Schoolyard Treasures #3

This is a feature I thought of in class, when I was supposed to be doing something that was not thinking of blog posts. Basically, since school started back up, I know I won't be doing much reading for pleasure, but, as an English major, I will be doing a ton of reading. I wanted to share with you all some of the new authors/stories/etc. I've read for a class and really enjoyed. I love that this gives me a space to talk about classic literature and short stories, which I usually don't talk about.

This past semester, I was in a graphic novels class, which I loved. For the first time in my college career I actually did pretty much all the reading for a class--and some of it I did in advance, which I can assure you has never happened before. 

I got to read a ton of interesting graphic novels and learn about a ton of interesting graphic novels that I want to read. But today I'm here to share with you my favorite graphic novel that I read for class, which I'd never even heard of before. 

Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba
(standalone)
Published: February 8, 2011 by Vertigo (DC Comics)

Summary from Goodreads:What are the most important days of your life?

Meet Brás de Oliva Domingos. The miracle child of a world-famous Brazilian writer, Brás spends his days penning other people's obituaries and his nights dreaming of becoming a successful author himself—writing the end of other people's stories, while his own has barely begun.

But on the day that life begins, would he even notice? Does it start at 21 when he meets the girl of his dreams? Or at 11, when he has his first kiss? Is it later in his life when his first son is born? Or earlier when he might have found his voice as a writer?

Each day in Brás's life is like a page from a book. Each one reveals the people and things who have made him who he is: his mother and father, his child and his best friend, his first love and the love of his life. And like all great stories, each day has a twist he'll never see coming...

In Daytripper, the Eisner Award-winning twin brothers Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá tell a magical, mysterious and moving story about life itself—a hauntingly lyrical journey that uses the quiet moments to ask the big questions.

 This graphic novel has won some major awards and has been on the NYT bestsellers list, I'm pretty sure, so it's not like it's unknown or underrated or anything, but I've never heard of it before and I'm a little uncertain as to why. Maybe because it came out in 2011? I don't know.

Either way, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Not only is it beautiful, but it's an interesting, kinda mind-fucky story. If you're a graphic novel person, I seriously recommend this one. And if you're not a graphic novel person, I seriously recommend this one.

HAVE YOU READ DAYTRIPPER? WHAT DID YOU THINK? AND IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, DOES IT SOUND INTERESTING TO YOU?

Schoolyard Treasures #2

This is a new feature I thought of in class, when I was supposed to be doing something that was not thinking of blog posts. Basically, since school started back up, I know I won't be doing much reading for pleasure, but, as an English major, I will be doing a ton of reading. I wanted to share with you all some of the new authors/stories/etc. I've read for a class and really enjoyed. I love that this gives me a space to talk about classic literature and short stories, which I usually don't talk about.

I'm only two weeks into this semester and I've already discovered two short stories I absolutely adored! 

THE PAPER MENAGERIE BY KEN LIU 

This is my new favorite short story! I've never felt this emotionally invested in such a short piece of fiction. I sobbed almost the entire time I was reading this. I'm looking forward to reading more stories by this author. 

L. DEBARD AND ALIETTE BY LAUREN GROFF

This story really sucked me in. It has a unique writing style and reads very quickly. In my fictin class we're going to be reading from her anthology, too, so I'm excited to get better acquainted with both of these authors. 

Lefty's Lowdown: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
(standalone)
Published: May 5, 2011 by Walker Books
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

 This book was not at all what I expected. I admit, going into it, I hadn't had the faintest clue what it was actually about, but it was still much different than what I figured it would be. And I think that's a good thing. I definitely think this is the type of book you should go into blind and just experience how amazing & emotional it is.

Patrick Ness has woven such a beautiful and poignant story about loss and truth and coping with pain. It will sweep you away for a few hours and never fully return you because it will steal tiny fragments of your heart. I couldn't help but hurt on Conor's behalf. He's dealing with a lot of painful circumstances that no child his age (I'm pretty sure he's like 13) should have to deal with, and it has forced him to grow up much too soon and he has kind of lost himself somewhere along the way. So of course I became very emotionally invested in him, and truly enjoyed his story arc & where Ness left his character in the end. Also, it's important to note that he could be super sassy and hilarious at times which was just truly wonderful.

The monster is an interesting aspect of this novel, in terms of characterization and what he represents, but I don't want to say too much about him because I don't want to give too much away. But this monster is different than any of the other monsters you will find in YA/MG literature and really helps set this book apart from others. I also adored the stories he told within the stories and the way he interacted with Conor.

