All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Title: All The Bright Places

 Author: Jennifer Niven

 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

 Date Published: January 6th, 2015

 Genre: Contemporary,

 Pages: 400 (Hardcover)

 Age Range: 15+








                                                                          Summary:

     Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
     Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
     When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.


                                                                           Review:

     This book has been incredibly hyped since its release around half a year ago. Honestly, the hype hasn't really died down ever since- which is a little terrifying. I always read hyped books with a grain of salt, ready to be disappointed or caught up in the hype. Usually, I am pleasantly surprised; this book, though, blows everything that I have ever read out of the water. Per the usual, I will try to be very non-spoilery, however, there will be spoilers later on in this review.
     The cover of this book is sickeningly adorable, and I will admit to some cover lust. Just look at its cuteness!! Cover aside, this book was very raw, and unrelenting. The way it dealt with problems like depression, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders was amazing. Jennifer Niven did such a great job with these heavy subjects because she didn't shy away from the harsh realities, and she certainly didn't make this a mindless read. The heavier topics were met head on, they weren't romanticized in any way, they weren't glossed over, and the true consequences of these problems being ignored was prominent.
     Violet and Finch were both great characters, and polar opposites. While Violet was the example of defeating her depression, and rising above it, Finch is the example of becoming his disorder at times. Both characters could seem very superficial at times, but teenagers are superficial sometimes- all of us are. All of the minor characters in this book were just that- minor to a fault. I can remember names of certain characters, but none of them really stuck out as important, or as individuals, except for Amanda. Finch's mom was your typical, absent YA parent trope, while Violet's parents were the opposite. I actually really liked Violet's parents. Finch's father's new family was so absent that I couldn't really bring myself to form an opinion about them. Decca and Kate, while pretty minor, really got on my good side. One of my favorite parts of the book was where Finch was crafting with Decca and he was trying to teach her that there is beauty in nasty words.
     And now, things are going to get very spoilery. Trust me when I say that this is a book that you do not want spoiled for you.
     So, first, I actually never saw Finch having bipolar disorder. Looking back, it makes perfect sense, but I actually thought that he had some kind of brain trauma from being abused by his father that was making him spaz out. I thought that his brain trauma was pairing with some major depression to make him flip out. Of course, it turns out that he has bipolar disorder instead. And I knew that Violet was majorly depressed because it is stated pretty early on.
     The book was so mean in the way that things that really hopeful and happy around the middle, around the peak. I truly believed that we were gonna have a happy, hopeful ending. Then Finch disappeared, and I freaked out. As much as I hate to say this, I'm glad Finch died. Yes, I loved him, but untreated mental issues are not a joking matter, and there are repercussions from that decision. Out of all the messages that Finch sent to his friends and family, Decca's was my favorite, and that is when I started to cry. After that, I cried pretty steadily until the book ended.
     I hate to be that person, but the book got a little too drawn out near the end. I got a little bored with the ending a few pages before it ended, and that is the testament of a good writer. The fact that I was about to be lost, right as it was ended.
     A little, tiny part of me wants an epilogue so that we can check in on Violet a few years down the road. But mostly, I am pretty happy.
     If you, or someone you know struggles with depression, please visit: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.com or call 800-273-TALK.




                                            

Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

 Title: Ashes to Ashes

 Series: Burn for Burn Trilogy #3

 Author(s): Siobhan Vivian, Jenny Han

 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

 Date Published: September 16, 2014

 Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal

 Pages: 401 (hardcover)

 Age Range: 14+




          Summary:

     They only meant to right the wrongs. It was about getting even. Burn for burn.
     But the fire they lit kept raging…Reeve ended up hurt, then Rennie ended up dead.
     Everything will turn to ash if they don’t stop what they started. But now that Mary knows the truth about what happened to her, will she want to?
     Secrets drew Lillia, Kat, and Mary together. The truth might tear them apart.

                                                      Review:

     Oh, my literal gosh. Ashes to Ashes is like that third book in a series that you just have to read, but you kinda wish you could rewrite. It's slightly angering, more than slightly intense, and a little perfect. Honestly, I'm not sure how to rate this book- I almost wished that I hadn't read it. I want to give it all the stars, but I also want to take away a few stars because of... issues. This review is going to be spoilery because I can't talk about this book without being spoilery. I just can't...
     Mary became so evil and awful in this book.I knew that something was totally wrong with her, but I never guessed ghost. When I read Mary's chapter and found out that she's been a ghost the whole time, I lost my mind. And that was the beginning! It really set the mood for the rest of the book. I really hated Mary in this book. She became so evil and vengeful over something that she did entirely to herself. I liked Lillia even more through this book, but she made a few stupid decisions. That being said, I felt bad for Lillia too. Kat... was Kat? She didn't undergo much of a change throughout this trilogy and I didn't get to see her shaken up that much except when she gave up Oberlin. Reeve- oh, Reeve- I kinda love him now. He's changed so much throughout this trilogy, and he's not the person that I though the was at first. Alex also didn't go through much change, but I still really like him.
     The plot in this book is slower than in the others, but there's also so much more that happens. When Lillia gave up Reeve, and Kat gave up Oberlin to kill Mary, I was rocking back and forth like a crazy person- I was so upset. And when Lillia broke the seal with Reeve that had been placed on Mary, I was screaming at Lillia for being such a fool. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Reeve was shoving Kat and Lillia out of the room so he could deal with Mary. I almost cried when Reeve cut himself, and I thought that he was dead. My favorite part of the book is when Mary realized that she had done everything to herself. I really liked how the authors dealt with Mary's problems and suicide.
     The epilogue... I don't even know. I really started shipping Reeve and Lillia and then Lillia never hears from Reeve again?! What is up with that? And Kat settling for a different school? And Alex and Lillia are together? I'm glad there was an epilogue because I hate open-ended books, but I'm not sure if I liked the epilogue. It was so...final. And so final in things that I'm not sure if I like.
     I'm so glad I read this series, and Fire With Fire is my favorite book out of the three. Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian truly have some talent- especially together.


