Review: Not if I See You First by Eric Lindstrom

Not if I See You First by Eric Lindstrom

The Rules:
Don't deceive me. Ever. Especially using my blindness. Especially in public.
Don't help me unless I ask. Otherwise you're just getting in my way or bothering me.
Don't be weird. Seriously, other than having my eyes closed all the time, I'm just like you only smarter.
Parker Grant doesn't need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That's why she created the Rules: Don't treat her any differently just because she's blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart.
When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after being gone for years, Parker knows there's only one way to react-shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind already, like trying out for the track team (that's right, her eyes don't work but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn't cried since her dad's death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened--both with Scott, and her dad--the more she starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.

Publishes in US: December 1st 2015 by Poppy
Genre: ya contemp disabilities
Source: earc little brown via netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? no

Buy it:  

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook

 

    I wanted to read not if I see you first because I like the books that are dealing with hard issues like physical illness and and blindness for example such as in this book.

   I really like the main character she was strong and funny and witty and she really handled her blindness in a way that I admired and hoped that I would have the strength to. two high schools merged as a part of this book and there's a lot of new people that she is encountering she does it with this nonchalantness know that I really like and basically she's just a girl you don't want to mess with.

   She just lost her father and she's dealing with the grief of that and also the challenges that you face whenever you I have a physical disability. she still doesn't let the new people get to. there's a jock that's messing around with her and shes awesome about it she called him a douchebag and then she says well that's kind of mean so I'll just call you D.B.

    I want to read not if I see you first because I'm drawn to books about disabilities and blindness is one of the things that has always particularly interest me so I was glad when I got an advance copy to read.

    Parker is the main character and she lost her sight in an accident where her mom had drink too much wine and they got into a car accident. her mom died and Parker lost her sight. after that she got really close with her dad and I love the description of that relationship between them how protective he was of her and the openess they had talking to each other. unfortunately her dad passed away as well and this has Parker in a really crappy position.

   Her aunt and cousins came to live with her because it's really hard for a blind person to learn a house and she would have had to also change schools so they made the big sacrifice of coming to live with her. there is some closeness but also some resentment because her aunt is a very helicopter type and this bothers Parker a lot of times but I guess it also shows that her aunts worried about her and cares about her.

   I love the focus on friendship in this one. Parker has been friends with Sarah for years and years and I love how much they Sarah really just sticks by her side and how much they can talk to each other and how Sarah has learn the ins and outs of being a best friends with a person that is blind. the two girls really complement each other and are opposites in some way. Parker is really strong and she has no problem speaking her mind and sometimes it comes across as pretty bitchy to be honest. she also meets Moll who totally gets her from the start and we get to see a new friendship blooming and that's really cool to me.

    Parker is a runner and then presents its own challenges. up until about a quarter of the way through the book she just runs on her own and has memorized the certain field so that she can just run and be free. But the coach of the track team notices was her and wants her to be a part of the team. running on the track presents a lot of challenges but Parker after being scared of it and resenting it for a little bit but ultimately she decides she wants to try it. I was proud of her for wanting to try but we also realize a lot about Parker in them that she really is flippant about her safety at times and she was just literally running blindly like a person possessed and we get to see a lot of character growth that's because she realizes that she needs to take some responsibility for her safety even though she accepts that something could happen to her as a result of joining the team or as a result of trying to be independent.

   The romance and this one is interesting there's kind of a love triangle but no not really because there is a relationship that she was in and she believed that that person broke one of her most important rule: not to deceive her. it really hurt her but we see through the book that she realizes that she made a lot of assumptions and that she was a bit hasty and judgmental about it. I think it was sweet how much that he tried to get her to see his point of view and all the little things that he did for her and I like that it wasn't easy for them that we don't get a complete HEA with them but we do have this hope and these feelings that both of them has to decide what they want to do with.

Bottom Line: worth the read, emotional with a sarcastic, blunt and strong main character.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
what would you miss most if you lost your vision?

