Review: Misdirected by Ali Berman

Misdirected by Ali Berman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pub. Date: November 25, 2014
Pages: 288
*Received free digital ARC for review*

Short Sweet Synopsis: 15 year old Ben moves to a small town in Colorado quickly discovering that atheists are not tolerated by the conservative community. Will he be able to find a way to fit into a high school filled with students with such strong religious beliefs? 

Misdirected was a fast paced and enjoyable read. As someone from Massachusetts who was not raised in a religious household, I could relate to Ben. Although I grew up in a small conservative town so people did tease me because of it, but no where near what Ben faces in the book.

I liked that the characters weren't static, they were human beings that would make mistakes and many tried to grow from them. I was a bit worried that the book was headed in an anti religious direction at the beginning, but by the end it felt completely different. I was really impressed with how Misdirected handled the issue of religion in our country; it is a polarizing subject that can't be ignored. This book could help facilitate some wonderful discussions on the topic. I really liked how the book ended. It was hopeful without having that afternoon TV special feeling.

I just realized that some of what I just said might have made the book sound boring, but it isn't! Even if you don't want to read about religious differences, there are plenty of classic teen moments! Ben has his first kiss, people are sneaking out of their houses, there is bullying, first day at a new school jitters and family drama; Misdirected even has magic! I will say that the magic tricks were probably what I liked least out of this book, but at least it made Ben unique. I appreciated his passion for it in the end.

Bottom line, interesting book with great characters that tackles a timely topic without slowing down the plot. I definitely recommend it.

Review of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pub Date: March 25, 2014
Pages: 301

Short Sweet Synopsis: Follows the mysterious lives of the Roux family and their tragic experiences with love. Ava, the newest member of the Roux family, is born with wings adding to their enigma.

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrow of Ava Lavender is a beautiful novel. If you enjoy realistic fantasy and whimsical storytelling then you should read this book. I highly recommend the audio book, I felt like I was listening to someone telling me a modern fairy tale. Even though this book has magical elements, it still has real heartbreak and, just like classic fairy tales, there are some very graphic and disturbing scenes. Honestly, as I am writing this review I am left wanting more of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. I'm pretty over sequels, but I wouldn't mind reading more of the Roux family.

Review of "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pub. Date: May 13th 2014
Pages: 240

Short Sweet Synopsis:  Cadence Sinclair Easton, Cady, was in an accident that she can't remember, which has altered her life forever.  No amount of her family's fortune can mend her brain; she will have to find a way to remember on her own, but will she be able to handle the truth?

"We Were Liars" was a wonderful book; I read it in just a few sittings.  I had to know what happened to Cady!  What is Gat's issue?  Why are Johnny and Mirren being so selfish?  My brain was full of these questions and more.  At first, I found E. Lockhart's writing style to be a bit confusing, but I got used to is pretty quickly.  Cady's brain is broken, so how can you expect her narrative to be clear?  I thought Lockhart did a wonderful job of showing us Cady's mental instability.

"We Were Liars" was not just about Cady's personal struggles; it was also about the family dynamic.  Yes Cady's family has more money than I can imagine, but we learn that family expectations and pressures add conflicts that wear down on all its members.  It was awful seeing how the family was, essentially, tearing themselves apart.

By the end of the book I was completely shocked when all was revealed.  I did not see any of it coming.  I would never have guessed what the accident was!  If I had taken time to stop reading and really think about what was happening, I guess I might have been able to figure out some of it.  I was just so entranced with "We Were Liars" that there was no way I was going to put it down!  I was truly caught up in this book and I think that, if you read the book with an open mind, you will too!