All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES

Author: Jennifer Niven

My Rating: 5 stars

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him. Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

******

The first time I read anything about ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES, it was because I read a comparison to John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars. As a really huge fan of that book, I immediately added All The Bright Places to my TBR pile.

I’m so glad to say it didn’t disappoint me at all.

One of the things I love the most about books, are those larger-than-life characters.

I know people also hate them because they’re too smart or arrogant. But I love them because they are unforgettable! I would never be able to forget Augustus Waters, or Richard Gansey, or Jace Wayland, just to mention some of the most loved-hated characters I’ve heard of. And now I would never forget Theodore Finch.

Jennifer Niven’s characters were spectacular and lovely and interesting.

I loved Violet and Finch, their very different POVs, the dynamics between them and how their relationship was built.

The author did an amazing job even making me HATE Finch’s family. I detested them, but at the same time I was stunned at how realistic they were (I met myself a family like them once).

I finished this book with tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my lips, because even when I was heartbroken, I was glad I’ve found a new favorite book.

All The Bright Places is a beautiful book. Not only the story, but the author’s note after it.

The GR summary says: For fans of John Green, Jay Asher, and Gayle Forman. And indeed, if you liked those books you’ll probably like this one. I should add, too: for fans of Maggie Stiefvater. I don’t know why but these MC reminded me of how much I love Maggie’s characters.

I really, really hope that if you haven’t read it, you give it a chance!

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ARC Review: The Remedy by Suzanne Young

The Remedy 

Author: Suzanne Young

Source: eARC provided for review. Thanks!

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

 My Rating: 5 stars

Summary:

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee is a closer. Since the age of seven, Quinn has held the responsibility of providing closure to grieving families with a special skill—she can “become” anyone.

Recommended by grief counselors, Quinn is hired by families to take on the short-term role of a deceased loved one between the ages of fifteen and twenty. She’s not an exact copy, of course, but she wears their clothes and changes her hair, studies them through pictures and videos, and soon, Quinn can act like them, smell like them, and be them for all intents and purposes. But to do her job successfully, she can’t get attached.

Now seventeen, Quinn is deft at recreating herself, sometimes confusing her own past with those of the people she’s portrayed. When she’s given her longest assignment, playing the role of Catalina Barnes, Quinn begins to bond with the deceased girl’s boyfriend. But that’s only the beginning of the complications, especially when Quinn finds out the truth about Catalina’s death. And the epidemic it could start.

*****

I’ve read a lot of different worlds since I became a reader. It’s one of the things a love the most about reading: finding things I never dared to imagine.

The Remedy is one of those books. 

I loved to read about the journey of Quinn, how she manages to became different people and put a piece of her heart in every one of them.

The world before The Program was just as messed up as the world of Sloan and James. And that was brilliant!

I’m not going to lie. There were times when I felt sick reading some chapters and picturing the worst.

What made me feel uneasy was the relationship between Quinn and Isaac, the dead girl’s boyfriend.

I was so afraid to see Quinn losing herself. I was afraid that relationship would never change.

I was afraid about a lot of things in this book. But once again, Suzanne Young did not disappoint.

I don’t know if I should say that there’s a love triangle. Because I felt the only real relationship is between Quinn and Deacon. But one of the things I liked the most was that the romance is not main topic in this book. 

Suzanne Young has a wonderful talent to write about sadness and grief. Her writing is so addictive, it'll let you desperate for more.

Every character was interesting to read, and easy to like. The plot is phenomenal and the world building is fascinating.

Believe me when I say that The Remedy feels real. It feels awfully real.

So, of you want to read a book that will have you on the edge of your seat. You have to read The Remedy.

              

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ARC Review: My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

 My Heart and Other Black Holes

Author: Jasmine Warga

Source: ARC provided by publisher. Thank you!

My Rating: 5 stars

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.
There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman) who’s haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner. 

Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other’s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.

*****

My Heart and Other Black Holes is one of the best books I’ve read ever!

I had the fantastic opportunity to read the ARC last year, but since I lost my internet connection these last days I couldn’t write a proper review on the release week.

Anyway, Jasmine Warga’s debut is a powerful story that will leave you breathless and begging for more (believe me, I begged Jasmine on twitter for a sequel the day I finished it.)

“Sometimes I wonder if my heart is like a black hole--it's so dense that there's no room for light, but that doesn't mean it can't still suck me in.” 

It’s been a long, long time since then, and I still can’t stop thinking about it.

Because this is one of those books that just melt your heart and stay there forever.

This is not the first book about suicide that I’ve read. This is not the first book with science, either.  And it’s one of the best.

Even thought the story was messed up and heartbreaking, it was hopeful and beautiful, too. 

I felt in love with Aysel and Roman’s story. I felt in love with how slow and painfully the romance developed. I felt in love with Jasmine’s addictive and lyrical writing.

I read this book in two days, which is really fast because I read eARC in my computer and I use to feel blind after that.

My Heart and Other Black Holes was my favorite book of last year. Don’t miss the chance to read it. 

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ARC Review: Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff

Playlist for the Dead.

Author: Michelle Falkoff

Source: ARC provided by Publisher. Thank you!

My Rating: 3.5 stars

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

A teenage boy tries to understand his best friend's suicide by listening to the playlist of songs he left behind in this smart, voice-driven debut novel.Here's what Sam knows: There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, his best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs, and a suicide note: For Sam—listen and you'll understand.As he listens to song after song, Sam tries to face up to what happened the night Hayden killed himself. But it's only by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he will finally be able to piece together his best friend’s story. And maybe have a chance to change his own.Part mystery, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale in the vein of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Tim Tharp’s The Spectacular Now, Playlist for the Dead is an honest and gut-wrenching first novel about loss, rage, what it feels like to outgrow a friendship that's always defined you—and the struggle to redefine yourself. But above all, it's about finding hope when hope seems like the hardest thing to find.

***

I’ve read many books about suicide in the last year, but I hadn’t read any from a male POV until Playlist for the Dead. I’ve heard some people comparing it to Thirteen Reasons why, but except for the MC trying to understand why his friend killed himself, I can’t see the point. 

Michelle Falkoff’s debut is sad story but not a heartbreaking one. It’s a thought provoking read about guilt, revenge and understanding.
The main character, Sam, and his dead best friend Hayden had a strong relationship and they shared their love for music and comics. They were geeky and loner, that’s why they were bullied by Hayden’s brother and his Bully Trifecta. 

Although this was an entertaining read and I wanted so bad to reach the ending. I can’t help but feel disappointing. You see, I thought: books + music = love. 
I feel like I wasted my reading time searching those songs from Hayden’s playlist, when in the end it was incredible unnecessary. The playlist didn’t make Sam understand, it didn’t make me love more the story. 

Another problem I have with this book is that Sam voice wasn’t even a little aggressive, which is one of the things I enjoy more when I read this kind of books. He was too passive and plain. Even after everything The Bully Trifecta did to him and Hayden, Sam still was too soft on them. 
I could relate more to a secondary character, and I can’t help but wonder if Sam’s POV was a wise choice from the author. 

Overall, this was a good story, but it wasn’t remarkable. I liked it. And I can say I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. 

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Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

Falling Into Place

Author: Amy Zhang

My Rating: 5 stars.

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

Why? Why did Liz Emerson decide that the world would be better off without her? Why did she give up? Vividly told by an unexpected and surprising narrator, this heartbreaking and nonlinear novel pieces together the short and devastating life of Meridian High’s most popular junior girl. Mass, acceleration, momentum, force—Liz didn’t understand it in physics, and even as her Mercedes hurtles toward the tree, she doesn’t understand it now. How do we impact one another? How do our actions reverberate? What does it mean to be a friend? To love someone? To be a daughter? Or a mother? Is life truly more than cause and effect? Amy Zhang’s haunting and universal story will appeal to fans of Lauren Oliver, Gayle Forman, and Jay Asher.

*****

My Review

“No one sees how her hands shake as she closes the magazine, lays it down gingerly as though afraid that her trembling will start an earth quake, and make the entire world crumble.”

I'm madly in love with the writing of this book.

I started reading the eARC last year, but I couldn't make it on time, so I stopped. But I knew I have to finish it. I knew I'd love it. So, I gave it another chance and I'm so happy I did because while this book isn't for everybody, it was just perfect for me.

I hated Liz’s actions. I hated the ugly thing she did to her enemies, to her friends and to herself. And at the same time, I loved her, I wanted to fix her because I could see how truly broken she was.

“She finally figure out that she, Liz Emerson, was the equal and opposite reaction. She was the consequence.”

Here you are: a book with terrible human beings, a book with a mean MC that didn't do anything to change except for stop existing, a book with broken people making mistake after mistake.

But a wonderful thing called "Amy's writing" made this story unforgettable and fascinating.

Amy uses science in her writing in a way so smart that you don’t stop to think it is science, you see it as fact. Every quote, description, paragraph is breathtaking. I wanted to bookmark the whole book.

Even though the plot is not “lineal” the unexpected narrator makes it fast-paced and addictive. You go from present to past and a in between time. It tells the stories behind Liz’s friends, the people they bullied and the moments before Liz Emerson crashed her car.

Falling Into Place is unlike everything I read before. It’s a must read. 

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