Inherit Midnight (a daring review by Lexi)

Hey, our rockstar readers!

Happy April Fool's! But don't think we'll be pulling any jokes on you today in this post!

Long time, no write! Started a new job where I'm on the computer all day, so guess where I'm not when I get home, lol. And life? Omg. It's gotten in the way of everything. However, I'm making this blog a great big priority again, since I truly miss this, and you guys, who are wonderful and continue to support us!!! Hopefully, I'll have enough time to get back to my four days a week schedule. If not, I'll tell y'all the newest schedule soon!

So today's book was one where I knew would either be a hit or miss with me just based on how far the author could go with it. It's Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers!

Summary: "The Competition: Outlandishly wealthy Grandmother VanDemere has decided to leave her vast fortune to the family member who proves him or herself worthiest-by solving puzzles and riddles on a whirlwind race around the globe.

There will be eight competitors, three continents . . . and a prize worth millions.

The Players:

Seventeen-year-old Avery is the black sheep of the VanDemere clan, the ostracized illegitimate daughter. Finally, she has a chance to prove herself.

As the competition takes treacherous turns, it becomes clear there can only be one victor. Who can Avery truly trust? And is winning worth her life?" (Thank you, Goodreads!)

(Now, let's see if I can do this review without revealing anything at all, because I think you should truly walk as blind as possible into this book like I did...)

This book was a whirlwind of adventure! When I said I wanted this novel to be taken to the extreme and needed the author to go far with it, I was serious, and I was certainly not let down in the least! This novel was soooo much fun, and Avery traveled to places that I wanted to go, as well as places I hadn't dreamed of! The competition was amazing, and I was so dazzled with it all!

As for the other base story, which was Avery and her relationships with others, I was also very impressed. I half-expected this to be super sappy, and thank God it wasn't. The relationships and any changes made in them were valid and realistic in nature. And Avery's love interest? He was hott, and the way things played out in the book were just exactly what was needed.

The ending was a big surprise, and I'm so happy that I read this book. It's certainly one I'll be reading over and over again!

In Conclusion: This book is incredible, and I really hope you guys read it.

Recommendations: Read this when overcome with some wanderlust and want for some serious adventure!

Rating:

7/7 continents


Till next time!!!


XOXO,
Lexi

Sunday Afternoon Literary Fun!!! (a funny Sunday post by Lexi)

Dear Readers,

Hope this stuff makes you laugh!

Hope you liked!

Till next time!

XOXO,

Lexi

The Love, Lucy Playlist by April Lindner (an awesome guest post!!!)

Hello, readers,

Today is going to be dedicated to Love, Lucy playlist, and read what the creator, author April Lindner, has to say about it!

The following is written by April Lindner (YAY!!!):

When I graduated from college, my parents gave me the gift of a lifetime: two months backpacking solo through Europe.  I climbed an Alp in Switzerland, took the Sound of Music Tour in Austria, rode a Bateau Mouche in Paris, and ate fish and chips in the general vicinity of John Cleese in London—but nothing thrilled me as much as my time in Italy.  Maybe my abiding love of all things Italian can be explained by the fact that I’m half Italian.  Maybe it’s because I studied the language in college and can bluff my way through conversations with cabdrivers and waiters.  Or maybe it’s the art, the architecture, the amazing food, the warmhearted Italians, or the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Whatever the reason, I go back to Italy whenever I can (not often enough!) and, the rest of the time, I rely on music to transport me back to the land of my dreams. I can shut my eyes and listen, and suddenly I’m riding an overnight train into Florence, wandering through a sun-drenched piazza, hearing a street musician’s guitar, and falling in love all over again.

In putting together a playlist for my new novel, Love, Lucy, I chose songs with the power to jolt me back into Lucy’s world.  Here’s what you need to know about the plot of Love, Lucy: the summer before Lucy Sommersworth goes off to college, her parents send her on her very own backpacking trip of a lifetime to Europe, but there’s one little catch—she has to give up her dreams of an acting career and enroll as a business major at Forsythe University, her father’s alma mater.  In Florence, Lucy finds herself falling in love with the culture, the architecture, the food—and with Jesse Palladino, a footloose street musician.  Lucy returns home, determined to move on from her “vacation flirtation.”  But just because summer is over doesn’t mean Lucy and Jesse are over—or does it?

