Dread Locks by Neal Shusterman {Classics Retold}

Welcome to my first review for the Classics Retold challenge with Brittany from The Book Addict's Guide.

• My Intro Post and Goals
• Review of Dread Locks by Neal Shusterman
• Review of Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
• Review of Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
• Review of The Clash of the Titans (movie)

I've always loved the Greek myth of Medusa. I think because I have crazy, curly hair and when you think of Medusa, you think crazy snake hair! Dread Locks is a re-telling set in a present day high school. 15 year old Parker is the narrator. The story opens on his birthday when he  receives a most unusual gift - a statue of himself. This foreshadowing seemed a bit heavy handed to me. 

He's a spoiled, extremely rich boy who is so bored he almost can't function. It wasn't until a load of moving trucks appear at the mansion next door that he seems less than comatose. The next day he walks into his room after breakfast to discover the "exotic looking" Tara asleep in his bed. He's taken with the fact that she is just sleeping in his bed like she owns it. So begins the weirdness that is their story.

I had some pretty big issues with the entire book. The only thing that saved it was that it is just 164 pages long. The story didn't make sense. Parker wasn't likeable. Tara wasn't likeable. Everyone does and says things that not only don't make sense but also are highly unlikely. 

Tara's free reign throughout the school was beyond odd. Even with her "powers", it made no sense that she's waltz into school and have her way. Parker thought that the things he was doing was bad but couldn't help myself because of Tara? Unlikely. His character's weakness was annoying and made no sense.

Even though the ending was expected, one thing I did enjoy was how the author wrapped everything up. Although this wasn't a book for me, I can see how other readers would rather enjoy this basic retelling of the myth of Medusa.

Dread Locks by Neal Shusterman {Classics Retold}

Welcome to my first review for the Classics Retold challenge with Brittany from The Book Addict's Guide.

• My Intro Post and Goals
• Review of Dread Locks by Neal Shusterman
• Review of Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
• Review of Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
• Review of The Clash of the Titans (movie)

I've always loved the Greek myth of Medusa. I think because I have crazy, curly hair and when you think of Medusa, you think crazy snake hair! Dread Locks is a re-telling set in a present day high school. 15 year old Parker is the narrator. The story opens on his birthday when he  receives a most unusual gift - a statue of himself. This foreshadowing seemed a bit heavy handed to me. 

He's a spoiled, extremely rich boy who is so bored he almost can't function. It wasn't until a load of moving trucks appear at the mansion next door that he seems less than comatose. The next day he walks into his room after breakfast to discover the "exotic looking" Tara asleep in his bed. He's taken with the fact that she is just sleeping in his bed like she owns it. So begins the weirdness that is their story.

I had some pretty big issues with the entire book. The only thing that saved it was that it is just 164 pages long. The story didn't make sense. Parker wasn't likeable. Tara wasn't likeable. Everyone does and says things that not only don't make sense but also are highly unlikely. 

Tara's free reign throughout the school was beyond odd. Even with her "powers", it made no sense that she's waltz into school and have her way. Parker thought that the things he was doing was bad but couldn't help myself because of Tara? Unlikely. His character's weakness was annoying and made no sense.

Even though the ending was expected, one thing I did enjoy was how the author wrapped everything up. Although this wasn't a book for me, I can see how other readers would rather enjoy this basic retelling of the myth of Medusa.

Every Day by David Levithan {review}

Title: Every Day
Author: David Levithan (website)(Twitter)
Publisher: Knoft
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Rating: Really enjoyed but had issues

Many of the book bloggers I follow have mentioned David Levithan. I read Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - his collaboration with Rachel Cohn - but wanted to try one that was just his. I happened to see Every Day while waiting for my boys at the library and decided to give it a try.

This is the story of A, who wakes up every morning in a different body. Some days as a girl. Some days as a boy. A stays in each body just for the day. It's always been this way so A doesn't interfere or try to "fix" someone or get attached to anyone or anything. 

This all changes when he wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. Now suddenly, A wants to have the same body so that Rhiannon can always be around.  The basic premise is really great. I enjoyed the different experiences that A had as the different people.But although I really enjoyed it I had issues with it as well.

The first is really extremely nit picky but the absolutely beautiful writing didn't fit a 16 year old. 16 year olds don't talk, let alone think, like Every Day was written. I can suspend disbelief on A waking up in different bodies every day but I can't take that he/she would speak like that. Way older, yes. 16, no.

