Book Review: Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry

AUTHOR: Katie McGarry
PUBLISHER:  Harlequin Teen
PAGES: 496
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. 

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

IN A NUTSHELL

I was a bit weary of  picking up Nowhere but Here because of the motorcycle gang aspect, but it's Katie McGarry and if there's one thing I know it's that her books always take me on an emotional ride no matter what the subject. I shouldn't have doubted that I would love this one just as much as her Pushing the Limit series. This is supposedly a new adult/ya book which I can see. Most of the characters  are a bit older, and some of the themes are a bit more, but there's nothing  raunchy about it. The motorcycle gang club was one part I actually enjoyed learning about.

SETTING
The story mainly took place in a small town called Snowflake, a town that most everyone wanted out of, and few stayed. The town is known for being home to a Motorcycle Group called The Reign of Terror, and as the people of the town would have you believe they are big, bad, and scary. Little towns can be very judgmental if they don't understand something, and the people of Snowflake don't understand the Reign of Terror. This is why TRoT keep mostly to themselves. We spend about 95% of the time in this bubble that they have created: The cabin, the clubhouse, trailer of Oz's, but in this time we learn that they are family...blood or not they stick up for each other.

CHARACTERS
You've heard the term info dump well I'm going to say we had a slight character dump. Sometimes to many characters is a bad thing, but I enjoyed getting to know all the characters in Nowhere but here. I think it took me a bit before I warmed up to any of them because they seemed to hold back so much, but once they warmed up and opened up to each other that's when I fell in love.  The story is so much more than these macho guys in a biker club.

We meet Oz who at the beginning is not yet patched into the club and who becomes the official babysitter of Eli's daughter which could really ruin his plans to become part of the group. I loved getting to know OZ on the outside he has this shell, but inside he is gooey. His love for his "family" is strong, and we find this out when things start to happen at the end. I really didn't feel much for him at the beginning of the book because I spoiled myself to Razor (I read his story first) I eventually grew to love him though. I think he's the bad-ass biker of the younger adults.
Emily is the long lost (okay well she's not really lost) daughter of the groups main guy. When her mom thinks that the grandmother that Emily never knew passed she decides they'll go to the funeral and when they arrive in Snowflake they find that not everything is as it seems. Emily is torn between learning who her dad and these people he calls family are, and hurting her dad and moms feeling I think. She ends up spending a few weeks with them,  and in the process develops feelings for a certain bad ass biker dude. -coughs- OZ -coughs I had fun watching Emily go from this shy girl who didn't know her real dad or his family to this girl who's brave enough to follow clue from an old woman and ends up in a bad predicament. 


END
The semi-ending had a plot twist that maybe some people will figure out, but I for one didn't. I think it definitely adds to the drama of the book.
Happy endings always (most always) make the book that much better, and I will say that even though this happy ending may not look it I believe it is.
If you get a chance read Walk the Edge which is the 2nd book in the series. It's Razor story and I guarantee you'll love it more than this one.



QUOTES
Here's the condensed version--cap it before you tap it. (page 42)

Our fears are what stifle us and we're only scared of what we don't understand. (page 168)

I want you to discover your biological family, but I'm your dad and you're my little girl. Always. (page 169)

I may not understand a lot about all of this craziness, but I understand that Olivia loves you like you're related to her. Like she never had a choice in loving you, but my dad did. He could have taken one look at me and decided he wanted nothing to do with a woman who had a child. He had a choice and there isn't a day I don't think God that he chose not only mom, but me. (page 261)

Can't or won't? That is a fucked-up question because it means the same thing. No, it doesn't. One means you can help but you're refusing to. The other means you would love to help, but you don't have the ability to. (page 275)

Do you remember how I said I didn't know if I liked you?
Yeah? I glance down because shyness overwhelms me. I like you.
Hey Emily. I force my gaze to his and when I do, he performs another heart stopping brush of his fingers across my leg and the world fades away except for the two of us. I like you, too. ((page 295)

Oz kisses the top of my head. Go to sleep. I'll stay up and chase your monsters away. (page 360)

What do you say, Emily? Will you come back to Snowflake this fall and jump with me into some leaves? (page 384)

Technically, by blood, I'm more gangster than you. The utter tease in her voice causes me to sweep an arm around her and roll her onto the blanket.(page 478)

What you've experienced is love. I know love when I see it. It's how I look at Cyrus. It's how Eli looks at Emily and Meg. It's what you to share whenever you look at each other. (page 481)

Book Review: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

AUTHOR: Renee Ahdieh
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
PAGES: 388
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end. 

MY THOUGHTS
I put off reading this for almost a year because I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. I mean I liked the synopsis, but I had never heard the story from which this one is being re-told, A Thousand and One Nights. Not only that, but I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the characters and the setting of it. I know now that I shouldn't push books like this a way.  I should really try and be more open minded to new cultural and diverse books. It did take me a few pages to really get into it though, but as soon as I did I wanted to learn as much as I could about these characters.

