The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco // Not As Scary As Expected

The Girl From the Well (The Girl From the Well #1), by Rin Chupeco
Publication: May 1, 2015, by Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Horror, Fantasy
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

A dead girl walks the streets.
She hunts murderers. Child killers, much like the man who threw her body down a well three hundred years ago.
And when a strange boy bearing stranger tattoos moves into the neighborhood so, she discovers, does something else. And soon both will be drawn into the world of eerie doll rituals and dark Shinto exorcisms that will take them from American suburbia to the remote valleys and shrines of Aomori, Japan.
Because the boy has a terrifying secret - one that would just killto get out.

My Thoughts:

The only thought that comes to mind when I look at the cover is an endless amount of sighs. Horror/thrillers are my favourite genre of YA, because so many authors could just slam books and make them so intense that one could not sleep at night. The Girl From the Well unfortunately was not intense or scary. Instead, it was pretty mythological, with Japanese ghost tales incorporated into a somewhat modern tale of exorcisms (but not the scary kind), poor descriptions and a lack of heroic characters to save the day. This was so much more fantasy than real or like some kind of thriller. I expected more, let's just say that. 

I immediately jumped into this book when I received the sequel for review. I requested it from the library, and was aching to read it ever since. (Let's just remember that my library pile was forty books wide.) I have been meaning to read this for a long time, since five star reviews have been all over the place and I just could not wait any longer for a tale that will leave me staring at my ceiling at night. "A dead girl walks the streets." Woo, I am so scared. What did this story offer, you ask? Ultimate boredom for a teenager. Unless you are a huge fan of Japanese mythology and ghost stories, you could have large issues with this storyline.

The Girl From the Well seemed to be extremely confusing. I felt like the perspectives were constantly switching, or at least, it seemed like they were and everything was mixed up. There was an effort put for the book to feature Japanese culture, including the language, but it seemed like Google Translate was the best fit. The characters spoke English, they switched back and forth between a few words here and there, and there was so much boredom between the pages. The main idea and themes of the novel are still dissipated and I still do not know the answer. 

"I am where dead children go. But not even I know where they go when I am done, whether to a higher plane or to a new life. I only know this: like the chochin of my youth, where they go, I cannot follow." 

Just take a look at the "deep" phrases. This book featured a "scary" protagonist who went around with her dark locks (picture The Ring) but that is it. There were exorcisms, but nothing was descriptive. A kid could honestly read this book and they would be fine. There is nothing traumatizing or any of that. 

There are many characters who are all so different and stuck in different situations that you simply do not know what they are supposed to be doing throughout the novel. Tark is the teenage guy (whose perspective the sequel is in) and he's stuck in Japan with his older cousin, Callie. And then there's the chick who watches everyone and is "where dead children go." Ugh. This novel honestly could have been so much more but it turned out to be slow, and full of nonsense. You should see the way the story is formatted. Now that is a laugh for sure. 

The problem with Rin Chupeco's story is that it did not hand readers the ultimate horror experience. We picked up this book because of the pile of high ratings and promises that it is scary. In fact, I prepared myself for a similar story to Danielle Vega's The Merciless, which is a modern take on exorcisms and psychological thrillers. In this case, I do not know how to exactly classify this book and where. The only things that were enjoyable were Callie, Tark and the setting. Japan is crazily awesome, but I cannot even recall if this was taken place in a modern setting or not. It's that confusing and eerie.

The Girl From the Well was supposed to be my new favourite novel that I will recommend for ages to every YA reader. Instead, it is something that should just be classified under the category of mythology and fantasy, two subjects that do not mix too well together for me. I like them separately, but together, it is just too fake. My reading experience of this took me a great load of time because I knew I had to finish it; I have the sequel. Rin Chupeco does not take you on a vacation trip to Japan where readers will experience its culture and language. Instead, this is wholly Americanized and contemporary for me to even blink. It could have been even worse, I ensure myself.

Have you ever read a horror story that was based on mythology? What would you expect from a Japanese mythology story?

Wildlife by Fiona Wood // What... What Was the Point?