The second problem: David Levithan has a definite viewpoint and I felt like it was very preachy and was told to the reader instead of letting the reader think for him or her self. For instance, Rhiannon has issues when A shows up in the body of a girl and A is very judgmental about that. Rhiannon is attracted to boys though so why should it be "wrong" that she is not attracted to A as a girl? 

It was a unique book with lots of interesting characters but the preachyness took away from it for me. I will give Levithan another try when I see another of his books for sure since the writing was so beautiful.

Every Day by David Levithan {review}

Title: Every Day
Author: David Levithan (website)(Twitter)
Publisher: Knoft
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Rating: Really enjoyed but had issues

Many of the book bloggers I follow have mentioned David Levithan. I read Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - his collaboration with Rachel Cohn - but wanted to try one that was just his. I happened to see Every Day while waiting for my boys at the library and decided to give it a try.

This is the story of A, who wakes up every morning in a different body. Some days as a girl. Some days as a boy. A stays in each body just for the day. It's always been this way so A doesn't interfere or try to "fix" someone or get attached to anyone or anything. 

This all changes when he wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. Now suddenly, A wants to have the same body so that Rhiannon can always be around.  The basic premise is really great. I enjoyed the different experiences that A had as the different people.But although I really enjoyed it I had issues with it as well.

The first is really extremely nit picky but the absolutely beautiful writing didn't fit a 16 year old. 16 year olds don't talk, let alone think, like Every Day was written. I can suspend disbelief on A waking up in different bodies every day but I can't take that he/she would speak like that. Way older, yes. 16, no.

The second problem: David Levithan has a definite viewpoint and I felt like it was very preachy and was told to the reader instead of letting the reader think for him or her self. For instance, Rhiannon has issues when A shows up in the body of a girl and A is very judgmental about that. Rhiannon is attracted to boys though so why should it be "wrong" that she is not attracted to A as a girl? 

It was a unique book with lots of interesting characters but the preachyness took away from it for me. I will give Levithan another try when I see another of his books for sure since the writing was so beautiful.

ARC Envy #10 The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Every week several of my favorite bloggers post vlogs or whatever of all the great book hauls they've received for the week. Since I'm a tiny little fish in the huge book blogging pond, my mailbox isn't stuffed with all the great ARCs that they get. Dana's ARC Envy is my way of highlighting an ARC that I *wish* had been sent to me too. 

Title: The Geography of You and Me
Author: Jennifer E. Smith (website)(Twitter)
Publisher: Poppy (website)(Twitter)
Expected Publication Date: April 15, 2014

Judging a book by its cover:  Another cover that I'm not sure that I love but I like the fact that all of her book covers have the same feel.

Know anything about the author?  I read and really enjoyed The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and have This is What Happy Looks Like on the pile. 

Why do I want it?  She is one of those authors that I will always read whatever they publish. 

Summary from Goodreads:

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

What ARC are you envying this week?

ARC Envy #10 The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Every week several of my favorite bloggers post vlogs or whatever of all the great book hauls they've received for the week. Since I'm a tiny little fish in the huge book blogging pond, my mailbox isn't stuffed with all the great ARCs that they get. Dana's ARC Envy is my way of highlighting an ARC that I *wish* had been sent to me too. 

Title: The Geography of You and Me
Author: Jennifer E. Smith (website)(Twitter)
Publisher: Poppy (website)(Twitter)
Expected Publication Date: April 15, 2014

Judging a book by its cover:  Another cover that I'm not sure that I love but I like the fact that all of her book covers have the same feel.

Know anything about the author?  I read and really enjoyed The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and have This is What Happy Looks Like on the pile. 

Why do I want it?  She is one of those authors that I will always read whatever they publish. 

Summary from Goodreads:

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

What ARC are you envying this week?

Maybe Tonight? by Bridie Clark {review}

Title: Maybe Tonight? (Snap Decision #1)
Author: Bridie Clark
Pages: 224 pages
Expected Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press / Macmillian (website)
Source: Publisher for review
Rating: was ok

I'm not sure how to review a choose your own adventure book since I didn't read every single possible scenario. I fondly remember these types of books from my childhood so I was excited to try this new series. 

The basic premise is that you are a not very rich girl from a tiny little town that gets a scholarship to a very elite boarding school. Once there, you are lucky enough to room with 3 popular girls who really like you. It's the night of the Midwinter's Night Dream, the most exciting party of the year.

