Quick Update: 6/28/12

Hey guys, 
I'm really sorry I haven't been posting lately. I was dragged away this weekend to go out of town and now this weekend, I'm going on a family camping trip so I'm not going to be able to post until Sunday. I've had blogging withdrawal these past few days and I wanted to apologize to my awesome followers/readers. I'll be back Sunday and I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and weekend! (: Oh, and happy reading. 

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: Review

Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Release date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Series: No
Source: Gifted
409 pages

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Review:
WHY I PICKED THIS BOOK UP:  This was originally a gift from a friend of mine, and I'm not exactly sure why I waited so long to pick this from my shelf. After a post I had last week that asked some of my readers which book I should read and the majority picked this book, I figured it was time to read it.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS: I loved every character in this book because of the setting. Being in Thisby changed the way the islanders acted and their lifestyle. Every character in this book was an essential piece to the story. Dory Maud and her sisters, Mutt Malvern (Sean's "rival"), Gabe and Finn (Puck's brothers) were all extremely important and I love that Maggie didn't make the story only about the two main characters. She incorporated just more than just two people and their struggles; she added secondaries into the story which made it so much more interesting.

First of all, Kate "Puck" Connolly is pretty much made of piss and vinegar. She's smart, and she knows what she's talking about when it comes to horses. Well, land horses, that is. She's a red-head that can come up with a smart remark at the crack of a whip, but not in a cocky way. As some people say in the the book, she "bites", which made me laugh since the capaill uisce bite. She a very strong female protagonist and her bravery throughout the whole book is so admiring. She knows what she wants, and nothing, not even most of the island of Thisby, can stop her from getting it. Plus, she's in check with her emotions, which is a great plus because I think whiny lead characters are a huge let-down in any book. I could go on and on about why I loved her as a character.

Secondly, Sean Kendrick. He's... swoon-worthy. He's so dark and mysterious and fascinating and...ugh, just amazing. In the book, he's the go-to guy for the capaill uisce (which I should mention means "water horse" in the book) at Malvern's stables, and the way he works with these horses is incredible. There are a few parts in the book that he does things are jaw-dropping. Also, he's someone who likes to control his emotions, but becomes unraveled around Puck, which shows how crazy he is about her/cares about her. His love of racing comes from Corr, his dad's and his capall uisce. Again, he's another character I admire because of the dedication he puts into racing, Corr, and anything he loves.

THE ROMANCE: The romance in The Scorpio Races isn't typical to most of the novels I usually read, and it was nice to take a break from the norm. Sean and Puck's relationship was very different. They spent time together often, but it wasn't cuddling, it was training for the races. Their love for each other was built around their love for their horses. They both had something to lose in the race, but were willing to risk pretty much everything for each other. I loved their relationship, it was intense and different, and it was the delicious icing on the November cake.

THE PLOT: The whole plot of this book was amazing. I haven't and probably will never again read anything like this book. The main plot revolves around the Scorpio Races each November, and the stress that the whole island of Thisby goes through. Maggie had no problem describing the transformation Thisby and the islanders went through when the race time came around. Also, the whole book was about horses. I'm a huge horse person, and I used to ride whenever I got the chance, and when I found a book that was based off of an old myth about magical water horses coming from the sea and then being ridden, I HAD to read it. The plot was overall fantastic and this book is so utterly unique. I loved it.

THE ENDING: The ending of this book was just intense. I would not, scratch that, would not put this book down during the last 50 pages. I was going crazy inside from anticipation just wanting to know about what was going to happen. The ending was partially what I expected, but there was a twist to it that made my jaw drop. But, I loved the ending. In my opinion, it was a great way to finish off a great story.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS: The story was great. It was written in both Puck and Sean's perspective, switching usually every other chapter. Maggie Stiefvater had no problem making me feel like I was in the book as an onlooker. Her descriptions weren't overbearing or lacking, they were perfect. Her writing was fantastic, just as it was in The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. For any one who loves horses, please, I beg of you, borrow, buy, rent, do something to get this book because you will be missing a flippin' fantastic read if you don't. I don't have one bad thing to say about this book, and I think everyone and anyone should read it.

RATING: 

Winner Announcement!

The winner of my "Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, is:


Kathy R.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

I want to thank everyone who stopped by my blog and participated in the giveaway. I'm really grateful that I've been getting so many new followers and I'd like to thank you guys again. (:

"Waiting on" Wednesday #4

Welcome to "Waiting on" Wednesday, a weekly meme held by Breaking the Spine. This meme is held to showcase upcoming books that us book lovers are dying to get their hands on. This week, I chose a book that I cannot wait to get.

Rift by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade Prequel #1)

Release date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Philomel

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!
Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.
With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.

