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Friday, December 02, 2011

Review: Arson by Estevan Vega

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Arson
Estevan Vega
Released May 4th, 2010
by Tate Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can’t shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl—who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin—moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he’s never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

*A copy was provided by Estevan Vega for review purposes*
A gentle start is not what you should expect when going into this book. You get thrown into the midst of Arson’s complicated and unorthodox life blind as a bat. Consequently, it takes a bit to get situated in the story. But once you do, it becomes quite the intriguing tale.

Arson, who lives with his senile grandmother, is just trying to live his life. When he becomes acquainted with his new neighbour, a strange girl who wears a creepy mask at all times, his life becomes even more complicated. Oh and by the way, he can create fire with his mind… I found the concept really fascinating. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get a lot of insight into Arson’s ability, however. I would have loved to see more of what he can do, or why. I’m not disheartened though, there are some events that transpire at the end that lets us know further details are forthcoming. This installment focuses more on establishing Arson’s relationship with his neighbour, Emery. This relationship – though peculiar – is realistic and entertaining. I consider Emery as much a main character as Arson. And a very interesting one at that! Emery has been hiding behind her mask for years. This isn’t a pretty masquerade ball mask either, think Micheal Myers! *shutters* I was incredibly intrigued by Emery. She has a fun, snarky personality and a mysterious past that I couldn’t help but want to know everything about. What also surprised me in this book was how we got to see Aimee’s perspective – Emery’s mother. That’s right! An adult’s perspective, and one with marital issues to boot! The older YA and adult crowd are likely to welcome this unique angle as much as I did.

While I really enjoyed getting to know Arson and Emery, I was a bit annoyed with the secondary characters. Mandy, the stereotypical it-girl who has this perplexing crush on Arson was a bit hard to swallow. I couldn’t picture this happening at all which may be due to getting no real understanding of her intentions. I was also a bit confused by Arson’s grandmother. I wasn’t sure if she had abilities, like Arson, that made her psychotic or if she was just senile. I think some backstory would have made a world of a difference to really bring this book from good to great.

Like most cliffhanger endings, this one was exciting and left me wanting more. If my assumptions are correct, book 2 – Ashes – is going to be more focused on the paranormal aspect of the story and give us a little of what is missing in Arson. I’m happy that I already have it ready to go as I look forward to getting some answers!

3 Hot Espressos

Review: Before by Cambria Hebert

Posted by on 12/01/2011 • 23 Comments

Before(Heven and Hell, # 0.5) Cambria HebertReleased November 16th, 2011

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What if your life was charmed and everything in it was perfect… Before.This is the story of my past. Of what things were like for me when everything was normal. Of what every teenager’s life is like. Clothes. Parties. Boys and summer vacation. What’s so wrong with that? I liked it. I was happy. Until things changed. I changed.I didn’t know that lies and secrets were about to take over my existence. I didn’t know there was someone out there, someone meant just for me. I didn’t know that I was about to go on a journey, a journey that would lead me to the girl I am today.This is the beginning of the worst year of…

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In My Mailbox (11)

Posted by on 11/27/2011 • 136 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I’ve  received/ purchased/ borrowed during the current week. 

How’s it going this week? I just got back from the Santa Claus parade which was great and my son loved it – it was his first time seeing it. We had wonderful weather for it too. What else is new!? I went to see Breaking Dawn! I found a few parts very cheesy but all in all I really enjoyed it. I think my favorite is still Eclipse though (which is funny because it was my least favorite of the books).I hope you guys are all happy with your haul this week. I didn’t buy any books since we’re saving up for the holidays, but…

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In My Mailbox (9)

Posted by on 11/13/2011 • 155 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I’ve  received/ purchased/ borrowed during the current week. 

How is everyone on this long weekend (at least for Canadians)? We just celebrated my father’s 60th yesterday. Had a family gathering with some yummy Acadian fricot- If you don’t know what fricot is, you’re missing on some awesome grubs! Also, I just realized the next long weekend will be Christmas! Anyone have their tree up already? So, what have we got here… books! *cheer* I have gotten for review (click on cover for Goodreads):    

I have bought: Click here for my review As you can see I’ve already read/reviewed Touch and it was fantastic so I had to get a nice finished…

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Fresh Batch (Nov 13th-Nov 19th)

Posted by on 11/12/2011 • 5 Comments

Exclusively titled for Xpresso Reads, Fresh Batch features the hottest releases of this upcoming week. Flavour of the week:

Destined

Jessie Harrell Goodreads / Purchase 

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she’s come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth from debut novelist, Jessie Harrell.

Check for my…

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Waiting on Wednesday (9)

Posted by on 11/09/2011 • 125 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week:

                                    Cursed                                     Jennifer L. Armentrout

                                    Release date: September 18th, 2012

Dying sucks–and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things–including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she’s more than interested. There’s just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden’s adopted father, a man she’s…

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Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Posted by on 11/08/2011 • 29 Comments

The PledgeKimberly DertingRelease Date: November 15th, 2011by Margaret K. McElderry Books

Goodreads / Purchase

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It’s there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she’s never heard before . . . and…

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In My Mailbox (8)

Posted by on 11/06/2011 • 164 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I’ve  received/ purchased/ borrowed during the current week. So, already November! Ack! We got our first freaky snow fall that was almost blizzard-like. Then the next day it was sunny and 15 (celcius). The fun of living in Canada! =) So, here’s what I got this week! I got for review:     1. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons 2. The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle 3. Pure by Julianna Baggott Click on cover for Goodreads:

I won:

Thanks to Claire of YA Bookie Monster I bought: 1. Variant by Robison Wells 2. Fury by Shirley Marr 3. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday I’m pretty happy about my haul 🙂 I want to…

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