The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

Published February 14, 2012 by EgmontUSA
egalley for review from netgalley
3 stars
DAC 2012

Goopdreads Review
Penelope (Lo) Marin has always loved to collect beautiful things. Her dad's consulting job means she's grown up moving from one rundown city to the next, and she's learned to cope by collecting (sometimes even stealing) quirky trinkets and souvenirs in each new place--possessions that allow her to feel at least some semblance of home.
 
But in the year since her brother Oren's death, Lo's hoarding has blossomed into a full-blown, potentially dangerous obsession. She discovers a beautiful, antique butterfly pendant during a routine scour at a weekend flea market, and recognizes it as having been stolen from the home of a recently murdered girl known only as "Sapphire"--a girl just a few years older than Lo. As usual when Lo begins to obsess over something, she can't get the murder out of her mind.

As she attempts to piece together the mysterious "butterfly clues," with the unlikely help of a street artist named Flynt, Lo quickly finds herself caught up in a seedy, violent underworld much closer to home than she ever imagined--a world, she'll ultimately discover, that could hold the key to her brother's tragic death.

Review:  I wanted to start off this review by saying that while I gave this book three stars, I read an advance galley so I think the finished copy will be more of a 4 star book.  There are certain things that will probably be edited up a bit (mostly some support to characters that may not show up a lot but are important to the story).  However as it was The Butterfly Clues was still an excellent murder mystery that, while not really all that surprising, was still very suspenseful and enjoyable to read.

The Butterfly Clues is first and foremost a book about OCD.  The author does a, well, intense job of describing what it's like to have OCD.  It is on every single page, for better or worse.  When the consistent need to touch, take, and tap is done well, it adds SO MUCH anxiety and tension to the murder mystery.  It's like, imagine not being able to escape a dangerous situation because you HAD to tap your leg nine times before you went through a doorway, or you HAD jump over every crack in the sidewalk or you'd HAVE to go back and start over, even if someone was chasing you!  There were times where I just had to take a break from reading because I was getting so freaked out!  But then there were times where the OCD was just there because it had to be, but didn't do anything to move the plot forward.  Those scenes were painfully slow to read. 

I really liked Sapphire as a character, even though we never get to actually meet her.  I don't want to give away the plot (even though I found it to be pretty predictable, as in I guessed everything from about page 60 or so) but I liked who she was and what ultimately happened to her.  I found her relationship to Lo a little convenient, but still very interesting.  

There is one other thing I didn't like, and I think this is just personal preference.  What is up with the idea that homeless = artsy?  Where exactly does this kid get the money to pay for art supplies?  I had a really hard time believing a person like Flynt really exists.  Maybe that's because I am too grounded in my need for security.  I could never just be an artist and "live off the land" Chris McCandless style.  I think if more background to how Flynt survived had been given I would have enjoyed his character more.  As he was I pretty much rolled my eyes every time he used his art to be all mysterious and sexy.

Overall The Butterfly Clues is an intense murder mystery (that doesn't have any paranormal aspects to it, thank God!) that uses OCD to create extremely suspenseful situations for the main character.  Lo is a unique character that has some major flaws, but you can't help but love and root for anyway.  I recommend The Butterfly Clues to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries or books about mental illness (or books with beautiful covers!).

Friday Face Off Cover Reveal: Purity

Friday Face Off is a meme hosted by one of my favorite book bloggers Misty over at The Book Rat.  Usually this meme focuses on different cover designs for the same book and decides which is better for the story.  I wanted to take this meme and add a little twist to it today by discussing a cover reveal!  

I am really excited for Purity by Jackson Pearce.  I have a lot of high hopes for this book.  I hope it will look at teen sexuality in a way that isn't slut-shaming or rape apologist.  I hope it will be a book about a girl who learns that her sexuality is no one's responsibility but her own. Pearce is an excellent writer, and I really hope I like her contemporary works more than her fantasy.

I love the symbolism behind this cover.  It makes me think of chastity belts and who holds the key to her "heart" (get the movie reference?).  But on a more serious note this cover makes me think about unlocking sexuality and who has the right to hold the key.  It's a very promising cover to a very promising novel.  

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Published in 2009 by Viking Juvenile

3 Stars

Goodreads Review

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she'll disappear altogether.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the National Book Award finalist Speak, best-selling author Laurie Halse Anderson explores one girl's chilling descent into the all-consuming vortex of anorexia.

Review:  I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was really anticipating reading Wintergirls.  I read Speak a while ago after watching the movie (which I actually liked!  Who knew I'd like a K-Stew movie) and I loved the book.  However, I'm sad to say that Wintergirls fell short for me.