Wildlife, by Fiona Wood
Publication: September 16, 2014, by Poppy
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

During a semester in the wilderness, sixteen year- old Sib expects the tough outdoor education program and the horrors of dorm life, but friendship drama and love that gets complicated? That will take some navigating.
New girl Lou has zero interest in fitting in, or joining in. Still reeling from a loss that occurred almost a year ago, she just wants to be left alone. But as she witnesses a betrayal unfolding around Sib and her best friend Holly, Lou can't help but be drawn back into the land of the living.
In this tender, funny story of first love, good friendship, and going a little bit wild, Fiona Wood introduces two unforgettable girls who discover that before you can be true to yourself, you have to figure out exactly who you are.

My Thoughts:

Wildlife was very generic. It is not the read that many have been raving about forever. Instead, it is a book about random stuff that life holds all clumped together. Honestly. It is about living in the wilderness, sure, as the title promises, but it mostly is about two girls who are playing with romance, with first love, and with the peer pressure that teenagers have to go through constantly. No biggie and I promise you, this is not life changing. Instead, it is a weak story that holds nothing but... no point? It was not much entertainment, it instead held a slow paced plot and not much going on. 

Wildlife, you constantly bored me. I spent a majority of my "reading experience" rolling my eyes and checking how much I left. Why did I finish it, you ask? Characters and their spice. Honestly, the characters did have spice in them and each of them, including Holly, Lou and Sibylla each had their flair that made me like who they were. Wildlife would have been a complete disaster if weren't for them. It was almost a disaster.

"In the wall is the window. On the window is the curtain. Through the window is the moon. You can even write gibberish in the journal if you like; it still connects you to the page, to the idea, at least, of communicating. Apparently." (11)

I must say that this is all revolving around a few subjects that do not teach readers anything. This is about love, learning from experiences, and sex. It is not a funny book, nor the happiest one around. It seemed like the story was constantly dragging itself to another point and moment where I disliked this more. I honestly do not have too much to say because I have seen this before. Copycat novels are not too pleasing, let me tell you. Fiona Wood's YA novel was one of those, and I have seen it before.

It is interesting to read about a campus-wilderness book that it not about a university nor a camp. It is something in between, though it is full of drama and not about the subjects and themes which are prominent in contemporary romances. The romance was passionate, sure, but an episode of 90210 would have been pleased to add this in its plot.

Wildlife is not one's dash of sunshine or bright rays of joy. In fact, it was not too great and I would... maybe recommend it. But I promise you that there are many better books out there that are more pleasing and interesting. Good luck with this one, fellow reviewers and friends. At least the characters might make you smile.

If you enjoy another book, would you want a repeat of it again by another author? Would you read this after my disproving review?

2015's Best Books

Happy New Year friends! It is the start of a great year, and while I have my resolutions (and some do include books), I'd like us to take a flashback back to last year, with my favourite reads of the year. I would have posted this on New Year's Eve, but I was in New York... and you can imagine my hectic schedule. As I say this every year, I love all of these books the same and there's no specific order, kay? Let us begin. Eeee!

1. Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten

This is a precious psychological thriller. It had bits of romance, but it was also tricking me for the whole time. I still cannot get it out of my head, and it is the most recent book that I adored. Woo!

2. In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Oh my gosh. A cabin in the woods? A messed up romance and revenge? HOLY COW. I am so excited to hear that this is becoming a movie, and it is one of the best books I've ever read. I treasure my copy and kiss it everyday, thankful for the glory it has provided me.

3. The Cage by Megan Shepherd

Aliens, some futuristic awesome world that I couldn't get myself out of.... and Megan Shepherd's writing. What else could be a better combination? I would read this a million times. I need the sequel, and I seriously cherish the moment when Megan actually SIGNED THIS FOR ME. <3 font="">

4. Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler

This novel was gorgeous, and the title honestly explains it all. It contains the deepest themes and plot ever. Mwah.

5. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

This book came into my life, and I cannot forget about it. I never expected to enjoy it, but the Arabian culture is just my thing from now on. THE PAIN, THE GLORY, I AM DEALING WITH MAJOR EMOTIONS WITH THIS BOOK.

6. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre 

My favourite contemporary of the year, that's for sure. Ann Aguirre's writing is so powerful, meaningful and inspiring at the same time. She illustrates that anything is possible and that anyone could conquer anything, even if it's first, true love.

7. Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

This book changed the way I look at thrills and horror novels. It seriously changed the way I would ever want to write a novel, where Peter and Jake's writing is so intensely magnificent and beautiful. I love, love, LOVE this story and need to see more of Kana, Marin and Line in the future. *sheds tears because this is absolute beauty*

8. The Heir by Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass is the best dystopian-romance writer in the world. I never expected The Heir to be as good as it was, switching to a new protagonist, America's daughter, and she ruled The Selection game. It is as good as the rest of the series, I promise.

9. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I cried so hard reading this book. And instead of the usual, mainstream John Green type of books (though he rules), this took a different turn and it was the opposite of what TFIOS gave me. It's sad, but happy and memorable. FINCH I LOVE YOU.

10. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Last but not least, this gorgeous beauty. I LOVE THIS NOVEL'S DIVERSITY, WRITING, SETTING, CHARACTERS, EVERYTHING. That wasn't meant to be by the way. *winks* Thank you, Nicola, for having me want to see the whole world and find books like this! 

Here's my goal for 2016: (Goodreads)

Oh no! I'm a book behind schedule haha!

I hope you had a great holiday season! What were your favourite books of 2015?

Waiting on Wednesday #25: Wanderlost

Wanderlost, by Jen Malone
Publication: May 31, 2016, by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback

Seventeen-year-old Aubree has always idolized her adventurous older sister, even while utterly content to track Elizabeth’s antics from the cozy comforts of home, in the tender care of doting parents. So when Elizabeth gets herself in "a touch of trouble” and, for the first time ever, actually needs Aubree's help, Bree is flattered but insistent.

There’s no way she can do what Elizabeth is asking. Impersonate her recent-college-grad sis all summer, just so Elizabeth can score the recommendation she needs to land her dream position? Nope, nope, not gonna happen.

ESPECIALLY when Elizabeth’s summer job is leading a bus tour.
A bus tour across Europe.
A senior citizens' bus tour across Europe.
And that's even before Bree finds out that the tour owner’s super-cute son (who is decidedly NOT elderly) will be a last-minute addition.

Bree would have to be crazy. Or would she?

This is going to be beautiful. I always recall how I have the largest case of wanderlust, and that I want to travel the world. At least books could give me that experience, right? Wanderlost is going to be gorgeous. I need it so badly. Eeeeeeeee!

What are you anticipating the most this week? If you had to choose one place to travel to, where would you go?

The Fearless by Emma Pass // Dystopian? Ugh.

The Fearless, by Emma Pass
Publication: April 14, 2015, by Delacorte BFYR
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Rating: 

The Deadliest Enemy feels no fear.
When the Fearless invaded, they injected everyone in their path with the same serum that stripped them of humanity.
Life became a waking nightmare.
Cass has the invasion seared in her memory. Seven years later, she and her brother, Jori, are living on Hope Island in a community of survivors. No one can enter, and no one can leave.
It's the only way to stay safe.
But when Hope Island's security is breeched and Jori is taken by the Fearless, Cass will risk everything to get him back.

My Thoughts:

I anxiously waited for this book to eventually appear in my TBR shelf. I anxiously picked it up, and hoped for the best. Sadly, my anxiety was correct in this case and I expected too much from Emma Pass's newest dystopian novel. I have outgrown this genre and it is too similar to others, practically equivalent to traits of Divergent and the rest of the "clan" of books that I once adored so much. Do not get me wrong, though. I have enjoyed dystopia in the past and some of my favourite novels are found to be classified in that genre. Ideally, this would have been the best thing to happen to me since the books that have turned into movies. At the moment, this book was practically a disgrace for me. This is not for me. 

The Fearless is not a book about fearless teenagers living in a post-apocalyptic world. Instead, it is simply about trying to rebel against the degrading government system and the teenagers that are caught in that situation. I have seen this millions of times and after this, I have even removed books from my wish-list that are similar to this. If you like these action-packed stories about an impossible survival that we have all heard about from others, great. Emma Pass will fulfill your expectations with this one, but I rather would rant about it because too many traits were flawed. 

It has been a week since I finished reading this, and I do not recall anything about it. I usually enjoy writing reviews as soon as I finish a book so I could remember all of the details that I liked or disliked, but because of time, I am writing it right now, and it is "pleasant" to see that there is another flaw; there is nothing quite special about this story after all. You will find many like it, and I promise that you will not miss out on much if you decide to pass from reading this. 2015's books were supposed to be about diversity, and being different from the rest, but I surely do feel like this is a flashback to 2009 or 2010. 

