Cursed--Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Cursed
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press, 2012
Pages: 304 p
Source: library ebook
Compensation: None
Read: September 2016

Jennifer L. Armentrout's Cursed

Ember and her younger sister have strange abilities ever since being in a car crash. Ember technically died in the crash, but she was brought back to life by her sister. In true yin-yang fashion, while her little sister can bring things back from the dead, Ember's touch is like poison and is fatal to anyone around her. Ember's Dad died in the crash (but was too dead-dead to be brought back) and her mom has been catatonic with grief, so Ember is left alone to take care of her little sister and try to keep their abilities a secret. Then she meets Hayden, a cute boy claiming he can help them both control their "gifts". Ember is intrigued by Hayden but suspicious of his adopted father who seems to be collecting kids with gifts. Is she helping her sister or leading them both into a trap?

I wanted to like this more than I did. I thought the plot was interesting, but it felt a bit incomplete. It was worth the read, but it could have been better. I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied, like there was more that could have been explored.

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Holding Up the Universe--Jennifer Niven

Title: Holding Up the Universe
Author: Jennifer Niven
Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2016
Pages: 400 p
Source: VOYA
Compensation: None
Read: September 2016

Jennifer Niven's Holding Up the Universe

Three years after Libby Strout was named “America’s Fattest Teen” and was airlifted out of her house, she is ready to start her junior year of high school and put her infamous past behind her. She is determined to make up for lost time and to be the girl who can do anything—if only her classmates will see her for who she truly is instead of just seeing her size. Jack Masselin is one of the cool kids, the popular kids, who seem to have everything easy. But Jack is hiding a big secret that could jeopardize his entire school life. Jack has a disorder called prosopagnosia, an inability to recognize faces. Each morning he wakes up his family and friends are strangers to him. Relying on hair styles (that can change) and personality traits to identify his family and friends is getting harder to do as Jack gets older. When Libby is the victim of a cruel joke and Jack is the reluctant perpetrator, they are both sent to group counseling, where they learn that they are not as alone as they thought.

Told in chapters alternating Libby and Jack’s point of view, Holding Up the Universe is a thoughtful story of friendship and love. Both Libby and Jack are vulnerable flawed characters who find peace when they find each other and the strength to be honest with themselves and their loved ones. A worthy addition to any YA collection, this story is engaging and difficult to put down.

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Haters, The--Jesse Andrews

Title: The Haters
Author: Jesse Andrews
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2016
Pages: 336 p.
Source: Library
Compensation: None
Read: July 2016

Jesse Andrews' The Haters

Wes and Corey are all set for another boring summer at music band camp when they run into free-spirited singer Ash and have a totally inspired monster jam session. They decide that the three of them mesh so well together that rather than waste their time at camp, they should take their new act to the road. Because gigging across America is the only way to truly refine your musical chops. Their road trip is not without some hilarious drama.

I read this book while we were camping and I distinctly remember being in my sleeping bag with a flashlight because I couldn't put it down. I also remember trying not to giggle and wake my kids up. The Haters was an enjoyable coming-of-age book and is sure to delight music fans, as well as kids who just want a regular realistic funny non-dystopian read.

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Star of Deltora: Two Moons--Emily Rodda

Title: Star of Deltora: Two Moons
Author: Emily Rodda
Publisher: Kane Miller, 2016
Pages:165 p.
Source: Purchased
Compensation: None
Read: July 2016

Disclaimer: I chose to buy this book and review it on my own. This review has NOT been paid for, but I did receive a 25% commission for purchasing the book through my Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant business.

Emily Rodda's Star of Deltora: Two Moons

Britta has passed the preliminary test to be the newest apprentice on the Trader ship, Rosalyn, in this sequel to Shadows of the Master. Now she must sail with the other three finalists and continue to prove she is worthy of working with the Trader Mab. Her sailing companions are as desperate as she is to win the contest, but one of them will stop at nothing to succeed, even if it means violence. As Britta navigates the dangerous path to Apprenticeship, she learns more about her father's mysterious quest for the Staff of Tier and begins to suspect there is something more sinister than ambitious humans on her journey. 

I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. It's a very quick read and full of adventure and intrigue.  I'm looking forward to continuing the series and getting some answers. 

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