Category Archives: Sourcebooks Fire

December 3, 2018 · 11:56 pm

Review: What You Hide by Natalie D. Richards

Title: What You Hide by Natalie D. Richards
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Mystery
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Mallory didn’t want to leave home, but it wasn’t safe to stay. So she sleeps at her best friend’s house and spends the rest of her time at the library, doing her online schoolwork and figuring out what comes next. Because she’s not going live in fear like her mother.

Spencer volunteers at the library. Sure, it’s community service for a stunt he pulled, but he likes the work. And it’s the perfect escape from his parents’ pressure to excel at school, at ice hockey, at everything. Especially after he meets Mallory.

Then there is a tragic death at the library. Suddenly, what was once a sanctuary turns sinister. Ghostly footprints, strange scratching sounds, scrawled messages on bulletin boards and walls… Mallory and Spencer don’t know who or what is responsible, but one thing is for sure:

They are not as alone—or as safe—as they thought.

Review:

What You Hide by Natalie D. Richards is a poignant young adult novel which also includes a slight mystery element.

Sixteen year old Mallory Halston has been trying to get her pregnant mother to leave her overbearing stepfather Charlie. After her latest effort fails, Mallory knows she cannot remain at home when Charlie issues a menacing threat. Determined to be stronger than her mother, Mallory enrolls in an online school in order to continue her education. She winds up spending most of her free time in a local library where she meets Spencer Keller.  She is uneasy about their growing friendship and she stubbornly tries to resist his efforts to help her once he realizes she has been staying overnight in the library.

Mallory is fearful for her and her mother’s safety because of Charlie’s controlling behavior.  Mallory is shocked at the changes in her mother but her efforts to help her have been fruitless. In spite of the challenges of her current homelessness, Mallory knows she has made the right decision to strike out on her own.  However, she is aware that her current living arrangements are unsustainable for long term but she is struggling with finding a solution. Will Mallory be forced to return to the dysfunctional life she left behind?

Spencer’s life is the complete opposite of Mallory’s. He is from a wealthy family and he leads a rather privileged life.  Despite the advantages his parents provide him, he is struggling under the weight of his family’s expectations for his future. Spencer is resisting his family’s pressure to make plans for college due to reasons he finds difficult to articulate. His problems pale in comparison to Mallory’s issues yet she is quick to assure him that his troubles are just as valid as hers. Will helping Mallory provide Spencer with a clearer picture of what he wants to do with his life?

A mystery at the library is welcome, albeit frightening, distraction for Mallory and Spencer. After a young woman dies inside the library, mysterious footprints, heartbreaking notes and woeful crying begin occurring with alarming frequency. Although Mallory has stayed overnight at the library on numerous occasions, she has yet to locate the person responsible for these eerie happenings. Can Mallory and Spencer solve the mystery of who is responsible for these unsettling events?

Written in first person and alternating between Spencer’s and Mallory’s points of view,  What You Hide  is an engaging young adult novel that touches on relevant social issues. Mallory is a strong young woman who is wise beyond her years. Spencer is a charming, likable teenager who, despite his wealthy background, is struggling with some of the same issues as other kids his age.  The romance between Mallory and Spencer is low-key and unfolds naturally from their budding friendship. The mystery aspect is subtle and adds another layer to the multi-dimensional storyline.  Natalie D. Richards brings the novel to an imperfect conclusion that is realistic.  I highly recommend this heartfelt young adult novel to readers of all ages.

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Filed under Contemporary, Mystery, Natalie D Richards, Rated B, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, What You Hide, Young Adult

May 2, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: August and Everything After by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Title: August and Everything After by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

One last summer to escape, to find herself, to figure out what comes next. Fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han will love this contemporary, coming-of-age romance.

Graduation was supposed to be a relief. Except Quinn can’t avoid the rumors that plagued her throughout high school or the barrage of well-intentioned questions about her college plans. How is she supposed to know what she wants to do for the next four years, let alone the rest of her life? And why does no one understand that it’s hard for her to think about the future—or feel as if she even deserves one—when her best friend is dead?

Spending the summer with her aunt on the Jersey shore may just be the fresh start Quinn so desperately needs. And when she meets Malcolm, a musician with his own haunted past, she starts to believe in second chances. Can Quinn find love while finding herself?

Review:

August and Everything After by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski is a charming young adult novel about forgiveness and healing.

Recent high school grad Quinn Gallo’s life forever changed after the death of her best friend Lynn three years ago. Quinn has never forgiven herself for her self-perceived role in Lynn’s death and she has made one bad decision after another in the intervening years. Following her latest mortifying choice that landed her in the local news, her mom lets her spend the rest of the summer with her Aunt Annie on the Jersey Shore.  Quinn’s mom wants her to use this time away to come up with a plan for what she wants to do with her life. Will a chance meeting with singer/songwriter Malcolm Trent  help her figure out a direction her future?

Although on the surface he appears to have his life together, in many ways Malcolm is a bigger mess than Quinn. He is dealing with his own issues from a tragic accident that left two of his band mates dead.  Six months into recovery from an addiction to painkillers, Malcolm is hoping a few original songs will jumpstart his musical career. A relationship is nowhere in his plans but will the time he and Quinn spend together lead to a romance that lasts beyond the summer?

Quinn and Malcolm unexpectedly bond over their respective tragedies since they both struggle with survivors’ guilt and their misplaced belief they are unworthy of happiness. However their friendship  is firmly cemented when Quinn and her co-worker Liam become Malcolm’s band mates on his upcoming album.  Quinn does not have the best track record in choosing boyfriends so she is content with the slow development of their surprising romance. Their relationship has a shelf life since Quinn may not be staying in town past August and Malcolm is going to embark on a three month tour. He would like nothing better than for her to go on tour with him, but is leaving with Malcolm the right choice for Quinn?

With an appealing cast of characters, a picturesque setting and realistic issues to overcome, August and Everything After is well-written, engaging young adult novel. Although both Malcolm and Quinn grow and change throughout the story, Quinn undergoes the biggest transformation as she makes peace with her past and begins to figure out what she wants for her future.  Jennifer Salvato Doktorski brings this redemptive novel to a somewhat surprising conclusion that will definitely take readers off guard.  A fantastic read that I absolutely loved and highly recommend to readers of all ages.

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Filed under August and Everything After, Contemporary, Jennifer Salvato Doktorski, Rated B+, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, Young Adult

February 25, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Secrets We Bury by Stacie Ramey

Title: The Secrets We Bury by Stacie Ramey
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In an effort to escape his family, Dylan sets out on the Appalachian trail—but he can’t escape his past—or his secrets in this novel from the author of The Sister Pact.

Dylan Taggart is on the run. His family is trying to put him in a school for psychologically challenged students, and he gets it—he has issues. But a special school is a complete overreaction. And in six months, he’ll be a legal adult, so Dylan decides to disappear on the Appalachian Trail until he can make his own decisions.

Dylan wanted independence, but setting out on a 2,190-mile hike by himself is more than he bargained for. And he keeps crossing paths with another teen hiker, known only as “The Ghost.” This mysterious girl is also making the trek alone, and Dylan can tell she’s trying to escape too. But from what? When disaster strikes, how can they trust each other if they can’t face their own secrets?

Review:

The Secrets We Bury by Stacie Ramey is a young adult novel  that sensitively deals with topics of grief and sensory disorders.

Six months shy of his eighteenth birthday, Dylan Taggert runs away from home to avoid being sent to a school for students with a variety of psychological issues.  Dylan has a few different sensory problems in addition to not being able to read other people’s emotional cues. He also has a few phobias, difficulties staying on task and inappropriate reactions when he cannot handle situations. So, Dylan has decided the solution to his problems is a six month long hike on the Appalachian Trail. With the help of his cousin, Emily, who is also his best friend, Dylan sets off on his adventure where he meets an enigmatic young woman, Sophie and a well-liked, experienced hiker named Rain Main.

Dylan is quite aware of the problems that his issues cause with the people around him but he seems incapable of controlling his disruptive behavior.  He knows that running away is going to have an adverse reaction with his mother, but he just cannot deal with going to this new school. He faces many challenges on his hike but he surprisingly manages to power through these issues. Dylan’s confidence in himself rises with each obstacle he overcomes and he is surprisingly comfortable with his solitary journey.

Dylan is immediately captivated by another lone hiker he runs into. Despite his difficulty reading other people’s emotions, he does accurately assess what some of her actions might indicate. His curiosity about her sometimes leads to intrusive decisions but he is self-aware enough to realize he is invading her privacy. Once they are formally introduced, Dylan is continually surprised by his out of the ordinary his reactions to Sophie.

The other hiker that Dylan meets on his trek is an older man who has vast experience on the Trail. Rain Main (his trail nickname) is an affable hiker who is quite welcoming and very wise.  Despite Rain Main’s cheery disposition, Dylan is a little uneasy once he discovers some troubling information from other hikers about Rain Main’s situation. He is very determined to reach Rain Main but he encounters some difficulties as he strikes out on a mission to reach him before it is too late.

The Secrets We Bury is an engaging young adult novel that tackles some very difficult subject matter in a thoughtful and informative manner. Despite his numerous quirks and sensory dysfunction, Dylan is a surprisingly charming and likable character who undergoes a tremendous amount of personal growth during his adventures on the Appalachian Trail.  Stacie Ramey does a wonderful job bringing not only Dylan but also the Trail and the people he encounters vividly to life. An absolutely heartfelt  story that will appeal to readers of all ages.

