Book Review: The Program

The Program (Program #1): written by Suzanne Young

Release Date: April 30th, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Format of Novel: Nook

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary (from good reads): In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

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(Trigger warnings throughout the book about suicide)

I read this within a 1.5 day span, so my mind is still fresh to this book. The idea of suicide being an epidemic to this book's society is surprisingly original. I was rather iffy on the idea because while the thing about teen suicide is very true in reality, but idea of this being an dystopian novel is confusing to me personally. I don't get it to be frank with you all and I'm sure many of you avid readers would agree with me too. But, if you don't I understand. I applaud Suzanne Young for spreading awareness about teen suicide to the readers, but I wish she did it for a darker contemporary novel. Dystopian in my opinion, is more chaotic and action-packed like the Hunger Games and Legend, this novel held a modern and 'real' life vibe.

Anyway, this book's dynamic is fascinating. The program the author describe is creepy and yet helpful. I wouldn't want to get rid of my memories though, I feel that as a person, we have to experience the 'traumas' to grow up. The way people are dying in this book feels ehh because I kept picturing the news about them as similar to the movie- The Happening. However, the characters Sloane and James are so freaking cute. Their romance was so dream-like and perfect up until they got stuck at the program themselves. (Won't spoil you guys about how they got there). They were the perfect balance for each other and I'm glad their hearts found each other again as the story progressed.

The other characters were given a decent spotlight and the twists were well executed throughout the book, but they were noticeable right away if read closely. This book has some mixed reviews from good reads and myself, henceforth the rating above. Though, I do suggest reading it for the heck to get your own opinion on it. And also to  become more aware of the seriousness of suicide, especially for teens. Everyone deals with depression in some shape or form and if they feel like committing this act, try to be there for them so they don't feel so alone in the world.

Alright so that was my review for Suzanne Young's The Program. Tune in sometime next week for the review of the sequel, The Treatment and other random book reviews. Till then, happy howling!

Book Review: Ever Mine

Ever Mine (Novella): written by Eden Ashe

Release Date:

Publisher:

Format of Novel: Nook

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Summary (from good reads): Can a kidnapped fairy and a human find love despite all odds?

Nathan Alexander’s batty aunt has done it again. This time she’s sent him a rare plant he doesn’t want. Imagine his surprise when he finds a kidnapped fairy hidden within its leaves. As a man who heads a non-profit organization for abused women and children, Nathan makes it his mission to help her find her way home.

All her life Katenia was warned about the evilness of humans. Never was that proved more true than when she was kidnapped from her quiet valley home. Thrust into the human world, Katenia must fight her very instincts to trust Nathan if she ever hopes to return to her rightful place…and to her normal thumb-sized fairy form.

But with their lives in danger, finding home…and love…will be a journey worthy of a fairy tale.

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I'd read this novella a couple of months ago and I still remember bits and pieces of it. I think this book was really light hearted, yet it still maintain the fae concept within the story. I loved the overall romance that developed between Nathan and Katenia. They were complete opposites (physically and probably mentally a little bit), plus they shared such an natural curiosity for both worlds.

The pacing and the characters were rushed and that was okay for a novella. Though at the same time, I do wish that this book was a little bit longer just so I could've explored more character development with the cast. Speaking of characters, I loved Nathan. He is a sweetheart and very loyal to his mission to protect those that suffered abuse. You can see that he cares and even though he was feeling the 'lust' over Katenia due to her fae appearance, he maintain the idea of returning her home to her family. The antagonist (whose name I completely forgotten) was in a nice way, bat-shit crazy. She and her partner-in-crime were well executed.

Ashe did a good job in creating this novella. Everything was fast pace, the tone was light-hearted with a few darker moments here and there, and the characters were likeable. I gave this book four stars because of how well written it was overall, but I didn't give it five stars because I wanted to be longer and maybe more in depth. Either way, this book was a nice read and I would read it again if I was bored or needed to get out of a reading slump. Its free on the kindle/nook as well if you're looking to purchase a book and don't have the money for it. :P

See you guys with a new post, happy howling.

