Review: One Last Chance to Live

One Last Chance to Live by Francisco X. Stork
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nico wants to be a writer.  He is taking a creative writing class at school and can feel the book inside him.  After having a dream about his funeral, he begins to wonder if he is going to die young.  It doesn’t help that his best friend’s girlfriend died the year before, especially since he was secretly crushing on her.  Now his mom is sick, and his brother is getting too close to a local gang.  What will Nico learn about himself and his family? 

One Last Chance to Live is a stand-alone realistic story that is short and sweet.  It was easy to get into but also very easy to forget.  The characters were enjoyable while reading, but I didn’t feel pulled back into the story after sitting it down for a while.  This would be a good book for reluctant readers, but avid readers will find it lacking.

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Review: Sync

Sync by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twins Storm and Lake have always had a connection.  Some may say they are in sync.  Even after five years in the foster care system, they easily know what the other one needs.  They are currently living in different homes, but they have hope as they age out of the system.  When Storm’s girlfriend is attacked and he retaliates, he is sent to lockup … again.  Lake has found acceptance in a new relationship until she is convinced to run away.  Now she is out in the world with no resources and no hope.  What obstacles will these teens have to face next?

Sync is a realistic fiction story that is told in a novel-in-verse format.  The story alternatives between Lake and Storm’s point of view, yet it was easy to follow along as the story unraveled.  There are various triggers throughout this tale, so readers should be prepared to read or skip over these events.  Hopkins did a wonderful job balancing some hard issues in an easy-to-digest format.  Sync is a strong pick for older teens or adults wanting an edgy read.

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Review: By Any Other Name

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the late 1500s, Emilia was sold by her family to be the mistress of Lord Chamberlain. Although she appears to have everything she needs … a voice is not one of them. She convinces a man to be the name on the plays she is writing and history will never know. Melina is in the present day and can’t get her work published either. When she has the chance to get her work performed, under a man’s name, she decides to go for it. Are these women’s stories ever coming out into the light?

By Any Other Name is a historical fiction story with intertwining narratives. Melina is a descendant of Emilia and appears to be taking inspiration from the story that she believes needs to be told. The facts about women being published in the past and the present are dealt with fairly and readers may even be inspired to look up some of these Shakespearean works to look for the clues mentioned. Although this is a long read, it will be a pleasure for those who enjoy this historical period.


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Review: Fire and Bones

Fire and Bones by Kathy Reichs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tempe has been asked to look at a new crime scene.  A series of arson attacks in Washington, DC have taken place and Tempe plans to get to the bottom of them.  She teams up with a journalist who helps her research bootleggers and racketeers from the early 1900s.  When another building in this historic area burns to the ground, Tempe wonders if the attacks are more specific.  Is someone keeping an eye on Tempe?  What will she uncover during her investigation?

Fire and Bones is the twenty-third book in the Temperance Brennan series.  Although this series is long-running, readers could jump into this book as a stand-alone and enjoy it anyway.  One of the quirks I liked about this book is that Tempe enjoyed junk food and fast food.  So many characters now push “clean living”, and it is wonderful to know that others struggle with eating quickly, even if they are in a book.  The mystery was spot on, and fans of the series will not be disappointed.

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Review: Such Charming Liars

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It has always been Kat and her mom, Jamie. There was a brief time when her mom was married, but that only lasted 48 hours. Jamie is a good jewel thief but wants to leave that life behind … after one last heist. Kat finagles onto the job, and they run into her mom’s ex-husband and his son. They have their own scam planned … then the billionaire dies. Who else is a target? Is there anyone Kat can trust?

Such Charming Liars was a fun if not exciting read. Although this book wasn’t very long, I didn’t find the mystery very attention-catching. The story moved along, and all questions got answered, but I finished the book wondering why I spent the time. It's not as good as McManus’ other books, but not the worst mystery written recently.


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Review: Break to You

Break to You by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Adriana must endure seven months in juvie.  The only saving grace is she has been permitted to keep her journal.  When she misplaces it, she thinks everyone will know her secret thoughts.  She is relieved when she finds it, but unsure when she discovers that someone has written back … a boy.  Jon is in juvie for a different reason and this journal may be the connection to someone else that he has been craving.

Break to You is a stand-alone realistic fiction story that helps readers understand the juvenile justice system as well as some issues that lead teens to be in juvie.  Although this is written by multiple authors, I did not see any demarcations of when one was writing and when another took over.  The overall story was well thought out and I was fully invested in these two young people.  A great story for teens and adults alike.

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Review: 49 Miles Alone

49 Miles Alone by Natalie D. Richards
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Katie and Aster have planned to spend 4 days alone in the desert trekking 49 miles.  They have made trips like this before, but this one has been a cluster from the beginning.  One of them becomes injured and the other becomes ill.  Then a storm shatters their resolve and ruins some of their supplies.  Just when they are about to give up and call for help, they run into a young couple with extra supplies.  They are happy for the help, but something about the boyfriend seems off.  Will this pair make it out alive?  What other obstacles will this trail throw their way?

49 Miles Alone is an adventure story that was half plot set up and half high octane.  It was interesting to learn about this type of hiking and the hazards that could occur, but the adventure was lackluster, and I had to keep re-reading passages to remember what was going on.  The book’s saving grace is that it was a short read.  49 Miles Alone would be good for a road trip distraction.

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