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Filed under Contemporary, Rated B, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, Stacie Ramey, The Secrets We Bury, Young Adult

January 3, 2018 · 11:56 pm

Review: Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Title: Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Magical Realism (slight)
Length: 372 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller This Is Where It Ends comes another unforgettable story of loss, hope, betrayal, and the quest for truth

Best friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in their snow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Corey moves away, she makes Kyra promise to stay strong during the long, dark winter, and wait for her return.

Just days before Corey is to return home to visit, Kyra dies. Corey is devastated—and confused. The entire Lost community speaks in hushed tones about the town’s lost daughter, saying her death was meant to be. And they push Corey away like she’s a stranger.

Corey knows something is wrong. With every hour, her suspicion grows. Lost is keeping secrets—chilling secrets. But piecing together the truth about what happened to her best friend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in an Alaskan winter…

Review:

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp is a mystical young adult novel about friendship, mental illness and loss.

Corey Johnson and her family’s move from Lost Creek, Alaska to Canada means leaving behind her best friend, Kyra Henderson. The young women have sort of drifted apart since the move in spite of Kyra’s letters and Corey’s upcoming visit. Shocked to learn Kyra has died, Corey goes to Lost Creek to try to understand what happened to her friend. She quickly discovers the townspeople now consider her an outsider and despite some eerie and threatening occurrences, Corey is determined to understand what happened to Kyra in the months leading up to her death.

While Corey is more of a scientist, Kyra is a gifted painter who used art to help her deal with the manic phase of her bipolar disorder. Corey never dreamed the residents of Lost Creek would believe that Kyra’s vibrant paintings were anything other than art. Needless to say, she is stunned to learn that the townspeople finally accepted Kyra into their midst and they believed her paintings were portents of the future.  

As Corey tries to uncover the truth about what happened in the aftermath of her move, she is troubled by what seem to be ethereal encounters that she cannot decide are real or a product of her imagination. Even more frightening are the reactions of Kyra’s parents and the rest of the town when Corey refuses to stop trying to understand exactly why no one stepped in to help Krya is the months before her death.

Although well-written, the pacing of the novel is extremely slow. Neither Kyra nor Corey are well-developed and the secondary characters are somewhat superficial.  Much of the young women’s friendship is revealed through a series of non-linear flashbacks so trying to keep up with the time frame in which events are occurring is confusing. Toward the end of the novel, a few chapters appear to be written from the town’s perspective and these snippets are presented as if they are scenes from a play. The entire storyline is somewhat unrealistic and the townspeople’s collective reaction to what happened to Kyra  is too incredibly strange to believe.  And Kyra’s parents’ easy acceptance of the sequence of events is just so bizarre and the way they treat Corey is heartbreaking.

An interesting story with a great atmosphere, Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp is a unique young adult novel that touches on true to life issues.  Despite the fantastic setting, readers might be frustrated by the confusing timeline, a hard to believe storyline and a vaguely dissatisfying conclusion that leaves a few unanswered questions.

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Filed under Before I Let Go, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Marieke Nijkamp, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, Young Adult

December 31, 2017 · 11:56 pm

Review: As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti

Title: As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Magical Realism
Length: 432 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

If you could make one wish that was guaranteed to come true—what would you wish for?

Rules for Wishing:

  1. Never let an outsider find out about wishing. (Zip your lips and throw away the key.)
  2. Wishes that would impact the world are off limits (i.e. no bringing back the dinosaurs).
  3. Do no harm. (Murder = no bueno.)
  4. No time travel. (What’s done is done, pal.)
  5. No bringing back the dead. (Come on. You’ve seen what happens in THE WALKING DEAD.)
  6. NEVER BREAK THE RULES. (Seriously. We mean it. See Rule #7.)
  7. There are always consequences.

Madison is a small town in the Mojave desert on the road between nothing and nowhere. It’s an unremarkable speck on the map, which is perfect for protecting the town’s secret. Because in Madison, everyone can make one wish on their eighteenth birthday-and that wish always comes true.

Most of Eldon’s classmates have had their wishes picked out for months, even years. Not Eldon. He’s seen how wishing has hurt the people around him. His parents’ marriage is strained, his sister is a virtual ghost in their house, his ex-girlfriend is dating his ex-friend…where does he even begin?

One thing is for sure: Eldon has only twenty-five days to figure it out—and the rest of his life to live with the consequences.

Review:

As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti is a clever, well-written young adult novel that is quite thought-provoking.

The small town of Madison, NV has a secret its residents must protect: everyone gets to make a wish on their eighteen birthday and each wish comes true.  With his eighteenth birthday fast approaching, Eldon Wilkes is agonizing over what to wish for. He knows what his mom would like him to request but he also knows the wish won’t make the difference she thinks it will. His principal is a wanna be psychologist who loves to hand out advice and he recommends Eldon talk to the other residents about their wishes to get a feel for how well their lives turned out when their wishes were granted. With the help of his best friend, Merrill Delacruz and their new friend, Norie Havermayer, Eldon tries to decide whether or not he will make his wish and if he can live with consequences no matter what he finally chooses to do.