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

Currently reading;

Dangerous Lies source: simon and schuster

Fitzpatrick, Becca *

What I read:

The Way I Used to Be source: simon and schuster

Smith, Amber

Last Week on the blog:

• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

The Heir (The Selection, #4) source: library

Cass, Kiera *

The Scorpio Races source: library

Stiefvater, Maggie *

My week: Enjoyed a quiet thanksgiving with just me, allan and the girls.

What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

 The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Publishes in US: October 18th 2011 by Scholastic Press 
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: library
Series? No

Buy it:  Buy on Amazon
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Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog ~book site

 

    I wanted to read this one because I have enjoyed Maggie's other books and I have heard exceptional things about it. I have been reading so many contemporaries because I wasn't paying attention with scheduling since I usually alternate and I needed a break into the paranormal fantasy world, and this did it for me. 

    There are two characters that we get the perspective from, and while I have a feeling there will be some romance, it didn't start out that way. It showed us the tremendous losses the characters have experienced, both have lost parents, and are on the poor end of the spectrum, doing what they have to to survive. Kate aka Puck lives with her three brothers, and they scrape by after both of their parents were killed by the water horses that the island they live on survives because of. The tourist season during the races allows the community to survive year round. On the other hand, Sean has been racing in the races since he was really young, and now he is working with the big man on the island, the Maverns who own the stables for both regular horses and the water horses. Sean has such a touch with the animals and he helps train them. 

    The world building was great. I could picture their island of Thisby, and the terrifying at times horses from the sea. The sense of community but at the same time the isolation because everyone there has been touched by loss from the sea or the horses, but there are those that can't even imagine a different life somewhere else. 

    The plot was wonderfully placed, the mix of action and focus on characters kept my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I was in a bit of a reading slump, tired out of contemporary and then starting and not feeling multiple fantasies and paranormals. The great writing and characterization hooked me even when I was a bit skeptical over the lore of the horses. All of that skepticism fell away and I ended up enjoying a lot.

    The cast of secondary characters were really well done as well. From Holly an American who comes for buying horses and to watch the races becomes close to Sean. Dory is the woman in charge of the betting and she takes up with Puck even though she tries at first to discourage her from racing. Puck's brothers Gabe and Finn all have a family dynamic that I enjoyed reading about. Finn was the younger and he seemed to have a bit of mental instability but then came through in big ways for Puck and the family when you least expect it. He is sweet, and works hard at some things, and there are times when I thought he didn't really know what was going on, but then showed himself capable and very competent. Gabe is wanting to leave the island and Puck can't really comprehend why because she loves the island, and she has such a close bond with her horse Dove. She tried to get Gabe to stay by declaring she was going to enter the races. 

     The Malverns, son Mutt who has it out for Sean, and the owner Benjamin who I couldn't get a clear read on, seemingly a villan because he is sticking to money, and then other times, seeming to give away that he knows Mutt isn't fit to take over for him, and Sean has such a way with the horses. 

    Sean and Puck did grow close, first with mutual respect for how they both cared for their horses beyond what others considered normal or natural. Then they recognized the attraction and fought it for all sorts of reasons. And then they helped each other, confided in each other, and their bond deepened. It never really got hot between the two but there was the promise. 

    I loved the growth of the two and the building suspense that carried through to the end. Speaking of the ending, it wasn't what I expected. I thought it would turn out differently, but I wasn't disappointed. It makes a lot of sense the way that she did it, and the twists that were hinted at looking back. I do wish that there was an epilogue. It made a fine ending, but I wanted things a bit more tied down for the "after." I scoured her site and the book's website but can't find anything about a sequel or an extra with a few months or years later for Sean and Puck, and I think if I had that it would be a full 5 instead of 4 1/2. 

Bottom Line: Great writing, execution of premise and characterization with slow burn romance.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you ride in a race where you might lose your life?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

When We Collided

Lord, Emery *

Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them.

Vivi and Jonah couldn't be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the answer to everything. But soon Vivi's zest for life falters, as her adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her safe, but there's something important Vivi hasn't told him.

Perfect for fans of E. Lockhart and Jandy Nelson, When We Collided is a powerful story of two teens whose love is put to the test by forces beyond their control.