For Lucy’s playlist, I’ve chosen a mix of American rock and European pop. Here are some highlights:

• The first song, Check In by Fiamma Fumana perfectly captures the buzz of an airport’s busy international terminal, the sheer excitement of being about to hop on a plane to Europe for the very first time.

•  Lucy and her friend Charlene land in Paris, then backpack on to Salzberg, Vienna, and Munich, so I have tossed in some of Lucy’s favorite songs in German and French: Ne Me Quitte Pas by Regina Spektor; Elle Me Dit by Mika (a British pop star I first discovered in a café in Rome); and Madchen Mit Plan by 2raumwohnung.

• Italy is meant to be the trip’s grand finale for Lucy, and it’s the place where she meets and falls for Jesse. Songs like Cosa Hai Messo Nel Caffe by Malika Ayane, Come un Pittore by Moda, and Fammi Dormire by Matteo Beccuci capture the tenderness and excitement of a summer love in romantic Florence, Italy.

• Finally, I’ve tossed in some songs in English for good measure—We are Golden by Mika, Every Single Body Else, by Butch Walker, Whole World With You by Willie Nile—songs that capture the excitement of an American in Europe for the very first time—making new friends, walking through thrilling new landscapes, and saying yes to adventure.

Thank you to April Lindner for an awesome blog post today!!! We appreciate it!!!

Till next time, readers!

XOXO,

Lexi

"Love, Lucy" Release!!! (an EXCITING Lexi celebration)

Hello, all!!!

I have been reading nonstop for awhile, and am ready to post about lots of books for you guys!!! My favorite one so far has been Love, Lucy by April Lindner!!! I read it a month or so ago, but couldn't post about it because it was an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy). So I've been waiting and waiting and trying to distract myself till I could post about it; that's how much I love it!!! It just came out yesterday, so let's get on with the celebration!!! (Expect a formal review plus lots of fun content tomorrow!!!)

Here's the GORGEOUS cover:

I officially announce it as my favorite book thus far. I LOVE April Lindner's other novels, but this one just resonated with the wanderlust in me.

John Green described it best: "I'm in love with cities I've never been to and people I've never met."

This novel is just amazing, you guys. I know you all will love it!

This book also gave me hope as a girl who is going through a quarterlife crisis. I'll explain more tomorrow, but if you're a traveler (truly or at heart), want to follow your dreams, terrified of the future, or just want to escape into and/or just read an amazing novel, celebrate this book release with me!!!

Look forward to tomorrow for lots of fun things having to do with the book!!!

Till next time!!!

XOXO,

Lexi

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

To All Our Readers,

Have an amazing Christmas!!!

XOXO,

Lexi & Ash

"Illusions of Fate" (a crowing review by Lexi)

Our Awesome Readers,

Today's novel took my breath away and also took my imagination on a rollercoaster of creativity!!! The amazing novel is Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White.

Summary: "Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare in this lush, romantic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him."


You will adore a bird. Yep, you read that correctly. You will adore and want to befriend a bird. One bird in particular, actually.

Anyways, this book was amazing. The imagery took my breath away, and the story had me guessing until the very end! I loved the chemistry and storyline so very much that I zipped through the novel as fast as I could while still savoring every bit of it! I truly loved this book.

The main character, Jessamin, felt like me; I could relate to her in certain ways, and in others, I wanted to be able to. I loved the fact that she was an outcast. As for Finn, I adored him. I loved his awkwardness and his magic. I love the back story as well, and the details in this novel!!! I recommend this novel to everybody and anybody that wants to read something worthwhile.

In Conclusion & Suggestions: Curl up with this novel on a cold day and read till your heart's content. Warning - You'll probably try to read this all in one night, and that's okay.

Rating:

5/5 crows


Till next time!!!


XOXO,

Alexis/Lexi

"Psyched" (a freaky review by Lexi)

Dearest Readers,

I'm so excited to be sharing the next few books with you!!! They've all been great, and I'm in the process of reading yet another wonderful one!!! So get ready to read about some awesome novels!!! Today's is Psyched by Juli Caldwell!

Creepy looking cover, huh?

Summary: "Aisi Turay has it all under control. At least, she thinks she does. Forget that the most popular girl in school hates her guts and will stop at nothing to embarrass her. Forget that her little brother is tormented by the ghosts and demons she sees all the time. Forget that her mom is a con artist who pretends to be psychic to make some cash. Forget that her dad is hiding a secret than can destroy everything she knows about herself. Nope, she's got this one...until that one awful day when she nearly loses it all. With ghost-hunting hottie Vance, a guy who stumbled into her life at the worst possible moment, Aisi must search for the messages hidden in visions and memories to protect her family. Maybe, just maybe, they can reclaim what she thought was lost forever." (Thank you, Goodreads!)

The novel started out with action and did not disappoint from there on! This novel has an interesting background inside, and I'd have never thought of such a fabulous back story! I love how deep the abilities and story goes, and the paranormal ideas inside of it all!

The main character, Aisi, can see spirits, as can her little brother. Seeing what she sees can be terrifying, and her gift can be more of a curse at times. When she thinks she's all alone in this fight, it turns out that she's not, even though her family is broken, and she doesn't have many friends (okay, just the one). This novel had me from the first page, and I know that it'll grab you as well! The paranormal aspects may be fake, but you'll never think that as you're reading. The story and everything is so realistic and creepy! I think y'all will love it as much as me!

In Conclusion & Suggestions: Read it if you want a fast-paced novel that's action-filled but not too scary!

Rating:

4/5 ghosts (only because the novels I read following had me immersed in them more)


Till next time!


XOXO,

Lexi

"The Secret of Isobel Key" (a Scottish Lexi review)

Our Awesome Readers,

Hello again!

Ever had one of those novels that takes you into them, those ones that you absorb yourself into? This was one of them for me. It was the perfect combination of the past, the present, and some spooky coincidences. It's The Secret of Isobel Key by Jen McConnel.

Summary: "Lou is in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. Fresh out of college, she’s unemployed and unsure of herself. But when she gets the chance to escape to Scotland with her best friend, it could be the answer to her quest for self-discovery. The trip is not at all what she expected, especially when her tour guide turns out to be the dreamy historian Brian, and together they embark on a hunt for information about Isobel Key, a woman accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century.

They set out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but Lou isn’t prepared for the knowledge that awaits her. She must face her own demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.
Flashing between seventeenth century Scotland and a contemporary romance, THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY is a mystery that will please readers of all ages." (All thanks to Goodreads for this summary!)

So Lou was easy to relate to. See, she was in a quarter-life crisis after graduating college, which is a big, normal phenomenon these days. When you're confused on what to do next in your life, when you know you have a purpose and that something big is about to happen, but you just don't know what either is. This is what Lou experiences when she quits what was supposed to be a temporary job that turned into a full-time one (we've all been there, huh, twenty-somethings?). Then she's surprised with a trip to Scotland, which she tries to embrace fully. While being immersed into the mysteries and past injustices of Scotland, it doesn't hurt that there's a hott Scottish guy that walks into the picture.

I was hooked immediately. This novel was soooooo good, and made me want to travel to Scotland myself, ASAP. (Okay, some actors I love are Scottish, so this book just amped up my need. I love those accents!) Anyways, this novel seriously had me reading it as much as I could, which hadn't happened in this manner in a long time! It's such a marvelous book!

In Conclusion: READ THIS NOVEL. This is especially if you're in your teens, twenties, or even early thirties!

Suggestions: If you have some wanderlust, but are not sure how to get to it, or just questioning yourself, go for this book. If you want to learn something, read this novel. If you want an AMAZING and developed story with characters who are more than worth it, read this novel. In other words, read this whenever you want, wherever you can. Stormy days are always great though!

Rating:

5/5 Scottish Pounds

Till next time!


XOXO,
Lexi

"Perfected" (a dolly review by Lexi)

Dearest Readers,

Hi! Thanks for joining us today! I promise you won't regret it!

Today's novel makes a person think about no only the future, but the present. It's Perfected by Kate Jarvik Birch.

Summary: "Perfection comes at a price.

As soon as the government passed legislation allowing humans to be genetically engineered and sold as pets, the rich and powerful rushed to own beautiful girls like Ella. Trained from birth to be graceful, demure, and above all, perfect, these “family companions” enter their masters’ homes prepared to live a life of idle luxury.

Ella is happy with her new role as playmate for a congressman’s bubbly young daughter, but she doesn’t expect Penn, the congressman’s handsome and rebellious son. He’s the only person who sees beyond the perfect exterior to the girl within. Falling for him goes against every rule she knows…and the freedom she finds with him is intoxicating.
But when Ella is kidnapped and thrust into the dark underworld lurking beneath her pampered life, she’s faced with an unthinkable choice. Because the only thing more dangerous than staying with Penn’s family is leaving…and if she’s unsuccessful, she’ll face a fate far worse than death." (Yay, Goodreads!!!)

This novel seriously had me contemplating whether this will ever happen or not. Will we see/breed humans as pets one day? Will it have the same effect as it does in this novel? It was seriously a great thing to consider the meaning of it all.

The characters were good. I liked Ella, the main character, and how I got to experience everything new all over again. She could be tedious at times, but maybe that was just the book itself. Some of it I felt was unnecessary. Anywho, Penn was adorable, as was Ruby, his little sister. I think that we can relate to Ella, as a female, and in some of the things that she's feeling and going through. I think that makes the novel an easy read.

In Conclusion & Suggestions: Read it on your own time, and stick with it because the ending is actually pretty good.

Rating:

3/5 gowns


Till next time!

XOXO,
Lexi

"Faces of the Dead" (a ghastly Lexi review)

Dear Readers,

I was worried I wouldn't really get into today's book because it's a historical fiction novel, but I was wrong! It's Faces of the Dead by Suzanne Weyn. (She's seriously an awesome author...)

Summary: "When Marie-Therese, daughter of Marie Antoinette, slips into the streets of Paris at the height of the French Revolution, she finds a world much darker than what she's ever known.

When Marie-Thérèse Charlotte of France learns of the powerful rebellion sweeping her country, the sheltered princess is determined to see the revolution for herself. Switching places with a chambermaid, the princess sneaks out of the safety of the royal palace and into the heart of a city in strife.
Soon the princess is brushing shoulders with revolutionaries and activists. One boy in particular, Henri, befriends her and has her questioning the only life she's known. When the princess returns to the palace one night to find an angry mob storming its walls, she's forced into hiding in Paris. Henri brings her to the workshop of one Mademoiselle Grosholtz, whose wax figures seem to bring the famous back from the dead, and who looks at Marie-Thérèse as if she can see all of her secrets. There, the princess quickly discovers there's much more to the outside world - and to the mysterious woman's wax figures - than meets the eye." (Thank you, Goodreads!)

Okay, so the book was a bit slow in a couple of places (at least to me, but I know others may argue with me about this). This novel taught me a lot about Marie Antoinette and the rest of her family, and the revolution/uprising. I also loved the spooky parts, and think that the beginnings of some of the most well-known people in history that were suggested in here were just great! The characters were well-developed and fun. The main character was daring for a princess, and was strong, so I truly respected her. Her story was just fun and intriguing, and I loved it. Her love interest was a great one, and working with who would eventually be Madame Tussaud was fun! I hope y'all like it as much as I did!

In Conclusion and Suggestions: Read this novel. It's a great one, so stick with it. Read it when you want something a bit spooky, but also sweet and daring.


Rating:

4/5 wax figures (hard to rate)


Till next time!


XOXO,
Lexi

"Before I Die" (a long-term review by Lexi)

Dear Loverly Readers,

(If you got the "loverly" reference, awesome! lol)

I'm currently watching "Torchwood" for the first/second time, and am loving it. This has nothing at all to do with this novel I'm about to review, but it's an awesome show, so go watch it on BBC America.

Anywho, today's novel scared me at first. I knew what it was about before I read it, and I was terrified that it would put me into a depression, or make me cry. It was a difficult read because I was waiting for the show to drop and for me to bawl for a few days, but thankfully, it didn't! It's Before I Die by Jenny Downham.

Summary: "Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests, drugs with excruciating side-effects, Tessa compiles a list. It's her To Do Before I Die list. And number one is Sex. Released from the constraints of normal life, Tessa tastes new experiences to make her feel alive while her failing body struggles to keep up. Tessa's feelings, her relationships with her father and brother, her estranged mother, her best friend, and her new boyfriend, all are painfully crystallised in the precious weeks before Tessa's time finally runs out." (A huge thank you to Goodreads!!!)

This novel is very inspiring. As a girl with not much more time to live, Tessa experiences very realistic emotions, wanting to live as much as she can before she withers away. She's a hero in a novel full of hardships, and she's so inspirational. This novel shows that we should live out our dreams and wants with no one stopping us while we still can! The story is sweet and great and full of emotion, and I loved it a lot. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm going to stop here and let you guys read this and figure it out. (By the way, it is so great, and you won't go into a depression because of it; I promise.)

In Conclusion & Suggestions: This novel is a great one, so go for it! It'll inspire you! I say read it whenever you want; there's no bad time to read it.

Rating:

5/5 syringes


Till next time!

XOXO,
Lexi

"Faking Faith" (a religious review by Lexi)

Dear Readers,

Hello again! If you're new to this blog, welcome! You're all already our blog family once you clicked on any of our links!

Today's book is Faking Faith by Josie Bloss.

Summary: "Dylan Mahoney is living one big unholy lie.

Thanks to a humiliating and painfully public sexting incident, Dylan has become the social pariah at her suburban Chicago high school. She's ignored by everyone--when she's not being taunted--and estranged from her two best friends. So when Dylan discovers the blogs of homeschooled fundamentalist Christian girls, she's immediately drawn into their fascinating world of hope chests, chaperoned courtships, and wifely submission.Blogging as Faith, her devout and wholesome alter ego, Dylan befriends Abigail, the online group's queen bee. After staying with Abigail and her family for a few days, Dylan begins to grow closer to Abigail (and her intriguingly complicated older brother). Soon, Dylan is forced to choose: keep living a lie . . . or come clean and face the consequences." (Thanks, Goodreads!!!)

This book was very interesting! It was slow in one part, but mostly it was wonderful! I was into the book, not believing that there are families out there, girls out there, that were like the ones in the book. It made me feel very thankful for the friends and family I have.

The characters were whole with great background stories, and this book was completely believable. I loved how Dylan made a new persona and got to live a whole new life, because I know that, at one point or another, we've all wanted to do that. Her making it up after the big "uh-oh" in her life was understandable, as was her new obsession with certain blogs. Faith was the perfect new person to invent, and visiting Abigail was just what she needed in her life.

As for the ending, it was superb.

In Conclusion & Suggestions: Read it, especially if you've ever dreamt of a new life, and/or you want an inside look into a family like the Duggars (but even stricter and no acceptance). You'll end up comparing your life to the ones in the book, and you'll also compare both of the girls' lives, coming to conclusions on which aspects are good and which aren't. I recommend reading this on any day, really. It's a good, fast read!


Rating:

4.5/5 crosses


Till next time!

XOXO,
Lexi

"Reasons My Kid Is Crying" (a silly Lexi review)

Hello, Readers,

Today's book is amazing! It's based on a blog that a dad started, and it's great, so let's get on with it! It's Reasons My Kid Is Crying by Greg Pembroke.

Summary: "It all started when busy father Greg Pembroke posted a few pictures online of his three-year-old son, mid-tantrum, alongside the reason his son was crying: He had broken his bit of cheese in half. In Reasons My Kid is Crying, Greg collects together photos sent from parents around the world, documenting the many, completely logical reasons why small children cry.  Among them: “I let him play on the grass” . . . “He ran out of toys to throw into his pool” . . . “The neighbor’s dog isn’t outside”.  The result is both an affectionate portrait of the universal, baffling logic of toddlers—and a reminder for burned-out parents everywhere that they are not alone." (Thank you, Goodreads!!!)

This book was great! It kept me and my family laughing for awhile. Looking at each picture and seeing how toddlers are reacting to little things may be scary for those who don't have kids or have one on the way, but it's still hilarious. I can't say anything else, because it's just great. I'm speechless.

Rating:

5/5 screaming kids


Till next time!

XOXO,

Lexi

"Memento Nora" (a memorable Lexi review)

Our Dear Readers,

Today's novel was one that I read in physical form after my Nook crashed. (I now am using an old one of my mom's, and planning on getting an iPad mini...) It was the only novel that could catch my attention, and I finished it rather quickly. It's Memento Nora by Angie Smibert.

Summary: "On an otherwise glossy day, a blast goes off and a body thuds to the ground at Nora's feet. There are terrorist attacks in the city all the time, but Nora can't forget.

In Nora's world you don't have to put up with nightmares. Nora goes with her mother to TFC--a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic. There, she can describe her horrible memory and take a pill to erase it so she can go onlike nothing ever happened. But at TFC a chance encounter with a mysterious guy changes Nora's life. She doesn't take the pill. And when Nora learns the memory her mother has chosen to forget, she realizes that someone needs to remember.With newfound friends Micah and Winter, Nora makes a comic book of their memories called Memento. Memento is an instant hit, but it sets off a dangerous chain of events. Will Nora, Micah, and Winter be forced to take the Big Pill that will erase their memories forever?" (Thanks, Goodreads!!!)

This novel was action-packed as well as heartfelt. It was a novel that I picked up at Half Price Books on a whim, and am so glad that I did!!! So the characters are very realistic and complex. I love their back stories and how they were introduced. The TFC was so realistic that I figure that it's a matter of time before it truly happens. I love the storyline, how every character truly develops into their own selves through help from eachother. I also love the ending, and I hope you guys do as well! If you like novels that cross over a few genres and are just good books, read this one!!!

In Conclusion: Read it!!!!! (Especially if you're into realistic dystopian-ish novels.)


Rating:

5/5 comic pages

Till next time!


XOXO,

Lexi

Real Names for Imaginary Friends: How Hence Got His Name by April Lindner (A SUPER SPECIAL GUEST POST!!!!!!!!)

Real Names for Imaginary Friends: How Hence Got His Name

I get asked a lot about “Hence,” the name I gave to the moody, rough-around-the-edges guitarist Catherine falls in love with in my novel Catherine.  Where did the name come from?  Since the novel draws inspiration from Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, why didn’t I simply name the male lead Heathcliff or, at least, Heath?  Is anybody in the world really named Hence? 

Well, the answer’s a bit embarrassing, because it reveals two things: how old I am and how weird I am. 

Back in the dark days before the Internet, I used to read the phonebook for fun.  Remember phonebooks?  They don’t really exist anymore…or at least I haven’t seen one in years.  But back when a thick copy of the White Pages landed on my doorstep, I would amuse myself by leafing through it for interesting names.  When I found a name I liked, I would jot it down, reasoning that someday when my son got a little older I might find the time to write fiction, and when that day came I would need good character names.

One day while browsing through the Cincinnati phonebook, I stumbled across a listing for Hence and Velva Eversole, and fell in love with their quirky, musical names.  I imagined they might be brother and sister, never married, or maybe living together after their spouses died.  I pictured Hence as a big middle-aged guy in overalls and Velva as a sweet-faced woman in a housedress.  I thought they might be from a small Ohio town but for one reason or another they had been transplanted to the big city where they were more than a little bit homesick.  I vowed I would write about them someday, but I never did.

Still, when the Cincinnati phonebook made its annual appearance on my doorstep, I would always look up Hence and Velva.  One year, Hence’s name disappeared and my heart broke for poor lonely Velva.  I moved away from Cincinnati, but I never forgot them.  And when I was working on Catherine, I thought of Hence and Velva, my old imaginary friends.

First, I needed a last name for Catherine.  Inspired by Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights, she’s beautiful, confident, impetuous, romantic, and a bit self-centered—the kind of girl who could inspire a love beyond reason.  What name could have suited her better than Eversole?  Change a couple of letters and you’ve got Eversoul—with its suggestion of eternity and soulfulness and maybe even of ghosts.  Eversole even starts with an E—like Earnshaw—and something about that satisfied the superstitious side of my personality.

