Lynburn Legacy Love

Lynburn Legacy Love

Oct 16, 2014

A few weeks ago, I was looking for books for my seasonal TBR post and included Unspoken on a whim. I checked out the first book from the library and was soon lost in a series binge I didn't see coming. Having finished these books, I can now say that I'm shocked I don't hear more about them. Seriously, why isn't everyone raving about this series?! I don't often book push, but I feel like it's necessary at this point. So, I had to make this epic list - and it's completely spoiler free! | ADD ON GOODREADS

The Lynburn Legacy is the story of:

 a courageous (1) HEROINE, 

her supportive (2) FRIENDS, 

her loving (3) FAMILY 

and several hot (4) BOYS. 

Characters:

1. Heroine

Kami Glass is one of my new favorite characters! I had no idea how much I needed to read about a girl like her. She's loyal, smart, courageous and hilarious. What's not to love about a girl who says:

"If I wasn't going to be a world-famous journalist and if I didn't have such respect for truth and justice, I could be an amazing master criminal.”

When the Lynburn family returns to Sorry-in-the-Vale, Kami is determined to figure out why they're back and why they disappeared in the first place. The truth may be darker than she ever imagined, but she refuses to back down. She'll do anything to protect the people she loves and fight for the place she calls home.

She's always been a little bit of an outsider, but that's probably because she's heard a voice in her head ever since she was born. Yes, she has an imaginary friend. While she's never quite fit in because of it, she's about to find out some very unsettling news about that friend. She's going to get to the bottom of the mysteries in the town... and the ones in her head.

There are a few moments where you may want to sit her down for a little chat, but overall she's an admirable and incredible character. She supports her friends, stands up for what's right and knows exactly what she wants. She has some of the best lines in any book ever. I LOVED HER.

2. Friends

Kami's best friend is Angela Montgomery, and they soon become friends with Holly Prescott. Angela is prickly, a little grumpy and wants nothing more than to just lay around. Her favorite thing: napping. Her least favorite: people. And I'm sorry, but I adore her. She tags along with Kami, even when you know she thinks Kami has gone crazy. Holly isn't their friend at first, but it's not long before she's roped into their (mis)adventures. Kami thinks she knows all about Holly, and it was wonderful to watch her actually see another side of someone she'd gotten all wrong.

While there is a lot happening in this series (both with the plot and romance), these friends are right by Kami's side through it all. Bonus: they're both gorgeous, and they're nothing like the stereotypical "beautiful but mean" girls. I loved that all of the females in this book are so multidimensional. They're all so different - and yet all badass in their own right.

3. Family

Family plays an important role in this series, which is one of my favorite things about it. You see the absence of parents and how it can impact kids with Angela and Rusty Montgomery. Then, there's the more twisted relationships among the Lynburns. I loved how complicated things were in the Lynburn family - they want to fulfill their legacy and uphold their duty but they seem to only really care about themselves.

And there's the Glass family. Kami's parents and her two brothers frequently show up in these pages, and I looked forward to every chance to get to know them better. I loved that they were concerned for Kami and took a very active role in her life. While Kami's dad is way more awesome than her mom, they are still both very present throughout the books. Their marriage undergoes some tension, and I thought it was portrayed in such a diffiifult and yet realistic way. Plus, it doesn't hurt that humor clearly runs in the Glass genes. Kami's brothers are also so adorable - you totally understand why one of her biggest concerns is keeping them safe.

4. Boys

Yes, I said boys... plural. In Unspoken you'll meet Ash Lynburn, Jared Lynburn and Rusty Montgomery. Ash is confident and charming. Jared is dark and damaged. Rusty is lackadaisical and loyal. They're all so much more than those two characteristics, but that's the best way I can hint at what you'll find in these pages. The best part? They're all hot. Like seriously hot.

I know what some people are wondering - is this a love triangle (or love square)? NO. I mean, everyone's a little bit in love with Kami, but I can't blame them. But there's really never any question of who Kami loves. The boy situation is probably the most up in the air in the first book, but there's not a "choice" to be made. You know who Kami wants to be with, if only they could work it out. Kami isn't wishy-washy about her feelings, even though there are missteps and miscommunication (seriously, y'all, talk already!) along the way... Emotional turmoil is there, but it's not created by a triangle-type dilemma.

They work together to 

defy a wicked (5) VILLAIN 

and fight a terrible (6) CURSE 

to protect their special (7) TOWN.

