Book Review: 5 to 1 - Holly Bodger

Title: 5 to 1
Author: Holly Bodger
Pub Date: May 12th, 2015
Publisher: Knopf BFYR
Page Count: 224

In the year 2054, after decades of gender selection, India now has a ratio of five boys for every girl, making women an incredibly valuable commodity. Tired of marrying off their daughters to the highest bidder and determined to finally make marriage fair, the women who form the country of Koyanagar have instituted a series of tests so that every boy has the chance to win a wife.

Sudasa doesn’t want to be a wife, and Kiran, a boy forced to compete in the test to become her husband, has other plans as well. Sudasa’s family wants nothing more than for their daughter to do the right thing and pick a husband who will keep her comfortable—and caged. Kiran’s family wants him to escape by failing the tests. As the tests advance, Sudasa and Kiran thwart each other at every turn until they slowly realize that they just might want the same thing.

This beautiful, unique novel is told from alternating points of view—Sudasa’s in verse and Kiran’s in prose—allowing readers to experience both characters’ pain and their brave struggle for hope.

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An uneven distribution where the writing was phenomenal and the plot needed serious work caused this novel to be a bust. - Nova @ Out of Time

I've never really read books that feature verse. Now that I have, I realize two very important things: I love the style but it tends to lack in plot. While reading, the part with the verse was pretty and told a story but didn't really make things feel like a concrete story. I knew things were happening but there was no showing of any kind - all of it a mix of telling and the character's feelings. Luckily, we had parts that were told in prose that were what filled the gaps. Unfortunately, it made me realize that this story is a very basic one.

We don't really get to know any of the characters. We just know that Five is good and her cousin is not. Plus, we don't ship incest here at Out of Time. Back to the review, I felt like everyone was so flat. Even the main character, with her many emotions, fluctuated from having the most character to the least.
I think this is because we get right in her head and it feels like a monologue. This, "all about me" idea is good in some situations but made everything so wrong in this book.

In addition, the plot itself was very basic. I didn't really understand why it was so quick. There was infodumping at some stages but that eventually passed. What kind of annoyed me was how it was about a series of tests that the boys have to go through but most of it was in Sudasa's perspective. Yes, I understand, you're having a lot of problems choosing a husband but those boys will die if they don't get chosen. Who has it worse?

Something I did enjoy, however, was the culture. I'm not really knowledgeable on Indian culture but what I read was different and I really enjoyed it. It's different from the cookie-cutter American dystopian where no other country seems to exist. I loved the names of their food, the materials in their cloths and even the way they behaved screamed "different" to me. It's interesting to read about a culture that isn't your own, even though in a few ways, it's fictional.

Overall, this was a beautiful book that only fell flat because of the plot and characters. While the actual story-spinning wasn't the best, Bodger has the talent of a writer some could only hope to achieve and I can see that ability getting her very far.

Holly's Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

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Book Review: Welcome to the Dark House - Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: Welcome to the Dark House
Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Pub Date: July 22nd, 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Page Count: 357

What’s your worst nightmare?

For Ivy Jensen, it’s the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it’s bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.

And for seven essay contestants, it’s their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake’s latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn’t even like scary movies, but she’s ready to face her real-world fears. Parker’s sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up. . . at least for now.

Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It’s bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group—the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; “Mister Sensitive”; and the one who’s too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting.

Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing.

By the time Ivy and Parker realize what’s really at stake, it’s too late to wake up and run.

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I had seriously mixed feelings with this one. Like, for one, was I supposed to be scared? Sorry, but a bunch of horror movies have beaten you to the punch, Welcome to the Dark House. - Nova @ Out of Time

This idea seemed really exciting for me when I picked it up. I'd heard great things about it and I wanted to love it... but I didn't. I don't typically read horror because it doesn't interest me as much as it should. Also, the record still stands: I've never been genuinely scared of anything read in a book. That's why interesting plots matter more than ever. Sadly, this book lacked any real thrill and honestly, I've seen this story line in a bunch of movies.

The writing was amazing when I first started. I was blown away by the easy feeling of Ivy's point of view. For some reason, I really connected to her.
Unfortunately, this story jumped between like six different point of views. I think I would've liked it more if it had been just Ivy, or maybe even two characters. [Although, I do understand why it was done. Every character has a story to tell.]

And on that note, I really did like the personalities of the characters. Some stood out more than others but they were all very distinct. Characters like Natalie and Parker had a lot to offer but others only slowed down the plot *cue eyeroll* And, like other things in this book, they didn't work either. Rather than the fears of the characters [like what the summary said this book focused on,] this book played victim to drama and cheesy scenes.

It went from promising, to a huge flop back to shaky [and somewhat fleeting] interest. I really liked the beginning, especially the way it was written. I had a lot of interest in the main character, Ivy. She had depth and mystery to her, which made me want to get to know her. Also, the first page summary? That completely hooked me in, which is also why I'm so disappointed.
Midway through the story, the different characters start to meet and that's where everything fell apart. About a third of the story was unnecessary drama and pointless events that dragged the story to hell. I didn't care about their little romances, I just wanted some actually creepy stuff! But like the story summary says, by the time it happened, things we already too late. The thrills were rushed, things seemed written last minute, rather than planned and the [shaky and rushed] ending was not enough to save what I think was a disaster.

Laurie's Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website |

Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.

Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance. The four novels in the "BIFN" series have sold over 500,000 copies collectively.Stolarz has also announced a graphic novel entry into the series titled Black is for Beginnings, which she published in summer 2009

 

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Song Review: Blackout - Breathe Carolina

Title: Blackout
Artist: Breathe Carolina
Album: Hell Is What You Make It
Release Date: July 12, 2011
Record Label: Fearless Records
iTunes

"Blackout"

Cut up and I can't feel my hands
No need to chase
Can you relate?
Can you keep up the pace like you're dying for this?


Chorus:
And when you say "I'm not okay"
I left my phone in the cab
Now you can't get mad
I'm only getting started

I won't blackout
This time I've got nothing to waste
Let's go a little harder
I'm on fire
I won't blackout
I'm on my way
I'm only getting started

And I can't see your face
Cigarette the wrong way
Inhale to the top of my lungs
I've been dying for this

Chorus [x2]


Bridge:
This won't stop till I say so
This won't stop till I say so
This won't stop till I say so
Going and going and going and going and go, go [x2]

Chorus [x2]

Bridge [x2]

I first heard this on accident. One day a very bored Nova was surfing YouTube for new bands when suddenly, she stumbled on a song about partying. She thought she was going to hate the song [and yes, a part of her does] but she's split down the middle.

Blackout has a really catchy tune. I've found myself singing it around the house. I also really love the vocal effects in it. As a serious song, it would be a "no"but for its style of music, I think it's great! I love the electronic music and the stutters when he sings "blackout" because it's like a, well... blackout.

I have a thing against dance music and this is no exception. There were repeated words [a lot of them,] the lyrics aren't that clever and I get no meaning. That's why it's such a split down the middle song. Blackout probably refers to getting so wasted you blackout but how am I supposed to know, right?

Pretty much, it's a cute song that can get me dancing. Do I like it now? Yes. Will I like it in a month or so? Probably. But it isn't the kind of song that means anything.
But hey, not every song has to mean something deep, right? Sometimes lyrically dumb ones about alcohol are great.

 

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Song Review: Chandelier - Sia

Title: Chandelier
Artist: Sia
Album: 1000 Forms of Fear
Release Date: April 11th, 2014
Record Label: Chronicles (Lokal Legends)
iTunes

"Chandelier"

Party girls don't get hurt
Can't feel anything, when will I learn?
I push it down, push it down

I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink

Throw 'em back 'til I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight

Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink

Throw 'em back 'til I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight

On for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight

I've heard Sia sing Titanium, but hearing something completely her own was new to me. I wasn't sure of this song and I'm still not sure. In an interview, people were praising Sia for writing this song in an hour. Like the time it takes to write a song somehow matters, I don't know. I honestly think that writing a song in an hour is a bad idea. I usually take a year to finalize a song. I'll write it in maybe a day or so, but throughout that year, the song will change as new ideas come and go. I felt like Chandelier was a good song in terms of tune, but was very repetitive. Of course, it didn't take that long to write.

Sia also write Rihanna's Diamonds in fifteen minutes which I don't find a talent because I hate that song. I mean, it's great that she can do it so quickly, but that song's got so little, there wasn't that much to write...

I don't actually mind this song. As I've said, I like the tune, which is why it's 2.5 stars. The reason it isn't higher is because of the chorus. When she sings "I'm going to fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry", I feel like she's straining and screaming the song. It hurts my ears and made me cringe the first time. It sounded absolutely awful to me, which is why I don't like the whole song.

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Book Review: The Girl Who Never Was - Skylar Dorset

Title: The Girl Who Never Was
Author: Skylar Dorset
Pub Date: June 1st, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Page Count: 301

THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS is the story of Selkie Stewart, who thinks she’s a totally normal teenager growing up in Boston. Sure, her father is in an insane asylum, her mother left her on his doorstep—literally—when she was a baby, and she’s being raised by two ancient aunts who spend their time hunting gnomes in their Beacon Hill townhouse. But other than that her life is totally normal! She’s got an adventurous best friend who’s always got her back and an unrequited crush on an older boy named Ben. Just like any other teenager, right?

When Selkie goes in search of the mother she’s never known, she gets more than she bargained for. It turns out that her mother is faerie royalty, which would make Selkie a faerie princess—except for the part where her father is an ogre, which makes her only half of anything. Even more confusing, there’s a prophecy that Selkie is going to destroy the tyrannical Seelie Court, which is why her mother actually wants to kill her. Selkie has been kept hidden all her life by her adoring aunts, with the help of a Salem wizard named Will. And Ben. Because the boy she thinks she’s in love with turns out to be a faerie whose enchantment has kept her alive, but also kept her in the dark about her own life.

Now, with enchantments dissolved and prophecies swinging into action, Selkie finds herself on a series of mad quests to save the people she’s always loved and a life she’s learning to love. But in a supernatural world of increasingly complex alliances and distressingly complicated deceptions, it’s so hard to know who to trust. Does her mother really wish to kill her? Would Will sacrifice her for the sake of the prophecy? And does Ben really love her or is it all an elaborate ruse? In order to survive, Selkie realizes that the key is learning—and accepting—who she really is.

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Faeries? Yeah, okay. I'm very impartial to these kinds of stories. I've barely read any book about faeries, so I hold no judgement. However, I can say that this review is not going to be entirely positive. It's about 35% positive, just as a fair warning.

This story was not of the original kind like I wanted. That was my first issue. The MIA parent who's shady is over and done with. And even though the idea was cliche, the execution would make or break this story. The execution broke it. I didn't (for a second) like that cliche. It was predictable, eye-rolling and somewhat tiring. To further go down the cliche road, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce a prophecy! Meet a girl with so much power but she doesn't even know it and bam! A prophecy because that's how things work. No one character ever does thing for themselves!

So that got on my nerves. A lot. However, to tip the scale back to zero, here is something I do like. I enjoyed how fast I got through this story. It didn't drag on nor did it make me want to shoot myself or something drastic. Unlike some books, I got through this one pretty quickly, it also helps that this book isn't really long either. The writing was pretty fluid and kept me going. There were moments where I had a full page of description and some info-dumping, but I did what I usually do in those scenarios - I skipped it entirely.
The Girl Who Never Was is a book where when I read it the first time, it seems pretty good. But after mulling the idea over in my brain, the 4 stars go to a three, and the three stars go to a two. I noticed the mistakes afterward, which is something that happens *sometimes*

But the big reason I didn't enjoy this book like I should have is because of the plot. I felt like a lot of the things that happened in this book were pretty poorly planned. The ending was rushed, characters were only used because they needed to move the story along and I didn't like it. If it didn't involve Selkie, you can bet that it wasn't there. Everything revolved around the Main Character, which is fine, but I like to see B-Plots because they add depth to the story. There was no development in the characters that I could feel and I hated hated Ben so much. He didn't make sense and he was kind of a selfish jerk.