This book is about emotion. By the end of this novel, I was sobbing. Ness brings so many memories and fears to the surface that it is impossible to not be overwhelmed by emotion. This is a quick read, but it definitely hits you where it hurts. I seriously think everyone would be able to enjoy this story and take something away from it, no matter how old you are or what walks of life you come from. Unfortunately, I bought the movie tie-in edition and that does not come with the illustrations that are in the original version of the book, which makes me so upset. I do think illustrations would have given this book completely new life, so I recommend not getting the movie tie-in.

I'm definitely going to be picking up more books from Patrick Ness now, and I'm really looking forward to the movie. I know this is the type of book that the film studio is going to have to take various creative liberties with, and I'm interested to see how they bring this book to life.

4/5

Lefty's Lowdown: The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder
(standalone)
Published: January 1, 2011 by Razorbill
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads: 
Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page.

 I thought the premise of this book sounded different & interesting, I'd heard good things about this book, and the cover is SO PURRDY. Sounds like a recipe for success, right? Well, unfortunately I was disappointed by this book. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and becoming absorbed in the story.

My biggest issue with this novel was the protagonist. I don't usually mind dry and sarcastic, but Cam was also negative and a total downer. I get it, she has cancer so she has an excuse. I'd probably be the same way. That doesn't mean it was fun to read about. She didn't believe in anything, and not only did she make sure everyone knew it, but she also condescended on people when they did believe in something (like miracles, for instance). I feel like Cam was a fan of the old adage "misery loves company" because she clearly wanted everyone to be bitter and miserable like herself. And the other characters? They were all fine, but we don't get to know them all that well, and honestly I just didn't care about them that much.

I'll admit, there is a shift toward the second half of the book when Cam starts being more positive and lighter, funnier events begin to occur. However, the shift isn't a gradual transition. To me, it felt like a switch was flipped. All of a sudden Cam and Asher, the love interest, were in love and Cam was more open to miracles and everything was looking up. All I could think was, "What? Where did all this come from?????" Don't get me wrong--the second half is what saved this novel for me, but I just feel like it was all so sudden.

In the end, this story left me unsatisfied. I thought there was a general lack of depth and I still had some questions in the end. For instance, IS THIS BOOK MAGICAL REALISM?? I DON'T GET IT. This question still plagues me. Like, there were hints that the town really was producing miracles but was that magic or just coincidence or what? Also, a big part of Asher's storyline was that he was afraid to leave Promise, Maine and do something with his life and I don't feel like that was sufficiently resolved. Surprisingly, though, I did cry in the end. I really didn't expect to because I spent most of the book not caring much about the protagonist, but the ending was written beautifully and it just really got to me.

Clearly, this book didn't exactly do it for me. It was okay. I know I didn't really highlight a lot of the positive stuff , but there were some parts I enjoyed (mostly in the 2nd half of the book). Still, I'd say the parts that would make this book unique and make it stand out (the quirkiness, the weird stuff happening in town) were not as prominent as I would have liked them to be, so it fell flat.

3/5

Lefty's Lowdown: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
(standalone)
Published: April 14, 2011 by Dutton
Source: Received in a trade

Summary from Goodreads: 
Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

After being wowed by Fangirl, I vowed to read everything by Rainbow Rowell. Let me tell you, Attachments did not disappoint me. This book is clever, addicting, and different. 

I'll admit, I had a few problems with this novel when I was reading. In the beginning, I thought Lincoln was a bit too mopey for my tastes, but I did respect how realistic and (even though some might not like to admit it) relatable his character was. Socially awkward, stuck in a job he hates, and living with his mother again, Lincoln was definitely stuck in a life slump. In a way, his transformation almost reads like a coming of age novel (even though he's almost 30). All in all, though, he was a good guy and I really enjoyed reading about him once he starts getting his life together. 

The other problem I had was that the ending felt very rushed. This whole novel builds up to Lincoln and Beth meeting in person, so the way things went down when they finally did meet was not what I was anticipating. I just thought what took place was a bit strange, and I could feel myself reading with furrowed brows. 

Aside from those two things, though, I thought this book was brilliant! I just adored getting to know Beth and Jennifer exclusively through their emails back and forth with each other. They were so much fun and so so so clever! Their emails were definitely my favorite part of the novel. In the beginning, when I wasn't so much vibing with Lincoln's narration, I found myself eagerly awaiting their email exchanges. You know Rowell is doing something right when she gets me super invested in these two characters through just emails! 

I also think it is really neat that this book deals with the turn of the century AKA the Y2K debacle. I'm a bit too young to remember the panic that centered around this event, so it was so cool to see it in a book, and to read about the transition into a more technology-driven era. 