The characters are not what this book originally promised. I expected kickass-ness to be all around the place, in every chapter. Sure, there's action, but there is not quite a reason for there to be. The government system is degrading rapidly, and the characters are put in a life-threatening situation where they eventually could not have anyone there for them anymore, but that is it. The world building was horrible and the details were not there for me to receive a clear image of what Cass's world was like around her. I just pictured dirty factories. What is a book without the nice descriptions and characters who are just so bright and wicked? 

You see... it was beautiful at first. Readers ultimately suspected that this will be a story about survival, and something very similar to the likings of The Hunger Games and The 5th Wave. I like those family stories, because I could seriously relate to them and know that deep down, I would do anything to save my family. But soon after, all the beginning-hooking action dissipated and we were left in a puddle with no way to get out. Slow plots just bore the heck out of me, that's for sure. 

The romance was there, too. This was one of the only things that hooked me. Instead of the author focusing on that and how the two characters (Cass and Myo) will not be able to live without each other if they ever got separated, the romance was just one of the additional plot makers that I enjoyed. It was sweet madness, actually. And who cares about the insta-love in this case? (It worked. It certainly did.)

The Fearless was not the worst book I read in the span of 2015, but it certainly was not the best. One could definitely have mixed feelings about the way how uniqueness and the genre of dystopian fiction was portrayed through Cass's perspective as well as the world building. I had a lot of issues with it and if I had known beforehand, I would have skipped it. You should miss out because it is not pleasing. The writing is boring, not lyrical or special compared to the action-packed stories that have impressed me in the best written in the same kind of style. If you are a huge fan of family stories, the beginning of this would only apply to your likings, just saying.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!*

Are you still a fan of dystopia fiction after the craze and popularity that went around? (Paranormal books also did this to me.) What is your favourite dystopian novel?

Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk by Liesl Shurtliff // I Guess I Could Only Read Contemporary Middle-Grade?

Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk, by Liesl Shurtliff
Publication: April 14, 2015, by Knopf BFYR
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Rating: ½

Jack has always been told that giants are not real. But if that’s the case, how do you explain the huge, foot shaped pond in the yard, or the occurrence of strange and sudden storms in which the earth quakes and dirt rains from the sky? When his father is carried away in such a storm, Jack gives chase in the only logical way: by trading the family cow for some magic beans that will give him access to a land beyond the clouds. He arrives to find that the giants themselves have giant-sized troubles. With the help of an overachieving little sister, a magic goose and a chatty cook (who is not interested in grinding human bones into bread, thank you very much!) Jack sets out to save his dad and save the day.

My Thoughts:

I used to be an avid middle grade fiction reader. That is what actually led me to discover the genre of young adult fiction and have me blogging. In fact, I am sure that I still have a few middle grade books on my Goodreads shelves, which is weird. Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk is not true. It is also not a great middle grade novel, in my opinion. But at the same time, it could be enjoyable for many, and depending on the whack of middle grade you usually read, you could seriously enjoy it.

I am not the craziest person about retellings. An author must perfect the retelling and make it nice for every reader, even for those who have heard the story hundreds of times. I kind of know the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk" inside and out, and I would not even call this book a retelling of it, except for the fact that it uses the same name (Jack) and the same beginning. After that, Jack and his sister? go on an adventure together to save the ones they love. Yes, this is a fairytale, and impossibilities are possible, but COME ON.

This book was okay, it was certainly not the most irritating read out there. Jack's perspective is found throughout the story, and readers just head in a simplistic, one-way direction where we read the slow paced story for what seems like forever. The book is based simply upon fear, survival, and giants, if that makes some kind of sense. For people (and kids!) who enjoy that base of familiarity of children's stories that feature confident, bright protagonists who could be the age of the children who are reading this, this is perfect. Every reader is bound to find something in Jack that could have them relate to everything. 

The world building is actually extraordinary. The descriptions of the giants, the storm that started it all, the world above the clouds... I was mesmerized. It turned out to be difficult to let this book and its characters go for that reason. It is a fresh story, something that could give readers of other contemporary, perhaps, a change in scenery, just as if one were to head out of the fantasy genre and into romance, per se. 

It's not that this was not well written. I am a teenager, and because of my stubborn, selfish self (we all are, in some way!) this is not the kind of book for me. Others could enjoy it, I am in no way gearing people away from reading this. Shurtliff did manage to shock me in the end where I did produce some tears somewhere inside of me. The character relationships were part of it—that is the only thing I could spoil.

