Past Midnight- Mara Purnhagen

Pages: 216

Published: September 1st 2010 by Harlequin Teen

Genre: Paranormal/ Y.A

Format: Paperback

Acquired: My own Copy

Date Finished: 14^th October 2012

Synopsis:

Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings.

Book thoughts/ Review:

Past Midnight would have probably sat on my shelf for a few more months if it wasn’t for Richard Denney’s book club’s pick of the month. I almost wasn’t going to read it due to my large TBR pile on my dresser, but when all things are considered I am really glad I did, because this was a great book to kick start October with while my life is a little stress filled.

Let me start of by saying that I would recommend this book for younger readers as Mara’s writing is simplistic and does lack the intensity I have found in other young adult books of the genre, but don’t be mislead by that comment because sometimes simple and effective story telling is all you need to kick back with a good book and enjoy it for what it is. I found the whole reading experience to be a blast and it seems Mara has done her research. Also coming from a background much like Charlotte’s but without the parental influence I think she did a fantastic job on taking the concept of Ghost Hunting and exploring different routes.

I really enjoyed the story of Avery and Jared and how Charlotte becomes part of their inner circle and her part in their growth and healing. One of the biggest things I think YA fiction often lacks is that connection that is primal for humans, and the need to understand things outside themselves; death being a prominent part of that need. I felt the elements of friendship, growth and the story of the Pickens, blended with Charlotte’s own journey towards accepting herself was the most enjoyable part of the book and while it is such a short book it packs in a lot with a fantastic beginning and a satisfactory conclusion.

It hits a lot of Buzzwords for me and I would recommend it to read during October or any time during the year. For me it has its own meaning, and reflection on my experience as a reader so I found it to be a bit hard hitting at times and a little spooky, but if you’re looking for something more intense and dark probably look elsewhere. Overall I enjoyed this book, and I will be reading the second book in the series sometime in the future.

I am giving this one:

★★★★.5

Pink Sweaters

Clarity- Kim Harrington

Page: 246

Published: March 1st 2011 by Scholastic Point

Genre: Urban Fantasy /Mystery/ Y.A

Format: Hardback

Acquired: My TBR shelf

Date Finished: 2^nd October 2012

Synopsis:

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?
This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Thoughts/ Review

I’ve got to start off by saying that this book was dead on what I felt like reading at the time and I would read it all over again in a heartbeat if I didn’t already have a massive pile of books to read. The buzz words that explode before me; Psychics, tourist towns, ghosts, mystery, murder and mayhem – Kim you sold me at family of freaks and won me over with them.

What a refreshing read this was and a unique twist on the paranormal that both enthralled and fascinated me from page one to the end of the acknowledgements. Clarity was a fantastic read with its solid characters and tight plots. Even the subplots from the mystery of the Tascanos to Clarity’s own mysterious father had be hooked, flipping each page – daring to read forward when I just wanted to stop and soak it all up.

What really stood out to me about Clarity wasn’t just greatly fleshed out characters or the romance that felt relatable and realistic [ and not vomit educing] to me, but the quality of the writing that flowed effortlessly from one page to the next and the way that Kim Harrington totally had me drawn into the story she had created and caring deeply about each and every character. With fantastic pacing and enough dark undertones to feed my love for the genre I was constantly entertained and ready for more.

I also was so thankful that even while the story was intense and the subject dark it had is lighter moments and its rawness and that made me love it all the more. Not to mention each ability and what it meant to her family and how it built her family, as a big lover of my own family there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for them and the constant question looming over Clarity through the entire novel had me thinking just how far would I go for mine?

My only real beef was a little information repetition in the first few chapters of the book, but that to me didn’t stand out enough for me not to continue with the book. I would certainly recommend it to fans of the genre and to those out there who want a fantastic mysterious read with a little bit of love and a whole lot of awesome sauce. Not to mention although her brother was strange character I might have a little crush on him, so that’s all the more reason to pick up the book.

I am giving this :

★★★★★

Yummy Burgers.

Revived - Cat Patrick

Pages: 327

Published: April 1st 2012 by Hardie Grant Egmont

Genre: Contemporary/ Sci-Fiction/Y.A

Format: Paperback

Acquired: Library

Date Finished: 9^th October 2012

Synopsis:

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency's true goals, she realizes she's at the center of something much larger — and more sinister — than she ever imagined

Thoughts/ Review:

When I first heard about Revived my thoughts were intrigue and a deep desire to pick up this book, to own it if possible. I ended up picking it up from the library and to be honest I am glad that I did. Revived was certainly not what I expected. From reading the synopsis I had different expectations of the story I was getting myself into, however revived was a fantastic story with a unique concept.

It’s safe to say that Revived was a more contemporary novel than sci-fi or dystopian which were themes that did run throughout the story, just not as strongly as I imagined. Daisy is a character that is easy to relate to, and interesting in the way that she fits with society and within her own ‘family.’ I found that her story was one of growth and acceptance and I feel that as a character when her eyes were opened she really started to question everything with maturity and Intelligence. The way she responded, even at times though it wasn’t the smartest way to react were justified and it broke my heart to see how the program affected so many lives; including Daisy’s.

Revived did suffer a case of Instant love, in the way that the relationship blossomed pretty quickly, but to me it was real and raw and it was honest. For her age and the situations that unfolded Cat let their romance unfold naturally and it was a really great experience to read. I could relate to their attraction, hell who couldn’t?  Haven’t we all had that attraction to that guy in high school, or the guy at work? I myself have had the attraction to some of my friend’s brothers as well, so I thought that element was cute and I liked Matt. He was mature in his own right, even despite what he was experiencing and I think he was a great match for Daisy and the fact that there was just a one on one relationship with the two of them made for better reading in my opinion. It allowed room for character growth between the two of them and made me enjoy each character more in their own right.

Audrey was a beautiful character and her situation is real and one I have experienced only if briefly. Her own journey and part in the story was wonderfully explored and her impact on Daisy and the characters surrounding was well fleshed out and one of the best parts of the story.

The ending of this book was a kicker. I certainly was on the edge of the bed, my heart beating. A little to jumpy but excited to find out what happens. Although the ending leaves a little to be desired in regards to the program itself and what happened to the villains it makes me wonder if she plans on writing or continuing with concept or if it’s a stand alone. I would certainly recommend this if you enjoy a strong contemporary read with a little flair of Sci-Fi, but if you’re looking for a heavy Sci-Fi book then this might leave you a little stung. For me I took it how it was and enjoyed it for what is. A great, quick and well paced read that I enjoyed immensely.

I am giving this:

★★★★

Bee Stings.