Next, I needed a name for the boy Catherine loves.  Intense and brooding, with a past so brutal he refuses to speak of it, he reinvents himself by running away to New York City—to the front door of The Underground, the legendary nightclub owned by Catherine’s father.  Like Heathcliff, and like the rockstar he hopes to become, my character would go by a single name: Hence.  A little Googling taught me that the name is sometimes short for Henry…or maybe Henderson.  It’s a rare name, and probably mostly a rural one, which suited my character’s small-town past.  And it even starts with “H”—like Heathcliff. 

Sure, I could have named my character Heathcliff or Heath.  But I couldn’t resist the chance to name check my old imaginary friend Hence Eversole.  And some day, when the right character comes along, I hope to pay tribute to Velva as well.

"Dear Luke, We Need to Talk, Darth" (a hilarious review by Lexi)

Hello, Lovelies!!!

Lexi again! Today's book is a little out of the norm for me, as I usually focus on YA books. However, this book needs a spotlight on here. It's Dear Luke, We Need to Talk, Darth: And Other Pop Culture Correspondences by John Moe.

Summary: "We all know how Darth Vader shared his big secret with Luke Skywalker, but what if he had delivered the news in a handwritten note instead? And what if someone found that letter, as well as all of the drafts that landed in the Dark Lord’s trash can? In the riotously funny collection Dear Luke, We Need to Talk. Darth, John Moe finally reveals these lost notes alongside all the imagined letters, e-mails, text messages, and other correspondences your favorite pop culture icons never meant for you to see.
 From The Walking Dead to The Wizard of Oz, from Billy Joel to Breaking Bad, no reference escapes Moe’s imaginative wit and keen sense of nostalgia." (Thank you, Goodreads!!!)

This entire book was hilarious. I literally laughed out loud, and I couldn't stop smiling! I loved every single thing in this book, from the many attempts at a letter by Darth to Luke, to the Yelp! ad for The Bates Motel (from "Psycho")! There were so many gems in here that will make you laugh until you cry! Everything is relevant, and they even have "Breaking Bad" and "The Wizard of Oz" (Dorthy to Glenda). Even if you're not a fan of the movies or shows, you'll still think this book is hilarious.

In Conclusion: Warning: Read at your own risk; you may die laughing!

Rating:

5/5 people laughing


Till next time, y'all!

XOXO,
Lexi

"Landry Park" (a Lexi review)

Dear Reader,

Hello, again! Happy Saturday! Hope yours is going well!

God, I love this cover! One of the best in awhile!

Summary: "Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire." (Gratzi, Goodreads!)

I really liked this novel. From the characters who were interesting and surprising, to the awesome plot, it's like this novel transports you both back and forward in time at the same time! Think Victorian age, but in the present/future. The caste system is still alive, but there's more technology. I love that Madeline -- the main character -- challenges the life she's always lived. From the very beginning, she's wanting more than being given away in marriage by her father, wanting more in her life than what she was to have. I liked how the characters were relatable in a sense. I love how you feel connected to this story through Madeline, cheering for her from moment one when she's declaring she wants to go to university. The story is summed up beautifully above, so I'm stepping cautiously around what's going to happen. So I'm going to stop here. All I can say is that this novel is great.

In Conclusion: Read it! It's awesome!


Rating:

4/5 Victorian houses


Till next time!!!


Yours truly,

Lexi

"Pills and Starships" (a medicated Lexi review, lol)

Dear Readers,

Today's book is a dystopian novel! This one sounds a bit more realistic than others I've read, so check it out! It's Pills and Starships by Lydia Millet. In fact, I was sucked in by this cover! Look:

Summary: "In this richly imagined dystopic future brought by global warming, seventeen-year-old Nat and her hacker brother Sam have come by ship to the Big Island of Hawaii for their parents' Final Week. The few Americans who still live well also live long—so long that older adults bow out not by natural means but by buying death contracts from the corporates who now run the disintegrating society by keeping the people happy through a constant diet of "pharma." Nat's family is spending their pharma-guided last week at a luxury resort complex called the Twilight Island Acropolis.

Deeply conflicted about her parents' decision, Nat spends her time keeping a record of everything her family does in the company-supplied diary that came in the hotel's care package..." (Thanks, Goodreads!)

