so torn between them.

We are back with Nikki who is trying to get out of the whole idea of being Queen of the Everneath. She refuses to let this be her destiny and she’ll stop at nothing to destroy the idea. But, Nikki is getting weaker and she must do something soon.

If you haven’t read the series yet, that paragraph probably doesn’t even make sense to you. This series was a neat series to read. I really enjoyed it and this last book just makes it more interesting, and sad, and exciting. The real plot of this one was just to get Nikki out of being Queen and destroy the Everneath in the process. That was about it. I just felt like I trudged through it. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, I just felt like I wanted even more plot than I had.

I loved Jack and Cole. And, this one made me like Cole even more and I wanted to cry a little bit towards the end. I don’t know if I’m completely happy with how it ended but I have to be, I know.

I enjoyed this one. I finished it within a day. It was a nice wrap up to the story.

Overall:  I’m a little sad to see this end. I could probably read more and enjoy it. I’m so happy that Nikki rescued Jack in the last book because I needed more of him in my life. But I’m glad I got to see more of Cole, and another side of him at that.

I really enjoyed this series and I’m sad to see it end, but I’m glad I finished it.  I heart you Jack and Cole!!!

Cover: Love it! I think its very pretty!!!

What I’d Give It:

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Release Date:  March 4, 2014

Publisher:  Farrar Straus and Giroux

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:  368

Summary:  Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction.

Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

My Thoughts: Yet another series I knew I had to read. Now, when does book 2 come out?

We are introduced to Kestrel who is a general’s daughter. Her father wants her to either join the military or find herself a good husband. While Kestrel can hold her own well enough, she doesn’t want to do either. Not really.

Kestrel has a best friend named Jess and Jess’ brother is also interested in her. He does his fair share of flirting.

Kestrel gets swept up in an auction and ends up bidding on a slave. His name is Arin and she ends up paying a nice penny for him. This sure does change her life.

Arin isn’t who he claims to be and his own plan and way of life. They both get more than what they bargained for with each other.

Arin is out to change things and this is a big problem for Kestrel.

I loved this story. I loved all the interactions between the two. And I even loved seeing Kestrel visit with her friends. I just thought the story was so enchanting and well written. And filled with action!

I loved the mystery, the romance, the characters, and the way things went down. I loved seeing how Kestrel and Arin reacted to things.

But of course, the ending. Oh the ending. Now I want the next book. I need to know what happens!!!!

Overall:  I loved this one! If I could give it more than 5 cupcakes, I sure would! I loved Arin! Perfect Arin. And I loved how strong Kestrel was and how motivated, and smart.

I loved this story!!!!

Cover:  I really like it! Love how she is positioned and her dress!

What I’d Give It:

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Release Date: January 10, 2012

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages:318

Summary: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Thoughts: What can I even possibly say about this one that hasn’t already been said? Probably not much.

We are introduced to Hazel who is a teenager who has cancer. She’s on a drug that keeps the tumors down but you never know when it could come back. She struggles everyday. She has to carry an oxygen  tank with her everywhere she goes. Her life is not fun.

Her mom suggests she attend a weekly support group. She doesn’t want too but wants to make her parents happy. She meets a boy named Augustus. He also has cancer as well. He lost a leg to it.

Hazel and Augustus were so perfect for one another. They got each other. They had things in common, they fell in love.

There was just something so unique about this one. This novel was so beautiful. It really was. It was so complex and there was just so much to it, I can’t even begin to describe it. Its one of those you have to read yourself and enjoy every minute even though its not all happy moments.

I also loved all the side characters, especially Isaac. He was the perfect friend for both Augustus and Hazel.

It did take me a few days to get through this one. It was hard to read at times. I wanted to finish it, but I was afraid of what was going to happen.

I laughed, I cried, I cried even harder. It was outstanding. It was beautiful.

Enough said, right? Read this one!

Overall:I really enjoyed this one,even though it wasn’t perfect at times, and things weren’t always happy. It was realistic and beautiful.  I can’t even, I can’t even.

Cover: Like it. Its not too out there but it’s also neat.

What I’d Give It:

Kissing In Italian (Flirting In Italian #2) by Lauren Henderson

Kissing In Italian (Flirting In Italian #2) by Lauren Henderson

Release Date: March 11, 2014

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 272

Summary: In addition to her studies, Violet loves the arts, the shopping, and the friendships she's found in Italy. But secretly, her main objective is to learn about her true identity and family history. She never imagined she would fall in love with handsome Italian Luca. And he feels the same about her. But there are certain rumors circulating, that if proven to be true will forbid that they end up together. They need answers, but are they prepared for the truth?

My Thoughts: I wasn't blown away by the first one but I enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this one!

We are back with Violet and her friends. They are still away from home and she is still trying to find out more about who she is and if she’s related to Luca, the boy she wants to be with.

Violet doesn’t really have anyone but her mother to turn to, so she does what she has to. She sends her mom a message asking for the truth.

While she’s waiting, she’s forced to go on with her life and try to enjoy things. I really enjoyed all the trips Violet went on. When she was swimming or just hanging out with her friends, there was always something magical going on. I felt like this one had a lot better descriptions of things so I felt like I was right there with her.

I also liked Luca a lot more in this one. I felt like I got to know him a little better and even though he wasn't around much, I enjoyed the scenes with him.

I raced right through this one and enjoyed it a bit more than the first one. Awesome contemporary!

And the ending, wow. I kind of saw it coming but it definitely spiced things up for me and I understood things better. For some reason, I didn’t even think how complicated things were really. I liked how it played out.

Overall: I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I liked Henderson’s way of describing things and I felt Violet grew a little as a person. I also liked her friends once again. And I liked both Evan and Luca.  I also liked the little side plots as well. A lot going on but a good story!

Cover:  Like it! The covers are what drew me into these books. I think the covers are adorable and this one is just as cute as the first! 

What I'd Give It: