The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin (#1)

I've seen this book around the blogosphere often but I don't think I had ever seen it in a bookshop nor in a library. Until the other week when I discovered the Young Adult section of my local library and then, discovered this on the shelf.
I've heard lots and lots of incredible things about this book, scratch that, about this series and with THAT cover, it was a little too good to resist picking this up despite the works paranormal and supernatural being on the blurb.

Synopsis: Mara wakes up in hospital after being in a coma for 3 days with no idea how she got there. The last thing she remembers is being in an old, closed asylum with her best friend, a girl she disliked and her boyfriend. Now, her friends are dead after the building fell on top of them, yet Mara is the only one that lived. Her family move to Florida to try and get over the accident that Mara thinks was her fault. On her first day at her new school, Mara sees her dead friends, the classroom ceiling seems to fall in and she starts to see deaths before they actually happen. There's also Noah Shaw, a guy that seems very interested in Mara from their first meeting. But is that just him being interested or is there something deeper? Are the people she sees imagined or real?

Review: I'm not a supernatural/paranormal kind of gal at all. And then when Twilight came along and all those vampire love triangle spin-offs, I was put off my the genre even more.
So I started this book with that thought, which is a little judgemental I know, and I expected myself to dislike this book A LOT. But, I do not see how they can describe this as a paranormal/supernatural genre book. Okay, the whole thing at the end happens but for me, this book was more of a psychological thriller with a dash of romance.

Soon into the novel, you find out that Mara has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder with some of the symptoms are hallucinations, flashbacks and nightmares, all of which feature for Mara. There's this deep undertone at the back of my mind throughout whether the experiences Mara faces are merely the PSD or something more sinister - even by the end, I wasn't entirely sure what was reality or dreamt by Mara. It really makes the novel stand out with this unreliable narrator. Combined with the sarcasm Mara's voice has, she is a likable character that makes a reader really feel for what she is going through.

One of the things that made me annoyed by this novel is that throughout you have this great 'is it real or not?' question for every event that Mara goes through but then, suddenly that all stops at the end and I guess the sinister undertones become more prominent  For me, the whole psychological thriller was kind of forgotten to display a novel that is essentially supernatural. Then, it got even more confusing because more is implied rather than clearly shown (if that makes ANY sense). In a perfect world, I would have liked the thriller part to be a bit longer - like the whole novel...

I don't think Michelle Hodkin can be faulted for her characters and their relationships with Mara that she builds upon. There is every type of relationship shown - friend, enemy, brotherly, boyfriend and that's what makes this book seem more real, more believable, in my eyes. My favourite moments were the ones featuring Mara and her brothers, David and Joseph for the banter, teasing and just plain sibling love. Her friendship with Jamie, although doesn't end superbly (anyone else think he was kind of forgotten about halfway through?), is so lovely and so real that I thought HE would be love interest rather than Noah, hell, I thought there would be another love triangle rocking out. I certainly believe that the relationships felt real, felt genuine and it made this novel even more haunting.

As I mentioned boyfriend in that previous paragraph, I think it's time to talk about Noah. Ah, Noah. I wrote on a status update on Goodreads while I was reading this novel 'I think I'm falling a little bit in love with Noah' which 2 people liked it instantly. It says it all. Wow, he is quite a lovely protagonist - good-looking, bad reputation, slightly mysterious and yet the loveliest human being. It was interesting to see Mara and Noah's relationship evolve from hatred and annoyance to something really lovely and endearing. Some reviewers have commented on the focus of the relationship only really being brought to the surface halfway through, but I liked this. It made the relationship and the mental stability of Mara both focused on particularly at crucial parts.

There's something I think most people dislike about this novel, be it a character, the writing, the pace or the plot. But it's clear that what makes this novel just so great is the fact that most of the time you literally have no idea what is right or wrong. There is something extremely addictive about this series, especially with the cliffhanger ending and the humour running throughout. This isn't a five star book, but it's darn close. I absolutely loved this book.
Book Two will certainly be appearing at some point this year on Rebecca-Books.

I give it a 4 out of 5

Author's Website: http://www.michellehodkin.com/
Pages: 452
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Challenges: None

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

Rebecca holds a lot of value for me, even before I started this book for a number of reasons.
For starters, I think it's obvious that I was drawn to this book because of the title. For the record, I was NOT named after the book (as much I would love that). My name was a popular name in the 90's. According to my parents anyway.

Secondly, I won an award in my last year of secondary school. It was a governor prize awarded by the governors of my school, none of which I know. Basically, I won it because in the five years of my time there, my name kept cropping up for good reasons rather than bad. For the prize I got a trophy and £20 to spent on books of my choice. But they had to have a special value. I chose A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness because of the beautiful drawings included with the story and this, for obvious reasons.


