Holy crap, that was good. And I'm an idiot for not reading these sooner. Holy crap, that was good. And I'm an idiot for not reading these sooner. ...more
Horrifically gory and intense, in a way you don't see that much in YA. Billy Dent has nothing on Marvin Burke. Horrifically gory and intense, in a way you don't see that much in YA. Billy Dent has nothing on Marvin Burke. ...more
Zara Lain is a freaking bitch and I love her. Gaahhhh I can't wait for the next book from her POV! What a place to end this story. Zara Lain is a freaking bitch and I love her. Gaahhhh I can't wait for the next book from her POV! What a place to end this story. ...more
Man, there are a lot of reasons why I wouldn't normally like this book--I mean, the whole thing is set up for drama, being that it's bookended by a maMan, there are a lot of reasons why I wouldn't normally like this book--I mean, the whole thing is set up for drama, being that it's bookended by a major death. The writing style is also somewhat distant, which also doesn't normally work for me, but for some reason I didn't mind it here.
Reminded me a lot of Winter Longing. What can I say, it's angst done very well....more
4.5 stars Smart, serious, sexy, and playful all at once--and not a single freaking cliche. It is heartening to see authors taking advantage of the lib4.5 stars Smart, serious, sexy, and playful all at once--and not a single freaking cliche. It is heartening to see authors taking advantage of the liberties that writing for the New Adult category affords--and doing it with integrity and style.
This book is kind of like a really great episode of Felicity, with smart girls (non liberal arts girls, too!), intense worry about education, complicated family relationships, anxiety over identity and dating and life decisions, and one seriously cute boy.
Big thanks to my friend Emily, who raved so much about this book that I added it, bought it, read it, and loved it without ever reading the synopsis. We should all have awesomely reliable blogger friends like that.
And now I'm going to have to go get some baklava tomorrow. *fans self*...more
4.5 stars Hugely entertaining scifi written like urban fantasy, with an awesome Ripley-from-Alien type heroine and explosive action. SPACE. ALIENS. KI4.5 stars Hugely entertaining scifi written like urban fantasy, with an awesome Ripley-from-Alien type heroine and explosive action. SPACE. ALIENS. KICKASS WOMAN. FUN.
This is, by far, the most well-written romance I've read to date in the dubious "new adult" category--not to mention one of the best in the indie presThis is, by far, the most well-written romance I've read to date in the dubious "new adult" category--not to mention one of the best in the indie press one. There are a handful of other NAs that I've liked, among them Faking It, Double Clutch, and Easy, but this one's much closer to the mature YA/NA writing of The Sea of Tranquility. Albeit with characters and problems that are a lot more fucked up.
This story is basically a much better version of Slammed, which has gotten a lot of attention but I didn't find all that compelling, particularly in the too-honorable-to-be-true teacher. Unteachable is honest about how the fantasy of the older man/forbidden relationship plays into Maise's intense relationship with her teacher Evan, as well as mostly honest in Evan's fixation on her. It's filled with the kind of lust and sweat and regret that you rarely get in New Adult titles, maybe because so many of them are too busy trying to appeal to YA readers that they aren't pushing the envelope enough, or maybe just don't have that much insight to share.
I think one of the most bold things about this book is that as messed up as the idea of this relationship is, it's interesting to see how honestly Maise is portrayed. She's not an innocent ripe for seduction, and her awareness of her own femininity and sexual power is shown in a way you don't ever see in contemporary romances--I mean, why is it that you mostly only get that in urban fantasy? Most women who are 18 are aware of the potency of their attractiveness and youthfulness on some level, even if they aren't mature enough to fully understand the consequences of their actions--or the lack of responsibility, and what that implies, in his. But the situation is put into the right context later on. I do think that a little more time could have been spent on (view spoiler)[Evan/Eric's past relationship, and more proof that this wasn't just a predilection for teenage girls. Because honestly, to me, that's how the situation still feels, and I don't know if Maise's just fooling herself. It's pretty creepy, but you knew that going into this story. (hide spoiler)], and the story might wrap up a little too neatly in some ways. But I'm okay with it, because there is a lot of attention paid to things that are also important, and the story and writing exceeded my expectations in most ways. I also like that the book gives you just enough back story for Maise being the way she is, and gives her enough self-awareness to be sarcastic/realistic about it, without becoming a cliched sobfest.
Incidentally, while the sex is extremely well-written and fairly graphic (and there's a good amount of it, so beware, readers who like clean romances), this isn't just sexed-up YA, as it's not just about an obsessive romance; there's real emotional connection between these two, as well as between all the well-drawn secondary characters. (view spoiler)[Whether Evan's attraction to her stays as she gets older, I'm not sure. But it's an escapist fantasy romance book, so it's not going to get into that. (hide spoiler)]Unteachable is also rounded out with worries about parents, career, identity, college, friendships--you know, all those things that NA is purportedly about but rarely is.
I hope this author is working on another book, because she's clearly got things to say. And I'd be interested in hearing them.
*** This makes such an interesting bookend to Tampa, by the way. I still haven't reviewed that book, but there is so much room for discussion there....more
4.5 stars There are about 100 reasons why this book wouldn't normally work for me. The story is related in fragments, often consisting of no more than4.5 stars There are about 100 reasons why this book wouldn't normally work for me. The story is related in fragments, often consisting of no more than half a page. The timeline is fluid, shifting between past and present. It's told in flipping SECOND PERSON NARRATIVE. But it works, it works beautifully.
Well, I stayed up all night reading this one. A well-crafted story that's humorous, but also a serious look at all the secrets we keep from one anotheWell, I stayed up all night reading this one. A well-crafted story that's humorous, but also a serious look at all the secrets we keep from one another--and ourselves.
Definitely looking into other books by this author.
Fantastic narrative voice, and definitely an author to watch. I'd strongly recommend this book to mature YA readers who seek books that deal with seriFantastic narrative voice, and definitely an author to watch. I'd strongly recommend this book to mature YA readers who seek books that deal with serious subjects in a non-self-pitying way, especially those who appreciate moral ambiguity and realism in their stories.
Well crafted, well written, and extremely readable, even though I guessed the twist. Possibly the best YA thriller I've read in recent years, though. Well crafted, well written, and extremely readable, even though I guessed the twist. Possibly the best YA thriller I've read in recent years, though. ...more
Review to come. But man, oh man--don't miss this one if you're a fan of SWell, this book is just crazy. (view spoiler)[CRAZY GOOD! :D (hide spoiler)]
Review to come. But man, oh man--don't miss this one if you're a fan of Stephen King. One of the few cases where that comparison in the marketing materials is not just an empty promise....more
Wendy Darling
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