Duo Review! The Ivy: Scandal by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Hi Everyone! 

I am back from a week with my family to share a review with my closest relative. My sister Rebecca is a fellow reader and writer. We both adore the Ivy series by Lauren Kunze. We decided to do a due review because we both want to share our thoughts about this magnificent series's finale. This amazing idea of a duo review was inspired by duo reviews I read throughout my blogging experience from blogs like The Reader's Den and Vegan YA Nerds. 

The Ivy: Scandal by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur 

Publication Date: February 26th, 2013

Publisher: Greenwillow Books 

Rachel's Rating: 4.5/5 STARS 

Rebecca's Rating: 4/5 STARS

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Our Review:

Rebecca is in sky blue and I am in light green. 

I enjoyed the book, and felt like it was a nice ending to the series. I really liked how secondary characters like Dana were utilized more in this book.

Scandal was a wonderful final installment of the Ivy Series. The book caused me to laugh uncontrollably many times. I love how Callie matured from her past mistakes and did not deny her previous blunders. The Ivy Insider mystery was dissected into the story piece by piece splendidly. 

My favorite scene was the prologue with Gregory. I expected the story to go in Gregory's direction a bit because of that scene and the note he left for Callie was intriguing.

My favorite? Matt, Callie and Grace at Grace’s protest. Matt, you were so brave. I am proud of you! 

My favorite character was Matt-- so much so that I almost thought he was the Ivy Insider (which was proven wrong in the first chapter), I just thought he was a nice, solid character.

Alessandra was the most incredible character in Scandal in my view. She is a girl who struggled and tried to be a good person. Her back-story and regret touched my heart.

I wanted to learn more about how Callie's parents and teachers felt about the accusation that she was the Ivy Insider. It seemed like the older adults would have made an interesting contrast to the administrators who didn't even know Callie, and enemies like Lexi. I also really liked Gregory, so I was disappointed that he was not in the book as much as the other books. Since the book uses multiple perspectives, I believe that could have been an opportunity to write half the book in Callie’s POV and the other half in Gregory's POV. That could have been a nice change in format.

Great idea Rebecca! I still wonder about Gregory feelings and experiences while he was AWOL. He was my favorite character in the other books and I am sad that he did not gleam during my experience of the finale. Additionally, I wish he had a chance to meet Callie’s high school best friend Jessica like the rest of Callie’s group. Another change I would have wished for was Gregory not making another misjudgment base on something he read. Especially from an obviously Lexi controlled Harvard Crimson. After the note debacle in Secret, I would have thought he learned from that mistake.

Comparing to my freshman year: I went through the same experiences that Callie did in developing relationships with people and finding a group of friends -- but not quite as dramatically. I also worked on the school newspaper, but didn't need to go through that COMP process.

I think the dramatic element of the story fit the fact that it was a young adult series. I do believe conflict and dynamics between characters is an important device to drive the story forward. Through authentic dialogue and well-developed characters the author worked with her material well without delving into melodrama. Therefore since the story was driven by conflict and drama and since it's audience was young adults the drama within the story was fine.

True! I am amazed how the dramatic tone of the series made the books authentic. All the rough events Callie and her friends went through kept the book amusing as it explored troubles these new adults face – financially difficulty, infidelity, jealousy, betrayal, media fraud and more. The surface drama leads to each of the character's overall growth and a bond. In the beginning, Callie, Vanessa, Dana, Mimi, OK, Gregory, Matt and Adam were strangers. And in the end they were all together happy. A group I would love to know in reality.

Favorite Quotes:

Jessica to Callie:

"In order to beat Lexi at her own game, you're going to have to start thinking like her. No more Mrs. Innocent California Girl. It's time to bend a few rules, before you get kicked out for violating ones you didn't even break in the first place"

(page 161)

“Meaning that it’s time to forget James Franco and start focusing on you, and your own personal spiritual journey to self-actualization and independence.” (page 77)

And finally our favorite Ivy book:

The second book is my favorite because I like the conflict caused by that note that Callie wrote to Vanessa.

Yes! Secrets was my favorite too. So many amazing scenes like the limerick event, the squash match between Clint and Gregory, and the note events. All my favorite lines linger in Secrets.

Thanks for reading!

AND 

Rebecca

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson Review

Everyone, always remember there is hope. 

