Future YA Books on Mondays: #3

As you all know, I try to make our dreary Mondays a bit brighter by showcasing a fantastic new YA book that will be coming out in 2013. Stay tuned, y'all, because you'll be wanting to add today's hot new novel to your to-read list--which is...

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer!


Scarlet is the sequel to the ever-popular Cinder, which was Marissa Meyer's debut novel. Here's a quick summary, straight from Goodreads:

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Now, onto some exciting stats! I was checking out Scarlet on Goodreads, and what I found is a very positive response from readers. For a book that's not even published yet, it's earned 4.52 out of 5 stars! As of this moment, 251 people have rated it, and 194 have added reviws. It is expected to be published on February 5th, 2013--so a week or so before Valentine's Day, make sure you hit the bookstore to grab the hot new sequel to Cinder.

Onto our about the author section...Marissa Meyer's debut novel was Cinder, published on January 3rd, 2012. She lives in Tacoma, Washington and is engaged. She loves road trips, wine tasting, and hunting for antiques. Her official website, where you can check out the latest news on both Cinder and Scarlet, is marissameyer.com, where she has a great blog for you guys to look at after perusing what's up with her two books.

Now, after reading all that, you better be excited. And if you have no clue what the summary is about, I suggest you try her first ah-mazing novel, Cinder. Thanks for reading, guys, and make sure you've got Scarlet on your to-read list!

Review: Privilege by Kate Brian

CONTEMPORARY TEEN FICTION

Most girls would die for a life of privilege...some would even kill for it.

Ariana Osgood ruled exclusive Easton Academy--until she was arrested for murdering Thomas Pearson. She's spent the past two years at the Brenda T. Trumbull Correctional Facility for Women plotting her escape and is determined to get a second chance at the glamorous life she left behind. And Ariana will do anything to get her way...

From the author of the bestselling PRIVATE novels comes a new series about the dark world of wealth, secrets, and PRIVILEGE.

Wow! I was psyched to be starting a new series by Kate Brian after finishing the last book in the Private series, and I got excellent results from this book.

Now, I wasn't really sure how much I would like a story written from the perspective of a crazy, psychotic bitch who goes around murdering innocent people and hates my fave book character, Reed, with a burning passion. I was willing to give the Privilege series a chance, but I didn't think I'd find it as enjoyable as Private. I was wrong! Ariana is a very complex character, and she definitely deserves to be locked up for her weird way of easily committing murder. But the way she's written about gives the story behind this Reed-hating murderer a new twist...

In Privilege, Ariana's been locked up in a crappy prison cell with her new best friend, Kaitlynn, for almost two years. But she has a plan to break out, and she goes ahead and puts it into action by pretending to commit suicide and then escaping the facility, wiping the permanent smirk off her asshole of a psychologist's face. Once she's out, she has Kaitlynn's stories of the girl's old life to help her in the world. Apparently, Kaitlynn once had a friend named Briana Leigh, who was also friends with Emma Walsh--another mutual acquaintance of both Briana Leigh and Kaitlynn. Then, according to Kaitlynn's story, Briana Leigh wanted her father's money, so she offed the old croaker and landed Kaitlynn in prison by framing her best friend. Ariana believes her friend's story wholeheartedly and uses it to her complete advantage once she gets out. She walks up to Briana Leigh, pretends to be Emma Walsh, and lives with the snotty BL in her huge mansion. All she really wants is the girl's money and a chance to have a new life. But when Ariana's so-called suicide is being questioined by the authorities, and when Briana turns out to be a real bitch, Ariana knows the easiest way to get her every wish granted is to murder the girl...

 I have to say, I'm really impressed by this new series. Somehow, Ariana's casual approach to murder doesn't seem so...crazy anymore. It's almost as if I can understand why she's murdering people left and right to get he way. I mean, if I was in the same position as Ariana, I'd probably try to get BL's money, and while I wouldn't murder her, I'd do anything to land myself a future. And somehow, even though Ariana uses the most awful, gruesome way to do it, I admire her independence and resilience. Girl's got a plan for life, and she's not about to let living in a stupid prison cell and another polka-dot-wearing bitch hinder her.