I really enjoy reading books about mental illnesses including eating disorders.  I find there are so many different ways an author can go when they're writing a story about mental illness.  I felt like Anderson was close to hitting the mark, but didn't quite make it.  I couldn't connect to her writing style which is surprising because I really enjoyed her writing in Speak.  However in Wintergirls it was a little too poetic and "flowery" for my taste.  I guess I was expecting a much more direct form of story telling, and Wintergirls kept me guessing as to what was really going on.  I couldn't tell if it was a contemporary or paranormal book, and that ambiguity frustrated me and turned me off from large chunks of the story.  


Another aspect of the book I didn't really like was the lack of character growth.  I didn't get the impression that Lia really learned anything by the end of the story.  I was hoping that I would get some sense that she was going to get better, that she would have some sort of epiphany about what she was doing to her body and her family.  That never happened for me.  At the end she still seemed selfish and defensive.  

This review isn't to say Wintergirls is the worst book I've ever read.  I did enjoy some parts, largely the horrific side effects of anorexia and bulimia, but for me parts of the book felt too hung up in a specific writing style or convention to tell the story clearly.  Overall I would say Wintergirls is a good book, but nowhere near some of Anderson's other works.

February 2012 New Reads

Hey everyone!  Here are the debuts and releases that are set for the coming month.  This by no means is a complete list, but just some of the books I'm interested in or excited to read.  Please let me know in the comments what books you're looking forward to reading!

February 1

The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - The premise of this book is really hard to explain, because I have no idea where it will go.  I honestly can't say much because I don't want to know myself.  I want this book to be a surprise, so we'll have to wait and see....








February 2

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - A post-apocalyptic world where the main character lives in an "education facility for delinquents and crazies"?  I'm so down!

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - Someone Else's Life sounds like a touching story about family secrets, healing, and finding yourself.

This One Time with Julia by David Lampson (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - This books starts off sounding like another dealing with death/coming of age story.  But then it takes a turn into a weird-o murder mystery!  Very cool.  (plus I really like the title!)












February 6

The Rivals by Daisy Whitney
#2 in The Mockingbirds Series


Why I'm Excited - I own The Mockingbirds and I really want to read it.  I love the whole premise of an underground student justice system.  Even though I really dislike the new covers the series still sounds really cool.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - I really like the world war II prisoner of war set up.  I also like how it's told in a variety of ways including flashback and prose.  and This sounds like a great story about how a true friendship can defeat any odds.












February 7

The Misdeucation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited -   This book sounds like an excellent addition to the growing shelf of GLBT literature for teens.  An interesting twist is that Cameron's parents die at the very beginning of the book (no spoilers, it's in the description).  I think it will be really interesting to read how Cameron navigates the coming out waters without parents to guide (or scare) her.




Dead to You by Lisa McMann


Why I'm Excited - This story's about an abducted boy being returned to his family and the struggles that ensue.  He can't remember anything about his life before the abduction which does not help ease the tension.  Sounds like it will be a heavy and dark read.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood (DAC!)
#1 in The Cahill Witch Chronicles 


Why I'm Excited - I love a good witchy book!  In Born Wicked there are witch sisters hiding out from a brotherhood of priests that trying to hunt them down.  I am very interested to see if this book will live up to the hype.










February 8

 Pure by Julianna Baggott
#1 in the Pure series


Why I'm Excited - The description on this book is very vague, so I'll be honest and say I judged this book by the cover!  I have no idea why, I just really <3 it.  I think it's the font.

 The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney
#2 in The Iron Witch series


Why I'm Excited - I have the first book, The Iron Witch, and I really am interested in this series.  Sounds like an interesting fantasy story about one poor girl getting mixed up in fey drama (seriously, when do fairies not have drama?).

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace


Why I'm Excited - I really like books about people dealing with rumors tarnishing their reputations, and I think that it happens all too much in high school and can be absolutely devastating.  It doesn't matter if the rumors are true or not, once they start they can seem impossible to escape.










February 14

 Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer (DAC!)
#1 in the Arkadien series


Why I'm Excited - Two words.  Sicilian Mafia.

 The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - Partly because it's a murder mystery with an OCD protagonist and partly because of pure unadulterated cover love, I'm really enjoying The Butterfly Clues.  A very suspenseful thriller that has me guessing with every page.  (I'm reading it now, thanks netgalley!)

 Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley


Why I'm Excited - Honestly?  I only want to read this because for the longest time I thought there was a Michael Cera movie based on the book (turns out the movie I was thinking of is called Paper Heart....nowhere close!  I have no idea what I was thinking).  So I have no idea what this book is about!  We'll see when I read it I guess.

 The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge
#2 in the Iron Codex series


Why I'm Excited -   I've heard fantastic things about The Iron Thorn, the first book in the series.  It sounds like a crazy post apocalyptic sci-fi meets fey fantasy adventure with steampunk elements sprinkled about.  Any series that's going to mix that many genres I must know more about!  Plus I absolutely love the main characters name, Aoife (pronounced ee-fah).  It's one of my all time faves.

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen (DAC!)

Why I'm Excited - A Robin Hood re-telling with a  female protagonist trying to run from her past by pretending to be one of Robin's merry men?  Awesome!  Sounds like a great adventure (too bad they aren't foxes and lions though.  Gotta love the Disney movie).

 The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers (DAC!)

Why I'm Excited - I have to be honest, this is another case of cover love.  I have no idea what this book is about, but I saw the cover and said "sold!".  I'm not going to read anything about the book either, I'm just going to go read it.  Because I like to walk on the wild side.

Various Positions by Martha Schabas (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - I really like ballet, but I'm a little wary of this book.  It sounds like it might stray too far into the pedophilia/sexual misconduct territory for me to really enjoy, but I'm willing to give it a shot.  (Plus I have to give the title props for the double entendre).






February 16

 Trafficked by Kim Purcell (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - This book sounds different than any YA book I've ever read.  A young orphaned girl from Moldova is brought to the US to a job that she thinks will earn hear enough to support what family she still has, but instead turns into hellish slavery.  While I am worried it will be overly sensationalized, I am interested to see where this book goes.

 The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour


Why I'm Excited -Again, this is largely due to cover appeal.  But after reading the synopsis, The Disenchantments sounds like an interesting road trip book about friends growing up and growing apart.

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen


Why I'm Excited - This book is described as "Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss".  HELL YES SIGN ME UP.  That description and the adorable title are really all I need.












February 21



A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton
Gods and Monsters Series #2


Why I'm excited - I own the first book in the series, Death Becomes Her, and it sounds so cool.  Medusa curses and bitchy goddesses?  Yes.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg (DAC!)


Why I'm Excited - I'm just really intrigued by this story, and I think I'll either love it or despise it.  It's about a girl who dies of a literal broken heart (Seriously?  That's the part I'm not too sure about...) who then goes through the different stages of grief that help her move on in the afterlife (and that's the part that intrigues me).  I'm torn on the premise so I guess I'll have to read it to find out!

 Fever by Lauren DeStefano
#2 in The Chemical Garden Series


Why I'm Excited - I read the first book Wither and all I really liked was the beautiful cover.  I was pretty annoyed with the illogical and weak world building, but I was interested enough in the characters to want to continue the story.  Fever doesn't have a beautiful cover to keep me reading though (I really don't like it, ew), so I really hope the story telling kicks it up a notch.

Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr


Why I'm Excited - This is a collection of short stories by the popular Wicked Lovely series author.  I've heard a lot about this series, both good and bad, and really want to start it soon.  I think this collection would be perfect for any fan of the series who is looking for more in that world.










February 28

 A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford
#2 in the A Touch Trilogy


Why I'm Excited - I own a copy of the first book, A Touch Mortal, and I'm really interested in the series.  I love how this series has a really dark twist, and while it has mixed review, these books seem like something I'd really enjoy.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver 
#2 in the Delirium Series


Why I'm Excited - Probably the most hyped book for this month.  I own a copy of Delirium (with the original cover that is NOT very cute, I want the new one!) and all I've ever heard is how it is amazeballs.  To be honest I started Delirium and put it down, but I'm willing to give the series another go!

Partials by Dan Wells (DAC!)
#1 in the Partials series


Why I'm Excited - I do love a good post apocalyptic adventure.  This sounds like an awesome kick-ass adventure, and thanks to netgalley, I'll be starting this one really really soon.  (Like right now actually)

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

#6 in the Vampire Academy Series
Published December 7, 2010 by Razorbill
5 Stars

Goodreads Review
The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

Review:  I really enjoyed the end to the series, and I would say that this is one of the best paranormal romance YA series out there, and way better than certain other vampire series. I loved all of the twists and turns, there were a lot of things that took me totally by surprise. 