Releases: April 5th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

What are you waiting on?

Review: The Heir by Kiera Cass

The Heir (The Selection #4) by Kiera Cass

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

Publishes in US: May 5th 2015 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA Light Dystopia
Source: library
Series? The Selection #4
#1 The Selection
#2 The Elite
#3 The One
Untitled (The Selection #5) 

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: website. Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook

 

    I wanted to read The Heir because I flew through the rest of the series and hoped the same for this one. I ended up liking it the same and would have read the whole book in one sitting if my meds wouldn't have knocked me out. 

    Eadlyn is fierce, and she has been raised to lead the country next. She has let in her parents and siblings, but she hasn't really formed many friendships or relationships outside of them. When there is some unrest in the country even after the abolishment of the caste system. And Maxon and America had the idea to have a selection for Eadlyn. She was completely against it at first, and I can understand because it was something that she'd never really prepared for. She wasn't ready to get married, she wanted to keep learning and getting ready to take over the throne. 

   But she does care for Illea and she begins to see some wisdom in this, giving the people something to cheer for, and take their minds off of their instability. Eadlyn had a hard time when the men came to the castle, but when she finally did realize she needed to put forth full effort, and flirt a bit, we got to see some of the guys personalities and who they were. 

    I actually had a favorite, and it was someone who shouldn't have even been in the selection to begin with, but she kept getting closer to him because he was seen as a safe person, and she wanted to give something to the media. But as the book progressed and she got to know some of the guys more, I also formed soft spots for them, and could see how they could make her happy. 

    There were also some scandals, some of the guys were violent, some didn't show respect for Eadlyn. But like Maxon, and America, she figured it out more and more as the process went on. It went from a duty, to something that she got so much out of emotionally and intellectually. She was able to sympathize, and have new ideas that could work with the new violence and people not understanding they have more control over their life instead of their hardships being solely on the monarchy. 

    It ended at a cliffie spot, and like the previous, I am totally ready for the next one. 

Bottom Line: Flew through it just like 1-3.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you consider having a selection?

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

Currently reading:

Bloodlines / The Golden Lily / The Indigo Spell / The Fiery Heart / Silver Shadows / Ruby Circle

Mead, Richelle *

What I read:

Last Week on the blog:

• Twilight Tuesday: Movie Casting
• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Soundless Source: bought Review

Mead, Richelle

Getting Lucky Number Seven Source: bought Review

Madsen, Cindi *

Inherit the Stars Source: earc via netgalley It's Not You, It's Me:

Elwood, Tessa

My week:  For my back, i have a bulging disc with lots of inflammation pinching the nerves. They are going to do an epiduaral cortisone and pain reliever in two weeks-- they are hoping that will give it a chance to heal-- they want the inflammation down, so then hopefully the bulging disc will heal. After that, I will be doing some physical therapy. 
Also, next week I have a diagnostic CT to see why my kidney is swollen and ureter backed up.

Been finishing the Bloodlines series (re-reading) so hopefully will be more in the mood for new review books. 

What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.

Review: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless by Richelle Mead

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.
For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.
When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.
Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...

Publishes in US: November 10th 2015 by Razorbill
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: bought
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? no.

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: site twitter facebook blog

 

    I wanted to read Soundless because I am a fan-girl for Mead. She writes wonderful characters, hot romances, and plot lines that keep me turning the pages and not wanting to stop. Fei, the main character in this fantasy sounds like she will be no different. 

    Fei automatically gets on my good list because of how protective she it's of her sister. She is covering for her Zheng,who is losing her sight. I love when a tight knit family whether its siblings in this one, since their parents passed. The whole village can't hear and that puts them at a disadvantage since their mountain town is blocked from the rest of the world. they're unable to grow their own food so they have to rely on the metals from the mines to produce something to trade with village below that sends up some food in exchange.

    This type of town sets up an interesting heirarchy, showing Mead's skill at world building. Fei and her sister are in the highest besides the elders, they are artists who work together to paint the news. But her sister losing more vision by the day or week, it is hard for her to keep up the quality of her work, and it gets to a point where Fei can't do her own work and fix her sister's. They used to have a crier but the art has become necessary since they can't hear. 

    The next group it's the suppliers who work with food and the lowest besides the beggars who can't hear or see and depend on others generosity are the miners who deal in manual labor. Fei is friends with and even more is developing with Li Wei. He is a miner but quickly in we get to see his strength of character when he steps in for a boy caught stealing food, their highest crime, but he did it for his sister's family who was starving. Unfortunately, the one leading the beating (who also had no place to do so) is Sheng, the one destined to marry Fei. But she has been crazy for Li Wei since he helped her out of a collapsed building at age eight and he was covered in gold dust making him shimmer and even more appealing. They have had a chemistry and tight relationship until their jobs kept them from spending as much time together. 

   Li Wei's father is also losing his vision, but he is a proud man and wants to keep providing even if he can't do the job the same way anymore. An incident with his father, and a separate one with Zheng leads Li Wei and Fei to follow up on the idea of going down the mountain to try to get a better deal from the town below, or figure out some new options for their family and their town. Fei begins to hear, and it is so interesting how Mead describes Fei hearing things for the first time, questioning if she is crazy, and figuring out how to put her new ears to use, and if it could be a clue to restoring not only hearing to the town, but an answer for them going blind.

   Li Wei and Fei's journey down the mountain and discovering the truth about the line keeper, finding an abandoned city like theirs on a platue and then seeing the riches at the city below. They discover a lot about the world outside their town, and while they find some answers about their deafness and blindess, they are left with more questions of why they weren't given more food, and much more.

   Towards the end we get answers about why Fei is the one to have her hearing restored, and we also get a breath taking ending when Fei tries to save her town and her sister. The forbidden romance gets swoony and I loved how much they connected and were into one another. I got all of my questions answered, and was left satisfied with the ending and where it left these characters, in a spot of hope and healing.

Bottom Line: Good characters and romance, quick and enjoyable read.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you rather lose sight or hearing?

It's Not You, It's Me: Inherit the Stars by Tessa Elwood

Inherit the Stars by Tessa Elwood 

Three royal houses ruling three interplanetary systems are on the brink of collapse, and they must either ally together or tear each other apart in order for their people to survive.
Asa is the youngest daughter of the house of Fane, which has been fighting a devastating food and energy crisis for far too long. She thinks she can save her family’s livelihood by posing as her oldest sister in an arranged marriage with Eagle, the heir to the throne of the house of Westlet. The appearance of her mother, a traitor who defected to the house of Galton, adds fuel to the fire, while Asa also tries to save her sister Wren's life . . . possibly from the hands of their own father.
But as Asa and Eagle forge a genuine bond, will secrets from the past and the urgent needs of their people in the present keep them divided?
Author Tessa Elwood's debut series is an epic romance at heart, set against a mine field of political machinations, space adventure, and deep-seeded family loyalties.

Publishes in US: December 8th 2015 by Running Press Kids
Genre: ya scifi
Source: earc via netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? no

Author stalk away: ~site TUMBLR · SOUND CLOUD · GOODREADS · INSTAGRAM · TESSAELWOOD.COM · POP COLOR

buy it:       

     I have done this several times on my blog. Books that just don't work for me. I know my reading style pretty well, and I can tell whether I will like the book or not accurately about 80-90% of the time. If I finish a book, then there are aspects of that book that I enjoyed. I never talk about the author in a negative way, I only say what doesn't work for me. Normally if I finish a book, I give it at least 3 stars, meaning that I liked it.

   Stopped at 12%

I like simple scifi... and this one threw too many terms at me all at once and it was hard to deal with that and figure out what was going on. I need to connect with the main character quickly and although I knew that asa loved her sister and / was trying to do the best for the people, I was thrown into the middle of a crisis.
I thought that this would work for me because of the synopsis claim that it was an epic romance, but at 12% I still haven't seen a hint of the romantic interest.

  That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end.

Positive Reviews:
Sarah Elizabeth's  Bookshelf
BOOKED J's
La Romantique

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you travel in time if you had the ability?