However, the twist that I get near the ending makes me hate Ariana all over again. I won't give too much away, but all I can say is: Ariana miscalculated Briana Leigh's bitchiness, and it seems that the girl is dead for no good reason...shocking, right? I couldn't stop turning the pages throughout the whole book, but when I got to this part, I was reading at double my normal speed. My heart rate was up, and I was definitely hooked onto the suspense and mystery.


Now, I know y'all might be thinking that Privilege doesn't have half the drama, glamour, suspense, and mystery as Private does. And on some level, you may be right. But the way Privilege satisfies my craving for books is totally different than the way Private does. Both ways, though, the Privilege series is off to a great start, landing five stars!

Review: Vengeance by Kate Brian

CONTEMPORARY TEEN FICTION

So hard to say goodbye...

Ever since arriving at Easton Academy, Reed Brennan has endured the worst: the death of her boyfriend, the destruction of Billings House, and threats on her own life. But she has also found true love in Josh Hollis, and sisters in the Billings Girls. Billings has meant everything to Reed--it's been her home away from home, and she is devastated that it's now just a heap of rubble on the Easton campus. But not for long.

Noelle and Reed are rebuilding Billings.

Not everyone wants Billings resurrected, and some will go to deadly lengths to stop it. Will Reed get the happy ending she and her friends so desperately need? Or will tragedy strike again?

I can't believe it. Honest to God, I really, truly can't believe it. Private is over. It's over! No more crying with Reed over Josh's hatred for Billings, no more rolling my eyes at Noelle's kickass comments, no more turning the pages knowing that thrilling mysterious, drama, and glamour will satisfy my every craving. It's...gone. Oh my God! It's definitely gone. Now what am I gonna do?

I want to cry, but let's be positive. 'Cause Vengeance was an awesome book, and for all of you are who are eagerly awaiting my review of the awesome conclusion to the bestselling Private series, listen up. I have to say, even with the amazing drama and suspense in Vengeance, I think this was the coziest, best feel-good book in the series. I was all warm and glowy and sappy inside after turning the last page, and I gotta admit, those are three words I never thought I'd be associating with the Private series. The satisfying ending was sweet, victorious for Reed, and a little bit sad all in one.

Now, the shock that I got in this one was fantastic! Okay, so Reed's rebuilding Billings, but someone out there wants to stop her. However, a mystery texter is assisting her. For example, at the awards banquet, someone was trying to kidnap her. But she'd received a message earlier saying not to go to the awards banquet, and it's creeping her out: who knows all this stuff? So when she asks the mystery texter to meet with her, he leads her to the house of the girl she thought died long ago. But what she finds inside scared the hell out of me...

Wow, wow, wow! Old characters were re-introduced, the plot was deliciously complex and twisted, and the stakes were raised as more people try to murder Reed even though she's a kickass main character who just deserves a freaking happy ending which she finally did get in Vengeance. Whoa. That was a super-long sentence, but I think y'all get my point. Vengeance had a bunch of drama, and even though it did, the ending was bittersweet, with all the graduating people leaving Easton, including Josh, but Reed finally getting the happiness she's deserved all along.

Now, onto the characters! I've talked enough about the superb plot, but I haven't really mentioned the characters at all so far. Reed, as always, was spectacular. She made some great choices by rebuilding Billings, and some not-so-great ones, like visiting the mystery texter, but in the end, she came out triumphant. I could feel her every emotion and thought like it was my own through this book, like I always have been able to. But in Vengeance, her relatability as a character was spectacular. I felt like Reed's been my best friend for life. Aside from Reed, Josh was an awesome character. Ever-supportive of Reed, he cared about his girlfriend and knew to 'fess up when Reed was worried about him. And then Noelle, Kiran, and Taylor. The true Billings Girls, the gals who've loved Reed like a sister and have been there throughout the whole series. Amazing, guys, really. These girls are popular, confident, intelligent, and beautiful. And while they don't let anyone forget that for a minute, they really do care for Reed. So I love the concept of friendship and sisterhood in this one.