Plot + Setting:

5. Villain

While there are a few shady characters in this series, there's one villain who is just THE WORST. I'll let you find out exactly who or what is behind all the horrors in the novels, but the villain is a great antagonist. There is a reason for everything that happens, which makes it so well-developed and intriguing. What happened in the past to cause such bitterness? And will the villain gain the control they so desperately desire? Learning the answers to these questions was just one of the many reasons I couldn't stop reading!

6. Curse

Is there a curse on Sorry-in-the-Vale? Well, something isn't quite right. Animals are being killed, Kami is being threatened... and everything seems like it might be connected to the return of the Lynburns. Kids in Sorry-in-the-Vale grow up singing this song:

"Forest deep, silent bells / There's a secret no one tells / Valley quiet, water still / Lynburns watching on the hill / Apples red, corn gold / Almost everyone grows old."

What's the secret no one tells? And will our fearless heroine and her friends uncover it? I loved the plot of this series! I think the characters steal the show, but that's not to stay that the story doesn't hold up to scrutiny. There are epic endings to each book - you'll have to read the next book right away. Tensions rise in each book until everything comes to a head in the finale. And the journey to get there was so worth it!

7. Town

I love when a setting feels like a character - developed, memorable and important to the story. That was the case in the Lynburn Legacy! Sorry-in-the-Vale is central to almost everything that happens in the series. From the creation of the town to the return of the Lynburns, there's a story behind it all.

"Every town in England has a story. One day I am going to find out Sorry-in-the-Vale's... Six hundred years do not go by without someone doing something nefarious."

Kami knows what's up. If you want amazing characters, an engaging plot and a dark and creepy setting... this series is for you! Sorry-in-the-Vale has a story, and it's EPIC.

This gothic (8) MYSTERY 

is packed with (9) HUMOR, 

throws in some (10) ROMANCE,
and totally delivers on (11) EMOTION.

Writing:

8. Mystery

Oh, how I love some good Gothic fiction! The Lynburn Legacy series has all of the staples of the genre: a mystery, a curse, a villain, the setting as a character, supernatural elements, an atmosphere of fear and dread... It combines all of these classic elements of Gothic fiction, but it also subverts the genre, too. Kami is no fainting heroine in need of rescue. Early on in Unspoken, you learn this:

“Kami'd always retold her fairy tales to make the fair maidens braver and more self-sufficient, but she had never had any real objection to the handsome prince.”

And that's what you'll find in this series: all of the ingredients for a dark and delightful Gothic tale with the addition of a kickass heroine. The dangerous mansion, the creepy family secrets, the horrors from the past, and the threat to the future... The Lynburn Legacy has it all in spades.

9. Humor

I think one of my absolute favorite things about this series is the humor. It's packed with witty comments, sarcastic remarks and smart dialogue. Let me give you a few examples:

“Don't feel bad, Angela," Kami said. "You know guys, they only want one thing. Repartee. I can't count how many times men have admired my well-turned phrases.” 

 “Put the jerk in the south wing, you won't see him for weeks at a time. Or lock him in the attic. The law will not be on your side, but literary precedent will.” 

“Bros before hoes," said Jared. "By which of course I mean gardening tools, because I hold all the fine ladies of Sorry-in-the-Vale in the highest regard.”

For such a dark series, these are hilarious books. Personally, I loved it and felt like it provided such a nice contrast to the seriousness of the story. In the heavy moments, the humor was a welcome relief. It was definitely a signature of the series (and, I suspect, of Brennan's writing in general). While it's not be completely realistic (when is everyone really this quippy?), I adored it and wouldn't change a thing. The second and third books have a slightly more serious tone, but they still have plenty of wit and warmth.

10. Romance

Honest to goodness, this book has some of the best kissing scenes EVER. And when people aren't kissing, they're making romantic declarations that were enough to make me melt in a puddle on the floor.

"I want to guard you because you are important to me. Because you are - God, this is going to sound so stupid, I can never think of a way to say it - you are precious. I can never think of how to describe the value you have to me, because all the words for value suggest that you belong to me, and you don't.”

DEAD. DONE. No need to send help because that would imply there's a problem. But it's not all stolen kisses, longing glances and whispered words. There's also that special brand of swoon that comes from hot boys with a hint of mystery and danger:

"Some people, Kami knew, had bedroom eyes. She was saddened to have to admit that ______ had filthy alleyway eyes."

And, you know, the amazingness of someone recognizing that you're powerful all on your own so they say things like:

"I thought you would like a weapon better than a rescue."

There's also the swooning from:

"...the thrill of sharing your secret soul and having someone think it was wonderful.” 