Why I want this book:
1.) I loved the Nightshade series, and if it has to do anything with that series, count me in.
2.) This shows the beginning of the Keepers and the Searchers, and I wouldn't mind learning more about their history.
3.) Beautiful cover art.

What about you? What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me links in the comments! (:

Top Ten Tuesdays: TT Books on My Summer TBR List

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesdays, a weekly meme held every week by The Broke and the Bookish. If you want to know more about info or participation, click here. This week's topic is right up my alley, since I have a ton of books sitting on my shelf that I've horribly neglected. The topic is "Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR List" (or shelf in my case).

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
I won this book forever and a day ago through a Goodreads giveaway and I've so wrongfully neglected it. It's way high up on my summer TBR list. Plus, everyone said it's a great book so I'm excited to get to it.

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
Again, this is another book I've had on my shelf for what seems like years. I bought this book when I first started blogging and I still haven't gotten to it. I was semi-waiting for Breaking Point to come out but I don't think I can wait until January of next year.

Partials by Dan Wells
This book is right up my alley; dystopian, romance, fight for humanity, etc. But, for some reason, I still haven't read this book. Definitely another book way up there on my TBR list.

Revived by Cat Patrick
I've been wanting this book for some time now, and I finally got my hands on a copy of it by doing a book swap. Finally...<3

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Finally, FINALLY, I got a copy of this book. I've been wanting to read this since the day it came out. It sounds so interesting and I'm super excited to read it.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
I pre-ordered this book, got it the day after it came out, and yet there it sits on my shelf. I'm reading this book after I finish The Scorpio Races, but I'm still a little disappointed in myself for letting it sit so long.

Eve by Anna Carey
This was a book that was recommended to me by a friend, so when I got it, I decided to add it to my summer list. It sounds like a great book.

Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
I bought this book the same time I bought Article 5, and it sounds really interesting. Not only is the cover beautiful, but it's a ghost story with romance. It sounds like a definite summer read to me.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

This is another friend-recommended book that I've been wanting to read for quite some time. This makes two Cat Patrick books on my summer TBR (:

Elemental by Emily White

I traded for this ARC a while back, and I've been pretty excited to read it, I just never got around to it. I think it's time to open this book up (:

As you can see, most of my books on my summer TBR list are books that have been on my shelf for a while. I think it's time to crack those babies open and see what kind of awesome stories they hold. Leave me links and comments so I can come visit your TTT! Have a great Tuesday (:

Unraveling the Week: 6/18-6/24

Welcome to Unraveling the Week, a new weekly post that I plan on doing every Monday. This is a post created by me that's meant to give an overview of the many events coming up in the blogging world that I participate in, also including new book releases and upcoming book reviews that are in the near future. Since this is my first week doing this, there may be a few flaws that I'll fix up as the weeks progress. Who knows, this could turn into a public blogging meme, where a bunch of bloggers can broadcast their plans for the week and the new things that they're excited for, which I think would be frickin' awesome. This week's post is an overview of things going on between today (June 18th) and Sunday (June 24th).

New Releases:

Violins of Autumn by Amy McAuley
Release date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: Walker & Company
Amazon | Goodreads

When the Germans begin bombing London in World War II, Betty is determined to do her part. Instead of running air raid drills like most girls her age, she lies about her age and trains to become a spy. Now known by her secret agent persona, Adele Blanchard, she finds herself parachuting over German-occupied France under the cover of darkness to join the secret Resistance movement. Prepared to die for her cause, Adele wasn’t expecting to make a new best friend in her fellow agent or fall for a handsome American pilot. With the brutality of war ever present, can Adele dare to dream of a future where the world is at peace and she is free to live and love of her own accord?

 Burn Mark by Laura Powell

Release date: June 19, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Amazon | Goodreads

Glory is from a family of witches and lives beyond the law. She is desperate to develop her powers and become a witch herself. Lucas is the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition—the witches’ mortal enemy—and his privileged life is very different to the forbidden world that he lives alongside.
And then on the same day, it hits them both. Glory and Lucas develop the Fae—the mark of the witch. In one fell stroke, their lives are inextricably bound together, whether they like it or not.

Something Like Normal by Trisha Doller
Release date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Amazon | Goodreads

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

I must say, Something Like Normal looks like an AMAZING read. I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy of it ASAP!

Weekly Meme's/Posts
Monday: Unraveling the Week by Backwood Reviews
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesdays by The Broke and the Bookish (Topic: TT Books on My Summer TBR List)
Wednesday: "Waiting on" Wednesday #4 by Breaking the Spine
Also, the winner of my giveaway will be announced.
Thursday: What's Next? #2 by IceyBooks (subject to change)
Friday: TGIF #1 by GReads (Topic: Author's Are Our Celebrities)
Saturday: off day
Sunday: In My Mailbox #3 by The Story Siren

Book Updates and Reviews
Currently, I'm reading The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater, so I'm hoping to get the review for that posted by the end of the week. After finishing that, I'm going to either start The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa or The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff. Such a tough decision.