Congratulations, y'all. Vengeance has received five stars--but y'all knew it would anyway. But most importantly, congratulations on undertaking Reed's perspective for about sixteen books. Congratulations on rooting for this gal right along with me. Congratulations on admiring this author's amazing writing! Seriously, I commend Kate Brian. And I'm actually about to go stalk her on the official Private website, which is privatenovels.com. I can't wait for the Privilege series, and I'm desperately hoping that this spinoff series featuring the psychotic Ariana is just as good as Private. Until next time, guys!

Review: Ominous by Kate Brian

CONTEMPORARY TEEN FICTION

The beginning of the end...

After they discovered a shocking secret about the original Billings Girls, Reed Brennan and Noelle Lange's world was turned upside down. But it's nothing compared to what happens next.

One by one, Billings Girls go missing from campus.

The entire community bands together to find the lost girls, hoping they're still alive. Reed can't believe tragedy has struck Easton again, and she begins to wonder if the Billings Girls are cursed. But when the first body shows up containing a message just for her, she fears her friends are worse than cursed: they're doomed.

Wow! What a perfect continuation of the stuff I learned in The Book of Spells. I have to say, Ominous was kind of a shock after all this historical speak and lovely new characters I came across, but no worries. It was shocking in a fantastic way.

So Reed and Noelle have discovered that they have the ability to become witches, and several of their friends actually are witches. Until, that is, Reed starts having horrible dreams. In one, Cheyenne kidnaps Astrid. In another, Sabine murders Lorna. In the third, the disaster falls straight into Missy's lap, and she's gone missing. Reed just thinks of them as nightmares at first, until it all starts to come true. One by one, Astrid, Lorna, and Missy are gone. And no one knows what's going on, until Reed comes across a crazy group of Billings alumnae...

Now, I can't say very much, or that would ruin the whole book, don't you think? But what I will say is, the part right before the ending is terrifying and shocking all at the same time. And then the BAM! that the book ends with is so sad that I can barely believe it happened. And it's very vital to the characters and plot, trust me. Am I driving you crazy with all the suspense? I hope so--you need to pick up Ominous if you've read everything in the series before it. It's definitely worth the read.

Another thing I really liked in Ominous was Josh. He really is a wonderful boyfriend to Reed, caring about her, never leaving her side, undergoing all these crazy missions and quests and digging up soil just for the girl he loves. And I found that so, so sweet! I might not have been a huge fan of Reed's boyfriend in previous books in the Private series, but in Ominous, he's fantastic--sweet, caring, loving, understanding, intelligent, and confident. He's got what it takes to be Reed's boyfriend, and I admire that.

I've gotta say that the suspense and drama in this book was unbearable. I know I say that about every single Private book I read, but in this one, the stakes are really upped. So many twists are thrown in that I don't even know what to say! I'm rendered speechless by Ominous.

Oh my God! This is the second to last book in the Private series! I'm so sad. I've got the Privilege series lined up, though, so I'll still be reading more of Kate Brian in the future. But I can't believe I'm gonna have to say goodbye to Reed in my next review! No-o-o-o! Even the greatness of this book can't soothe my sadness. Even though Ominous gets five stars, I'm still super sad about the series's ending sneaking up on me so quickly!

Review: The Book of Spells by Kate Brian

CONTEMPORARY TEEN FICTION

The year is 1915 when sixteen-year-old Eliza Williams arrives at the Billings School for Girls in Easton, Connecticut. Her parents expect her to learn the qualities of a graceful, dutiful wife. But Eliza and her housemates have a dangerous secret: they're witches.

After finding a dusty, leather-bound spell book, the Billings Girls form a secret coven. Bonded in sisterhood, they cast spells--cursing their headmistress with laryngitis, brewing potions to bolster their courage before dances, and conjuring beautiful dresses out of rags.

The girls taste freedom and power for the first time, but what starts out as innocent fun turns sinister when one of the spells has an unexpected--and deadly--consequence. Magic could bring Eliza everything she's ever wanted...but it could also destroy everything she holds dear.

What a thrilling, mysterious, gripping prequel to the Private series! I was riveted throughout the whole book and honestly couldn't stop turning the pages. First off, the thing that surprised me most was the zero knowledge of the Private series you need to have in order to understand this book--and that's a good thing. So, for you people who have been following my reviews but aren't really reading the books along with 'em, then this book is for you. A magical, enchanting novel that doesn't depend on the rest of the books in the series to make sense.