Up until his senior year, Eldon lived a pretty charmed life. He was a popular football star with a gorgeous girlfriend. After an unexpected personal tragedy, he lost the girl and months later, he is still jealous over her new relationship.  Eldon struggles with anger issues despite counseling and helpful advice. He is initially not easy to like but over the course of the novel, he matures and changes as he gets to know the other residents in town. Eldon remains far from perfect, but he becomes more self-aware which in turn makes him much more sympathetic and likable.

The wish element of the storyline is very well executed.  Several of the wishes that have been granted over the years ended with unexpected consequences and many residents have regrets about their wishes. Seeing so much unhappiness makes Eldon’s decision even more difficult and as his wish day approaches, he is even more confused than ever. He makes an ill-fated choice that takes his wish decision out of his hands yet he still remains conflicted about the ability to make a wish.  Not everyone is happy with his final decision but Eldon will surprise everyone with how he chooses to handle the aftermath of his choice.

As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti is a poignant, thought-provoking young adult novel that is quite unique. The storyline is entertaining and surprisingly insightful but Eldon’s journey is what makes the story so compelling. Will he transform from a self-absorbed and arrogant jock into a thoughtful young man who finally faces the consequences of his decisions?

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Filed under As You Wish, Chelsea Sedoti, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Rated B+, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, Young Adult

December 3, 2017 · 11:57 pm

Review: Rules of Rain by Leah Scheier

Title: Rules of Rain by Leah Scheier
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance
Length: 386 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

Rain has taken care of Ethan all of their lives. Before she even knew what autism meant, she was her twin brother’s connection to the world around him. Each day with Ethan is unvarying and predictable, and Rain takes comfort in being the one who holds their family together. It’s nice to be needed—to be the center of someone’s world. If only her longtime crush, Liam, would notice her too…

Then one night, her life is upended by a mistake she can’t undo. Suddenly Rain’s new romance begins to unravel along with her carefully constructed rules. Rain isn’t used to asking for help—and certainly not from Ethan. But the brother she’s always protected is the only one who can help her. And letting go of the past may be the only way for Rain to hold onto her relationships that matter most.

Review:

Rules of Rain by Leah Scheier is a heartwarming and poignant young adult novel.

Rain Rosenblatt has always protected and taken care of her twin brother, Ethan, who is autistic. Now sixteen,  both siblings find romance which unexpectedly throws their relationship into a bit of turmoil. Rain is surprised to discover that her crush, Liam, returns her feelings and their relationship is off to an awkward but promising start. At the same time, her best friend Hope and Ethan are exploring their feelings for one another and Rain is not exactly on board with their burgeoning romance. As Ethan begins to expand his horizons beyond the safe, comfortable confines of their home, Rain finds herself continually off balance when she discovers she does not know her brother as well as she thought.

Rain is very loyal to Ethan and since her single mom has abdicated his care to her, her life pretty much revolves around her brother’s schedule and predictable routines. Always anticipating his needs and certain she knows what is best for him, she bases most of her decisions around him including her plans beyond high school.  Rain is definitely not in favor of his relationship with Hope, but once she realizes her opinion is not going to change anything, she tries to push her misgivings aside.  However, Rain is also struggling to adjust to the changes in her relationship with Ethan as he continues to be more independent.

Liam is a great character but he comes across as a little too perfect. He is great with Ethan and he treats him just any other kid their age. He is beyond patient with Rain’s quirks and he is her biggest cheerleader. Liam’s plans for the future are quite different than hers but with so many changes occurring with her brother, she is a bit adrift as she tries to figure out if her dreams are what she truly wants for herself.

Rain and Ethan’s family situation is less than ideal. Their parents went through a somewhat acrimonious divorce and they live with their mother in Montana while their dad lives in DC.   Rain’s mom is one of those parents who becomes fixated on using alternative methods to “fix” Ethan and rejects traditional medical advice when faced with her own health crisis. Rain’s dad is making more of an effort to be present in their lives but Rain is struggling with their reconciliation.

Rules of Rain by Leah Scheier is thought-provoking journey of self discovery for both Ethan and Rain. Their relationship is wonderfully depicted and Rain’s difficulties with accepting the changes in their relationship are frustrating yet realistic. Ethan’s romance with Hope is so incredibly sweet and surprisingly free from drama. Rain’s relationship with Liam is also quite endearing but an ill-thought out decision results in unintended consequences. I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend this captivating young adult novel to readers of all ages.

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Filed under Contemporary, Leah Scheier, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Rules of Rain, Sourcebooks Fire, Young Adult