Anyways, that's pretty much what Unraveling the Week is going to be like, and as the weeks go on, there will be a few tweaks here and there to make it a better post. I'd really appreciate your guys' comments and your thoughts about this post. Feedback is really important to me and I'd love to here what you guys think and how to improve. Thanks so much (:

Unearthly Review's Giveaway

A very good friend of mine, which I'm sure you've seen me mention her a few times here on Backwood Reviews, is hosting a giveaway. I'm hoping to help her out a little, so if you'd like, 

go check out her giveaway here.

She's giving away one book to one winner, and it's open internationally, so for all you internationals, here's an extra giveaway for you (:

I'd be extremely grateful if you guys could stop by and check it out. Thank you so much (:

Underworld by Meg Cabot: Review

***May contain spoilers to Abandon***

Title: Underworld
Author: Meg Cabot
Genre: YA, Fantasy/Mythology
Release date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Point
Series: #2 in Abondon Trilogy
Source: Gifted
318 pages

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.
Not this time.
But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.
Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance... on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.
But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there... and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.
And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

My Review:


WHY I PICKED UP THIS BOOK: After finishing the first book in the trilogy, Abandon, I was pretty excited to read the sequel. After a friend of mine helped be get this book (Thank you, Megan), I was jumping out of my seat to start it. I've always loved Meg Cabot's writing so I was hoping this was going to be another book written by her that went above my expectation. It wasn't.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS: At first, I was okay with Pierce. In the end of Abandon, she experienced a lot of things that are a bit traumatizing. But, as the book went on, everything she did screamed naive and ignorant. I'm not a fan of books that have naive girls in it who can barely tell their left from right. She tries to do things on her own and often does things that she knows will put John in danger, but barely acknowledges that fact. She asks so much of John, and I find it a bit ridiculous. I figured that she would become a stronger female protagonist that matures and learns to take care of things on her own instead of relying on other people, but that definitely did not happen. I was a bit disappointed.

John, on the other hand, I fell even more in love with. He's so broken, but he does everything he can to make sure Pierce is happy. Not only is he extremely hot, dark, and protective, he truly loves Pierce and would do anything for her, which is an admirable thing. Also, he didn't change very much from Abandon, which I like. Characters that change in between books drive me crazy.


THE ROMANCE: Things really kick up between Pierce and John in this sequel. As I said in the characters section, you can tell how much John and Pierce love each other and would do anything to protect each other. John is head over heels for Pierce and Meg Cabot has a good way of having the characters express their feelings. John is very protective, which is a good thing considering Pierce's situation. Things really get to the next level in their relationship, which is one aspect of the book that I really enjoyed.

THE PLOT: The plot in Underworld was not exactly what I expected. A lot of new characters were brought in that were a great addition to the story. The whole book takes place over the time period of a day and a half, which, in my opinion, hurt the plot. A lot of things happened in one day and it seemed quite... crazy. Their were many minor things that led up to the event at the end of the book. The best way I can describe the plot is a filler.

THE ENDING: The ending of the book was probably the best part. It had suspense, it wrapped things up (which any good book does) and there was a bit of a cliffhanger. Like in Abandon, the whole book in general wasn't a 5 star, but the ending made me want to read the next book.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS: I was honestly a little disappointed by this book because I really do love Meg Cabot's writing, but overall it was a decent book. Not one of my favorites, but I'm still looking forward to the third book of the Abandon trilogy.

RATING: 

What's Next? #1

Welcome to What's Next?, a weekly meme held every Thursday by IceyBooks. This is a new meme, and I'm really hoping it gets popular because I have a problem deciding which book I'm going to read next all the time, as I'm sure pretty much everyone does. So, having said that, I love this idea and I'm definitely excited to share it (: The main idea of this meme is to post a few books that have the possibility of being read next, tell us a little bit about them (maybe cover and summary), then have other bloggers vote on which one you should read next. Like I said, I LOVE this idea. Anyways, enough of my babbling and on to the good stuff(:

Currently, I'm reading Underworld by Meg Cabot, but I'm almost done and I'm stuck on a decision of what to read next.

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped—and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible.
Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie’s whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way.