Overall, I found this book okay when I read through it, but after thinking about it, found a bunch of flaws. Maybe if I hadn't thought so much, this rating would've been a four star rating. Oh well, these things just happen.

Skylar's Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website |

Skylar’s first story was a tale of romantic intrigue involving two feuding factions of squirrels. Think “Romeo & Juliet” but with bushy tails and added espionage. She was seven.

Since that time, Skylar’s head has been filled with lots of characters and lots of drama. She is delighted to be able to share some of it with all of you now, because, honestly, it was getting pretty loud and crowded in there.

Skylar is a born-and-bred New Englander, which is why Boston was a natural setting for her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS. Skylar shares her home with a cardboard cutout of the Tenth Doctor, lots of Mardi Gras beads from the time she spent living in New Orleans, and a harp she’s supposed to be teaching herself to play. She’d like to get a dog.

 

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ARC Review: Tease - Amanda Maciel

Title: Tease
Author: Amanda Maciel
Pub Date: April 29th, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Count: 336

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault.

At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media.

During the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

In this powerful debut novel inspired by real-life events, Amanda Maciel weaves a narrative of high school life as complex and heartbreaking as it is familiar: a story of everyday jealousies and resentments, misunderstandings and desires. Tease is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt readers long after the last page.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

My Thoughts

When I first found out about this, I had exciting thoughts. This is the kind of book I live for. I have a thing and personal connection for books that deal with bullying, suicide or both. Unfortunately, there were things about Tease that made it less than I had hoped for as well as didn't give me any feels.

This story is meant to show the side of the "bully". While I definitely found that admirable, I was expecting some kind of turnaround and there wasn't. Sara and Brielle were bullies and there wasn't much of a grey area. Although victim, Emma Putnam wasn't faultless, she was also the one who committed suicide. This was a main problem for me because if the mean girls were done better with more layers, I would've felt bad for them and gained another perspective.

Brielle ran the show. Between Sara and Brielle, it was definitely Brielle with all the bright ideas. She didn't even have a reason to hurt Emma. I hated Brielle as a character so much. I wanted to just stop reading because of her. And then she was supposedly raped; I just feel like that was the author's attempt at making the reader feel bad for her. For the way Brielle acted the entire novel with absolutely no change, I felt bad for her, but it didn't change my opinion of her.

Sara was the main character. I felt like she had a really unique and cynical voice. A pro of this book is how it's told. Instead of being 1st Person where it's written like the author, it's written like a diary or like a monologue how Sara is directly speaking to us. I have no idea whether I liked her or hated her. I liked her in a way because in comparison to Brielle, Sara was an angel. She wasn't that bad because there was some part of her that knew it was wrong. On the other hand, she was a lot of an idiot, because she listened to Brielle; a girl who wasn't even that much of a friend.

This book itself is not bad. The general plot is alright and has it's progression. I loved the message it was trying to give enough for me to give it another star. It was such an interesting concept that probably could've been filled better in a story with differently written characters. How Emma transformed from "slut" to "suicidal" was there and developed. Maciel's writing kept me going because of how I wished it would pick everything else up. In terms of a novel, it wasn't bad. It's only how things were delivered within plot that had problems.
Once Sara and Brielle had found out Emma killed herself, they didn't even feel the least bad. I don't see how that's human. Surely, you'd feel bad if someone killed them-self? They kept going on and on about how it wasn't their fault and that they were just trying to give Emma what she deserved for taking Sara's boyfriend. And even at the end, where Sara apologized, I didn't believe her for a second because of all her inner thoughts of still not believing it was her fault. I felt like she didn't learn and thing and said what she did for the hell of it.

So yeah, these stars are because I saw promise in this story and still do with Maciel's writing. I believe that she's a good writer and if a new book were to come out by here, I would pick it up without hesitation. What happened in this book was just contradictory to what the message was supposed to give.

Author Info

Amanda's Goodreads | Twitter

Amanda Maciel has worked in book publishing since graduating from Mount Holyoke College and is currently a senior editor at Scholastic. She spends her free time writing, running, or riding the subway with her young son. She lives with him, her husband, and their cat, Ruby, in Brooklyn, New York. Tease is her first novel.

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