Review: Fire With Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Fire With Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian, published by Simon and Schuster on 26th September 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.  Not even close.  For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.

And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.  It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...

Review:
'Fire with Fire' is the second book in the trilogy about three teenage girls out for revenge.  The story follows on from last year's sensational 'Burn for Burn' which first introduced Jar Island and the main characters Kat, Lillia and Mary.  This series makes for deliciously addictive reading.  I was going through a bit of a book slump but as soon as I picked this up I found it impossible to put down.  There is a slow burn throughout the book which draws you in as the drama builds up and you realise that these girls will stop at nothing to get their revenge on Reeve. 

The chapter perspective alternates between each of the three as their new plan takes shape and begins to unfold.  In the previous book, my favourite character was Kat, but this time around I liked Lillia a lot more.  I felt like I gradually began to understand more about her and her motivation and new facets of her personality shone through as the story progressed.  She is incredibly loyal to her friends and is determined to help Mary get payback on Reeve.  It was nice to see her grow in confidence as she begins to stand up for herself and find her own feet rather than just being known as the best friend of Rennie.  There were quite a few other characters in this book that I had previously not been too fond of but who made me change my mind about them this time around, in particular Reeve.  I actually felt quite sorry for him at times as he begins to lose everything he cares about. 

There is a jaw-dropping twist near the end that I definitely did not see coming.  I won't say too much about it because I don't want to give anything away but wow!  It made me go back and rethink everything that had happened and I'm honestly still trying to get my head around it now.  Secrets are exposed and friendships are irrevocably altered as startling revelations come to the fore and lives are changed forever. 

I'm desperate for 'Ashes to Ashes' now, which will be the next book in the series.  I can't even begin to guess what twists and turns will happen on Jar Island next as the drama and tension hots up.      

Review: Burn For Burn - Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Burn For Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian, published by Simon and Schuster on 28th February 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

Review:
'Burn For Burn' is a contemporary young-adult collaboration by authors Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian, although it  does have a supernatural twist.  I have to say that I didn't actually realise that this was the first book in a trilogy, I thought it was a stand-alone, but that may explain the fact that the story itself was quite slow and strung out.  A lot of time was spent on establishing the characters, without anything significant actually happening to them. 

The plot centres on three girls, Lillia, Kat and Mary who are brought together by their need for revenge on various people in their lives.  With a common aim to focus on, it doesn't seem to matter that they are very different people who perhaps wouldn't normally have become friends.  All that matters to them is payback.  My favourite character was Kat, who has a tough exterior but has been hurt in the past.  She won't take nonsense from anyone but she isn't necessarily as strong as she appears on the outside. 

I absolutely adored the setting for the story, Jar Island.  It reminded me of one of my favourite series of books ever, Making Out by Katherine Applegate where the characters also lived on a small island.  I love the idea of everyone knowing each other and having grown up together with only some of the residents staying there all year round.  It also lends a sense of claustrophobia to the book which worked well to create an atmosphere where it feels like no one can escape. 

Although the book was a little protracted and it took me a while before I became hooked, the ending was unpredictable and left me wanting more.  I can't wait to see what acts of revenge the three girls have in store next.  Fans of these two authors should definitely check out 'Burn For Burn' which is a promising start to the trilogy. 

My favourite reads of 2012

2012 has been a fantastic year for young-adult books with some incredible titles storming onto bookshelves around the world.  I've put together my top ten list of favourite books I've read (although not necessarily published) this year.  These are in no particular order because I loved them all equally!

1. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

 

Stephanie Perkins is one of my favourite YA writers.  Her writing style is fresh and original and I've adored both of her books so far.  I simply can't wait for 'Isla and the Happily Ever After' which will finally be published in 2013.  I loved the characters in 'Lola and the Boy Next Door' and I fell hook, line and sinker for the adorable Cricket Bell.

 

2. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

 

This is the second book in the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand which is a contender for one of my all-time favourite series of YA books.  The story was gripping and engrossing and I loved reading about Clara and the two boys in her life, Tucker and Christian.  I'm on tenterhooks waiting to find out which boy she'll eventually choose (I'm secretly hoping for Tucker!).  

 

 

 

3. Everneath by Brodi Ashton

 

One of the best debuts of 2012.  This was a five star read which blew me away.

 

 

 

4. Legend by Marie Lu

 

An incredible debut by Marie Lu loosely based on the plot of Les Miserables.  In my review I described it as a book which 'delivers the goods in spades'.  Dystopian fiction is one of my favourite genres and 'Legend' is one of the most thrilling stories I've ever come across.      

 

 

 

5. The Demon Trappers: Foretold by Jana Oliver

 

I had high hopes for the last book in The Demon Trappers series and Jana Oliver did not disappoint.  A truly fitting end to what has been an incredible ride. 

 

 

 

6. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

 

Yet another marvellous end to a series.  Readers finally got to find out if Belly would choose Conrad or Jeremiah, a question everyone has been pondering over since the series started.  I adored this book which gave me everything I wanted and more! 

 

 

 

7. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

 

I'm a huge Robin Hood fan so I thought this retelling from the point of view of Scarlet was fantastic.  I'm looking forward immensely to more from this extremely talented author.

 

 

 

8. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

 

There have been so many incredible debut novels in 2012 and this is another of the best.  Ten years in the making, 'Throne of Glass' is an epic fantasy adventure with wonderful characters and a fast paced and innovative plot. 

 

 

 

9. A Witch in Love by Ruth Warburton

 

Second books in a series can sometimes be a let down but not 'A Witch in Love'.  I described it as 'combining excitement, sadness, sorrow and hope' and it's one which left me begging for more.  The final book entitled 'A Witch Alone' is due out in 2013.

 

 

 

10. Revived by Cat Patrick

 

I count Cat Patrick among my favourite authors and her debut novel 'Forgotten' was one of my top reads of last year.  She's done it again with 'Revived' which yet again ticks all my boxes.  Gripping, engrossing and exciting, I absolutely loved it.

 

Review: It's Not Summer Without You - Jenny Han

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han, published by Puffin on 5th May 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
Last year, all of Belly’s dreams came true and the thought of missing a summer in Cousins Beach was inconceivable. But like the rise and fall of the ocean tide, things can change-- just like that. Suddenly the time she's always looked forward to most is something she dreads. And when Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared, Belly must decide how she will spend this summer: chasing after the boy she loves, or finally letting him go.

Review:

There may be spoilers from the previous book in the series.

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' was one of my absolute favourite books of last year and introduced me to the wonderfully talented Jenny Han.  I was therefore extremely eager to read the sequel and second book in the trilogy, 'It's Not Summer Without You'.  I am hugely pleased to report that it's just as good, if not even better than the original.  It's a perfect summer read and will definitely appeal to the majority of the teen audience.

The story picks up after Belly's life-changing summer in Cousins.  She thought she'd finally got the boy she'd always longed for; the boy who'd always held her heart in the palms of his hands but nothing is ever perfect forever and things for Belly are set to change.  After the death of Susannah, Belly will never spend the same summer in Cousins again.  So much a part of her childhood, everything seems to be changing around her, whilst she's also dealing with overwhelming feelings of grief and sorrow.  When she receives an unexpected phone call from Jeremiah, telling her that Conrad is missing, she immediately agrees to help find him but soon finds herself caught between the two boys yet again.

The relationship Belly has with Conrad and Jeremiah has always been at the heart of the series so far, but in this book is really brought to the fore.  Belly has always loved Conrad but he's never been able to reciprocate her feelings fully, except for the one perfect night they spent together.  He's so intrinsically linked with the person she is; her hopes and aspirations for the future, that she wonders if she can ever let him go.  One of the things I admire hugely about Jenny Han's writing is her ability to vividly recreate and evoke feelings that we've all experienced, such as those of first love and of knowing someone and falling in love so deeply that it's impossible to see anyone but them.

Jeremiah has always been on the sidelines.  He's the responsible one, the one that takes care of everyone else and the one who Belly never chose.  I really enjoyed the chapters interspersed throughout which showed how he viewed certain events and these provided great insight into how he truly felt about Belly. 

Reading the book, I was absolutely torn between the two boys as well, so I know how Belly feels.  Conrad has hidden depths and is extremely private but is capable of deep emotion (and he's oh so hot!) while Jeremiah is the boy who will never let you down.  Okay, okay, maybe Conrad just has the edge for me but how lucky is Belly to get to choose between these two.

Although this triangle lies at the centre of the book, it also highlights much deeper issues, such as the death of a loved one.  I thought that Han dealt with this sensitively and realistically, showing the impact a bereavement can have on people and the different ways in which they cope with an event like this happening. 

This was a wonderful book which I fell in love with.  No second book syndrome here, that's for sure!  The characters feel like old friends, the writing is clever and witty and conjures up all those feelings of growing-up and standing on the precipice of adulthood.  I've added it to my favourites shelf already. 

I have to just end by say that the ending is evil!  I couldn't believe how Han left it and I am now dying for the last book in the trilogy, 'We'll Always Have Summer'.  The anticipation is going to kill me!  Will we finally know what or who Belly chooses for her future.  I can't wait to find out!

Review: Jenny Han - The Summer I Turned Pretty

Goodreads synopsis:
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

Review:
I had heard good things about this book so when I saw it in my local Waterstones I snapped it up.  It's actually the first in a trilogy of 'Summer' books and I'm eagerly awaiting the next two installments to see what's going to happen to Belly next.  Belly (or Isabel) is spending the summer the same way she always does, in her friend's beach house, with the boy of her dreams Conrad and his brother Jeremiah.  Belly wants everything to be the same it always has but she discovers that life keeps on changing whether you want it to or not. 

I loved this book - it's a perfect teen read.  It beautifully captured the feelings of adolescence and growing-up and that excitement which comes from your first love.  I liked the central character of Belly and I thought Han's writing really drew the reader in and allowed us to understand the emotions and feelings she was experiencing.  If I had any criticism it would be that I would have liked to have seen more development of the relationship between Belly and her mother.  Their problems were hinted at but never really touched upon in any depth.  Perhaps this is something that Han will concentrate more on in her other books. 

The other thing I liked about this book is the gorgeous cover.  Here's the UK and American versions of the book :

The sequel by Jenny Han is called It's Not Summer Without You. I can't wait to read it!  The third book in the trilogy, We'll Always Have Summer is published in the UK on 3rd May 2011.  That's ages away!