Review: Andi Unexpected

Sympathetic Andi Boggs gets her first mystery quest.  

Having never met another Andora, Andi Boggs is curious why anyone would've kept hushed about a relative that wore the same name. But the investigation turns from a puzzle to frighteningly creepy when an author decides to play around with the information for his own gain. Who exactly is this Andora? And why is everyone denying her existence?

Amanda Flower didn't just stick to the mystery plot, but also dedicated time to sort out Andi's and her sister Bethany's relationship. Although the girls just lost their parents and need each other more than ever, there's a lot of tension between them. Mostly repressed feelings over who their parents loved the most.

A great companionship to Nancy Drew collectors. 

Review: Dreams of Significant Girls

Three unlikely girls bond at a summer camp and form a lasting friendship.

All of them are different, and not due to their ethnic or religious background. Instead, we meet conflicting personalities. Ingrid, the loud one, who enjoys having a reputation. Shirin, the introvert despite of the fact she is an actual Iranian Princess who'd never stepped out of the castle. And lastly, Vivien, who lives preoccupied by her father's marital affair. 

Although the characters did show potential --including three different point-of-views -- the story relied solely on narrative. Important plot twists such as  Shirin stealing pastries, or the girls first sexual encounters were briefly mentioned. Even the rape scene was glanced at. Seeing the girls share very little of their emotions or fears made their decade lasting friendship unlikely. 

The ending was historically powerful, but again too narrative. Too bad the story didn't go deeper instead of just scratching the surface.

Top Ten Tuesday: Let's hook up again soon

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TEN NEW AUTHORS TO ME 2013

2013 for me was a year of self-discovery. I even made sure to finish it with a bang (as you will see in an upcoming post.) Here is the list of authors I discovered this year, and intend to keep on reading in 2014.

Carrie Ryan
Oh, the gore! If Stephen King is the king of horror, this woman is queen. The Forest of Hands and Teeth series kept me in angst the entire night causing some atrocious insomnia. 

Anna Carey 

Author of The Eve Trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed the mixture of action and romance in the series. It was refreshing.

Julie Kawaga

Only discovered her this year. Why did I wait so long? I got hooked with The Immortal Rules as it allowed me to see a complete different side of vampires.

Lissa Price

Author of Starters. It was by pure coincidence that her book fell into my hands, but I don't regret it one bit. It was innovative and had so many plot twists.

Megan Shepherd

Another discovery for me this year. The Madman's Daughter is one of the best retellings I've read so far. 

Who tops your list?

                                                 

Review: The Boy from the Woods

Can a player change into a perfect gentleman over night?

Julia's heart goes on a beating rampage when Michael, her ultimate crush, spends the entire prom dancing with her. One thing leads to another and she loses her virginity to him. But later Michael tells her it was meaningless. So how can Michael become sweet and loving toward her after hitting his head during a motorcycle accident? Is there something inside those woods?

Setting the story in Salzburg provides us with a beautiful background. However, it is sympathetic Julia who steals the show. Not only does she suffer from every girl's nightmare, but is able to learn from it. She doesn't pine over him or beat herself down with remorse. Instead, she distracts herself with her best friend Gaby, and spends quality time with her sister.

All in all, Jen Minkman maintains the balance between reality and supernatural very well, revealing an interesting plot twist.

Feature and Follow Friday: Just Do It

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Bookselling time: Go to your biggest bookcases. Go to the second shelf on top and pick up the sixth book from the left. Now hardsell it to us. 

Tired of reading the same old stories with Mary-Sues who through innumerable obstacles, and yet manage to look sexy and do it all in a dress? Want to prepare for a future apocalypse?  Then I urge you to read:

A realistic heroine who must travel into a quarantined zone to search for her father. A love story about sacrifices. Inhuman has everything to keep you begging for more. I dare you not to read it O_O (reverse psychology + hypnotism always works)