Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith E-ARC Review

Book: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Publication Date: Sept 1st, 2015

My Rating: 4/5 ****

Review:

First, thank you netgalley.com and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to review an advanced ereader edition of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had heard of the author, Jennifer E Smith previously, and been interested in her other contemporary works after hearing great things about them from other people so I jumped on the chance to dive into the e-arc.

As soon as I was approved I picked it up and began reading and it was exactly what I expected it to be. It was cute, and relevant a great look at a teenage relationship; basically everything I had heard previously about her writing and characters was true.

This is the story of a high school couple, recently graduated and about to head off to college.

The only problem is this couple, who basically dated all of high school plans to attend college on completely opposite coasts of the US.

This is an account of the last night of summer before they head off to university and their struggle to decide whether to salvage their several year romance or move on as they are growing older and possibly apart.

They plan one last evening doing everything they liked to do together in hopes of making this final choice. They each have a best friend that plays a pretty big part in the story and of course so many things go wrong on their perfect last night that its hard to keep count of how many issues they run into. 

It has its funny moments, sad moments, and real relationship moments that are easily relatable and although it was a BIT predictable I can definitely see fans of YA contemporary enjoying this read and honestly devouring it.

The only reason it took me a little bit of time to get through was because I have been really busy but it is definitely fast paced and enjoyable.

Thor: The Goddess of Thunder by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman

4/5 stars ****

I really enjoyed this.

Let me preface this by saying I have never read a "Thor" comic before.

I of course know about him from the wildly popular series of movies but I have never really dove into more of his story than that.

I picked this up on a whim. I have been enjoying female superhero graphic novels and thought this might be something to enjoy along those lines and I was pleasantly surprised.

I enjoyed the idea of Thor's hammer choosing who is most worthy at a particular time and although I don't know exactly how Thor lost his ability to wield the hammer I do know this new awesome female Thor is handling things pretty great.

Lots of cool creatures, like dark elves and Ice giants and programmed killer sharks and Odin's queen in charge instead of him...this is definitely chock full of girl power.

I think it will appeal to both male and female audiences though as the feminist themes are now overwhelming and there is still plenty of male Thor and familiar characters to go around.

I will definitely be continuing the series and am really looking forward to picking up more classic turned female-centric comics in the near future.

Jenny Han: To All the Boys I've Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love you Plus GIVEAWAY!!!

             

This post will be a combined review of Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before Duology.

TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE:

This book is the type of book a girl should pick up when she wants to feel young and lighthearted. Perhaps on a warm spring or summer day laying on a picnic blanket in the grass and enjoying the sun.

It feels like you have the sun on you when you read it which is why I think that would be the perfect place. This book lights up a space.

I had never read any books by Jenny Han but upon a friends request I decided to pick it up. It was January, cold and bleak and I didn't notice the weather because I felt warm and happy inside as I devoured this book.

It has been some time but I think it only took me a day or two to read this book and I loved every minute.

Lara Jean: Our main female character was lovely to get to know. She has a deep love of family, has a descriptive back story, and has a personality with room for improvement.

Kitty: Lara Jean's precocious younger sister adds humor and light to the story.

Peter: Lara Jean's fake/real love interest, hilarious and definitely someone we get to know well in the story.

Josh: The cute next door neighbor.

Margot: The older sister to Lara Jean and the leader of the family as we learn their mother has passed away.

Then there are a collections of side characters that are also fun and unique that add new elements to the story as it goes on like Lara Jean's slutty best friend and many more.

I think the thing I appreciated most about this novel was Lara Jean's personal growth and the family dynamic. Both played such a huge role in the plot and I think it was very well developed and wonderful to see as the story progressed. The Lara Jean who starts this story, the one that is immature, timid, and brainy isn't the one who finishes it, the outgoing, vibrant, intelligent young woman. 

If you like cute, warm, fun contemporaries than you are in luck because the story continues in book 2: 

P.S. I STILL LOVE YOU: 

The story continues and while I don't want to give anything spoiler like away I will say that if you were a fan of the first one you will definitely love the second.

The first book leaves off in a bit of a cliff hanger. If you are like me and had to know what happens next then you will not be disappointed.

Lara Jean and Peter's story continues with adorable appearances from Kitty, Dad, Margot, and the lot.

All the key elements of the first story continue to play out. There is still girl drama at school, but it is highschool so we couldn't expect that to go away. Still questions about growing up and insecurities and still the element of family that made the first book so relatable.

I loved that. I loved feeling like I was rooting for these characters to succeed and for good things to happen to them.

At times the language is a bit immature but I can see it being appropriate for the audience I am sure Jenny Han was aiming for. 

I don't want to say to much the overall story arc but I will say that if you enjoyed the contemporary feel and the friendship, dating, and family aspects of the first story you will enjoy this read. 

GIVEAWAY!!!

I am giving away a hardcover copy of P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han.

TO ENTER: 

You must be able to provide an address to ship to within the United States.

You must be 18 or have a parents permission to enter.

You must comment below with your favorite contemporary read.   

Must enter by June 16, 2015 by midnight. Winner will be chosen at random on June 17th. 

The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Let me start by saying there is a lot of hype about this newly released YA novel and it is definitely living up to those standards.

I love the writing style and language used.

The story flowed well and I loved the idea of it being based on 1001 Arabian Nights. It made me want to pick up the classic.

As far as the characters are concerned.

Shazi was independent, confident, defiant,but also beautifully feminine.She was impetuous and young and I thought she was very easy to relate to and think that will be true for girls of any age reading her character.

Khalid was very conflicted and complex which I appreciated. You never really knew if you could believe what was going on with his character which I thought was great as a reader. He was also young but stood by his convictions and his mistakes which I found made me respect him.

The story started out to be something that seemed like it would be straight forward, a girl seeking revenge for the death of her friend at the hands of her new husband and a boy who kills a new bride every night.

You spend the majority of the first section listening to Shazi tell stories to stay alive each night and trying to understand the monster she has married and why he kills but also why he hasn't killed her. I loved the mystery and figuring it out as you went along.

I loved the love story between the characters and didn't feel like the triangle was overbearing. It actually made sense.

I definitely can't wait for the follow-up and I think this will appeal to a wide audience. I appreciated the glossary in the back and I appreciated the beautifully crafted language and really think this author is going to be someone to watch.

A wonderful debut that I would recommend across the board.

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA BATMAN!

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA BATMAN!

Item Description:

The prequel to the best-selling game BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT!

The Joker is dead. Arkham City is closed. As a new day begins, Bruce Wayne finds himself in devastating pain, recovering from his injuries and questioning whether his role as Batman is still necessary to the city's survival. But as the sun rises in Gotham City, dangerous new threats emerge from the shadows...and the Arkham Knight is just beginning. Don't miss this in-continuity prequel comic set prior to the events of the brand-new video game Batman: Arkham Knight! 

Collects BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT #1-6.

Review:

I was sent this copy for review from DC Entertainment, DC Comics, via netgalley.com.

I was really never more excited to receive a review copy as I was this one. Partially because I finally cracked DC and got sent a comic, since then I have been rejected by them dozens of times. I don't blame them, this blog isn't that impressive...

Anyways, I also am a HUGE Batman fan. All Batman's from comic books to Adam West to George Clooney's nipple suit I will always love him.

I also love the video games. I played it back on my PS3 system and can't wait to play Arkam Knight on XBOX1.

All that being said I don't think I could have anything wrong to say with anything Batman related and even if I could that would not be the case here.

I loved it. Like a lot of DC comics it was dark and gritty and the characters were brooding and that's what makes it amazing. 

Batman is just an ordinary guy who wants to do good for people. Admirable and insane. If you are a fan of Batman, Batman comics, or the video game I would definitely suggest picking up this first Volume.

It has a ways to go but I can definitely see it getting really good in later issues/vol and will definitely be continuing on in the future. 

4 out of 5