                                         

If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

Title: If He Had Been With Me

Author: Laura Nowlin

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Date Published: April 2, 2013

Genre: YA fiction, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction

Pages: 336 (paperback)

Age Range: 14+






Summary


A heartrending tale of missed chances and what might have been 

"If he had been with me, everything would be different." For one thing, Finn wouldn't have been in that car, on that road, on that night. As children, Finn and Autumn were inseparable, but an incident in middle school puts them on separate paths going into high school. Yet no matter how distant they become, or who they're dating, Autumn continues to be haunted by the past and what might have been. While their paths continue to cross, and opportunities continue to be missed, little do they know that a terrible car accident looms in the future and might separate them forever.


Review


This book was quirky and jumpy and fun. I really liked how jumpy the story-line was. How one thing would happen in one chapter, and then it could be days, or weeks, or months later when the next chapter begins.

This book was very stereotypical; yet not really at the same time. It fit the book perfectly because of the characters. The characters were fun and different and quirky. Their personalities shined whenever the group was together because they would play off of each other. They were good, close friends that you'd never think would grow apart.

That's why it made me upset that everyone kind of went their separate ways after graduation. I mean, sure it happens, but I didn't want this group of friends to grow apart. Though, Autumn had a good reason not to want to hang out with the whole gang anymore.

Kinda SPOILER-Y

I knew Jamie was going to end it with Autumn at the end of the book, but I think the way he did it was cruel. He didn't have to say those things to her. Why would he tell her that he's tired of caring for her and giving her attention? That's what relationships are and if you can't last with Autumn, you probably won't last with Sasha either, bud.

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS

I also knew that Finny was going to get into some-sort of car accident right after him and Autumn officially got together and die. Who wouldn't see that coming after reading the very first chapter of the book, right?

Well, he does get in a car accident. But he didn't die.

Instead, the author shocks me (ha, pun intended) and electrocutes Finny....

That's right, folks, electrocuted. He gets in a car crash with Sy--who gets shot out the front window-- and when he goes to help her, he doesn't see that she's in a puddle and that there's a wire in the puddle by her head so when he reaches for her....ZAP!

What a mean way to kill off a character, though original and shocking.

I have to admit that I laughed. But then I cried a few tears when Autumn found out that he was dead and tried to kill herself.

NO MORE SPOILERS. YOU'RE SAFE.

Anyway, this was a fun read. I really enjoyed the characters, and it was a nice, quick read. I'd definitely recommend this. (Thank you, Nadia for recommending it to me). Though this book wasn't as sad as if i stay by Gayle Forman, it was still sad and almost as good a read (sorry, if i stay is one of my FAVS lol). Add this book to your summer to-read list! You won't regret it :)

That's right guys, I'm back on reviews!

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

 Title: My Heart and Other Black Holes

 Author: Jasmine Warga

 Publisher: Balzer + Bray

 Date Published: February 10, 2015

 Genre: Suicide, Contemporary

 Pages: 320 (hardcover)

 Age Range: 14+










                                               Summary:

     Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

     There's only one problem: she's not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel's convinced she's found her solution—Roman, a teenage boy who's haunted by a family tragedy, is looking for a partner. Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other's broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together.

                                                 Review:

     My Heart and Other Black Holes brilliantly touches a few very heavy subjects without being too, well, heavy. This book has a fantastic cover, an amazingly developed plot, and a gripping set of characters. This was a book about suicide, without being one of those immensely depressing, and heavy suicide books.

     The set of characters in this book were very diverse. We have our depressed,haunted lead, Aysel. She much more relatable than I was expecting her to be. She came across as whiny, self-absorbed, and depressed in the beginning of the book. But as I continued to read, her plight began to make so much more sense to me. I did predict the whole thing about her dad that was supposed to be some plot twist, but it was still necessary to have Aysel spell it out for me. Roman was an amazing character. While Aysel was an acceptable lead, Roman was my favorite. Besides having good leads, we have Georgia and Tyler. I wasn't a huge fan of Georgia, but as the book went on, I started liking her more and more. I liked Tyler from the get-go and wished that we could've seen more of him.
     Besides characters, the plot of this book was really nice. I don't usually like suicide stories, but this one was captivating, and it portrayed depression in an accurate light. This book didn't aggrandize suicide or make it seem like a joke, which I liked. This book touched on heavy subjects without being condescending, or trying to be "cool" or trying to get the popular vote- it touched on these subjects realistically.
     Jasmine Warga has some really pretty writing, and I can't wait to see where she'll go next.