So when I was asked by my college to read a 'Gothic Literature Novel' over the summer, I chose this (it's classed as a modern Gothic romance novel). I had been dying to read it to find out who was Rebecca. I was pleasantly surprised.

Synopsis: Working as a lady's companion in Monte Carlo, the heroine of Rebecca (who is never named) lives a dull life serving an ageing rich American heiress with no manners. This is until she meets Maxim du Winter, a wealthy English widow spending time in Monte Carlo after the death of his wife, Rebecca. After three weeks, she is proposed to by Maxim and taken from French society to the ominous Manderley where the legacy of Rebecca is being kept alive by the creepy housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, who instantly takes a dislike to the heroine. Her new husband changes from a bright, happy man to a dark, moody stranger and she is constantly compared to the old Mrs du Winter. Soon, the heroine starts to discover the secrets, mystery and lies behind Rebecca's life and death and how she can never compare to the Other Woman.

Review: Books I have to read for college, I normally don't review but I felt this time, I should.

I started this book doubtful and after reading the start very slowly, I was starting to doubt my choice and presumptions. That I think is because I was only reading it every so often, a long busy journey here, a quiet lunchtime at work there. My first impression was completely wrong.

This book gripped me from start (when it picked up which is around when she goes to Manderley) to finish. I was absorbed by the mystery of Manderley, Mrs Danvers, the heroine, Rebecca, Maxim - my, even the dog, Jasper has a little of mystery and past about him.
There is plenty of lies, deceit and mystery to be getting on with in this book alone. I can see why this was made into a Hitchcock film, merely for that alone.

I don't have much to say. But that isn't in a bad way. Rebecca is a book that kept me up in the waking hours wanting to know why Maxim changed in his return to Manderley. Why no-one used the west-wing.
The characters, the writing (very old fashioned but still easy to read), the mystery, the beautiful locations, the plot. This is the perfect book to wrap up in the winter in bed or by a fire on a snowy day and just do something simple and read. Although you grow hate for a few characters in this book, in the end, I found something about them that made me feel for them.

This book is about discovering yourself and how secrets and lies can cause the worst situations. Although dead, the character of Rebecca is someone I would never have guessed from the beginning. Your first impressions, like mine of the book, will change for every single character.

This is an incredibly short review because as this was published in 1938, I think everything great about this book has already been said by other critics and readers. These are merely my first and main reasons for loving this book.
A fact which I hope says why this is a great book, despite it being 74 years old is this: Rebecca has never gone out of print.

'Last night I dreamt of Manderley' - I think any reader will after reading this.

I give it 5 out of 5

Author's Website: http://www.dumaurier.org/
Pages: 448
Publisher: Virago Press
Challenges: Historical Fiction, BBC


Tune back for my review of New Girl by Paige Harbison, a modern retelling of Rebecca

Theodore Boone: The Accused - John Grisham (#3)

**This is the third book in the Theodore Boone series. I would seriously recommend them so perhaps have a look at the first book, Theodore Boone, or the sequel, The Abduction as there may be a few SPOILERS**

For old followers of the blog, you will know I am quite a big fan in the children's series, Theodore Boone by adult crime writer, John Grisham. I love the mystery, the drama and most of all, the main man, Theodore. He is just so cute and lovely - a topic of many of a friend of mine and I's conversations. Especially with her wanting to be a lawyer too.
So, it's unsurprising as I hovered by this book continuously at work, seeing who would buy it and then after, said friend read it in a couple of days and talked how brilliant it was, I felt it was time for me to get it. And I needed to know what happened next...

Synopsis: Theodore Boone is a thirteen year-old kid lawyer whose already helped provide a major suspect in Strattenburg's biggest murder trial and find his missing best friend. This time, it's Theo's turn to be the victim. After Theo is framed and his bike vandalised, he is accused of a burglary at an expensive computer equipment store with him being the only suspect. It looks like Theo's status and future as a lawyer is at threat so he must find the framer before it's too late.

Review: For any big fans of Theodore Boone out there (if not, you should read it immediately), don't expect the Duffy case from Book 1 to be resolved in this book. I did and entered thinking this was it, done and dusted, end of Theodore.
Well, it isn't. The book opens with the trial starting again and Theo proudly being the only one at his middle school to go to the trial. Grisham gives the impression that this is it and after something happens at the trial, you may think you know exactly what the book is going to be about.
Well it's not. I have a feeling that Grisham is purposefully keeping us waiting to hear the result as the book could be read as a stand alone novel, with few references to Book 1 and practically zero to Book 2. This seems like a sidetrack, a mini adventure for Theo while we all wait to the main story to finalise. In short, I thought this was a trilogy - but it doesn't look like it.