I respected and admired Eliza Williams as much as I do Reed Brennan. She is a strong, brave protagonist who knows very clearly what she wants. She is passionate about life in general, and while she cannot be described as rebellious, she is not content with living under society's strict norms. I love how she makes her friends, holds her relationships dear, and does what she wants. She understands the importance of truths and kindness, but she's not limited by virtues. She has her flaws, but they're what make her special. Eliza is an independent girl, which is what makes or breaks a protagonist. And this main character is amazing.

Each character in this book was amazing, really. Theresa Billings, the girl whose father owns Billings, is rigid, mean, and sarcastic at the beginning. But when Eliza truly gets to know her and actually befriends her because of the deadly spell that took place in the deep of the woods one night, it turns out Theresa really does have a heart. And since Eliza is majorly crushing on Theresa's betrothed, Harrison, their friendship is almost impossible, but it does happen. And that's what makes Kate Brian an author of amazing miracles, as far as friendship, sisterhood, mysterious, and glamour go.

I have to say, the plot in this one was very complex and enjoyable. I never even thought of associating the Private series with witchcraft, but now it seems like it fits right in. After all, Billings is such an elegant, glamorous, mysterious, dramatic place that anything can happen in that dorm. Especially when that anything goes way back in Billings history. Now I understand the true mystery associated with Reed's Billings's Literary Society book. The only question that remains is, who exactly gave Reed the book? I really hope the question is answered in the series, because I am looking forward to hearing about it.

Anyway, now I'm just rambling. Y'all have probably realized how much I love The Book of Spells and how much you will too, and you also have probably realized that it fits right in with the series because of Reed's newfounded Billings Literary Society. Make sure you check out the rest of my Private and Privilege reviews, guys, because The Book of Spells gets five stars!

Review: Vanished by Kate Brian

CONTEMPORARY TEEN FICTION

Lost and found...

Against all odds, Reed Brennan re-established Billings as an underground literary society. She and the new initiates created a glamorous secret headquarters and were ready to show Easton Academy that even though Billings House is gone, the Billings Girls are stronger than ever. But before Reed had a chance to revel in her success, something horrible happened:

Noelle disappeared.

Now Reed has no idea who wants to hurt Noelle or why, but it's up to Reed to save her. As the clues build up, the clock ticks down, and Reed fears that unless she finds Noelle soon, she'll lose her friend forever...

Oh, the drama, the drama! God, I feel like I'm actually in a soap opera, jus reading this. Except the majestic Italian show revolves around the lives of overprivileged (except for Reed) teenagers.

Now, the kidnappers have been texting Reed all along. She must do these ridiculous tasks in order to get her friend back, and when she receives a video from Noelle that shows her with a gash across her face and pleading for Reed to do whatever they ask of her to do so, Reed knows that she has to. She has to save Noelle's life, after all, and what could be more important than the girl who's stuck by her side for years?

So Reed goes out and does all the stupid tasks. Shoplift, piss off the headmaster, break up with the love of her life, the cutie Josh Hollis, in public, and finally, walk seven miles to find Noelle in a shed. She does this all, for her friend, and my heart breaks. Reed is so strong, so brave, so courageous. She risks her own life, her own health, her own love, her own reputation, to find her friend and save Noelle. Reed does everything in her power to do so, and I was about to cry at these torturous tasks. I know who the kidnapper is now, but throughout the book, I was thinking: Geez! Why would anyone want to hurt Reed like this so badly? And yet Reed does it. Even though Noelle's called her glass-licker, even though Noelle's been stomping on her pretty face ever since Reed was initiated into Billings. But she's out to save Noelle because of the girl's positive side, because of Noelle's personality. Noelle's accepted Reed wholeheartedly, and now it's Reed's turn to give back to her friend.

I think I've ranted enough about the plot, so moving on. Josh was SO cute in this one! Reed has excellent taste in boyfriends, if I do say so myself. When Reed received the first message from the kidnappers, Josh read it, and he vowed to stay by her side for the whole ordeal ever since. I mean, what kind of boyfriend would do that? The immature ones we have to deal with at our schools would probably run away, white as a ghost, and never look back again. Josh is sweet, strong, and though he has his flaws, he's perfect for Reed because he takes care of her so well and makes her such an independent person while making sure that she has plenty of time to kiss him too. What a great guy, honestly.