Today I am reviewing an unforgettable book:

(Cover Photo provided by Goodreads)

If I Lie by Corinne Jackson

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: August 28th, 2012 

Source: PulseIt.com

Rating: 5/5 RAVING STARS

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I am amazed at how breathless I am after finishing If I Lie by Corinne Jackson. This story is about Sophie Topher Quinn. Quinn's boyfriend Carey is a soldier stationed in Afghanistan. He was home for awhile for the summer. Carey told Quinn a huge secret that he made her promise not to tell anyone. A promise that Quinn has protected with her life. Its the middle of Quinn's senior year when the story begins. Quinn and everyone else in her small town has just found out the Carey is MIA. To make things worst for Quinn is everyone thinking Quinn cheated on Carey. In reality there is more to Quinn's story than what appears on the outside. It is also the story about the results of Quinn's mother cheating on her father when she was eleven.

Quinn’s story is full of passion, heartbreak, the power of a promise and the struggle to stay strong while being oppressed no matter what. It is a story that I will never forget. I feel aching pain as I dwell in every struggle Quinn faced. I wished every moment that her amazing best friend Carey could have been their to help her. If he had been there all the horrible things that happened to Quinn would not happen. Despite Carey never being in the present for the most of the book, all the flashbacks reveal that he truly care for Quinn more than anyone else in the world.

It is heartbreaking watching and learning every secret Quinn had to keep. This book flawlessly stitched what happened in the past together with the present. I felt no head-jerk as the story weaved from present to past. The truth of Carey and Quinn's secret and of what really happened during the summer is heartwarming. Tears spill thinking about the bad luck they both faced. For the separation they endured throughout this book. 

I constantly wanted to bang Quinn’s head for being too stubborn to admit the truth. Quinn is self-less in her love for Carey. I understand why she kept her secret but I wish she did not. I ached as she felt self-loathing. Every feeling Quinn feels is raw, rich and moving. I desperately wish I could have put a warm quilt over Quinn. I completely understood her disgust for her mom and dad. Her mom left her and never came back till her senior year in high school (the middle of the book). Her dad pretends she never exists and is distasteful towards her because he thinks Quinn cheated on Carey. Quinn's whole life is dysfunctional and I amazed at how well she stays strong no matter what. 

I cannot write this review without mentioning George. George is a true role model and friend to Quinn. George is a snarky and elderly Veteran of the Vietnam War who is currently at the VA Medical Center where Quinn volunteers. He never believes the flammable rumors of Quinn. He constantly brings joy to her life and cares for Quinn like she was his own daughter. 

George is funny. George is loveable. George is delightful. 

This is a story about hope. A story about promise. A story about regret. Most of all, a story about love. A story about remembering who you are in face of adversity. One mistake can lead to heartbreak. One moment.

Like Quinn remarked, “Sometimes a moment defines your, defines how people see you the rest of your life.” (Jackson 249)

Remember to always have hope and to keep those who truly know you, truly love you close. That is this unforgettable book true legacy to me.  

Thanks for reading!

Buy If I Lie on August 28th!!!!!!!

Blogspiration - The Power of A Song

Blogspiration is a wonderful weekly meme hosted by GrowingUp YA& Saz101. The meme was created to help spark inspiration among bloggers, readers & writers alike. An inspirational quote/picture/video is posted weekly, on the day of the author's choosing, so that it may inspire creativity, conversation & just a little SOMETHING!


I never imagined that I would be able to find a song that spoke to my heart as much as Stand By Me by Ben E. King. But recently I discovered an unforgettable song that has influenced my life in many ways. I hope everyone enjoys and gathers inspiration from my story of my discovery of this song and how it has changed my life. 


We Are Young by the band Fun is an amazing song that I discovered a few weeks ago riding home on my bus. I will always remember the day. I just spent the day, during my free time, reading The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead. I just finished the ending when I heard the following lyrics from the school bus's radio.

"Tonight 

We are young

So we set the world on fire 

We can burn brighter 

Than the sun." - Fun

These words spoke to me. I just finished an amazing book and I realized that although I am sad because a book I love is over and I would never be able to read it for the first time again, I am still young. I still have time to experience a pleasurable reading of a book for the first time again. There is still time to take changes and enjoy being young. I always want to live those amazing days when everything is perfect. I wish life could be perfect forever. 


And now, whenever I hear this song, I feel completely happy and reminisce about that book. Its so nice and so rare for me to find a song that reminds me of a book I love. 