SETTING

The setting was something new to me so I enjoyed reading about it. I love how the author described these places so vibrantly. 

CHARACTERS

There were a ton of different characters in the book, but only a few I care to mention.

Shahrzad or Shazi as I will call her is the main herione in the book she volunteers to be married to this boy-king who is known for killing his wives at dawn the day after they marry. So why is she taking on the responsibility because she wants revenge for the murder of her best friend Shiva. What she doesn't know is that she will be the one falling....falling for this boy. As strong and independent as she is she is also weak and emotional. I don't think I would be so forgiving and involved with the monster who killed my BF. Yes, she learns a bit of Khalids story as to why he is this way, but that should not matter. 

Khalid was the boy king who was known as this monster to the people in his country/town. He did not bare his soul to very many,and therefore no one knew the real reason behind the killings. I won't lie I had a soft spot for him when I learned of his past, and  how he begin to treat Shazi not like a thing, but his mate.

Tariq, Shazi's old friend was hell bent on saving her from the monster and killing him. Soon he learned that time changes things.

Despina was such a fun character. I loved her banter and wit, and I'm glad that Shazi and her became some what close. It was their back and forth conversations I loved. Despina acted as a friend more than a handmaiden.

DOWNFALL

I had a few downfalls with this book.

The main downfall I had with this book was the names. This may seem like a stupid reason to put on here, but I get so tripped up trying to say the names and read it right that I sometimes get frustrated. 

Another downfall I had was how Shazi so quickly fell for this boy-king who murdered her best friend. Why? This person has taken away so many lives, and yet you have this connection with him. 

ENDING

In a way I'm glad I took this long to read it because now I won't have to wait so long for is sophomore book The Rose and the Dagger. I can't say that I enjoyed how it ended. I'm very much looking forward to one of the characters journeys.

QUOTES

Reverse Thursday: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

 Reverse Thursday is a feature/MeMe that I think I came up with. I haven't seen anything like it around. If there is I'm sorry just let me know, and I can give credit where due. :)

What is Reverse Thursday you ask?

Well I started thinking that we give so much love to those books that we are waiting on that aren't released yet that maybe we forget those that have been out for awhile. I know I'm totally horrible about this.That's why so many older books go unread by me. So to fix that problem Reverse Thursday was born. It's kind of like a TBT (Throwback Thursday for books)

What I picked this week?

Wicked Lovely by Melissa MarrPublished June 12th 2007 by HarperTeen

Outline:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty - especially if they learn of her Sight - and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost — regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.

Why I chose this?

I have yet to read a book by Melissa Marr even though I have each book in this series and a few on my kindle. I've read through some of the goodreads reviews and they vary. 

Have you read this series by Melissa Marr?

Ink Exchange (Book 2)

Fragile Eternity (Book 3)

Radiant Shadows (Book 4)

Darkest Mercy (Book 5)

Should I put it up higher on  my list?

Book Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

AUTHOR: Marie Lu

PUBLISHER: Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

PAGES: 355

STAND ALONE/SERIES:Series

SOURCE: Bought

OUTLINE:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

MY THOUGHTS

(Minor Spoilers)

The Young Elites is a darker fantasy version of The Darkest Minds. Okay well it is to me anyways. This is why...POWERS. Sickness/disease/plague. 

The difference bet-><-ween the two though Ruby and her friends stuck together.

The Young Elites makes you root for the bad guys. I know you're thinking why the hell would you do that right? The Young Elites is not a heroine book. The MC does not walk out of this story fulfilling some awesome destiny. She doesn't save the day. Nobody praises her with gifts and riches. This book is for those who love villains. I can't say that I'm proud of any of the characters. They all had crappy motives. They all used one another to gain something else that would better benefit them. Heroes don't do that. I know it sounds like I'm against the book, but I'm actually not! I loved Marie Lu's writing and the way she twists her characters. Not one of them seemed to live a happy childhood. Even ones that did...didn't. You'll understand if you read it. One can't truly be happy if there are secrets hidden. 

I can say while I wasn't proud of the choices the characters made that in some situations I can see why they did what they did. My family would come first over strangers any day (even if I couldn't stand them at times.) I think I definitely had a love/hate relationship with all the characters. While none of them were weak, they're actions spoke words. If I  had to choose one I would say Enzo was probably my favorite because he believes a little bit more in Adelina than the others. 

I enjoyed Marie Lu's Legend (I only read the first book. The other two are on my shelf) It was one of the first Dystopians I read besides Enclave and Divergent. Just like that this is one of the first Fantasies I've really read and got into. (I should really read Graceling or The Girl of Fire and Thorns now.) Usually the world building just seems so far-fetched, and I get that it's suppose to, but I spend time trying to figure it out that I don't enjoy what I'm reading. So I try to not focus so much on the names and places, and more on the story at hand. Once I did that...it worked. 

The ending for me pretty much sucked because I wanted a satisfying ending for certain characters. It just means I will be waiting impatiently for the second book which is The Rose Society.