I like this series partly because it's such a light-hearted yet entertaining read. There are points where Grisham makes it clear that that part is memorable, even if it seems that it isn't important for the storyline. This is for a much younger audience that a typical Grisham crime novel but through the young Theo, he gives lessons on  life and raises issues that are largely absent from books normally aimed at this audience. The world of the internet for teenagers is explored as well as the internet's use in rumours and bullying - more accurately than other teenage fiction books I have read. There is also the issue of privacy and what is hacking. On the surface, this is merely a mystery novel based around a young teenager with a bicycle, however, looking deeper, it does look at all the problems faced today by teenagers.

There are a few things that I felt seemed a little pointless to include but I may be proved wrong in the next book as I have done before. I was also a tad disappointed compared to the previous books but I think this is because it took me a while to get into it due to lots of things happening. The mystery is still there and the anticipation to find out what will happen but I was still not as excited as I thought I would be to start off with.
This is a must for fans of Theodore Boone and should not be missed. I really love Theo, with his mixture of being a proper teenager, his lawyer antics and his innocence - he is a lovely character to read about. I enjoyed this and am incredibly looking forward to the next book, lets see what John Grisham will throw at Theo next.

I give it a 4 out of 5

Author's Website: http://www.theodoreboone.com/
Pages: 271
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Challenges: None

Book 1: Theodore Boone
Book 2: Theodore Boon: The Abduction

Death Comes to Pemberley - P.D.James

So I am a sucker for things associated with Pride and Prejudice - modern takes, inspired by her works mostly. However, I have never read a book that continues the story of her books. In fact, I think it is mostly because I think she would turn in her grave, cringing at people imitating her and trying to add things that, in her mind, never happened.
However, this book fell into my hands.
Working at a book shop, I see what is popular with people and this one was. I learnt that P.D.James is a well known, celebrated crime writer who has won awards and when I saw this copy in my college library, I decided to give it a go, I mean, I love takes on Pride and Prejudice and a mystery with Wickham - seeing the relationships of Elizabeth and Darcy and Jane and Bingley - that is like my ideal book, maybe...

Synopsis: The year is 1803 and both Elizabeth and Jane have been married for exactly six years. With two healthy sons, a stable relationship and Jane very nearby, Elizabeth is comfortable and happy with the life she chose. However, this is all threatened when, on the eve of Pemberley's annual ball, a chaise appears in the middle of a storm, carrying Lydia, their sister, shouting that her husband, Wickham, has been murdered. Suddenly, there is a race to find the truth and the tranquil of Pemberley is ruined. Who is the killer and what other dark secrets are there underneath the niceties?

Review: When I got this book, I had a look on Goodreads to see what people said as I knew little about it. There have been rather mixed reviews, admittingly mostly negative ones. But I decided to go on and read this as I thought it might be interesting and different to read.
Oh lord, is all I can say. I enjoyed parts of this but as it took me a month to read and I just...I don't really know what to think if I'm honest. This is one of those book that starts amazing...and then gets worse and worse until the end where it's uplifted again - you can tell that authors work on the opening and closing chapters.

Okay, so I'll take you chronologically. The book starts on the eve of the annual great ball of Pemberley, done in honour of the late Mrs Darcy where Elizabeth and Darcy are enjoying an evening with Jane and Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
To start off with, I thought I was going to really enjoy this book. From the first chapter, I felt I was being immersed in a the world of Jane Austen all over again, the writing done similarly (yet in a more modern way), the detail and world of the Pemberley really coming alive. I enjoyed the mystery of finding the body and killer, that intense wonder that all good mystery novels normally hold for the reader - I felt that.
However, after this, it started to go down hill.

I cannot say that I despised this book - it was enjoyable in some areas. However, overall, this book...just wasn't for me. The narrative became very slow and cumbersome and started to really drag on.
There were so many characters introduced, I lost touch with how they were and their relationship to the other characters - it got confusing. There was evidence people find that is never mentioned ever again in the story. And the climax of the trial ends abruptedly, 'saving the day' in the nick of time. A character died in the middle and impacts the rest of the story - and I have no idea who that person is.
All these things I felt I was expected to know - like I could read the author's mind. I can tell you, if I didn't know anything about Pride and Prejudice, I would have found this difficult to understand.