Then, I was reading on the same school bus Rivals by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur when the song rang from the radio again. (during intense scene between Callie and Gregory I must add) Now every time I hear this song I also fondly reminisce on that outstanding book! 


Finally, the greatest piece of power and inspiration this song has is to not regret mistakes. Regret not learning from them. The speaker of this song subtly evokes a story of a young man who made a mistake and is now dealing with the consequences. 


I made so many embarrassing mistakes the last two weeks. But each mistake I made is an experience I will never forget. All my mistakes have inspired me to try harder in dealing with problems that are not easy to solve. 

Here is the official music video of We Are Young by Fun! (Provided by YouTube)

Do you have any songs that are inspiring to you or cause you to reminisce on an amazing book?

Thanks for reading and viewing!

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead Review

(Cover photo provided GoodReads)

Source- Razorbill ARC (Thanks Razorbill!) 

Publication Date- June 12, 2012

Rating - 5/5 GOLDEN STARS!

I honestly hugged this book when I finished reading it! It was that amazing and heartwarming. The awesomeness that began at the end of Bloodlines starts immediately on the first page of The Golden Lily.

Richelle Mead is again the master of memorable scenes and addicting writing in The Golden Lily. I absolutely love how Mead planned a perfect installment to the series. She obviously has a plan for the Bloodline series where Sydney, Adrian, Jill, Eddie and Angeline will grow throughout and stand strong through grievous challenges.

I could not imagine a better cast of main characters. They are all alike in how they have strained relationship with their biological family (after all Eddie has no idea on his dad’s identity) and are all struggling to achieve their wish of true love. But different in what causes me to love to be their friend them the most.

Sydney: I love to be Sydney’s friend because she is an empathetic observer who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Like me, she is always constantly thinking and hoping she is doing what is right.

Adrian: I would rejoice in being Adrian’s girlfriend not just because he is handsome but for his sense of hilarious humor and how fiercely loyal he is to those he cares about.

Jill: Jill because of her maturity, her drive to protect herself despite being the guarded and how she is super funny. I think I laughed the most during Jill’s lines.

Eddie: Eddie is so selfless and I adore all he does to protect his friends. He is an amazing, nice guy and an extraordinary fighter.

Angeline: Angeline starts the book clueless of normal life but quickly adapts and grows into an intelligent character that learns from her earlier mistakes. In one scene, Angeline asked the sagest question ever.

Together, Sydney, Adrian, Jill, Eddie and Angeline combine into the perfect family!

I also was completely amazed by the story. I was surprised how much Mead incorporated the struggle Sydney and Adrian have with their respective fathers. I really liked the scene with a certain father.

I completely never imagined how alike Sydney and Adrian would become. They both have fathers they strive to impress but fail and have mothers they wish to see again and love. Each scene between them demonstrated to me how they were destined to be a couple. Actually, I believe they are one of my favorite couples ever. Their love is not instant, not clear and not perfect; it is outstanding. They are true star-crossed lovers but also friends who care deeply about the others feelings and safety. I am still reminiscing the conversations between Sydney and Adrian in my mind and rushing home to grab my copy of The Golden Lily to read those scenes again.

Now for the vampire hunter sub-plot and major challenge that the marvelous Bloodline main characters overcome brilliantly. I liked how the problem caused a rift between the characters. I felt that the tricky decision many characters made provided more excitement to the story because of questionable actions.

The vampire hunters caused Sydney and to question the ideals that her family placed in her mind from a very early age. The story causes Sydney to question: Does it matter what being your friend is or what they do? What choice is most rightous: abide to responsibility or defy discrimination?


These questions can also apply to my life because I am also constantly struggling to choose the best decision for my friends, my family and myself. I want to be completely independent, but sometimes I have to acknowledge that someone else might be right. There is no obvious answer in life in how to be responsible as in there is no absolute answer who the true heroes are and the real villains. Mead’s book causing me to speculate about my life decisions again illustrates how powerful The Golden Lily really is.

I will always remember the ending of The Golden Lily as outstanding! The ending tore my heart into tiny ribbons of lilies.

This is a book I will never become tired of praising. It has my favorite characters, an exciting story and humorous, extraordinary lines. The perfect book to read over and over and over again! I will definitely remember The Golden Lily fondly in the years to come.

Go Palm Spring, slushies and surprising families!

On June 12, I urge you to rush to your local Barnes and Noble and to grab a copy of The Golden Lily!

Thanks for reading,