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Rule #1: Do not show fear.
Rule #2: Do not show pity.
Rule #3: Do not engage.
Rule #4: Do not let your guard down.
Rule #5: They lie.
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.
Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king

I'm completely stuck on which one to pick, so I'd love to get some votes. Thanks a ton (:

"Waiting on" Wednesday #3

Welcome to "Waiting on" Wednesday, a weekly meme held by Breaking the Spine. This meme is held to showcase upcoming books that us book lovers are dying to get their hands on. This week, I chose:

Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
416 pages

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

Why I want this book: 
1.) I love love love Maggie Sitefvater's writing. I've read the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy and The Scorpio Races is sitting on my TBR shelf just waiting to be read.
2.) This book sounds original and I haven't heard of a similar plot, so that makes me automatically interested in it.
3.) The cover is beautiful. The raven just captivated me when I first saw this cover.

What about you? What are you waiting on?

My Favorite Reads Giveaway Hop Winner!

Congratulations 

Heather M. from Book Stacks on Deck!

You have won my giveaway for the My Favorite Reads giveaway hop! You have been contacted and if you don't respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I want to thank everyone who stopped by my site and entered in the giveaway. I appreciate everyone's entries and thank you to all of my new, and old, followers. (:

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday, an awesome meme held each Wednesday by Breaking the Spine. This week, I'm showcasing a book that I am dying to get.

Revived by Cat Patrick

Goodreads summary: As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.
A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger—and more sinister—than she ever imagined.

Why I want this book:

1.) I'm drawn to the cover. I think it's absolutely beautiful and I don't even know why.

2.) It sounds different. I hate reading books that are always the same idea, almost the same plot, it's just too repetitive. 

3.) Cat Patrick, I think, is an awesome author and I'd love to read another book by her.

4.) I've heard awesome reviews about it.

What about you? What are you waiting on this week? (:

Top Ten Tuesdays: Books I Feel as Though Everyone Has Read But Me

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday (: This is a weekly meme held by The Broke and the Bookish. If you want to know more, click here. This week's topic is Top Ten Tuesday Rewind, and participants can choose any past TTT topic. This week I chose the topic "Top Ten Books I Feel as Though Everyone Has Read But Me."

1.) Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

2.) Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

3.) The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

4.) The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

5.) Hourglass by Myra McEntire

6.) Fallen by Lauren Kate

7.) Delirium and Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

8.) The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

9.) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

10.) Half-blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

In My Mailbox #3

Welcome to In My Mailbox, a weekly meme held by the Story Siren. I've got a few great books this week and I'm excited to share them (:

Gifted:
1.) Eve by Anna Carey
2.) Forgotten by Cat Patrick
3.) Chime by Franny Billingsley
4.) Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
5.) Underworld by Meg Cabot

I'd like to thank Megan @ Unearthly Reviews. for my copy of Underworld that I've been searching the planet for, which she worked her book-loving butt off to get for me(: Thanks, Meg.

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan: Review

Title: A Long, Long Sleep

Author: Anna Sheehan

Genre: YA, Dystopian

Release Date: August 9, 2011

Publisher: Candlewick 

Series: No
Source: Purchased

342 pages

It should have been a short suspended-animation sleep. But this time Rose wakes up to find her past is long gone-- and her future full of peril.
Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose-- hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire-- is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes-- or be left without any future at all.

My Review:

WHY I PICKED THIS BOOK UP: I love retellings, and I love Sleeping Beauty, so I thought that this book was a perfect match for me. My first thoughts were that the book was going to be something with a lot of romance and action, and I was partially right. But it shocked me with how much more to it there was than just that. 

THE CHARACTERS: I loved the characters in this book, both main and secondary. At first, I wanted to strangle Rose. She was just so weak and had no self-worth, but as the story went on, I realized why she was the way she was after everything she went through before her 62-year sleep. Everything seems to unravel in her life as the story progresses. Then Bren, who at the end of the book has an awesome twist on who he really is, is part of Rose's love interest. He's such a caring guy, and he seemed real; almost like I could meet a guy just like him at school one day. Otto, the blue-skinned UniCorp alien project, is an awesome character and I love how unique he is. Even though he's a secondary character, he plays a great part in this whole book.

THE ROMANCE: All I can say about the romance in this book is heart-felt and makes a bit of twist in the end. I'm not one for spoilers, but the tattered and broken romance that turns into something new makes the story incredibly unique. 

THE PLOT: The plot was so unique and I love books with twists and turns and jaw-dropping moments, and this book was not short on any of those. There was romance, action, and Rose's realization of everything that happened to her. While a Plastine was out to kill her, Rose was trying to figure out her life and how to survive just going to school. I could go on and on about why the plot was so great. 

ANY OTHER COMMENTS: Well, other than the book being unique, which I've said about 5 times already, I think it's a great book. I was bored with it at first, but I'm glad I stuck this book out because I think I would have regretted it if I didn't. I hated how whiny Rose was, but after being told her life-story then watching her become a strong young woman, I realized why she was so broken. Brava, Anna Sheehan, brava.