Each choice you make takes you in a different direction, of course. Honestly my choices in the book were the opposite of what I'd do in real life. I'm a by-the-book, play-by-the-rules kind of person so it was interesting to see how the choices played out in the book when I went against my personality.

It seemed that it was super short. Like I said, I didn't do every scenario but the things I chose made the book quite quickly over. I'm not sure if it was the storyline, the writing or my age but I wasn't all that interested in it. Overall I was really disappointed. The premise is super cute, the cover is super cute and the memories of previous choose your own adventure books are wonderful, but this one didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Maybe Tonight? by Bridie Clark {review}

Title: Maybe Tonight? (Snap Decision #1)
Author: Bridie Clark
Pages: 224 pages
Expected Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press / Macmillian (website)
Source: Publisher for review
Rating: was ok

I'm not sure how to review a choose your own adventure book since I didn't read every single possible scenario. I fondly remember these types of books from my childhood so I was excited to try this new series. 

The basic premise is that you are a not very rich girl from a tiny little town that gets a scholarship to a very elite boarding school. Once there, you are lucky enough to room with 3 popular girls who really like you. It's the night of the Midwinter's Night Dream, the most exciting party of the year.

Each choice you make takes you in a different direction, of course. Honestly my choices in the book were the opposite of what I'd do in real life. I'm a by-the-book, play-by-the-rules kind of person so it was interesting to see how the choices played out in the book when I went against my personality.

It seemed that it was super short. Like I said, I didn't do every scenario but the things I chose made the book quite quickly over. I'm not sure if it was the storyline, the writing or my age but I wasn't all that interested in it. Overall I was really disappointed. The premise is super cute, the cover is super cute and the memories of previous choose your own adventure books are wonderful, but this one didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
Author: Leigh Bardugo (website)(Twitter)
Genre: YA, fantasy, action/adventure
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Rating: I really liked it

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) - my review

***This is the second in the series and as such might contain spoilers for the first. If you haven't read Shadow and Bone you might want to skip this one***

Ya'll know I fangirled all over Shadow and Bone. I was so excited to read Siege and Storm but was a bit worried too. Afraid that the second one wouldn't be as good as the first one. I need not worry since Siege and Storm  was every bit as good.

This one picks up where the first left off. Mal and Alina have escaped from the Darkling (hence forth referred to as my second husband - kidding...sort of). But like the tag line says, Darkness Never Dies. He finds them and has a cool extremely terrifying new trick. 

After their capture, they are held aboard a ship. Here we are introduced to Sturmhond. Oh, Leigh, why did you introduce such a character to make me think of swaying from the Darkling? WHY?! Sturmhond is a wonderful addition to the characters. He's funny, mysterious, sarcastic and hot. He knows just the right thing to say to make you laugh so I was tickled that he was a central character. 

There were twists and turns and tons of action. I love reading a book that makes me feel as if I am right there and this does. The characters are so well developed that you think you really know them. The fight scenes are so intense that you felt like you fought them. I won't spoil the plot by adding anything else.

So why the "I really enjoyed it" instead of the "It was amazing!"? In a word...Alina. I found her to be highly annoying this go round. She was being worshiped as the Sun Summoner, she had men fighting over her and she could make a real difference in Ravka but she just whined about how hard her life was. Oh great day. Sometimes it seemed like she had a split personality.

That being said, I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy. Will be interesting to see how everything is wrapped up.

If you've read this who were you rooting for?

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
Author: Leigh Bardugo (website)(Twitter)
Genre: YA, fantasy, action/adventure
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Rating: I really liked it

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) - my review

***This is the second in the series and as such might contain spoilers for the first. If you haven't read Shadow and Bone you might want to skip this one***

Ya'll know I fangirled all over Shadow and Bone. I was so excited to read Siege and Storm but was a bit worried too. Afraid that the second one wouldn't be as good as the first one. I need not worry since Siege and Storm  was every bit as good.

This one picks up where the first left off. Mal and Alina have escaped from the Darkling (hence forth referred to as my second husband - kidding...sort of). But like the tag line says, Darkness Never Dies. He finds them and has a cool extremely terrifying new trick. 