Did I get carried away? Nope. Because I didn't even share some of the very best parts.

11. Emotion

I'm pretty sure that Sarah Rees Brennan lives on the tears of her readers. I rarely cry while reading, but these books broke me. Yes, I bawled. I loved these characters SO much, and I was so invested in everything that happened to them. There is so much emotion packed in these pages - grief, frustration, hope, fear, love, anger, bitterness, joy, disgust... It's all there.

"She had worried that she would break if her heart broke, but she wasn't broken. She had lost everything, but she was not lost. It seemed a worthwhile thing to know."

These books will break you, but in the best way possible.

This series will try to steal your heart, your time and your tears. 

And you'll surrender all of those things willingly and with no regrets.

PS - If you need extra convincing, check out Morgan's series review!

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Teen Mama Drama

Teen Mama Drama

Oct 15, 2014

Trouble by Non Pratt

Release Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster | Simon & Schuster BFYR
Pages: 384 pages
Source & Format: Library; Hardcover
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Summary (from Goodreads)
In this dazzling debut novel, a pregnant teen learns the meaning of friendship—from the boy who pretends to be her baby’s father.

When the entire high school finds out that Hannah Shepard is pregnant via her ex-best friend, she has a full-on meltdown in her backyard. The one witness (besides the rest of the world): Aaron Tyler, a transfer student and the only boy who doesn’t seem to want to get into Hannah’s pants. Confused and scared, Hannah needs someone to be on her side. Wishing to make up for his own past mistakes, Aaron does the unthinkable and offers to pretend to be the father of Hannah’s unborn baby. Even more unbelievable, Hannah hears herself saying “yes.”

Told in alternating perspectives between Hannah and Aaron, Trouble is the story of two teenagers helping each other to move forward in the wake of tragedy and devastating choices. As you read about their year of loss, regret, and hope, you’ll remember your first, real best friend—and how they were like a first love.

Thoughts on Trouble
I spotted Trouble at the library one day, loved the cover and grabbed it on a whim. I sat down to read a few chapters the next day – just to sample it – and ended up reading the whole book. It’s not the type of book that I’d typically gravitate toward because it’s a little heavier and more raw, but I’m glad I read it.

Trouble focuses on Hannah and Aaron, two high school students. Hannah has just found out she’s pregnant… but who is the father? Aaron has just transferred to the school, and he’s kind of a loner. He’s got a lot of pain in his past, but no one really knows his story. When the whole school finds out about Hannah’s pregnancy, Aaron offers to pretend to be the dad and Hannah agrees to the plan.

Overall, I was a little torn on the two main characters. These are both teenagers who very clearly act and think like teenagers, even when that means you sometimes want to shake some sense into them. I enjoyed Aaron more than Hannah, but I struggled with both at times. I don’t know whether to applaud Pratt for depicting a girl who is so unlike most YA heroines and yet still feels realistic… or admit that I was really annoyed with Hannah for most of the book. She was so frustrating in her teenager-ness, if that makes sense. And I really wanted more character progression overall. There didn’t seem to be much growth for her or Aaron – they are both relatively the same at the end of the book as they were at the beginning. Their lives have changed, but I’m not totally sure that they changed at all.

The plot focuses a lot on the build-up – who is the father, when will people find out Hannah’s pregnant, how will she deal once the baby is here, etc. There’s all this rising action, but I never felt like I got any resolution. You find out the father, but you don’t really see the fallout of the revelation. You find out about Aaron’s past, but you never get to see him actually deal with it. He shares it, but there wasn’t emotional closure there. I can handle a slower plot if the writing or characters steals my heart, but that didn’t really happen for me in Trouble. There are a lot of things introduced in this book that just have little to no resolution. I can appreciate an open ending when it makes sense or has emotional closure, but this just felt messy to me overall.

And honestly, I had so many questions about some of the things happening in this book. I got lost in the story, but I became more aware of my issues with it after I finished reading. Certain things just don’t seem realistic to me – like that Aaron’s parents would let him pretend to the be father of Hannah’s baby. There are also real-world consequences surrounding the identity of the father, but those are never addressed. Personally, I felt uncomfortable with some of the sexual content in the book. I don’t want to pretend that teens aren’t having sex or having these conversations, but I still found it a bit too much at times. Some of my issues are related more to me as a reader, but a few are things that just didn’t add up when you think of them in a real-world context.

My immediate reaction when I finished Trouble was that I enjoyed, and I did while I was reading it. But my feelings changed a bit as I thought about it more. I liked that it felt different and so unique, and I was certainly caught up in the story because I finished it so quickly! I think the addictiveness of the book and the emotional moments at the end had me closing the book on a more positive note than I feel today. While it wasn’t quite right for me in the end, there was still something refreshing about this book!

So Quotable
“It's too much to be forgiven when all you want is to be blamed.”

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Take Me Away!

Take Me Away!

Oct 14, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/top ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so it makes perfect sense that I'd love this feature!

For Real

1. Mankato, Minnesota from Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace

This series is set in a place called Deep Valley, but it's based on Lovelace's hometown, Mankato. I'd love to visit it based on the way it was described in the books! 

2. Prince Edward Island, Canada from Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery

This is on my dream vacation list, and it will happen sooner or later. I love this series and this author so much - I'm dying to see the place that inspired her!

3. Williamsburg, Virginia from American Girls: Felicity series by Valerie Tripp

I was all about Felicity growing up, and one year I begged my parents to take us to Williamsburg for our family vacation. They made it happen, and I was in nerd heaven!

Fiction(ish)

4. Misselthwaite Manor from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 

Real Place: Yorkshire, England

I love how the setting is like a character it in its own right in this book, and I'd love to see it in real life! While it would be best if I could go back in time, I'd take a modern-day visit, too!

5. Pemberley from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Real Place: Derbyshire, England

Technically, I would love to do like an Austen tour of England... but Pemberley (and Derbyshire) would be at the top of my list. Can you blame me?!

6. Tara Plantation from Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Real Place: Georgia

While it's such a sad time in the South's history, I would love to get to explore the architecture of the antebellum years. I love that some of these homes still exist - they are so gorgeous!

Fantasy

7. Erilea from Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

While I'm not dying to visit Erilea in its current political state, I'd totally love to visit if this fictional world was a peace. Although I might just be hoping to run into Chaol... or Rowan.

8. Hogwarts from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

DUH. I feel like no explanation is even necessary here.

9. Narnia from The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I haven't read all of the Narnia books (I know, I know) - but I loved the few I read growing up. And who didn't wish they could walk through a wardrobe into a magical world?!

10. Thisby from The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Although it's a violent place, I'd love to spend some time on the island of Thisby. This setting totally stole the show for me in The Scorpio Races!

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Four Days With Family

Four Days With Family

Oct 13, 2014

Reunion by Hannah Pittard

Release Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Hachette | Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 288 pages
Source & Format: Publisher at BEA; e-ARC
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Summary (from Goodreads)

Five minutes before her flight is set to take off, Kate Pulaski, failed screenwriter and newly-failed wife, learns that her estranged father killed himself. More shocked than saddened by the news, she reluctantly gives in to her older siblings' request that she join them--and her many half-siblings, and most of her father's five former wives--in Atlanta, their birthplace, for a final farewell.

Written with huge heart and bracing wit, REUNION takes place over the following four days, as family secrets are revealed, personal deceits are uncovered, and Kate--an inveterate liar looking for a way to come clean--slowly begins to acknowledge the overwhelming similarities between herself and the man she never thought she'd claim as an influence, much less a father. Hannah Pittard's "engaging and vigorous" prose masterfully illuminates the problems that can divide modern families-and the ties that prove impossible to break.

Thoughts on Reunion

I was really intrigued when I picked up Reunion at BEA. I love the cover, and the summary caught my eye. I can't resist a book that deals with sibling relationships and family dynamics! At the heart of Reunion there's Kate Pulaski and her two older siblings, Elliott and Nell. She's on a flight headed home when, right before takeoff, she discovers that her father killed himself. Although the news is shocking, she's really not that sad. They had a strained relationship all of her life, but she agrees to join her siblings in Atlanta to say goodbye... where they'll be joined by their many half-siblings and most of their father's five former wives.

In many ways, Reunion explores the secrets we keep from ourselves and from the people who think they know us best. Kate, Elliot and Nell are close, but there are still cracks in the foundation of their relationships with one another. I thought Reunion did a great job at exploring how complicated family can be - how you can love and hate someone at the same time and the tangled mess of growing up, getting older and drifting apart.

It all felt a bit flat to me, and I wanted there to be more! I had no emotional reaction to what I was reading, and I wasn't invested in anything that was happening. The chapter titles also summarize exactly what's about to happen in the chapter, and I found it really odd. I mean, why would I read the chapter if you've basically just told me what happens in it? For example, "Peter comes to the airport," "Sasha comes to fetch us," "cooking dinner, getting drunk," etc. I really didn't like being told what was about to happen.

Unfortunately, I wasn't connected to the characters at all. I wanted to tell Kate to grow up - she was annoying me so much, and I didn't feel any sympathy for her. And I felt like everyone else was a bit two-dimensional. They were present, but I couldn't tell you much about them.

It was a very quick read, but I couldn't help wondering if I would have liked it better if there was just a bit "more" to it. I loved Pittard's writing style, but the premise and plot felt very predictable. In a way, it read more like literary fiction to me - it explored the ties that bind and the tensions that break, but I didn't feel like I really understood the purpose of what I was reading. For a short book, it feels like the story meanders around and has no point to it. Sadly, it was ultimately a forgettable read for me.

So Quotable

"The human heart is nothing if not confusing and confused."

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review.

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Series Speed Date: Round #5

Series Speed Date: Round #5

Oct 10, 2014

This section will cover any key details about the series.

The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series

Books In Series: Shiver, Linger and Forever 

Companion Books In Series: Sinner

Released: 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2014

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages: 390 pages | 360 pages | 390 pages | 357 pages

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What do these covers say about this series?

I've included the redesigned covers above, since they match Sinner, but I kind of hate them. The originals are so much better! While I was never really drawn to these books, I still think the covers were fitting. You can tell that the books involve interaction between people and wolves, and the forest hints at darker themes or that feeling of isolation. However, the new covers essentially depict the same thing - just with a different look.

Based on the summary, what can you expect going into this series?

I knew based on the summary of Shiver that these books were about werewolves. Honestly, that's really not my thing. I've gotten more into fantasy this year, but I was still hesitant to try this series. However, I loved the lyrical writing and well-developed setting in The Scorpio Races and The Raven Boys so I figured it was worth a shot. I also expected an "epic love story" since it sounded like the books revolved around Sam, the yellow-eyed boy who is also a wolf, and Grace, the girl who loves him.

What are some of the highlights of the series?

An independent, determined and smart heroine.

A loyal, protective, and thoughtful boy.

A myth that comes alive and roams in the woods behind your house.

A world that feels like a dark and dangerous fairy tale.

A powerful man and the scared citizens who want to wipe out a threat to their town.

A shift in temperatures and a secret that must stay hidden.

A group of unlikely friends who are bound to one another by the secrets they keep.

An impossible love story and the fight to find a place to belong.

 How will you feel closing the last page?

Technically, Forever is the final book in this series. Although Sinner is a companion book, it doesn't continue the story of Mercy Falls. For me, the story with Sam and Grace - their individual arcs, their progression as a couple and the conflict they were facing in Mercy Falls - was resolved at the end of Forever. It's intense and emotional, and the stakes are higher than ever for these characters. There were a few things that felt a bit off to me, but it finished on a good note overall. However, there are some things that just didn't work for me upon reflection.

The books gradually shifted from focusing on Sam and Grace to really being about Sam, Grace, Isabel and Cole. While I appreciated Isabel and Cole, I did feel like they became a distraction at times. So, I was excited when I learned that Sinner was their story. Since it's set in Los Angeles and is a very different story than the one in The Wolves of Mercy Falls books, I think it can be read as a standalone. You'll miss out on some of the backstory and character development, of course, but it can be done. For as much as I loved Isabel and Cole in the previous books, I wasn't crazy about them in Sinner. I think the drama and angst just became a little too much for me! I thought Sinner was okay, but I didn't love it the way I expected.

Summing up this series in just three words? 

Intense. Creative. Addicting.

Is this series worth your time?

I'm a little torn! These books were incredibly addicting - I think I finished the entire series within a week. I really enjoyed them the entire time I was reading, but I like them a bit less now that some time has passed. Part of my problem is that I didn't connect emotionally to the story and never really understood why Sam and Grace loved one another. I think it kept me from feeling the full impact of the emotional or tense moments in the story - there was never a time where I felt anxious or sad about what was taking place.

I did love the reasoning and complexity behind werewolves in this story, especially the way science and myth intertwined. The setting was also well developed, which I've come to expect with Stiefvater. The writing was lyrical, but it definitely didn't compare to The Scorpio Races or The Raven Cycle for me. I think those stories are just so much more complex! The series also shifts from focusing on Sam and Grace by adding the point of views of a few secondary characters. It's something that I liked but think may bother other readers. This is a series that I'd likely recommend with reservations and not before I suggested some of Stiefvater's other books. I enjoyed them, but I wouldn't re-read them and would suggest sampling the first book before committing.

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