Review: Otherbound

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Nolan can never close his eyes. Every time he does, whether it is for blinking or sleeping, he is pulled into Amara’s mind. Amara is a servant in another world. Her job is to protect the cursed princess and do whatever it takes to stay alive. Although Nolan has been aware of Amara for years, she has no idea that he spends time in her head. When Nolan’s new medication causes him to take control of Amara, she becomes aware of him and shuts him out. They believe they are free from each other, but then they discover this breakthrough may not be all roses.

Otherbound is a story that alternates between a fantasy world and our world. Even though the story alternates between Amara and Nolan and two different worlds, readers will have no trouble following along with the events. Duyvis’ debut novel is action packed and the story progresses quickly and smoothly. As a refreshing stand-alone novel in this world of YA series, readers will enjoy starting and finishing this book without waiting for the next installment. This is not a “drop everything and read” book, but it was enjoyable and a welcome escape.




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Review: When Mr. Dog Bites

When Mr. Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Dylan Mint has issues. It isn’t enough that at sixteen years old, he is still a virgin, he also has Tourette’s. He is constantly trying to control his swearing, the tics and what he calls “Mr. Dog.” During what Dylan thought was a routine doctor’s appointment; he overhears his mother and a doctor talking. Dylan learns that he is going to die in March and they are planning to keep it from him. In order to go out in style, Dylan sets three goals and goes after them with all his energy.

When Mr. Dog Bites includes all the thoughts and feelings that go through most sixteen year old boys, yet these thoughts are also random and spiral in nature due to Tourette’s. Conaghan was able to capture the essence of this disorder without demeaning the character. Readers will enjoy this book even if they don’t know anyone with these distracting characteristics. Many of the conversations that Dylan has with other characters had me laughing out loud and then looking around to see if anyone noticed. A fun read that has its own serious side.




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Review: Hacker

Hacker by Ted Dekker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Nyah Parks needs $250,000 for an experimental treatment for her mother. What is a seventeen year old genius to do? She goes after the biggest job of her life, hacking into a data storage company to get them to hire her to update their security system. When this job goes wrong, she is suddenly way over her head and must complete one last hack. This hack will either save her or be her death.

Hacker is the third book in The Outlaw Chronicles. Although the first two books in this series are more companions than serial, this book is definitely part of the series with Austin from the first book, Eyes Wide Open, playing a large part. Readers who pick this book up without reading the first two will not have any trouble discovering the main story line. Hacker is another parable based on strong Christian beliefs that lead readers to question what they think is true. Dekker does not disappoint with an action packed thriller that keeps the eyes moving across the page.




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Review: Take Me On

Take Me On by Katie McGarry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Haley has a national kickboxing title, but for the past 6 months she has refused to fight. Only one person knows why she stopped, and it is in his best interest not to tell. While coming home from getting her father’s medication she is forced with a choice. Let a stranger get beaten protecting her, or step in and fight the assailant. When school resumes she discovers that the mysterious stranger is now the new kid and he has his eyes on her. To make matters worse, he steps in (again) when she is confronted about the assault. In order to save face, West must fight a MMA cage match. Although he is a boxer, MMA is not the same. Haley decides she won’t fight, but she will help West train.

Take Me On is the newest and most thought provoking of the Pushing the Limits books. The first three books had a bad boy and good girl, but this book shakes the pattern up. West is rich but has a temper. Haley’s father lost his job a year earlier and she will do anything to keep her family together. Throw in fighting rivalry, family rifts on both sides and secrets that threaten to tear both people apart and you have a book you can’t put down. McGarry has really outdone herself with this book. It goes beyond a romance novel and touches on issues that most people can relate to, even if they never experienced it themselves. Can Haley get West ready in time? Will either of their families ever be whole again? Fans of the previous books will enjoy the cameo appearances of the characters from those books!




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Review: The Girl with the Windup Heart

The Girl with the Windup Heart by Kady Cross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Mila may be part automaton, but she is now a woman with a woman’s feelings. When her feelings toward Jack Dandy don’t seem to be reciprocated, she flees with her broken heart. As she strives for her independence away from her mentor and protector, she discovers her talents are loved in the West End’s circus. During this time, Finley Jayne and her friends are entering the Aether in order to rescue Griffin King. He is being held prisoner by The Machinist, but Finley will not accept defeat, especially when Griffin is at stake. Finley discovers truths about herself in the Aether and Griffin must face his greatest fear in order to possibly defeat The Machinist and leave the Aether.

The Girl with the Windup Heart is the fourth book in the Steampunk Chronicles. Readers who have followed Finley through the previous three books will quickly discover that this book is not mainly about her. The majority of the content is about Mila, but Cross does a superb job wrapping up the story lines that have been weaving in and out of the books. The Girl with the Windup Heart finishes as if the series is complete, but readers can see that Cross has created a group of characters so deep that additional stories or a spin off series could be possible. A satisfying read, but I don’t recommend any readers start with this book. Find the first book and read everything.




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Review: We Are the Goldens

We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Nell used to call herself and her sister, Layla, Nellaya since there was no point in which one stopped and the other began. They were the same person. Then Layla starts school early and Nell starts school late and there are 2 grades separating them. With the beginning of Nell’s freshman year of high school, she yearns for the days they were one person. She quickly learns that her sister has changed and now there is a secret. After Nell discovers the truth and swears to not tell anyone, the pressure to be the perfect sister and daughter becomes unbearable.

We Are the Goldens is written as a letter from Nell to Layla. Readers are not kept in the dark about the primary secret, but an underlying secret climax is hinted at throughout. As Nell tries to find her place in high school and navigate the torrential dating paths, she quickly learns that even though those cheesy high school movies can’t be true, there are many facts they do get right and if she doesn’t want to become one of those stories, she must make an active effort herself. Reinhardt has created a story that will pull in readers without unnecessary side stories. This is a quick read with the bare bones of several stories that affect teenagers on a daily basis. Even if the reader hasn’t experienced any of these events, they can still loose themselves in a great read. With its short length, I can see this becoming popular with many reluctant readers.




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Review: Oblivion

Oblivion by Sasha Dawn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Callie cannot remember what happened the night her father disappeared. She knows what she has been told. That is the fact that her father is missing, a girl named Hannah is missing and Callie was found in an abandoned apartment writing “I KILLED HIM” on the wall. Although her father is the reverend of the local church, she knows that he is not a good man and she suspects that his and Hannah’s disappearances are connected. Ever since she has returned from the first 36 hours of amnesia, she has periodic black outs and an overwhelming urge to write. The police believe her writings will lead them to the truth, but no one has been able to discover the connections.

Oblivion is a strange tale that will cause the reader to wonder where the author is going. Dawn creates a protagonist that is strong even with her many flaws. The story progresses nicely with enough teenage romance and drama to keep the average young adult reader happy, yet the mystery of the disappearances and Callie’s graphomania will entice readers who want a little meat. This is a stand-alone novel that will stand out, especially in this time of series fiction. The ending wraps up all the major questions and even answers a question I hadn’t thought of until the revelation occurred. Oblivion is a great read that will entertain a wide audience.




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