Kate Brian has really outdone herself in this novel. The plot is superb, with so many twists that you couldn't straighten it out with a Chi flat iron. She's got depth in her characters, the element of unpredictability in her plot, and a world as a whole that draws me in so well I don't want to let go. I know I've mentioned this before, but the plot was excellent. The tasks were outrageous, the ending was hugely revealing and yet kind of pissed me off as well, and...I loved it. What can I say? I loved every minute of this book...

And if you know what's good for you, you will too. Anyhow, congratulations to Vanished, which gets a fantastic five stars! Make sure to check out the rest of my reviews of the Private series. And after the Private series, I'll be reading the Privilege series, which is a spinoff of Private. So yeah--look out for the rest of my reviews.

Review: Scandal by Kate Brian

CONTEMPORARY TEEN FICTION

Brave new world...

After her terrifying Caribbean vacation, Reed can't wait to get back to campus and resume her normal life of classes, shopping trips with the Billings Girls, and late-night gossip sessions. But when she arrives at Easton, she gets the shock of a lifetime.

Billings House is gone.

The administration has razed the scandal-rocked dorm and separated the Billings Girls. Outraged, Reed takes immediate action, turning Billings into a secret literary society--with a whole new set of rules. Eleven spots are open to any girl strong enough to endure initiation. Every girl on campus wants in, and it's up to Reed to pick the best and the brightest. And only the strongest will survive...

Oh, wow. Oh my God--this was so unbelievably AMAZING! I love the Private novels so, so much. And this one was definitely no exception to my absolute and undivided, unadulterated, sheer admiration for this wonderful series.

My heart ached for Reed in this book, but for so many different reasons. First of all, her house has been taken away from her. The haven where she worked so hard to get into is gone, destroyed, wrecked, all because of a new headmaster, Mr. Hathaway, who's son, Sawyer, is definitely hitting on Reed. The emptiness she felt in her heart at the sight of Billings being bulldozed down definitely reverberated in my mind. I felt her pain, understood her reaction. And that's the best part, when you can have a pity party with the main character because you understand her so well. Kate Brian has once again gone and created a fabulously relatable perspective of Reed Brennan, our awesome girl here.

But, wait. I haven't finished. I also felt super-sad for her when she thought about Josh all the time. I know I said before that she was better off without him, but I was so wrong. Now that he's dating Ivy Slade, Reed's friend next door, it's even more awkward, and Reed wants him back so badly it's breaking my own heart. And I'll give you a little spoiler here, so if you don't want me to spoil Reed's love life, don't look at this next sentence: Josh--gasp!--actually breaks up with Ivy and kisses Reed so tenderly, so reverently, so lovingly, that I actually had a tear or two in my eye.

God, I love the idea of Reed falling in love. She's such a strong protagonist that she deserves an adorable, sturdy, amazing boy like Josh. She's needed him, she's wanted him, and he's come to her rescue. In fact, Josh is so cute that I don't even care about Upton anymore. And if y'all don't know who Upton is, check out my previous review. Or better yet--read the previous book in the Private series.

But then I'm rooting for her all the way when she gets this book on her bed and decides to found the Billings Literary Society. She has to break the hearts of her friends, severe connections, and go against every rule of the new headmaster's to do it, but she does. She truly reunites the Billings Girls at the heart of what belongs in every exclusive socialite--the concept of sisterhood, of friendship, of togetherness. And that's what's got me cheering for Reed Brennan all the way. Because she knows what's right, she knows what's wrong, and even though she makes mistakes, she does something so spectacular, so in-character, so true to herself and yet helpful to others that I wish she was my best friend all over again.

However, that's not the best part of this fantastically dramatic book. In the end, they're having a little Billings Literary Society meeting in the chapel, with food and casualties and banter, until...everything goes awry. And what exactly goes awry, I will not tell you, my faithful blog followers. You must read Scandal to find out! And make sure you do check out this fab book, because Scandal gets five stars.