This book anticipated and intrigued me and I can understand the reasons for the bad reviews. I know this one is a rather negative one but I just did not enjoy this book at all. I don't know, maybe you will - but I just didn't.
The personalities of the characters we know so well vanished. Darcy was the most less arrogant, proud man I have seen and god, he was a boring point of view. Elizabeth lost that spark and independence so many people love about her character - this book just has that unique, special touch completely missing.

Overall, this book disappointed me and was tedious to read, and for me, it was kind of a waste of time I thought when I ended. What I did enjoy though about this book was the weaving in of the facts of Pride and Prejudice that really echo this story. Any cliffhangers you felt from that book are half answered in this one. This is a very modern take on such a classic novel and to be honest, if I was Jane Austen right now, I would be turning in my grave. P.D.James adds a note at the beginning that she thinks Austen would not have approved of this book - I totally agree.
Verdict: I didn't like it but that doesn't mean no-one should read it.


I give it a 2 out of 5


Author's Website: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/pdjames/
Pages: 291
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Challenges: BBC

When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead

I have seen this book around often on various places: the blogosphere, bookshops, the library. But for some reason, I was always a bit dubious about reading it - I have no idea why and still don't. Weird.
This book mostly caught me because of the name of the author. I hardly a name of Rebecca by an author so it was a pleasant surprise to find one in the YA section.


Synopsis: Living in a big city can be scary sometimes, especially if the city in question is New York City. For Miranda and Sal, best friends, they have grown up knowing their way around the dangerous neighbourhood. But then this safety starts to unravel. Sal gets punched randomly by a kid on their way home and starts avoiding Miranda. The key to the apartment in emergencies is stolen. Nothing is stolen but a pair of shoes. No evidence is left but a scrap of paper with a note addressed to Miranda asking her to write a story. Soon, she finds more and she starts to realise that the sender is hinting at something tragic to happen. But what and how can Miranda stop it? 


Review: This book seems to be quite innocent and basic from the outside, looking at the cover - but it isn't. It is much more complicated and bigger a plot than that.
Firstly, the cover. To an outsider, it means probably nothing. A few pictures randomly on the blocks. Well, actually, when you read this book, you will discover these little illustrations mean things for this book, which I really liked. Like finding out the secrets to the cover - why it is like that. Covers are great things to have and I know I 'judge a book by its cover' a lot. But sometimes, publishers just go neutral so you have no idea what a book can hold.  


The book itself is a fantastic read to come across. I wasn't expecting much, however. After a series of reading books recommended by bloggers and not liking them at all, I wasn't expecting this one to be a good read - but it intrigued me. This book is not perfect - it has some flaws, but it is a delightful read (and unexpected for me) and even though, writing quite simply, it is a book I would recommend to anyone.


One thing that makes it is the mystery and deception of these letters Miranda continuously receives. I had ideas on who the sender was at the beginning - and was half right. The thing about the notes is they get more confusing and suspicious every time - and vague. Your mind is constantly churning wondering what on earth they could be leading up to and then, when you get to the event, you (and Miranda) understand what it all means. However, if I had received these notes, I would FREAK OUT especially in a city like that where I have already been burgled. Except, Miranda doesn't, or if she does, it doesn't seem like she cares much at all. It's a little unreal I think, but doesn't ruin the book for me.


The characters also credit the book, and the different relationships Miranda has with these various people. My personal favourite was Sal's mum, who made some hilarious remarks and is worried for everyone instead of themselves. She is good friends with Miranda's family and they live on the floor downstairs so she is in the book quite often, making these comments. I DID not like Julia or Annemarie, even though they become Miranda's friends. They were just too posh, too unlike the protagonist, too bitchy! They are the type of people I would have stayed clear of. 


Like I said, and someone told me on the comments section, this book is aimed mostly for those in fifth grade to about eighth grade (Year 6-9) so being in 'eleventh grade (Year 12)', I am probably the wrong person to be reviewing this book. The language is simple and there are rarely elaborate descriptions but it is a fun, lovely novel and a novelty after studying books that are more complicated. 
There is this childish, innocent element of time-travel which, for me being a Doctor Who fan, was interesting to read about as many books avoid this kind of subject. The spacey element runs throughout the book and is incorporated in the ending, making it very different again. Although the ending wasn't as great as the rest of the book, it is very unique to this book and I can see why they would put it in this age range.


Talking about space - there is something I didn't realise until about 70% into the book. *SPOILERS - JUMP IF YOU WANT TO KNOW* 


The book is set in 1979, even though it gives the impression of now. Maybe I didn't notice some clues but this hit me straight, I didn't even realise. I found this extremely clever, and after reading the book until the end, it gives this impression of looking back from an older Miranda.