Jack is a good brother. In this case, a boy is doing something great for his family and is defying the stereotypes, being there for his sister and not pushing her away because they have no relationship. My heart is smiling. I promise.

Depending on your usual take on middle grade fiction, this could go either way for a reader. All in all, Jack was a cute story that boosted my energy, gave me smiles and left a message and moral, as most fairytales do. In this case, it was a story that could make a little kid and adult dream about the endless possibilities that our world has and how we could defy the impossibilities. I found myself bored here and there, but the pacing changes for all. I will not openly recommend it, though.

*A finished copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!*

Do you like retellings when they are very similar to the original fable? Would you prefer a completely different interpretation?

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel // A Peter Pan Retelling... Gone Right?

Second Star, by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Publication: June 2, 2015, by Square Fish
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Retelling, Fantasy
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy's journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove's charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward his nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of J. M. Barrie's classic tale, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up—and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

My Thoughts:

Since my childhood, I have always been the biggest fan of Peter Pan. The story, its themes, its message, everything about it made me so sure that I would never want to grow up. I guess these days, kids do not get the ability to hear and recognize the story, and it will never make sense to them what this story by Alyssa B. Sheinmel is really talking about. Second Star was a very more modern take on the story that J.M. Barrie brought to life with Disney, taking place in California, about a girl who has her future all set out, until her two brothers go missing and her life collapses before her eyes.

Second Star had a rough start with me. I found it so unbelievable, when fairytales should seriously seem real and believable for everyone, including adults who decide to pick this book up. Wendy Darling is going to Stanford. STANFORD. THE STANFORD. A three percent chance acceptance rate where there is no proof or descriptions that she has worked hard for this. Yes it is a book, and yes it is fiction, but because it is referencing a real legit educational institute, at least follow the details, please. That, as well as some other things, like when Wendy meets Pete, seemed unbelievable and cliché. I did not think that this book would ever be at a good finish. Thankfully, it did.

So Wendy Darling is our protagonist of course, and instead of the Neverland woo-hoo crazy plot world that Barrie created for us in his story, we have a modern day thing. There's surfing, there's partying, there's drugs and alcohol. I am pretty sure that none of that is associated with pixie dust, and I don't remember discovering any of the characters to be similar to Tinker Bell, now that I think about it. I spent a big chunk of the story trying to reconcile characters and think about who could be who. Some of the names were obvious, while others were weird. Some of the qualities also were not there, but it was not like I paid so much attention to that.

"Pete shakes his head. "You can't bring all of that with you here." He taps the board. "Worries weigh you down. You need to be light enough to fly."

You see that reference? There are so many parts of the novel where I felt like it was so connected to the original story. This is what I am looking for in a retelling. It does not matter whether it is a modern take on the beautiful story or if it is fantasy and all of that mixed in. If the author's writing is great, addictive, and straight-up using some of the original traits, then it is fantastic. This is a real take on the reality of many teenagers or people, perhaps those with a different take on the world than the average person. Wendy experiments drugs to get her out of the grief, stays by herself, and imagines that she is loved when there is nothing left for her, or at least, that is how she feels.

Although Pete was really great, I connected with Jas. He's so hot, he's so bad, and it just makes me squirm when I read his lines. He's a drug dealer (and not that I would ever want to be with someone like that), he's convincing. More convincing than Pete. At least he and Wendy had some kind of chemistry, right? The best thing was that Wendy was torn between a love triangle with the two guys, and I was shocked to see the way things turned out.

You see, the ending came out and made me so scared. It is abrupt, and it came out of nowhere. Wendy came back to reality, and I was completely shocked with the way things turned out for her. She was not supported by anyone, including her best friend, Fiona, and her parents. 

"Did I take the drugs because I was so grief-stricken and then manufacture this world, or did I manufacture this world because I was so grief-stricken and take drugs to keep the illusion alive?" (227)

I am extremely satisfied with this novel. Books have not been going well for me lately and it is the perfect, quick read to throw you out of any slump that you have been experiencing. It is vivid, wild, but also light and easy to read in a matter of hours. 

Second Star is fantastically written with all of the detail and specialty that the original Barrie story incorporated for millions of imaginative children. It is a nice modern take with original concepts of contemporary and romance, mixed in with a love triangle that I do not have enough of. 

Have you ever read about a Peter Pan retelling? Would you give a modern retelling of a good story a chance?