The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic, Contemporary

Rating: ****

Eden's story is split into the four parts of her high school life. It's something that describes the proper process of life on the day she was raped, and the effects that have on her afterward. Yes, rape does sometimes cause the victim to act out as a method of coping, no it should not be taken lightly and Eden's fictional story can be considered a warning of how other people watching her downfall should not act.

The Way I Used to Be is a typical contemporary YA novel. It follows the basic codes of having the issue presented and how the protagonist must work their way around said issue to change and become a better person. However, Eden is no ordinary protagonist. Instead, her behavior spirals out of control as she sheds her band geek skin to become dangerous and a fan of unhealthy behavior. I feel that Amber Smith has written a book that is applicable to almost anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, harassment and even rape due to the way the young teenage minds have to fight and resort to changing their behavior in order to cope with the sheer trauma they have endured. It isn't fun and it can't be fun to watch. 

What is alarming, though, is the fact that Eden's parents just class it as generic teenage hormones, something that it could be considered to be, but not if one considers the fact Eden is openly asking for help despite not wanting to say anything.

The Way I Used to Be is available to buy from Amazon now.

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Romance

Rating: *****

I don't think there has actually been a time where I have ever given Cassandra Clare a negative review. 

It's true though. I absolutely love her world and where she takes the reader. Lady Midnight is no exception to this rule because Emma is so different to Clary or Tessa. She's the next generation shadowhunter and absolutely fantastic to read about. 

The reader sinks straight back into the world of demons and angels alike, as if it was only a month since the publication of the Mortal Instrument's final book. But like usual, Clare creates a difficult but understandable relationship for her protagonist and it does break your heart when there is no clue as to whether things will work out or not.

Of course we get brief appearances of Tessa/Jem, Clary/Jace which makes our hearts sing with joy as we all want to know what is happening with them. I guess I just wish she wrote a separate book for just them because I did flick forward a few pages.

Lady Midnight is out now. 

For The Record by Charlotte Huang

Published by: Delacorte books for Young Readers

Genre: YA contemporary

Rating: ****

Tagline: Standing out isn't the same as fitting in

Chelsea, the newest frontwoman for known band Melbourne, has just begun a new life. Previous to joining the band she was just a contestant on some talent show reminiscent of X-Factor or Britain's got talent, etc etc. 

Melbourne has been on the music scene for a few years. They're famous for their old singer Hollis who after leaving the band for mysterious reasons or rather to just go to Vassar. Forced to take Chelsea on, they're about to embark on a US tour that will teach her so much more about the world. 

But as usual, there's a romance in the book. A few to be rather honest. 

What comes with fame is the arrival of celebrities into Chelsea's life. One celeb, in particular, is a young teen heartthrob who makes her feel so good at first until the relationship becomes a little weird. (My words). I wasn't too keen on her romantic endeavors. They felt so forced, so wrong but maybe that was how Huang was writing it to be like.

I did enjoy the book. It was a quick read, something I devoured on the train and made me feel a bit better before I had my dissertation presentation. 

For the Record can be bought from Amazon UK now.

Join Up (Island trilogy #3) by Tudor Robins

Published by: the author

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Rating: Five Stars

A huge thank you to Tudor for letting me have an advance copy

I cannot believe the series is over. Cue the tissues because I absolutely adored this book and the series. Having told Ms Robins that her books are amazing and inspired me, I think this book is further evidence that horsey books need to be out in the world more.

Join Up concludes Lacey's life as she leaves the island and all it's inhabitants to spend the summer earning money for college and maybe discovering more about herself. The camp is for kids who want to learn more about horses, to have an experience of actually owning one for a few weeks without the responsibility of forever keeping one. It's a magical thing these camps. But Lacey takes it in her stride as she teaches her students and keeps up connections to the island. 

But things change. Life changes us all. Lacey meets someone who could potentially replace Jared in her heart and he might have four legs. Of course she finds another horse. He doesn't hold a flame to Salem but there's definitely something between him and Lacey that keeps her coming back for more and more. 

It's a weird situation I'm in. I want to say so much more about the book but I can't without spoiling the end. All I can say is that this is the series you need to read if you love horses. 

Join Up is available for purchase at Amazon UK now.

The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Published by: Sky Pony Press

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Rating: Four Star

A huge thank you to Sky Pony for letting me read this in advance.

I wasn't too sure what to expect from this other than a retelling of Shakespeare in a contemporary way. My expectations were medium to low as I remembered that I'd requested this from Sky Pony. But as I devoured the book, I was impressed.

The Taming of the Drew follows Cass McKay as she plays the character of Kate from the Taming of the Shrew (Remember 10 things I hate about you? That's the same plot there minus Heath Ledger). It follows her ups and downs as a camper and actor and her joining up with fellow campers to cause chaos at the camp. It's quirky and funny. I didn't think it would be as much as it is but the book is genuinely fantastic.

Cass's world is rocked when she meets Drew. He's like the boy we all hate but secretly love. The pair of them literally become modern day versions of their characters and it's all a little cliche as it goes along. We all know how it ends but I think the development of Cass as a character is quite good. She's not as annoying in the end. Yes, that was my initial view of her but camp changes her. Life changes us all and it's just who we are. Strohm captures how even a summer can change a teenager's life and how the addition of annoying boys can be both good and bad.

The Taming of the Drew is available to buy at Amazon.

Race Girl (The Go Girls Chronicle #3) by Leigh Hutton

Published by: Port Campbell Press

Genre: YA Contemporary, Sports, Equestrian

Rating: ***

This has got to be a really weird book to review purely because of how it varies between being really good and quite blah. Of course, that can be because I might not be the intended target audience of the story (it's clearly meant for a younger audience). 

However, the story follows the life of Tully Athens and her endeavor to be like her idol, the great Michelle Payne. But there is a problem. Her family farm is no longer able to afford the basic luxuries that come with racing. Yet there is another issue. How can Tully ride when her mother only just died from a racing incident? 

My honest view of this was how amazing the story was at first. It was only until the middle of the novel that the novel took a nosedive into a ridiculous tale that made no sense at all. I could not, for the life of me, wrap my head around the many different plot twists introduced in the last 100 pages or so.

Therefore, I end my review with a link to buy the book from Amazon.

Wandering Wild by Jessica Taylor

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Rating: ****

Wandering Wild is a very different story that revolves around wanderer Talia and her brother Wen. Living a life away from what other might, the duo travel state to state as they work cons and earn money in unethical and illegal ways.

In all honesty, I forgot I requested this and when it appeared in an email, I was reminded of what made me want to request it. The sheer-non-fiction elements of this, that people do live this way and it interests me to read if fictional, accounts of lives like this because it makes you wonder whether or not there is someone out there like this. 

Talia is both likable and not. Her attitude is understandable and her behavior is just right for a young woman of her age and position in the world. It's got to be hard to be alone, no mother or father and forced to carry on with the amount of anger for that said mother. But she carries on. Despite knowing bad things that are about to happen in her life, Talia remains strong even when she wants to break down.

It all changes, though when she meets Spencer Sway. 

He's kind and studious but can work a con just like Talia can if given enough time to prepare. They're a weird and doomed duo that it breaks your heart assuming nothing good can ever come of them being together as the book develops into something I didn't expect to read.

Again being honest, I didn't think I would enjoy this but I did. It was a true page-turner and will make a great impact on the fiction charts, or at least it should.

Wandering Wild will be published on May 3rd by Sky Pony Press.

Me Before You (Me Before You #1) by Jojo Moyes

Published by: Viking

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Rating: *****

Warning: This book is a tear-jerker.

Me Before You is a heartstring-tugging book that will make any reader sob as they reach the final pages. 

Lou Clark isn't the sharpest tool in the box nor is she one for wanting to leave her hometown. Instead she's content with working the same job she's had for years, serving coffee in an old cafe and knowing that she'll probably never marry her longtime boyfriend. She's so very different from any female lead than I've had the privilege of reading and that's why I felt even more drawn to this book. 

Will Traynor on the other hand has had the time, money and privilege to leave his hometown and do what he wanted before the accident. Something that left him permanently disabled and in need of someone to look after him. 

But there's more to the story. Lou has barely six months to try and cheer Will up and see if he might change his mind about Dignitas. 

Me Before You is a story about two individuals who want the other's circumstances to be different. Its a story that will change the world of anyone who reads it. I cannot get over it and nor can I forget suppressing tears on the bus home from work. 

The book can be bought from any major retailers especially since the film adaptation is out now.

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Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Music
Rating: ****

 Tone Deaf is literally every fangirl's dream book in the sense that the main character gets to spend time with a famous band. I mean who wouldn't want to do that?

Ali Collins is different, though. She used to be a prodigy but now she's deaf and stuck in a home with a father who hates her disability and will try anything he can to belittle or hide the fact that she isn't like him. It's only until she goes to a concert with her friend and wins a backstage tour that she meets Jace, the lead singer of Tone Deaf, a very popular band.

He acts spoilt and awful to Ali until another encounter between the two of them leads to Ali coming on tour with him and learning that first impressions aren't everything. Sound familiar? That's because it's a little Pride and Prejudice-y in parts. But don't let that deter you. It's a good book. I really enjoyed it and found myself rushing to read the final pages before I got off the bus.

There's something about it that will make the toughest of hearts feel for the characters. It also contains very serious topics and illnesses that are now becoming more and more talked about like abuse and deaf. Think Nial from ANTM or ABC (Freeform)'s Switched at Birth.

Tone Deaf is published May 3rd via Sky Pony Press.

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

Published by: Tor

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Rating: ****

Following the lives of Safiya, a Truthwitch [someone who can separate truth from lies] and Iseult, a Threadwitch [a witch who sees invisible ties binding/entangling those around her, bar herself], the novel explores the two young and independent women on their hunt for freedom. However, there is a war on the horizon and so with the help of a fellow Windwitch and a cunning enemy who can smell their blood, the two best friends must fight their way past royalty, hired men and their own families in order to remain free.

This book was amazing. As someone who had read Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly series, it made sense for me to read her next novel which had also been bumped to be the next big thing in Young Adult literature. And oh boy it was. 

I have to say a huge thank you to Tor UK for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this book despite the fact that I had preordered the book. But nonetheless, the story was fantastic so it wasn't a let down at all. 

Dennard strikes again, though. Her knack for writing kooky and strong female characters is something I wish I was capable of doing because Safiya and Iseult were two people I wished were my best friends and who I could be one day (not going to happen since I'm not a witch).

Their world was set up so beautifully that any reader who knew Dennard loves gaming, could see how she'd used her knowledge of those worlds to help add more layers to her fictional one in Truthwitch. 

It was an absolute honor to read this book, and now I have to chomp at the bit as I wait for the sequel.

Truthwitch can be purchased from Amazon now.