Sophie Reads YA

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Review: Unmarked (The Legion #2) by Kami Garcia

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Unmarked
Series: The Legion #2
Author: Kami Garcia
Published September 11th 2014 by Simon & Schuster Childrens Books

Goodreads Synopsis
The heart-pounding sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller, Unbreakable, by New York Times bestselling Beautiful Creatures co-author Kami Garcia.
He is here... and he could be anyone.
Kennedy Waters lives in a world where vengeance spirits kill, ghosts keep secrets, and a demon walks among us–a demon she accidentally set free.
Now Kennedy and the other Legion members–Alara, Priest, Lukas, and Jared–have to hunt him down. As they learn more about the history of the Legion and the Illuminati, Kennedy realizes that the greatest mystery of all does not belong to any secret order, but to her own family. With the clock ticking and the life of someone she loves hanging in the balance, Kennedy has to ask the question she fears most: what is it about her past that has left her Unmarked?
Goodreads

Review
Unmarked has been one of my most anticipated reads for 2014, and I can safely say it did not disappoint!

This book began where the previous novel, Unbreakable, left off, and we were thrown right back into the action. In the previous novel, Kennedy had been feeling like an outsider and this is a recurring theme throughout this instalment. Some questions that were asked in Unbreakable were answered in Unmarked, though we also have many new questions that will make us begging for what appears to be an exciting 3rd book.

The relationship between Kennedy and Jared was just so cute, and every moment between them from their first encounter has had me squealing and feeling all the feels. I am desperate for the next book to discover how they can overcome the (fairly large) problems they have encountered so far. Kennedy's relationships with the other characters, some we knew already, and some newcomers, were amazing to see, as I feel we saw Kennedy grow from the girl we met at the beginning of the series.

I personally can not wait for the next book in this series, when that will be I don't know (goodreads has no information as of yet) but as soon as I find out it will right on my most anticipated 2015 list.

Dates Read:
October 2 to 3, 2014

Rating
5 Stars

Huntley Fitzpatrick

Waiting on Wednesday: The Boy Most Likely To (My Life Next Door #2) by Huntley Fitzpatrick

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5 Stars

ARC Review: Damage Done by Amanda Panitch

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Damage Done
Series: None
Author: Amanda Panitch
Published July 21st 2015 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Synopsis
22 minutes separate Julia Vann’s before and after.
Before: Julia had a twin brother, a boyfriend, and a best friend.
After: She has a new identity, a new hometown, and memories of those twenty-two minutes that refuse to come into focus. At least, that’s what she tells the police.
Now that she’s Lucy Black, she's able to begin again. She's even getting used to the empty bedroom where her brother should be. And her fresh start has attracted the attention of one of the hottest guys in school, a boy who will do anything to protect her. But when someone much more dangerous also takes notice, Lucy's forced to confront the dark secrets she thought were safely left behind.
One thing is clear: The damage done can never be erased. It’s only just beginning. . . .
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Wow, just wow. I would like to apologise in advance for this review, as I'll never be able to gush enough over how amazing Damage Done is.

First of all, let me say I wasn't really expecting much from this book. When I saw it on NetGalley a few months ago, it was definitely a case of cover love, and the fact that it was read now sealed the deal. Since then, I have seen an influx of flattering reviews, and knew I needed to read it ASAP. That was, easily, one of the best decisions I've made recently.

As stated in the synopsis, Julia/Lucy had to run from her original life, because her sociopathic brother shot 11 people in her school band room. And to top it all off, she was in the room, and was the sole survivor. Thinking her brother was in a coma after a failed suicide attempt, Lucy, as she is now known, can now relax, and try to resume a normal life. Unfortunately her past soon catches up with her, and everything falls apart.

Considering this was Panitch's debut novel, I am overwhelmed with the depth of her writing. I started this book at approximately 10 am this morning, and it's only 9:30 pm as I'm writing this. Honestly, I could not put down this book. Basically, the only time I've stopped reading was to shower, and eat; other than that, I've had my iPad glued to my hand. All the descriptive language made me feel as if I was actually in the book, and considering how thrilling it was, this wasn't exactly a 'nice' feeling. As every chapter passed by, I was on the edge of my seat for more. The final chapters neigh on killed me, and I was completely thrown by the revelation at the end. Normally I can sort of guess what the plot twist will be, and this was a case that I didn't even want to consider it could be true.