Despite minor issues, this book had me really hooked, and feeling very happy by the end of it. I love that Rainbow Rowell's books leave me with this deep-seated feeling of contentment when I finish the last page (NOT ELEANOR AND PARK THO). Anyway, this book was quick, addicting, and super enjoyable! 

4/5

61 (Non-Spoilery) Thoughts I Had While Re-Reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
(Delirium #1)
Published: February 3, 2011 by HarperCollins
Source: Received as a gift

Summary from Goodreads: 
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing.

They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

 I first read this 5 years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Recently, I was reading some quotes from this novel and it was so beautiful I realized I needed to re-read this ASAP, especially now that time has passed, I've grown, I've experienced more, and learned more. I knew I'd still love it, so writing a review would be useless, so I decided to bless y'all with the thoughts I had while reading:

1. Goodness, Oliver's writing is gorgeous.
2. I like how much personality Hana has.
3. Haha, Mrs. Tiddle!
   
4. Looooove this quote!
5. I really appreciate these snippets before each chapter from texts from their world.
6. How are these descriptions so gorgeous????
   
7. Lol RT girl, RT!
8. Lol!! Lena's characterization right here is A+
   
9. OH MY GOSH, THERE'S THE QUOTE!!!!!!!!
10. ALEXXXX <3333 What a beautiful meeting <3
11. Interesting family dynamics.
12. Lena is such a real and relatable character.
13. Oooh, homosexuality briefly addressed—nice worldbuilding!
14. Wow, that's really really sad.
15. ALEXXXX!!
16. I can't imagine dealing with just girls all the time. '
17. Oh lord—not the good ol' “electrical shock” line.
18. This sounds like such a boring existence.
19. Girl, the whole world is NEVER on your side.
20. Woah, twisted biblical history!
21. What an accurate portrayal of graduation.
22. I can't even imagine having such a detached family.
23. I miss Alex when is he coming back?
24. Lol—changing the meaning of the 4^th of July. I love this subtle worldbuilding.
25. What happened to the constitution in this world?
26. I love how Oliver justifies the belief in the cure. It's actually believable.
27. I like how often Oliver compares the people in this society to animals.
28. Writing goals. Ugh. Perfect.
    
    
    
29. That hurts my heart.
30. How does Oliver balance such poetic writing with a believable teen voice?
31. YAY ALEX!! <33
    
32. I have the same reaction when it comes to flirting.
33. Girl, you are very wrong.
34. I love the symbolism!
35. My heart is beating so fast—the tension!
36. That actually hurts my heart.
37. Aww, little Gracie <3
38. It's so sad :(
39. Lena is so relatable!
40. Oh my gosh, these regulators are horrible. Not the dog!!
41. Hah! I'm not sure how Lauren manages to slip in humor, but she does.
42. OH SHIT!
43. AlexAlexAlexAlexAlexAlexAlexAlex <3
    
44. Nobody in the world has ever described attraction and lust this beautifully.
45. Oh wow that foreshadowing tho
46. Writing. So. Lovely.
47. Alex trusts Lena so much. Oh my gosh <3
48. I'M SWOONING.
49. This is the best chapter in all of literature!
50. Holy crap—my heart. It's starting to get emotional.
    
    
    
51. I love how honest and sincere Alex and Lena's relationship is!
52. OMGOMGOMGOMG I'M GONNA CRY
53. Oh shit.
54. That right there was such a big moment. Oliver really shows us the power of the cure right there.
    
    
    
55. Oh my gosh the writing is so gorgeous!!!
56. HECK YES GRACIE!
57. Oh gosh, I just love Alex so much.
58. Holy crap holy crap holycrapholycrapholycrap
59. NO
60. GO GO GO GO gogogogogogogogogog
61. NO

All in all, this book is still amazing incredible perfect lovely stunning. I'm still utterly in love with this piece of art and I'm so glad I allowed myself to experience it again. This was just the book I needed to read. This book influenced my writing heaps, and that reminder was absolutely welcome. If you've not read this book yet, I encourage you to do so. 

Even the second time around, I give this 5/5 (read: 284867390375646296/5)

P.S. - What do you think of this kind of post? Do you like it? Would you like to see more of these?

Lefty's Lowdown: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
(Book #1)
Published: June 7, 2011 by Quirk
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

 The second I saw the movie trailer for this book's adaptation, I knew I wanted to read it. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably have seen my struggle with this book. I finished the last page with very mixed feelings, and, even a week later, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this book, so this review is going to be a little bit different than my usual reviews.

PROS: 

+ The writing - I enjoyed the style, and I loved Jacob's voice.

+ The photos - If a book has mixed media, I instantly like it more. And these aren't just photos; they're creepy af photos. And probably my favorite part of this book!

+ The peculiarity - I really enjoyed reading about the side characters and what their peculiar trait was. Some of the traits were more common (invisibility, fire balls), but some were much more unique (controls bees, back mouth)! It was a lot of fun!

+ The second half - I became pretty damn hooked when Jacob started unraveling the truth about his grandfather's past, and the truth about the peculiar children, and the truth about himself. It became exciting and fast-paced! Not to mention there was a little twist that I hadn't seen coming (even though I probably should have).

CONS: 

- The first half - It was so hard to make it through the first half of this novel. While I thought the writing was good, it just didn't hook me in. It was slow and drawn out. I really think Ransom Riggs could have cut out a good chunk of the first half and got to the good stuff quicker.

- Lack of connection - I liked Jacob's character. He grew a lot over the course of the novel, and, like I said above, I loved his voice. However, I didn't really connect with him the way I would have liked to.

- The romance - It felt rushed and, yes, WEIRD. If it developed more slowly over the course of the series, I'd probably be a bit more into it, but it felt a little forced this early on. (But it wasn't insta-love or anything, I promise.)

- The world building - I'm still just a bit confused about it all? This is probably more my fault than the book's fault, I just didn't think some aspects of the world were explained sufficiently enough. Maybe I'll understand it more as I read the rest of the series.


As you can see, I'm pretty torn. There were some aspects I thought were great, and some that made it really hard to get through this book. It took me two weeks to read this book, and for a little while, I began to feel slumpy, and I debated DNFing. I'm glad I didn't DNF, though, because by the end of this novel, I was hooked enough to want to continue the series! And I am unbelievably stoked for the movie!

Actually 3.5/5

Flashback Friday: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Left-Handed Book Lover's Flashback Friday. I'm not sure if this feature has been done on other blogs. I haven't seen it, but if it has been, let me know so I can give some credit!

FF is a feature here where I talk about books I read a while ago but still want to give major love to. This feature is designed to give some exposure to books that may have been forgotten about or that some people haven't heard of, even though they're really great!

This week's FF goes to...

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
(standalone)
Published: October 18, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Genre: YA contemporary

Summary from Goodreads: 
Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall.... 

 WHEN DID I READ THIS?

I read this novel on Pulseit in early 2012. I was going through a pretty bad reading slump, and this novel kicked me out of it. 

WHY DID I PICK THIS BOOK?

Point-blank: This novel is wonderful. It received quite a bit of positive feedback when it was released, but it has long since fallen off the radar. It deals with anxiety, drug use, music, competitiveness, and figuring out what you really want for your future rather than what others want for you. Not to mention, there is good writing, and entertaining banter between Carmen (the protagonist) and her best friend. 

Here are three reasons you should read this novel:

1. There is a complicated, yet enticing, romance. Carmen and Jeremy, the couple in question, should be enemies. They should hate each other. And yet...they are drawn to each other. But their lives do not always allow for love to come first. 
2. Family dynamics. Carmen's relationship with her mother is very tense. Her mother has a very short leash on her, and Carmen has to learn how to extend the leash and become more independent. 
3. The musical aspect. Maybe it's just me because I am a music nerd, but I love novels that deal with music and performing, and this book certainly fits into that category, this time in the form of violins. 

AUTHOR INFO

I was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. As a child I played the violin, read books, and climbed trees incessantly. I went on to study English and music at Brigham Young University, and since then I’ve been an English teacher, a symphony violinist, and a mother. I currently live in Orlando, Florida with my husband and three children.

My young adult novels are Virtuosity, The Space Between Us, The Vow, and Kiss Kill Vanish. I’m represented by Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Literary Agency.
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Flashback Friday #1: Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Left-Handed Book Lover's first Flashback Friday. I'm not sure if this feature has been done on other blogs. I haven't seen it, but if it has been, let me know so I can give some credit! 

FF is a feature here where I talk about books I read a while ago but still want to give major love to. This feature is designed to give some exposure to books that may have been forgotten about or that some people haven't heard of, even though they're really great! 

This week's FF goes to...

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

(Hex Hall #1)

Published: March 2, 2010 by Hyperion 

Summary from Goodreads:
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

When did I read this?  

I'm pretty sure I read the first book in this series in ninth grade, which was probably about 2010. It's crazy that I read this five years ago, but I still remember sitting on the couch reading it, still remember specific phrases that stuck out to me while I was reading. There are three books, and I am not sure when I finished the series, but I'd guess around 2013. 

Why did I pick this book? 