For the first time ever I can say that I really loved what happened to Lissa and the transformation she went through. I had always thought that once the girls left school Lissa became a rather unimportant character to the main storyline, but I really enjoyed what she had to go through in this book.  I don't want to give away spoilers, but I think that her ending was perfect for her character.  I will be reading Bloodlines soon, and of all of the vampire academy characters, she is the one I am most anxious to continue reading about.  I want to know what she will do and who will she become. 

Sure I was kind of sad about Adrian, but seriously, did we really ever doubt Rose and Dimitri? I know I didn't.  I did feel like this aspect of the story was rushed and that Adrian didn't get a very good resolution.  He basically just threw up his hands and stormed out.  That is the one aspect of the story that didn't give me a sense of completion.  However, I do know that Adrian is a big part of the Bloodlines series, so I know we aren't done with him yet.  

Overall the entire Vampire Academy series is just excellent.  It has a well thought out society and history that really supported the main story line.  The main characters Rose is awesome.  She is spunky and sexy and loyal to the people she loves.  She isn't perfect and makes mistakes, but in the end she will do whatever she has to in order to protect her family and friends.  I highly recommend this series to everyone who wants to read a compelling paranormal romance.  It's one of the best in the genre.

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

#5 in the Vampire Academy Series
Published May 18, 2010 by Razorbill
5 Stars

Goodreads Review
After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

Fall in love with Rose and Dimitri all over again in Spirit Bound, the eagerly awaited fifth novel in Richelle Mead's enthralling Vampire Academy series.

Review:   After reading this book I had to breath a huge sigh of relief.  I'm glad to see the series back on track. For anyone who is like me and hated Blood Promise, trust me when I say that was a hiccup in an otherwise excellent series. Spirit Bound is as full of awesome as the first three books. This is a difficult review to write because I don't want to spoil any of the crazy things that happen.  Let's just say that I really like what happened to Dimitri.  It's a really cool idea, even if it was presented in a rather convenient way.  I also really liked Abe and I'm very curious to see what he will do in the next book (turns out he's awesome lol). 

On the whole romance thing, I'm very anxious to see what will happen with the Rose-Dimitri-Adrian love triangle, but I have a few ideas.  I'll write this part like I haven't read the series and say that I never was team Adrian, and I don't really get the people who are on his team.  I mean, if you had the choice between a 6'7" awesome ninja fighter with respect and morals AND a super sexy Russian accent or a scrawny chain smoking alcoholic who is mentally unstable and makes thinly veiled sexual innuendos, who would you pick? 

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

#4 in the Vampire Academy Series
Published August 25, 2009 by Razorbill
3 Stars

Goodreads Review
The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir's Academy was the deadliest ever in the school's history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them . . . including Dimitri.

He'd rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa the one she has sworn to protect no matter what and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

Review:   I have to admit that after the awesomeness that was Shadow Kiss my expectations where VERY high for Blood Promise.  Sadly, I was disappointed.  Blood Promise was the only weak point in the entire series and it was very weak for 75% of the book.  With that said, there are still some really great parts of the book (mostly the ending, very awesome) and the introduction of some cool new characters (Sydney is super great as is Abe), but the book as a whole is far below the bar the rest of the series sets.

So, let's review the positives first.  Sydney is introduced in this book, and she becomes a pretty cool character in the rest of the series and in the spin off series Bloodlines.  However, in this book she's not that awesome, it's mostly just a way to put her in Rose's life.  I also really enjoyed the ending.  The final "battle" is exciting and really made me interested in the next book.  I don't want to give any spoilers, but trust me that the last 100ish pages are totally awesome.

However, there are 300 pages of BORING before you get to the awesome.  This book really takes a hit with the separation of Lissa and Rose.  Mead tries to have both their story lines run congruently, but neither are very interesting.  I found myself not really caring about Lissa when Rose wasn't around.  I didn't think the information revealed about spirit was that great, and most of Lissa's plot was just filler to give her something to do while Rose was away.  Also while Rose is in Siberia, we meet a lot of character that (with the exception of Sydney and Abe) serve no purpose to the main storyline and are basically just filler.  Which is very obvious.  Not to mention the way over use of flashbacks.  There was just TMI.  I don't care about the conversations that Rose had with Dimitri a couple months ago, I want to know what they're doing now.  This entire book (with the exception of the last 100ish pages) is just filler that doesn't do anything to push the main story along.

OK, even with all of that said, this is still an enjoyable read, just not as TOTALLY FREAKING AWESOME OMG! as the rest of the series.  Don't let this book stop you from the final two books.  They are super excellent, especially Last Sacrifice.  Overall Blood Promise is a bit of a hiccup in an otherwise enthralling series.