Hunting Lila

Book: Hunting Lila
Author: Sarah Alderson
Pages: 306

Blurb: "17-year-old Lila has two secrets she’s prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, Alex, since forever.

After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust—her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them.

In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realizes that she is not alone—there are others out there just like her—people with special powers—and her mother’s killer is one of them…" - from goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 4 chocolate bars

Cover Rating:  3.9 chocolate bars 

Ever had a secret? Well, this book is over flowing with them. Lila is seventeen, and has a huge secret, she can control things with her mind. Lila has never told anyone, but when someone tries to mug her, she reveals her abilities. So, she goes to the one place she knows will be safe, with her brother. Okay, maybe not just her brother, her brother and his best friend Alex. But she soon finds out that with them may not be the safest place for someone like her. Someone with a "special" ability. 

I really enjoyed this story. It was fast paced from the very start, which I loved. Lila was an easy character to understand and follow.  She was a very determined and strong headed character, but also seemed very innocent and insecure. Just like his sister, Jack was a very determined and head strong. He was protective of Lila, but he was also keeping his own secrets from her. Again, so many secrets! And then there was Alex. Alex was Jack's best friend (and the one Lila has been in love with for years). Alex was kind, caring and a great guy. In other words  perfect boyfriend material.

I read this book in almost one sitting. It was a nice easy read for a YA novel. It had a good story line and was never slow. I loved how during the book you never knew who really was the "good guys" and who really was the "bad guys". Either way both groups were pretty awesome. I didn't like though how Lila was so over dramatic and obsessed with Alex though. I felt that she needed to grow up in some ways. 

What I loved

• Fast paced (but not too fast)
• Lots of twists and turns
• Unpredictable 

What I wished were different 

• Lila was too much bit obsessed with Alex for my liking 
• Lila was insecure and insecure 

This book had countless unpredictable twist and turns that kept my attention focused on the story.  It was a great quick read. If you are in the mood for a light fast paced story Hunting Lila is the book you need to read.

Shatter Me

   

Book: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Pages: 338

Blurb: "Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior."

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 3.7 chocolate bars 

Cover Rating: 2  chocolate bars (the original cover I liked much more. This one kinda creeped me out)

This book was, honestly, not what I was expecting. I was expecting the whole "Poor me. I wish my life was normal," then que sobs. But, no way was that this book. The main character Juliette cannot touch anyone without hurting them, or even killing them, but she still kicks butt. She does not let anyone push her around , especially Warner, the man who is keeping her captive. Everyone has called her a monster or  a freak, except Adam. This story was something new and fresh that I loved. I loved the way the writing in the story had Julliet fighting with herself, trying to figure out who she really was, if she was really the freak everyone had said she was. In the beginning of the book it starts with Juliette talking and describing things. At first I was terrified it was going to be the type of book that goes on and on with boring descriptions that make you want to pull your eyes out. It wasn't quite at the eye pulling out phase but I found myself looking ahead waiting for the dialogue to start again. One other thing was that Juliette and Adam had not seen each other in years and then BAM they are in love. It was kind of annoying. I mean it's ok to go on a little about their feelings but then Julliet started up with the metaphors again and it made me look around for something to poke my eyes out with. I think this book is either a book you love or you hate. Personally, I thought it was pretty good.

What I loved:

• Juliette was a very strong character
• I totally did not see the ending coming

What I wished were different:

• A little too many metaphors 
• Adam and Juliet are a little intense with their feelings 

Transparent

Book: Transparent
Author: Natalie Whipple
Pages: 350

Blurb: "Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn't giving up that easily.

Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl."- from goodreads.com 

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 3.8 chocolate bars 

Cover Rating: 4 chocolate bars 

When I first read the little blurb, I thought they meant a girl that could turn invisible, not an actual invisible girl! It was a super cool surprise and totally changed my expectations for this book.   In Transparent the main character , Fiona, escapes from her father so she does not have to continue living as his personal spy.  When she and her mother escape, Fiona starts school and meets other teens that are "special" like her.  I loved Fiona's character - strong and brave. I also loved her best friend, Bea, and her family and of course Brady and Seth. This book was funny and had twists and turns that I never saw coming. All the characters were new and fresh, not the same stereotypical girls and guys in YA books. I did feel that the first chunk of the book was really rushed though - It needed more explanation. Also, I got a huge surprise involving Fiona's love interest. I can't tell you how happy I was about that ( and no I am not going to tell you. Go pick up the book yourself). 

What I loved:

• Fiona was not the only character with a superpower
• Surprise twists I never saw coming ( yes, it is about Brady)
• There are so many brothers in this book! 
• Lots of cool superpowers, some I have never heard of

What I wished were different:

•  I wished there was more in beginning of the book of how life was like with her father
• I wished  there was  more of a history for Bea's family ( if you read the book you will understand)
• It ended a bit suddenly for me
• I wish the ending was stronger
• Fiona over reacted a lot 

If you are looking for a book full of twist and turns and some pretty awesome super powers then go get Natalie Whipple debut novel Transparent.

Mind Games

Book:  Mind Games

Author: Kiersten White 

Pages: 237

Blurb:      "Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey." - from goodreads.com 

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 4 chocolate bars

Cover Rating: 5 chocolate bars (it is soooo pretty!! (Says while drooling over book))

I have read Kiersten White's earlier series Paranormalcy, and I was expecting a light fun book about "spies". But, was I wrong. This book blew me away! I will start by telling you about the characters. Fia has perfect instincts, they are never wrong, but even though she is very powerful she is broken. Her parents died in a car crash leaving her and her sister alone. Enter Annie. Annie is Fia's older sister and she is blind, but still strong. Like her sister, she has a unique ability - she is a Seer and can see glimpses of the future. Both of the girls are sent to a "school" for special girls. But, Fia quickly learns the truth.

Now, I know everyone is supposed to hate the bad guy. But I really can't in this book. James...sigh....... He is the new person in charge of the school, and he is also the son of the notorious Keane. All these characters put together make an amazing book.

What I loved:

• Strong female main character who kicks serious butt
• Swoon worthy bad guy
• Twists and turn I didn't see

What I wished were different

• At points in the book it kept switching times and that confused me.
• I wish the "good guy" had a stronger personality 

If you are looking for a book with a kick-butt heroine with lots of amazing things happening to her, then this is the book to read!!!