This novel delve into what life would truly be like for a normal person in a dystopian world. Nat is an everyday teen that is coping with her parents' death, except it hasn't happened yet and there are pills to subdue those feelings. She doesn't want her parents to die, but is more passive, just writing her true feelings in a journal provided to her from the hotel to help her heal. However, her little brother is taking more of an active stance on their society in general. When Nat starts seeing society at work, she questions everything, and when she finds out what's really going on in the world, she has to choose to go along with everything or make a stand. You'll be able to relate to Nat and her brother a lot, and may start looking at our world now in a whole new light.

The plot is thorough, and there's plenty of humor. However, there are dark things as well (obviously). If you want to think, and you want to know what it truly would be like living in a realistic dystopian society, read this novel. See both the ruin and the hope for our future.

In Conclusion: If you don't mind it being a bit slow at parts, I do recommend reading this novel.

Rating:

4/5 pills


Till next time!!!

XOXO,

Lexi

AMAZING NOVEL!!!!! "Curses and Smoke" (an erupting Lexi review)

Our dearest readers,

Hello! For now (at least), I will be the sole chica writing this blog. Ash's schedule is much busier than my own, but keep an eye out for her comeback!

Today's novel took me by surprise thrice for the following reasons: it's a YA/teen book (adults, too) that is written during the Mt. Vesuvius eruption; it's amazing in every way possible; and it kept reminding me of an episode of "Doctor Who." (Okay, so the last one was a personal thing, but still!) I truly couldn't get enough of this novel!

It's Curses and Smoke by Vicky Alvear Shecter.

Such a gorgeous cover, too!!!

Summary: "When your world blows apart, what will you hold onto?

TAG is a medical slave, doomed to spend his life healing his master's injured gladiators. But his warrior's heart yearns to fight in the gladiator ring himself and earn enough money to win his freedom.

LUCIA is the daughter of Tag's owner, doomed by her father's greed to marry a much older Roman man. But she loves studying the natural world around her home in Pompeii, and lately she's been noticing some odd occurrences in the landscape: small lakes disappearing; a sulfurous smell in the air. . . .

When the two childhood friends reconnect, each with their own longings, they fall passionately in love. But as they plot their escape from the city, a patrician fighter reveals his own plans for them -- to Lucia's father, who imprisons Tag as punishment. Then an earthquake shakes Pompeii, in the first sign of the chaos to come. Will they be able to find each other again before the volcano destroys their whole world?" (Thank you, Goodreads!)

O. M. G. This novel is so amazing!!! Not only is the story, plot, twists, and characters grab me and didn't let go, but the deep, lush history actually taught me a lot about this time in history. See, I am ALWAYS looking for something (or someone) who can tell me something that I've never heard before. If it can, I'm all for it. However, it doesn't necessarily keep my attention when it is a book or movie. This novel is great because it took care of the rest of my criteria, which includes developed and deep characters that are super realistic (and act so); a complete, great plot; and amazing twists that I couldn't have predicted. (You guys know how I am about the last one! If I can't predict the ending or twists and turns, the novel is a winner!)

Lucia is not just some poor little rich girl, and Tag isn't just from "the wrong side of the tracks." It's just not something that is that superficial like that. Their story goes deeper; they were friends who grew up together, neither of whom are whiny and expect the other to "save" them; they're more developed and realistic than that. They're strong. Even the "extras" in the book are developed and have back stories.

The story is addictive and it's not like anything that I have read before in any novel in any genre. I think it's because of the plot and history and how they were carried out, to be honest. The plot is put into days that count down to the eruption, alternating the point of view between Tag and Lucia. This can go very well in a book, or it can go swimmingly. This time, it was great. You get to see two completely separate and different lives from that point in time. Then comes the history. The rich history just completes the entire novel. How did people live back then? Were there warning signs? Were they anything like us? (The last answer in this book is yes, and you'll feel like you're there!) You'll want to learn more about the eruption and what came of it. I am trying not to give any part of this story away, because I want you to feel the surprises and everything with clear wonderment and enthusiasm of reading such a unique, new book!

In Conclusion: OMG! READ THIS NOVEL! TEENS AND ADULTS!

Rating: 5/5 volcanoes

XOXO,

Lexi