After their capture, they are held aboard a ship. Here we are introduced to Sturmhond. Oh, Leigh, why did you introduce such a character to make me think of swaying from the Darkling? WHY?! Sturmhond is a wonderful addition to the characters. He's funny, mysterious, sarcastic and hot. He knows just the right thing to say to make you laugh so I was tickled that he was a central character. 

There were twists and turns and tons of action. I love reading a book that makes me feel as if I am right there and this does. The characters are so well developed that you think you really know them. The fight scenes are so intense that you felt like you fought them. I won't spoil the plot by adding anything else.

So why the "I really enjoyed it" instead of the "It was amazing!"? In a word...Alina. I found her to be highly annoying this go round. She was being worshiped as the Sun Summoner, she had men fighting over her and she could make a real difference in Ravka but she just whined about how hard her life was. Oh great day. Sometimes it seemed like she had a split personality.

That being said, I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy. Will be interesting to see how everything is wrapped up.

If you've read this who were you rooting for?

Summer of Stand Alones Challenge

So if you've followed me long you know that I generally suck at completing challenges. I love to sign up for them but I forget to update my progress or I just epically fail at them *looking at you Clean Sweep ARC Challenge*. But when the ever amazing Rachel of Rachel Reads mentioned on her blog and Twitter that she was joining this challenge, I was curious to see what the "rules" are. It's super laid back so I'm in!

You can get the complete details and sign up at Books with Cass. A big thanks to Cassie for putting all of this together for us.

My goal is to read 11 stand alone books this summer. One for each week before the boys go back to school should be doable. And on the weeks they are at their dad's house, I hope to read more. 

I'll be updating this post with my list of possibilities but in the meantime, share a great YA stand alone that I just have to read during this challenge.

Summer of Stand Alones Challenge

So if you've followed me long you know that I generally suck at completing challenges. I love to sign up for them but I forget to update my progress or I just epically fail at them *looking at you Clean Sweep ARC Challenge*. But when the ever amazing Rachel of Rachel Reads mentioned on her blog and Twitter that she was joining this challenge, I was curious to see what the "rules" are. It's super laid back so I'm in!

You can get the complete details and sign up at Books with Cass. A big thanks to Cassie for putting all of this together for us.

My goal is to read 11 stand alone books this summer. One for each week before the boys go back to school should be doable. And on the weeks they are at their dad's house, I hope to read more. 

I'll be updating this post with my list of possibilities but in the meantime, share a great YA stand alone that I just have to read during this challenge.

Armchair BEA - Children's, MG and YA book love

Today's Armchair BEA topic is the broad genre of children's literature. Even if you don't have kids of your own, there are such well written books out there in all the sub-genres of children's books. 

Picture Books:

As mom to two little boys, ages 4 and 6, we read many, many picture and chapter books. A few of our favorites are The Giving Tree, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, any of the Clifford the Big Red Dog books among many others. For a while we reviewed a favorite book every Sunday in my The Kiddie Table feature. The boys enjoy giving their thoughts on books almost as much as I do!

Middle Grade:

I am just now getting into MG. The only book I've read is the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. Was concerned that the age group would make me bored but that's not the case at all. I asked for recommendations on Twitter and got some great ideas.

Young Adult:

YA is one of my favorite genres since I started book blogging. They are action packed, well written and quick reads. Quick reads = more reviews for my blog.  My favorite three this year are Shadow and Bone, The Tragedy Paper and Being Henry David. Most of what I read tends to be YA now because I enjoy it so much.

Have a recommendation for a good MG or YA? Leave it in the comments or here.

Armchair BEA - Children's, MG and YA book love

Today's Armchair BEA topic is the broad genre of children's literature. Even if you don't have kids of your own, there are such well written books out there in all the sub-genres of children's books. 

Picture Books:

As mom to two little boys, ages 4 and 6, we read many, many picture and chapter books. A few of our favorites are The Giving Tree, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, any of the Clifford the Big Red Dog books among many others. For a while we reviewed a favorite book every Sunday in my The Kiddie Table feature. The boys enjoy giving their thoughts on books almost as much as I do!

Middle Grade:

I am just now getting into MG. The only book I've read is the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. Was concerned that the age group would make me bored but that's not the case at all. I asked for recommendations on Twitter and got some great ideas.

Young Adult:

YA is one of my favorite genres since I started book blogging. They are action packed, well written and quick reads. Quick reads = more reviews for my blog.  My favorite three this year are Shadow and Bone, The Tragedy Paper and Being Henry David. Most of what I read tends to be YA now because I enjoy it so much.

