Invisibility - Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Synopsis: Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life - because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen's mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen's NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don't go as planned, especially when Stephen's grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they're willing to make for Stephen to become visible - because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.  

When I heard about this collaboration I was so freaking excited. I've fangirled over both of these authors, a few times, and then to hear they were coming together to write a book about an invisible boy pretty much gave me something to anticipate highly. Andrea Cremer and David Levithan have very different writing styles and typical story structures, so I was curious to see how they'd blend their talents. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite work for me, and I'm a little devastated to say that I didn't really like this one.  

Andrea Cremer is fantastic at writing paranormal and fantasy and David Levithan is extraordinary with contemporary and magical realism. But I feel like there was a bit of a miss where these two different styles should have met. The set-up was really great, when nobody really knows why Stephen is invisible, but once they start explaining why he's this way and Elizabeth finds out how she might save him I started to disconnect. I found the backstory unbelievable and a little undeveloped. 

That said, both Andrea and David, are fantastic at character development and Stephen was definitely interesting to read about. I couldn't quite figure Elizabeth out and she isn't my favorite heroine, but I feel like there are definitely things within her character that you can easily connect with - like her fierce loyalty and her humor. Laurie, though, was the reason I kept reading this book. His character was fabulous. He has a history for being violently bullied for being gay, yet he's the most hopeful and light person in this story. He's always there to say what needs to be said and to support everyone. I almost wish this story had been more about him. 

I'm really sad about this one, but I got my hopes up too high and it just didn't meet them. I wanted this collaboration to work so much, because how awesome would that be? I hope other people like this book, though, and I'm just crazy or was in a weird mood when I read it. Because I really do root for these authors and the idea for this story is so cool.

Rift - Andrea Cremer

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind. (From Goodreads)

It's no secret that I love Andrea Cremer's Nightshade series. If you didn't know this then I'll say it again. I LOVE ANDREA CREMER. I love the world that she has created. This is a fantasy that is truly exceptional. We've been introduced to the modern state of the world of the watchers and the horror of the wraiths. And I actually mentioned in my review of Wolfsbane that if Andrea Cremer wrote a history book about Calla's world, I would read it. Well. Here's that history - in story form. Yeah, doesn't get better than this.

So we go back to before the wraiths, before the watchers and we get to see how this evil comes slinking into the world. And we get to watch it all happen through another incredible heroine. If it's possible, I may like Ember more than Calla. Ember is fierce and Scottish, and she's a female warrior who has to keep her role a secret. She plays with the big boys, and man are those boys something else.

For about three seconds I was a little worried that we were in for another painful (in a good way, of course) love triangle. I don't know if my heart can take another Ren-Calla-Shay. Thankfully, that fear was quelled pretty quick. It's not a love triangle, yet somehow, Ember's love life seems so much more complicated. Luckily, there's Barrow. He's one of the strong, silent types. And I think every word out of his mouth made me completely melt - even if he was just passing on a greeting. Also, if you recall Nightshade, you'll probably remember some pretty intense scenes - you know, the kind that make you blush a bit. Yeah. Well, Rift also has some serious heat. Like, whoa.

I need to stop comparing Rift to Nightshade though. Because, while it's the same world and over time Ember and Calla are linked, they stand beautifully apart. Rift is incredible unto itself and it stands by itself. If you haven't read the Nightshade series, you'll be just fine jumping into Rift. Which, if you haven't read anything Andrea has written, then you seriously need to. Anyway. There are moments where you see something coming, but it doesn't even matter because there is some great tension. It all leads up to an ending that is explosive and slightly torturous. I feel like I've gotten pretty good at being patient between books in series, but I don't know if I can handle the wait until the next book.

So I hope you at least know I love Andrea Cremer. And I hope that you'll run out and pick up the first Andrea Cremer book you can find. Hopefully, that book will be Rift on August 7. I'm so excited for this book, you guys, I kind of want to buy ten copies and just put them in strategic places in my house so I can get all happy whenever I see the cover. Overkill? Nah.

