Publish Date: September 2nd, 2014 Publisher: Atheneum Books For Young Readers ISBN: 9781442497603 Pages: 320 Series: None Source: ARC from publisher for honest review Goodreads Synopsis: In the tradition of High Fidelity and Empire Records, this is the literary soundtrack to Skylark Martin's strange, mysterious, and extraordinary summer. This is the story of a wild girl and a ghost girl; a boy who knew nothing and a boy who thought he knew everything. It's a story about Skylark Martin, who lives with her father and brother in a vintage record shop and is trying to find her place in the world. It's about ten-year-old Super Agent Gully and his case of a lifetime. And about beautiful, reckless, sharp-as-knives Nancy. It's about tragi-hot Luke, and just-plain-tragic Mia Casey. It's about the dark underbelly of a curious neighborhood. It's about summer, and weirdness, and mystery, and music. And it's about life and death and grief and romance. All the good stuff. My Review: Let's be honest here, for the first half of the book I thought I was reading a book called "Girl Detective" and while there is ironically detective work throughout the novel, something just wasn't sitting right for me. It wasn't until I finally realized that I had the wrong name the whole time that I finally got into the book and read it for what it was. And it was fantastic!! The story, the characters - oh the characters!! - everything was perfectly executed in this brilliantly written novel that read like "Perks of Being a Wallflower". That's what I would picture while reading Girl Defective. I was highly reminded of Stephen Chbosky's masterpiece. That and Empire Records, which is just as cool. Skylar, her brother Gully and their dad own a record store. The mother left them to pursue her rock-star career so it's been the 3 of them since. While her life isn't extraordinary, it's anything but ordinary. Gully or Agent Seagull Martin is a detective (hence why I was convinced of the wrong title!) and he is out to save the world from your "brickers", "snouters", and other petty criminals. I really liked Gully, there was something about him that really stuck with me. His kindness towards everyone, his fun personality. He was definitely my favourite character. Skylar was likable too. She's just a young girl trying to get through life the best she can with what she has. She's funny and loves her brother even with all his quirks. Nancy, Skylars older, more experienced (in everything) friend is a force to be reckoned with. She was up and down and all over the place but played a huge part in the whole awesomeness of the book. There's not much I can say about the book really, just that it was great! It's one of the books that you'll have to read yourself, and it will sit on your shelf after you read it for the first time and in a few years you will pick it back up and read it in one sitting (just like Perks), It's that kind of book! I also loved that in my ARC, there was a note from Vice President, Publisher for Atheneum Books, Margaret K. McElderry books and S&S books that said " This book is FAR cooler than I will ever be! I hope you enjoy." That just about says it all!
Publish Date: October 7th, 2014 Publisher: Simon & Schuster ISBN: 978-1-4711-1815-9 Pages: 392 Series: None Source: From publisher for honest review Goodreads Synopsis: Britt Phieffer has never been that adventurous, but that's about to change. Wanting to impress her ex-boyfriend, Britt convinces best friend, Korbie, to take a trip with her and go trekking through the Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming. But when a freak storm leaves the girls stranded they seek shelter in a cabin, and find two knights in shining armour, Shaun and Mason, who are also hiding out. But all is not as it seems, and Britt quickly discovers that the guys are there for reasons other than hiking…dangerous reasons that mean they need to get off the mountain, fast. In exchange for her life, Britt is forced to guide them down, and as they set out on a harrowing journey through the cold and snow, Britt realises the only way to get out of this alive is to pretend she is on their side. But playing nice is hard, especially when Britt is unsure whether Mason, gorgeous and sexy, is the enemy or an ally. And as she begins to lose track of who is in control it is only a matter of time before things turn deadly… My Review: **May have some slight spoilers.** Alright, so I know there is a lot of hype for this book that comes out tomorrow. The cover, the synopsis and the author - New York Times Bestseller Becca Fitzpatrick is what is making Black Ice as talked about as it is. I'll admit, for me it was the cover that drew me in. I haven't read any of Becca Fitzpatricks books. I own Hush, Hush and Crescendo but haven't actually read them though I am a little more likely to read them now sooner then before. Fitzpatrick is a great writer. The detail in her work is amazing. There was a clear and vivid picture from start to end with Black Ice. And seriously, the mountains and snow covered forest are the perfect picture to envision. The story had me unsure at times. There would be some really good parts where I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. Then other times I thought the story was a little too far-fetched. When the hostage, Britt develops feelings for her captor and actually thinks she "falling in love"? I thought, "Oh come on! Really? This is ridiculous!" But then I would see her struggling with her emotions and I could feel Mason's sincerity therefore I could understand it a a bit more. It was difficult at times not to just give up with the book to be honest. The twists and turns throughout Black Ice were extraordinary and besides the clear writing it was the only thing that kept me going. Just like Britt was all over the map to get off the mountain, I was all over the "whodunit" map! I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. And while I couldn't relate to any of the characters, I found each one to be unique and bring something to the book. The main character Britt was strong and though she admitted she loved to have a guy take care of her, she pulled through with independence and strength near the end when she needed it most. As I've mentioned, I didn't love Black Ice but I didn't hate it either. It was a book where I just could not make up my mind about. Will I tell everyone it's a book they have to read? Will I re-read it again and again in the years to come? No, probably not. But it's unforgettable and and well written and it will be someone elses favourite I'm sure.