Have a recommendation for a good MG or YA? Leave it in the comments or here.

{Thoughts On} Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares (Goodreads)
Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Pages: 260
Source: Publisher for review

Summary from Goodreads:

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.


The premise of a notebook of dares left for a guy, and at the Strand no less, is an intriguing one. Who wouldn't love to converse with a witty, book loving boy? What kept me from totally and completely loving this book was the awful character of Lily. She made me want to Hulk smash something. Her character was 16 but she sounded and acted much younger and that threw me off in my reading. 

I didn't hate Dash like some other reviewers but his character was drawn with dialogue that made it seem like he was trying to prove how smart he was. How ironically hipster he was. The problem with that is that truly smart, ironically hipster people don't go around talking about how smart and ironically hipster they are. But he has the best dialogue in the book with such awesome lines as:

"Are you wearing earphones that I can't see?" I asked.

I snort every single time I read that line. He has the most character development, in my opinion, but the secondary cast of characters...Sophia, Lily's brother Langston and his boyfriend Benny, as well as Great Aunt Ida were great fun. There was a great family dynamic to Lily...she had so many people who loved and were looking out for her. Though I loved that her large family loved her, I thought their protection of her was babyish and a bit over the top. 

And Boomer. Every time he appeared on the page, I pictured a stupid dog saying "which way did he go?" Props to the authors for making him so vivid, even if I couldn't stand him. 

The romance was completely predicable but was enjoyable for me anyway. I was rooting for them to not totally hate each other anyway. They did get to know each other through the dares and comments in the notebook so that part at least was rather believable. My one gripe with the plot comes at the last part of the book. Lots of things happened that I felt were unneeded and really added nothing to the overall story.

This was a cute, quick and funny read that will appeal to readers who love books about books (lots of quotes and bookish references) and those who love the romance. I didn't rate it as high as I would have probably only for the fact that I didn't like Lily but overall it was a highly enjoyable read. I'll seek out other books by the authors for sure.

Rating: 3/5 for very enjoyable with some things that irked me

{Thoughts On} Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares (Goodreads)
Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Pages: 260
Source: Publisher for review

Summary from Goodreads:

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.


The premise of a notebook of dares left for a guy, and at the Strand no less, is an intriguing one. Who wouldn't love to converse with a witty, book loving boy? What kept me from totally and completely loving this book was the awful character of Lily. She made me want to Hulk smash something. Her character was 16 but she sounded and acted much younger and that threw me off in my reading. 

I didn't hate Dash like some other reviewers but his character was drawn with dialogue that made it seem like he was trying to prove how smart he was. How ironically hipster he was. The problem with that is that truly smart, ironically hipster people don't go around talking about how smart and ironically hipster they are. But he has the best dialogue in the book with such awesome lines as:

"Are you wearing earphones that I can't see?" I asked.

I snort every single time I read that line. He has the most character development, in my opinion, but the secondary cast of characters...Sophia, Lily's brother Langston and his boyfriend Benny, as well as Great Aunt Ida were great fun. There was a great family dynamic to Lily...she had so many people who loved and were looking out for her. Though I loved that her large family loved her, I thought their protection of her was babyish and a bit over the top. 

And Boomer. Every time he appeared on the page, I pictured a stupid dog saying "which way did he go?" Props to the authors for making him so vivid, even if I couldn't stand him. 

The romance was completely predicable but was enjoyable for me anyway. I was rooting for them to not totally hate each other anyway. They did get to know each other through the dares and comments in the notebook so that part at least was rather believable. My one gripe with the plot comes at the last part of the book. Lots of things happened that I felt were unneeded and really added nothing to the overall story.

This was a cute, quick and funny read that will appeal to readers who love books about books (lots of quotes and bookish references) and those who love the romance. I didn't rate it as high as I would have probably only for the fact that I didn't like Lily but overall it was a highly enjoyable read. I'll seek out other books by the authors for sure.

Rating: 3/5 for very enjoyable with some things that irked me

{Thoughts On} This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Title: This is Not a Test (Goodreads)
Author: Courtney Summers
Pages: 322
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually wantto live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

Anyone who knows me knows that I've become a bit obsessed with The Walking Dead thanks to my friend, Mandy. Since she got me hooked on the show, I've been trying to find a good post-apocalyptic zombie-ish book to read. Enter Kat's The Aussie Zombie Recommends page on her fantastic blog. I looked up all the titles she mentioned and my library only had one. This is Not a Test was awesome. 