Julia/Lucy was a character you wanted to like, but at the same time there was always something beneath the surface that made you stay away. Her love for Ryan was interesting, and I loved how Panitch dealt with this situation. To be perfectly honest, all the character were fascinating to read about, included the somewhat absentee parents, who I kind of want to blame for some of the sociopathic tendencies present throughout the story. Dr Spence was a wonderful addition to the story, and his interludes from his journal between chapters helped to increase the tension of the action.

I don't even think there's more I can say about this book, other than I am in shock and awe at this book. It was utter perfection, and Panitch should be lauded for her excellent debut. Everyone should get there hands on this book as soon as they can, and I seriously can not wait for more from Panitch - she is an author to keep an eye on, and I'm expecting great things from her in the future.

Dates Read:
July 10, 2015

Rating
5 Stars

July

Stacking the Shelves: July 11th 2015

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5 Stars

Review: My Life Next Door (My Life Next Door #1) by Huntley Fitzpatrick

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My Life Next Door
Series: My Life Next Door #1
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Published June 13th 2013 by Speak

Goodreads Synopsis
"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.
Goodreads

Review
Wow, just wow! I now understand why everyone seems to love this book so much.

In My Life Next Door we meet Samantha Reed, who seems to have the perfect life. Her mother is state senator Grace Reed, she goes to a private school, has good grades, etc., etc. However, she has always been intrigued by her next door neighbours, the Garrett's. Mr and Mrs Garrett moved in about ten years ago, and have eight children. They are also loud, and messy, and basically everything Samantha, her sister, Tracey, and her mother, aren't. When Jase, the third Garrett child comes into Samantha's life everything changes, mainly for the better. The Garrett's welcome Samantha with open arms, and she becomes like one of the family. Her and Jase fall in love, and everything is wonderful. Until it isn't.

I really loved the dynamics of both the Reed and Garrett families. Being an only children, I related more with Samantha, who seemed to be on her own for most of them time at the beginning. Though the Garrett's may be a slightly dysfunctional family, they all obviously love and care for each other, and would do anything for the family. The way they embraced Samantha was wonderful, and she definitely developed relationships with each member of the Garrett family, mainly Jase, George, and Andy. I did have a slight problem with how she kept her involvement with the Garrett's secret for the first half of the book, though I did understand why, what with her mother criticising them at every turn.

One character it's safe to I hated was Clay. He was a manipulative SoB, who did everything to further his own interests, going so far as to cause a crime later on in the book. He's Grace's new boyfriend, and is running the show in regards to her re election campaign. It was actually because of Clay that Samantha and Jase started talking, so I suppose that's something I should like him for.

With Grace running for re-election, Samantha had a lot of time free, which she used to spend more time with Jase, the other Garrett's, and her friends Nan and Tim. Tim was amazing - an angsty, problem ridden boy, trying to overcome these issues, and succeeding. He was really there for Samantha when she was struggling with what was happening towards the end of the book, and I actually preferred him over his twin sister, Nan, as Samantha's best friend.

Jase and Samantha's romance was downright beautiful! It never felt rushed to me. Jase always wanted to be the best for Samantha, and though he had nothing to worry about, he questioned whether he was good enough for her. I honestly could not think of anyone better for Sam. Because of him, Sam came out of her shell, became less bigoted towards the Garrett's, like most of the town were, and questioned what was right and wrong. They both brought out the best in each other, and seemed like a real teenage couple.

As with most YA Contemporary books, something happens that causes a lot of angst, and could have MAJOR implications for the protagonists. I'm seriously glad that there will be a companion novel to My Life Next Door, about Tim and Alice Garrett, so that we can see how everything worked out after the somewhat vague ending of this book.

Nonetheless, I'm so glad I bought this book at Barnes & Noble while in Florida, as it was the perfect summer read. If you haven't read this already, I would definitely get around to it asap. August just can't come soon enough, and I hope to see more of Sam and Jase's wonderful relationship in The Boy Most Likely To!

Dates Read:
June 20-21, 2015

Rating
5 Stars