This book is so much fun! It's got a magical boarding school, demons, romance, and sarcasm everywhere! And honestly, the books get better as the trilogy progresses. The characters in this series are fantastic. A feisty protagonist, a lesbian vampire best friend. a talking mirror, and cute boys that will both steal your heart. It's an awesome combination. Add to that some pretty good worldbuilding and you've got yourself a zinger of a series. 

This used to be pretty popular, but as the third book came out in 2012, it has kind of fallen off the radar and that is a damn shame. Reading this series was truly an adventure, and I can remember that adventure, and think fondly on it, even years later. 

There is also a spin-off book that I am absolutely crazy about! 

I'm telling you, this series is so worth a shot. I know it's just another one of those paranormal books that was released during the paranormal craze, but it really is tons of fun and addicting. Honestly, writing this post has made me want to go re-read the entire series because it's so fracking goooood!

Also, look how cool the covers are!

READ ITTTTT!

Other info--

Books in the series:

Hex Hall (#1)

Demonglass (#2)

Spell Bound (#3)

School Spirits (spin-off)

Author info:

Rachel Hawkins was born in Virginia and raised in Alabama. This means she uses words like "y'all" and "fixin'" a lot, and considers anything under 60 degrees to be borderline Arctic. Before deciding to write books about kissing and fire (and sometimes kissing while on fire), Rachel taught high school English for 3 years, and is still capable of teaching you The Canterbury Tales if you're into that kind of thing.

She is married to a geologist, which means that they have incredibly strange dinner conversations ("So today at work, I wrote a chapter where killer fog, like, ATE PEOPLE." "Huh. Well, I was chased by an angry reindeer while trying to map parts of Norway." "Um...okay.")

Rachel also has a little boy whose main hobbies are playing video games, running around in circles, and plotting his Future Intergalactic Take-Over.

When not writing books, Rachel enjoys reading, travelling, and knitting (very terribly.)

~ follow her on the twitter ~ 

Lefty's Lowdown: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
(The Chemical Garden #1)
Published: March 22, 2011 by Simon & Schuster  Books for Young Readers
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

Okay, y'all. I have had this books sitting unread on my shelves for freaking years, and that was such a mistake. I'm not sure why I was hesitant to read it, but I'm glad I finally did. Wither is different than a lot of the books you'll find on the shelves these days. I will say there are some areas where this novel fell flat, but the writing and the premise had me flying through this book in one sitting. 

Guys let's just talk about some of the awesome ideas in this novel. It takes place mostly in a dystopian Florida (my home state, what what) with flashbacks to dystopian New York (my future state, what what). What made this especially interesting, though, is that New York is this, run-down, dilapidated state, and Florida is thriving. It's the opposite of what you might expect, and that's just really cool to me. And then there's the phrase "sold as a bride." It's super creepy to think about and that's what makes it such a fascinating thing to read about. Oh, and that whole thing where basically everyone knows exactly when and how they're going to die. All of this is actually quite chilling. It's gritty and sucked me right in.

However, I feel like this story was still lacking some of the darkness and creepiness it promised. I feel like not enough happened. A lot of the story was merely Rhine thinking about how much she wanted to escape and how much she hates the mansion. There were a few parts when she took action, but she mostly just let things happen to her, rather than making them happen. Like, I wish Rhine would have dug deeper to find out some secrets of the mansion and Vaughn, her father-in-law that gives everyone the heebie-jeebies. I mean, we find out some pretty crappy things he has done, but I just wanted more. He's the villain of the book, but I just wasn't appalled by him enough.

Now, about the other characters. The thing is, I don't really have strong feelings about any of them, which makes me sad because I am a character-focused reader. Rhine is a good narrator, and I was rooting for her, but I wouldn't say I necessarily like her. If anything, I was more a fan of the secondary characters, namely Linden and Cecily. Linden was just so sweet and clueless, it was hard not to love him. And Cecily was a lot of fun. I loved watching the way she developed over the course of the novel. 

As far as the romance goes, it was nothing spectacular. It could have been, but Gabriel, the main love interest, is basically absent for half the novel. The chemistry that was building between them kind of fizzled, in my opinion. 

My absolute favorite part of book is the writing style. DeStefano has such a beautiful way with words. Some of her descriptions sent a pang to my heart because they were so good. I think her writing is the primary thing that sets this book apart and makes it feel different from the things I usually read. Even if this book had nothing else going for it, I would have still read it until the very end because I was so enthralled by the writing. 

I know there seems to be a lot of negativity in this review, but I really had a hard time putting this book down. I immediately picked up the second book when I was finished with it. I will probably be recommending this to my friends because I think it is extremely interesting. I don't think you'll regret reading this. 

Rating:

4/5