*IT'S SAFE NOW* This is not a long book, but at the right length. There is a series of plots happening that eventually all interlink, making this an interesting and adventurous type of novel. It is quite cute really.
   Overall, this book left a lasting impression on me and made me think about an alternate side to life and the possibilities the future can be technology wise. This book is a gem of a novel, one that you could easily walk past. Try it, even if you're not into simple language - you might be pleasantly surprised. 


I give it a 4 out of 5


Author's Website: http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/
Pages: 197
Publisher: Andersen Press
Challenges: Historical Fiction

Theodore Boone: The Abduction - John Grisham (#2)

*SPOILERS IF NOT READ THE FIRST BOOK*


After reading the first book in this interesting series, when I found out there was a second by my also-addicted-friend, I jumped for joy. I was sad that the ending of the first book just ended without a reason, but now I know why! 
My copy of this book is not as nice as the picture (left), it has some nice bright neon orange that would have put me off otherwise. DO NOT FEAR THIS BOOK. Read it, but read Theodore Boone, the first book beforehand to enjoy the true pleasure these books provide.


Synopsis: Theodore Boone is back with another adventurous case to solve! His best friend, April, goes missing mysteriously in the middle of the night from her bedroom without a trace - no-one knows where she could be. As the police hit dead-ends and a body is discovered in Strattenburg's river, it is up to Theo to use his extensive legal knowledge to find out the truth and find his best friend before it is too late. Will he find her? Is the body hers though?


Review: I really love Theodore Boone. He is a cracking character with a lot of charisma and intelligence and he is just so cool. Okay, so not hip cool maybe but I would want to be his friend - he seems like my kind of person. 
It is not entirely clear how long has passed between the first book and this one. However, there is the mention at the end of the Duffy trial starting again in six weeks time, so I would say about two or three weeks has gone. There are references to the previous book but this could also be read as a stand-alone novel, which is nice if you aren't into reading sequels which I know some people aren't. 


This book isn't so much a legal drama as Theodore Boone was. It is more about the life of Theo and his relationships with everyone around him, as well as the implications of something that happens rarely: abduction. I know there have been some pretty big stories in the past but soon I think abductions will become a thing of the past, thankfully. As well as showing how the police department would work and their procedures in a situation like this, this book outlines what you should and should not do if it was your friend/family member. I guess it would be the same procedures in England but without knowing much about this area, I cannot say if John Grisham has explained the confusing details of it like he did with the legal system in the first book.


The writing was still amazing and flowed really well which made me not realise how fast I read the book (four days) which is a record probably for me especially for this size of book. I felt like I was going back to these old friends when I read about the good old characters, it was like returning to another world really, a friendly one. Theo is as always my favourite and will be always. His parents and Ike (his uncle who helps him a lot) were just the way they were in the last book which was good. The only problem with that was in the last book, after being separated and not seeing each other much, Theo's parents and Ike seemed to get along and work together and even said (or it seemed obvious to me from reading) that they would get closer as they are family. In this book, that didn't happen. There was still the awkwardness when Ike's name was mentioned and the mood that they didn't want to be associated with him but felt Theo should know him. It just felt a little strange to me. At the end of this one, it felt the same as it did at the ending of the previous one so it will be interesting to see that relationship continue.


April was mentioned and introduced in the first book but like I said, hardly worth an introduction in the previous as she was only in it briefly as she was in the middle of a divorce for her parents. That 'divorce' was hardly mentioned in this book so I presume that it never happened or in middle of happening. I'm serious - in The Abduction, nothing was said about it! April is, although not in this one much either, complicated and we learn more about her and her weird relationship with Theo in this book, as well as her family. 
Last time, I thought Theo seemed younger than his thirteen years but this time, he felt much older. He never seems to me, to be a true thirteen year-old.


At the end of this book, I didn't feel deflated, I felt EXCITED. Why can the next book be out now? There is going to be a third book (Source) but will be released the middle of next year, so we have at least 6 months to wait. BOO! The end links to the first with a reference to the last one, and is left on a slight cliffhanger, but not one where you will ponder on and on and get on John Grisham's nerves with amount of emails you sent demanding to know what happened. 
  Overall, this book was far better for me and more well rounded and readable than the first book, it really has showed that John Grisham can be successful at writing YA and Adult books well and I think the next one will be one of the most anticipated of 2012. What will happen next for the great Theodore Boone?
Verdict: Ignore the funky cover, read it. But I would recommend to read the first book, Theodore Boone, first - there's an extract from it at the end of this book. 


I give it a 5 out of 5


My Review for the first book of this series, Theodore Boone 


Author's Website: http://www.theodoreboone.com/
Pages: 217
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Challenges: None