July Top 5

OH hey last day of July. I think I say this every month, but how in the world did we get here? I don't know about you, but my July has been kind of life-altering in a scary, but great, way. Caralyn has been doing a fab job keeping up the blog while I've been out - I've popped in here and there, but she's been pretty much running the show. It's hard to, you know, have a life AND maintain 6 blog posts a week, so I've been very happy to have someone to rely on. Anyhow - I've still managed to sneak a few books into my schedule and I have read some pretty awesome stuff. This month, though, Caralyn and I are splitting our top five. Here are the books that rocked our world in July:

1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Hannah says: Such awesome fantasy. This novel is joining an already rich genre and it so deserves a spot up there as one of the best. Read my review here. 

2. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Hannah says: It's been a few weeks since I read this incredible book and I still miss these characters. Whenever I see the book cover my heart leaps. I think it's safe to say this book is pretty permanently etched into my mind. Read my review here. 

3. Rift by Andrea Cremer

Hannah says: YES. Andrea Cremer's new series is SO wicked and intense. I loved the Nightshade series, so it's pretty epic to see where Calla's world all started. Review to come. 

4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Caralyn says: I loved the futuristic retelling of Cinderella and the strength of Cinder's character - it definitely has its own innovative twists on the classic story. Read my review here. 

5. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Caralyn says: This sequel to Angelfire was packed with more romance and more butt-kicking angels. Still love Ellie's sarcasm and Will's selflessness. Wellie forever! Review to come. 

What were your top reads this month? 

Bloodrose - Andrea Cremer

Synopsis: Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.
In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.

I've been worrying for days about what I was going to say about this last installment in the Nightshade trilogy - it's so huge, and it feels so important, that anything I have to say will never quite be enough. So I've decided that I'm not going to do a traditional review for this one - instead, I'm going to just going to mention a few things.

I'm so utterly heartbroken. This whole series sent me through crazy emotions, complete pain and frustration, and it devastated me. And I'm so in love with it. It must be some masochist thing, because Andrea Cremer can torture me anytime. Seriously. I don't know how often I ever felt elated, or hopeful, or any kind of positive emotion towards the last two books, but I was just so addicted. Every good moment had a tinge of something else that was lost or jeopardized.  I ended this series with that conflicting - I'm so glad to know how it ends, but I already miss these characters so much.

That's all I'm really going to say. I feel closure, but I'm still mourning the end of this trilogy. I really can't wait to see what Andrea Cremer writes next because I'll read anything she writes.
And if you haven't started reading  this series yet - you need to drop everything your doing and get to it.

Finally - Team Ren Forever.

YAllFest

This last weekend I was lucky enough to be able to go to YAllFest, which was held at Blue Bicycle books in downtown Charleston, SC. I visited Charleston when I was younger and fell in love, so I took this as an opportunity to take a bit of a vacation - as well as to geek out about meeting some of my favorite authors. The short version of my weekend - Askajavabaskinfracking Incredible. Yes, I made up that expression, but I don't think there's an expression that exists to explain how great YAllfest was. Mostly, it was just a cluster of incredible people - authors and readers - and it never fails to amaze me how embracing and supportive the YA community is. 

So here's just a FEW of the fantastic authors I got to meet:

I may have gushed all over - but it's me
and ANDREA CREMER!!!

Me and Margaret Stohl! 

Me and Beth Revis!

Me and Carrie Ryan!!

I'll also have more pictures posted to my Facebook page. 
But for some bonus pics - 

The day was topped off by all 26 authors gathering on stage and competing in story contests. It was hosted by Kaleb Nation and judged by Sarah Rees Brennan. Basically it was silly awesomeness. 

Sarah Rees Brennan (probably the
coolest person ever) judging!

Carrie Ryan turning into a zombie to take out
Caitlin Kittredge and Kimberly Derting. 

David Levithan making up
part of a story. 

Team Dystopia are crowned winners -
Carrie Ryan, Caitlin Kittredge,
Kimberly Derting, Beth Revis,
and Maragaret Stohl

The whole day was just so wonderful and I had so much fun. I brought back tons of signed books and I'm going to share some with you! Later on I'll be giving away a copy of Beautiful Chaos signed by both authors - but right now I'm giving away a signed copy of The Pledge by Kimberly Derting! Click HERE to go to the giveaway!