Book Review: Fairest

Fairest (TLC #3.5) written by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: January 27th, 2015

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Format of Novel: Nook

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary (From good reads): In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

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(Warning, minor spoilers in this review)

Okay, so I guess I did spoil myself in some way for this wonderful series, but you know what, I don't care. I wanted to learn about Queen Levana's past, and holy crow I was not disappointed when it came to her character and story. Upon reading this book, I really started to feel horrible for Levana and the people around her like little Winter. With the treatment she kept receiving from her sister and others when it came to her looks/attitude, its no wonder she grew up to be the way she is portrayed in the series. She grew up emotionally alone,cold-hearted, very shallow, but still attempted to be 'human' enough to embrace love for her new family and her niece once her sister died from the disease that is constantly mentioned in the main series. She was almost like a tragic hero with the way she was able to keep her word in advancing her country's overall growth and try to maintain a sense of humanity in her to keep her happiness around.

The other characters were a nice touch as well. Each of them had their own individuality that shined within the content, and they didn't become little shadows within the story like you normally see happening with minor characters in books. I sort of enjoyed seeing Levana's sister in action and understanding that she wasn't meant to be a ruler. However, I feel that she began to grow slowly once she gave birth to Cinder and she wasn't given a full chance to have a internal battle with her younger sister for the crown. It would've brought out more action and bitterness to get Levana to rampage on her quest for power. It was interesting to see the development of Levana's psychological mindset going downhill once she was able to achieve her goals, and I applauded a little when she did 'win' her inner peace.

However, I felt that once she 'snapped' per say, things were ehh at the end. I mean yeah, she ended up getting everything she desired, but at what true cost? More jealously and fear over her niece and step-daughter's deceased mother's internal beauty? More angst over the fact her husband couldn't love her like she really wanted? I don't know. I just felt that I couldn't really feel the dramatic impulses Levana had while enduring the journey of ruler because I already knew that she was going to be a crazy ruler. And with Meyer's writing style, it felt more like she wasn't allowing us to visualize Levana's downfall, just the major events that were occurring around her; while saving the world of the Lunars for the final book.

All in all though, I did like this book along with the other books I've read from Marissa Meyer. The concept was really strong, the other characters were fresh and stuck to the 'fairy tale' aspect to their roles, and Levana's character is more relatable rather than a giant bitch with a power to hide within her shallow beauty. The writing was well done minus the fact I did lose focus on the visuals of some events. I am going to continue this series by reading the shorts and Cress so I can caught up in time to read the last installment of the Lunar Chronicles with everyone.

Tell me your thoughts of Fairest and Marissa Meyer's other books in general down in the comments below and I'll see you guys tomorrow with another post. Happy Howling!

September TBR pile

Hey guys, today we are discussing the TBR list for September. Since I'm doing a school thing till December, those books are automatically included on the list. But, they won't be appearing because I don't have a clue as too what I have to read for this course yet.. This month, I'm going to be reading several books, both new and ones I've been putting in the back burner as of recently. But, let's hope I can complete them for you guys so I have more material to review. :) I plan to read probably eight to ten books throughout the month, but let's not get our hopes up if we were to focus on reality here.

First one is Shifter: City of Wolves by Avery Burch. I signed up for a free E-ARC and the overall concept sounds pretty cool to try out. (Especially since I love wolves so much).

Second one is Nirvana written by J.R Stewart. I was allow to pick this up for an E-ARC on Netgalley to review and so far it its a fastaniting sci-fi concept and fast pace. :)

Third book is The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows. I started this in the middle of the summer, but was losing interest with the denseness of the book on my nook. I'm making it a goal to finish it and review it for this blog because Jodi Meadows is an pretty awesome person.

Next book is Missing by Randa Flannery. I found this book on Netgalley as well, so I plan to read this one very soon. Its more suspenseful and fast pace so I'll you all know if it's a great book or not since it's been out since mid July.

Next is Wolf, WY by A.F Henley. This is a odd one, mostly because not only it involves wolves, but also its a LBGT book. I quickly grabbed it from Netgalley to review since it comes out in October because I want to promote more LBGT books and the cover looks pretty bad ass.

Then I have Awake by Natasha Preston. Now I stated that I wasn't so sure about reading more from this author after reviewing her 'Cellar' book. But, since then I have read a little more from her so I'm gonna give her another chance with this book.

And finally, I'm going to read The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. I know I'm on the late wagon for this series, but I felt the urge to give series a shot after hearing positive things about the author herself with her other series and I'm already about a quarter into it.

Alright all, these are the book I'll be reading throughout this month. What are you guys reading this month? Let me know in the comments below and I'll see you guys soon with a new blog post. Happy Howling!