Although the cover is entirely creepy, I am not sure what it has to do with the plot. The title, however, is genius. I loved how it played out in the book.

Sloane was hard for me to like because she is just so depressed and ready to give up. But she has a strength that she doesn't even know she has and I enjoyed how she grew through the book. While I still don't really like her, I do admire how she handled things. When she made mistakes, she admitted it and put others in front of herself.

Cary, Rhys, Grace, Trace and Harrison were well developed characters and I was easily able to put myself there in that high school with them. The first part of the book was a bit slow for me but once the action picked up and I got to know the characters better, I wasn't able to put this book down until I finished it. I read it at night which added to the tension and a well timed text I received just about made me come out of my skin. Note to self, don't read scary book in the dark and forget that your phone is on vibrate. *shudder*

I thought that Summers did an excellent job of making the days seem like I think they would be. A whole lot of action but times of just sitting around...waiting for the end. One thing I was thinking throughout is that if we are hit with a zombie apocalypse, I want to be in a in school that has a library...water and food from the cafeteria and all the books I can read until the zombies eat out my brains. 

There are realistic dynamics between all the characters and I loved seeing them develop over time. They were stuck together for better or worse and that leads to all kinds of interesting scenarios. I don't want to be spoilery but I will say that a couple of scenes were completely unexpected but completely believable and totally hot.

I wasn't sure what to expect with the ending but it was satisfying and very well done. Summers writing style was wonderful so I'm looking forward to picking up her other books soon. I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars only because the beginning was a bit slow for me but the last 2/3 of the book was excellent and it was about so much more than surviving.

Fans of zombies, post-apocalyptic and just flat out excellent writing will enjoy this one. This is Not a Test packed a punch...made me laugh, made me cry, made me scared and in the end, made me very glad I read it. It seemed like it could be real life but with zombies thrown it for added awesomeness. 

Rating: 4/5

{Thoughts On} This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Title: This is Not a Test (Goodreads)
Author: Courtney Summers
Pages: 322
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually wantto live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

Anyone who knows me knows that I've become a bit obsessed with The Walking Dead thanks to my friend, Mandy. Since she got me hooked on the show, I've been trying to find a good post-apocalyptic zombie-ish book to read. Enter Kat's The Aussie Zombie Recommends page on her fantastic blog. I looked up all the titles she mentioned and my library only had one. This is Not a Test was awesome. 

Although the cover is entirely creepy, I am not sure what it has to do with the plot. The title, however, is genius. I loved how it played out in the book.

Sloane was hard for me to like because she is just so depressed and ready to give up. But she has a strength that she doesn't even know she has and I enjoyed how she grew through the book. While I still don't really like her, I do admire how she handled things. When she made mistakes, she admitted it and put others in front of herself.

Cary, Rhys, Grace, Trace and Harrison were well developed characters and I was easily able to put myself there in that high school with them. The first part of the book was a bit slow for me but once the action picked up and I got to know the characters better, I wasn't able to put this book down until I finished it. I read it at night which added to the tension and a well timed text I received just about made me come out of my skin. Note to self, don't read scary book in the dark and forget that your phone is on vibrate. *shudder*

I thought that Summers did an excellent job of making the days seem like I think they would be. A whole lot of action but times of just sitting around...waiting for the end. One thing I was thinking throughout is that if we are hit with a zombie apocalypse, I want to be in a in school that has a library...water and food from the cafeteria and all the books I can read until the zombies eat out my brains. 

There are realistic dynamics between all the characters and I loved seeing them develop over time. They were stuck together for better or worse and that leads to all kinds of interesting scenarios. I don't want to be spoilery but I will say that a couple of scenes were completely unexpected but completely believable and totally hot.

I wasn't sure what to expect with the ending but it was satisfying and very well done. Summers writing style was wonderful so I'm looking forward to picking up her other books soon. I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars only because the beginning was a bit slow for me but the last 2/3 of the book was excellent and it was about so much more than surviving.

Fans of zombies, post-apocalyptic and just flat out excellent writing will enjoy this one. This is Not a Test packed a punch...made me laugh, made me cry, made me scared and in the end, made me very glad I read it. It seemed like it could be real life but with zombies thrown it for added awesomeness. 

Rating: 4/5