Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

*Possible Spoilers*

Saint Anything
by Sarah Dessen

Read: January 24, 2016
Published: May 5, 2015
Genre: YA Fiction

Sydney has always felt invisible. She's grown accustomed to her brother, Peyton, being the focus of the family's attention and, lately, concern. Peyton is handsome and charismatic, but seems bent on self-destruction. Now, after a drunk-driving accident that crippled a boy, Peyton's serving some serious jail time, and Sydney is on her own, questioning her place in the family and the world.

Then she meets the Chatham family. Drawn into their warm, chaotic circle, Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance for the first time. There's effervescent Layla, who constantly falls for the wrong guy, Rosie, who's had her own fall from grace, and Mrs. Chatham, who even though ailing is the heart of the family. But it's with older brother Mac—quiet, watchful, and protective—that Sydney finally feels seen, really seen, at last. (Amazon)




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Why did you read this book?
We've been over this, guys. I spent my junior high/early high school years absorbed in her books. I am now morally obligated to read every book that she publishes.

What did you like about this book?
I really enjoyed this one, enough to read it in one sitting. It was better than her previous books (which I reviewed). With this book, I felt like Sarah Dessen went back to the quality of writing I expect from her. It was good to read her work and finish it feeling satisfied again. While the romance part of this book is pretty good, my favorite part was the relationship between Sydney and Layla. I loved their friendship, which seemed more natural to me than the Sydney's other friends from before she switched schools. I also really related to the protagonist more than I have related to one of Dessen's characters. I always (well, usually) love them and understand them, but with Sydney I could easily see myself thinking her thoughts. Heck, I have thought her thoughts. Not so much about having a problem older brother, but I've always felt invisible and so did she. It was nice to relate to someone in that aspect, even if it was only with a character in a book. The setting of the book was familiar, same schools that are used in previous books. I've got to say, I'm a little sad it wasn't in Colby, but it wasn't a summer book and that's where the summer books take place.

What didn't you like about this book?
I did not like Sydney's family. To be honest, they all sucked. There was hardly even a redeeming quality, even in the end when they finally saw her. I'm sure Dessen intended it to be that way, but I hated reading parts with her family in it. They were awful! I wasn't a huge fan of the end of the book either. I liked where they were going with it, but I think there could have been a few more pages, or a chapter even, after where it ended. It had that summary quality Dessen's final chapters usually have, which is all fine and dandy, but then she ended on something that couldn't be summarized. It needed dialogue and description. So, I guess the ending was a bit wanting.

If you liked this book...
...but don't want to read Sarah Dessen or you've already read all of her books, I'd suggest Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira or perhaps The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti. Both have a little bit of love, lots of friendship, and a good dash of self-discovery along with tricky familial relations.

My Swoon (Warning! Contains Spoilers)
My favorite part in the whole book was when Mac told Sydney that she wasn't invisible. That part, more than any of the other potential swoon-worthy moments, got me. I think I loved it so much because that's all I want...to be seen. Here's the quote, because I love it:

“As I shut the door and started to walk away, I heard him say, "Hey. Sydney." 
"Yeah?"
"You had on a shirt with mushrooms on it, and your hair was pulled back. Silver earrings. Pepperoni slice. No lollipop."
I just looked at him, confused. Layla was walking toward us now. 
"The first time you came into Seaside," he said. "You weren't invisible, not to me. Just so you know.” 

Bottom-Line:
I liked it. If you're a fan of Dessen's books, you'll probably like it too. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in need of a light romance with a bit of depth, but not so much that it moves you to tears or changes your life. I'd say this is a small step above a fluff read, but still very good.



"I would have loved to know how it felt, just once, to have something fall apart and see options instead of endings." -Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

*Possible Spoilers*

Cruel Beauty
by Rosamund Hodge

Read: January 17-18, 2016
Published: April 17, 2015
Genre: Fantasy

The romance of Beauty and the Beast meets the adventure of Graceling in a dazzling fantasy novel about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

For fans of bestselling An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses, this gorgeously written debut infuses the classic fairy tale with glittering magic, a feisty heroine, and a romance sure to take your breath away.

Betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom, Nyx has always known that her fate was to marry him, kill him, and free her people from his tyranny. But on her seventeenth birthday when she moves into his castle high on the kingdom's mountaintop, nothing is what she expected—particularly her charming and beguiling new husband. Nyx knows she must save her homeland at all costs, yet she can't resist the pull of her sworn enemy—who's gotten in her way by stealing her heart. (Amazon.com)


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Why did you read this book?
My friend read it and said it was pretty good. Also, I've been in a fairy tale mood because I've been watching a lot of Once Upon a Time. So, when I went on a library run and saw this on the shelf, I picked it up. And I just really needed a new book.

What did you like about this book?
I really enjoyed the premise of it. Hodge combined the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale with Greek mythology. It was a retelling that I had never encountered before, so it was refreshing. The way that the Greek mythology was intertwined with the fairy tale worked very well, in my opinion. As far as characters go, I'd have to say Ignifex was my favorite. He was honest with who he was the whole time and he was so incredibly patient with Nyx (I couldn't have been that patient). I also loved the way that things were resolved in the end. It was close to what I guessed would happen, but not exactly. Which was good. I like surprises.

What didn't you like about this book?
Oh boy. I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. And yes, it did have some strong points...just not enough for me to want to add the book to my shelf. First off, I didn't like Nyx. She didn't make sense to me and she was angry all the time. Yes, she had the right to be angry. Her family was horrible. Especially her twin sister (who was supposed to be precious and lovable, but I hated her). And then there was the love story between Nyx, Ignifex, and Shade (which was sort of a love triangle, but not really...that's resolved at the end of the book). It wasn't believable to me. Perhaps once it started it felt right, but I'm not sure how Nyx got from hating Ignifex to loving him. There wasn't really an in between. There was also too much description of Nyx exploring the house. I understand that it was important to the plot, but the descriptions got too lengthy and it was difficult to stay interested in the number of doors were down the long hallway.

Food for Thought:
For those of you who have watched the ABC series, Once Upon a Time, you'll find that Ignifex is reminiscent of Rumplestiltskin (who is also the beast in the series). There are shady deals and unforeseen prices that are too steep for those that made the deals with him. Just in case you were interested.

Bottom-Line:
I kind of liked it. I don't know if I'd recommend it. Altogether, I'm left feeling torn about the book. It has its good points and plenty of bad ones. I might have to re-read it myself just to get a better hold on what I thought of it. I suppose if this has made you curious enough to read it, by all means go ahead. It wasn't a horrible book and maybe you'll like it more than I did. I just won't give it my highest recommendation.




"You fought and fought to keep all the cruelty locked up in your head, and for what? None of them ever loved you, because none of them ever knew you." --Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

*Possible Spoilers*

Snow Like Ashes
by Sara Raasch

Read: December 2015
Published: October 14, 2014
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Two currently published

A striking fantasy tale of dark magic, dangerous politics, and discovering your true self—perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now the Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter's future king—she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter's magic, Meira decides to go after it herself—only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics—and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. (Amazon)

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Why did you read this book?
The cover is pretty. (I'm not even ashamed.)

What did you like about this book?
I was a big fan of the world building. I was sold from the beginning. Raasch does an excellent job including the history of the world without making the first chapters sound like a history book. I also really enjoyed Meira as a character. She was spunky, but not annoying (which unfortunately happens to so many 'strong, female characters' in YA). She was passionate and also smart. I can't quite say that I could relate to her, but I felt her character in me. It was in first person, like most of YA, so it was easy to become Meira. There was one plot twist that I didn't even see coming (although, in retrospect, I really should have). I love it when a book just leaves me in shock. You know, one of those 'mind blown' moments.

What didn't you like about this book?
While this book was very good and I enjoyed it and I'll more than likely be reading it again, it didn't have that much depth. I wouldn't quite call it a fluff read (you know the sort...usually in the romance genre), but it wasn't exactly one that didn't that much concentration. Also, there was a love triangle. I don't mind them, when they're done well. However, this one was just wasn't all that believable. I think, given more time, it could have worked. Unfortunately, it didn't...at least, not for me.

If you liked this book...
...I'd suggest Graceling or Fire, both by Kristin Cashore. They're both in the fantasy genre with female main characters learning to come into their own. Despite the similarities, they are very different. However, I think the reader that enjoys Snow Like Ashes would also like Kristin Cashore's books.

Bottom-Line:
I liked it and I'd recommend it to anyone that enjoys fantasy. A note of warning, this isn't a fantasy epic like The Lord of the Rings. but it's still very good. I haven't read the second book, Ice Like Fire, yet. When I eventually read it, I'll let you know how it goes.



"Someday we will be more than words in the dark." -Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch