Giveaway Winners

I can't believe it! Our first giveaway has come to an end!! Thanks to all those who participated and who now follow our blog! We recieved 245 enteries (including the double entry for those who followed. We got everyone who commented too! Sorry the thing wasn't working.) April and I are extremely excited and hope to start dishing out some awsome book reviews, giveaways and what ever we fancy this summer. So stay tuned for that.

And now, thanks to Random.org we announce the winners of the Splash into Summer Giveaway:

First Place:

Mary Ward

Second Place:

Charla Wilson/booktalkwithcharla

Third Place:

Hira Hasnain/~Enamored Soul~

Winners will be receivng an email within the next couple a days about their book choice! I'd do it right now

but I'm supposed to be studying for another final (you guys are worth the procrastination!)

If you didn't win today, that's alright! As I mentioned, we're planning on doing more this summer and we still

have many of books and other goodies to giveaway so don't give up!

Happy Readings!

Karina and April

Review: Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

So, because I struggle with reviewing contemporary books (it's not that I don't like them, I really do, I just never know what to say for them) I almost passed up on this book.  And I'm soooooo glad I didn't.  Because even though a lot of is contemporary, there are some eerie supernatural aspects of if that made this completely enjoyable for me.  If the paranormal genre and the contemporary genre had a secret love child, it would be this book.


Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: June 14th 2011 by Dutton Juvenile

Goodreads summary:
Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

My Personal Ramblings:

I'd just first like to say Nova Ren Suma is SUCH an AMAZING writer.  And she has a pretty awesome name.  Which is slightly irrelevant. *cough* Anyways... I'm going to sound like a nerd but I love her use of diction, symbolism, metaphors, etc. all that boring stuff you learn in English class and you thought you would never have to use!  Or maybe that's just me... *cough*  But in all seriousness, even though I believe this is her 2nd book, and her first book in the YA genre, her writing is expertly FLAWLESS and flows so easily.  Without trying, I easily read this book in one sitting, and then was surprised at how quickly I got through it.  

Remember what I said about this book being the love child of paranormal and contemporary books? Yeah, that becomes pretty apparent throughout this book.  Even from the very beginning of the book, you can see how Chloe and the majority of the town views Ruby as almost god-like.  As the book goes on, secrets are revealed about Ruby, and how her power in the town isn't completely all from her.  However the paranormal aspects of the book blended in with the realistic world so well, it's almost as if it was an illusion.  There is no direct explanation about Ruby's power, and it almost seems fantastical at times, but there is definitely supernatural at work.  The lines between reality and fantasy are so blurred that sometimes you question the characters' sanity.  But I thought it was a perfect way if one wanted to incorporate paranormal into a book with many contemporary themes.  


Ruby is one of those strange characters that I would hate to meet in real life, and yet she completely intrigues me as a book character.  She completely walks over people, especially boys, and claims to not care about anyone, except Chloe.  Chloe's development did not happen the way I thought it would and wanted it too, but I definitely like the way it ended.  I wanted Chloe to stand up for herself, and break out of her sister's shadow.  Which she does... but not at all how I expected it.  This is relevant, but seems completely irrelevant now, but I love the chapter titles.  Each chapter is titled with the first two or three words of the chapter, which sounds weird, but the titles of the book show an almost perfect progression of the internal conflict of the story.  

What I love about the ending is that it makes you realize this book is about the bond of sisterhood and how unbreakable that bond is.  The book was filled with other issues like love, family, individualism, etc. but the ending really brought it all together back to the main purpose.  I liked how the ending had an opening, and there was not a complete resolution because there is no ending to Chloe's love and loyalty to her sister despite everything that happens in the book.  I've read some reviews that said they wished that there was more action in this book overall, and my argument to that is there is no need for more action.  The tension, the suspense, the internal conflict IS the action of the novel, and in my opinion, it works.  Based off the ending, I believe Imaginary Girls is a standalone, but I will definitely be reading whatever Nova Ren Suma will be writing in the future. 

Overall:

4.5 out of 5 stars :) Haunting and eerie, this book will suck you in and won't let go.  (I've just realized how strange and creepy that sounds.  But it's meant to be a good thing lol).  Definitely worth checking out on June 14th!

Review: Not That Kind of Girl

Hello. So let me start off by saying how proud I am of all our followers! I remember when we had ten followers and I was going around begging goodreads friends to follow. Now look at us! At the time of this review, there are 99 followers!

Secondly, let me just say how hetic things are! April is extremely right about school. Considering how I'm supposed to be studying for finals and instead spent three hours last night/this morning (it was about 3 am when I finished it...) reading this book, I can safely say I am dedicated to this blog and its followers by reading and posting a review. Or I'm insane. Either one works great.

So enough of this rambling, on with the review!

Title: Not That Kind of Girl
Author: Siobhan Vivian
Pages: 322
Publisher: Push, hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
Natalie Sterling wants to be in control. She wants her friends to be loyal. She wants her classmates to elect her student council president. She wants to find the right guy, not the usual jerk her school has to offer. She wants a good reputation, because she believes that will lead to good things.

But life is messy, and it's very hard to be in control of it. Not when there are freshman girls running around in a pack, trying to get senior guys to sleep with them. Not when your friends have secrets they're no longer comfortable sharing. Not when the boy you once dismissed ends up being the boy you wants to sleep with yourself - but only in secret, with nobody ever finding out.

Slut or saint? Winner or loser? Natalie is getting tired of these forced choices - and is now going to find a way to live life in the sometimes messy, sometimes wonderful in-between.

My Review:

I found it funny how, while reading this book in the early moments of the day, I could hear this little voice telling me to stop and go back to my studies. Oddly enough, the little voice sounded extremly close to the voice that I had given this books protagonist, Natalie Sterling. Because what I was doing was something she would not approve of.

I also found it interseting how this YA book presented issues such as sexuality and feminism. I never would have thought those issues would have played such an important role in the book, considering the cover and title. (Before I go much further I have to say that yes, I did choose the book because of the cover.) I was looking for a light, nice romantic read to distract me from my studies, but instead I got a nice book that got me thinking. I love it when that happens.

I enjoyed how the problem presented at the beginning of the book did not belong to the protagonist, instead to Natalie's best friend. I've read too many books where the main character is portrayed weak, emotionally fragile yet mentally courageous girl. Insetad, Siobhan Vivian's main character is a strong feminist, who works hard to show that women can be strong emotionally and mentally and does not need a man to help her.

But Natalie's streangths also become her flaws when an old friend with different view points renters her life and starts making Natalie doubt everything she believes in. Is sexuality not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and power? Can she really have something right now, just for that moment, if it won't go anywhere? If it won't help her in her paln for the future? And when her views start interfering with her friendship with best friend Autumn, start conflicting with her role modle Ms. Bee and keep her confused about football player Connor, Natalie's world starts breaking at its seams.

Needless to say, this book deals with relationships between girlfriends, best friends and with yourself. Sadly though, it was also a little bit black and white. There wasn't a real median between being totally into your sensuality, or being totally against it.

I also couldn't decide if I like the characters or not. Either Natalie's character was totally believeable, or she and Spencer were totally flat. Autumn had the potential of being a good character, but her story was confusing and how she resolved it seemed too simple or just not realistic.

Overall, I really liked the book. But once you start thinking about its messages and read deeper, its confusing and unclear.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Karina

Review: Possession by Elana Johnson

I'm writing a review for the first time in like 6 months! Summertime + sickness makes you do crazy things.  Sorry that this is the only review we have for May I lied, Karina posted a review! (Obviously she's procrastinating.)  Finals and end of school schtuff has been hectic.

Possession by Elana Johnson
416 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: June 7th 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. 

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn. 

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book, was NOT what I expected, especially from a dystopian novel (in a good way!).  There were plenty of twists and suspenseful turns that kept me reading.  I loved Vi and Jag, their relationship felt realistic to me because it wasn't perfect.  Jag wasn't the perfect boyfriend, and the "love triangle" (I'm just using that term loosely) isn't a typical love triangle because it isn't a decision of Perfect Hot Boy #1 and Perfect Hot Boy #2 because both Jag and Zenn aren't perfect.  Hot, but not perfect.  Vi was also a great main character, and even though it was a difficult to follow her thought processes sometimes, her voice and perspective were fun and unique. 

What I loved most about this book is how it managed to be light hearted and funny, and still had all the dystopian elements.  I've read some really awesome dystopian books that have left me shell-shocked and sobbing at 2 in the morning, but after I read this book, I realized none of the dystopian books I've read before have really made me laugh.  So Possession is an awesome read if you're looking for some refreshing, quirky, original dystopian!

I hate being a downer, but I have to add that although the story is brilliant, the writing was a bit hard to follow at times.  The writing is very fast paced and sometimes I had to stop and reread a passage several times, and then getting confused when something was mentioned that I didn't remember being explained.  This may just be me though.  Although this is the author's debut book, so I'm sure that her writing will be smoother and flow better in the future! I am excited to read whatever Elana Johnson has in store if there is a sequel to this book :)

I'm such a hypocrite, I always complain when people review the covers as part of their overall review of the book, and yet I'm gonna be gushing about the cover in a couple seconds. However, I'd just like to point out, the awesomeness of the cover has no effect on my review of this book.  I love how simple it is, and yet I feel like it completely embodies the basic concept of a dystopian.  I love how the ice cube is cracked and starting to melt, and how the butterfly inside is vibrant and just waiting to break free.  Wow, that sounds cheesy.  But yes, I love love love it!

Overall: LOVED this book.  I give it 4 stars :)  I really really really wish I could give it 5 out of 5 stars, but I feel like I would be discounting that it is a bit hard to follow despite it's awesomeness.  Still, I strongly suggest checking it out once it comes on June 7th! 

You can also enter to win my ARC copy of Possession in our Splash Into Summer giveaway along with some other awesome YA and MG books Karina and I have compiled :)

Splash into Summer Giveaway Hop!!

That's right! I bet you wouldn't have guessed it but here at Book Away we are hosting our first ever Giveaway!!!!!

Alright, so hopefully we've done this correctly and all you have to do is fill out the form below.

We'll have three winners. First place will get first dibs to pick one book on our HUGE stack of giveaway books we have collected. Second place will get second dibs and third will get last dibs.

Pile of books you can pick from!

Alice Alone by  Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Ash by Malinda Lo

Half-Moon Investigators by Eion Colfer

Peter and the Starcatchers by Barry and Pearson
Ivy by Julie Hearn

The Total Tragedy of a Girl named Hamlet by Erin Dionne

The Riddle (book 2) by Alison Croggon

They Cry of the Icemark (book 1) by Stuart Hill

The Book of Mordred by Vivian Vande Velde

The Wizard Heir (book 2) by Cinda Williams Chima

The Kingdom Keepers (book 1) by Ridley Pearson

A Seperate Peace by John Knowles

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies

ARC of Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

ARC of Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (signed!)

ARC of Blue Fire by Janice Hardy

ARC of Possession by Elana Johnson

ARC of Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

ARC of Matched by Ally Condie

If you follow via GFC on the sidebar, you get an extra entry! Following isn't required, but now that summer is here, we'll be able to post reviews, giveaways, and other cool schtuff!

I realize GFC is having problems now, so if you can't follow, then you can leave a comment on any of our reviews for an extra entry as well!

Giveaway is US only, and ends 5/31 at midnight! :)

Once you've entered this giveaway, scroll down to the linky where you can check out all the other awesomesauce giveaways!

Calling all Meg Cabot Fans!

Do you love reading Meg Cabot's books?
Ever wanted to know something about a certain thing?
Ever had a question you've wanted to ask?

Well here's your chance!

Meg will be on Goodreads answering questions about her past books and new novel, Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1), on her Goodreads Author discussion group, Ask Meg Cabot! Special One-Day-Only Group!. She will be available for one day only, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.

Check it out!

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/47324.Ask_Meg_Cabot_Special_One_Day_Only_Group_

You have to be a member of goodreads in order to participate in group discussion, but I'm almost sure you don't have to be a member to read all the Q&As posted.

We are in no way adversting goodreads (though we do recommend the use of it (or I do)) and are only doing this for our readers!

Now, I've only read Meg Cabot's Avalon High and that day I have a meeting so chances are I won't be participating. But let me know how it went if you did!

On another note...

Check back soon for an exciting announcement we will be making. April and I are extremely excited over this and we hope you guys will be too.

Karina