Review : Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Pages: 464
Source: Own

The Story:

Mina is seventeen. A virgin. And pregnant.
Mina is top of her class, girlfriend to the most ambitious guy in school, able to reason and study her way through anything. But when she suddenly finds herself pregnant—despite having never had sex—her orderly world collapses. Almost nobody believes Mina’s claims of virginity. Her father assumes that her boyfriend is responsible; her boyfriend believes she must have cheated on him. As news of Mina’s story spreads, there are those who brand her a liar. There are those who brand her a heretic. And there are those who believe that miracles are possible—and that Mina’s unborn child could be the greatest miracle of all.

via Amazon

Rating: 

My Review: 

I am not going to lie but after I finished reading Immaculate I swore it was a 4-star rating. That is until I sat down to write this review.

Tag Line:

She didn't ask for a miracle.

Opening Line:

Whenever I think back to the night at the restaurant, that night changed everything -- and I do mean absolutely everything -- I wonder if I could have done or said anything different, somehow convinced the old woman that she had the wrong girl.

Plot:

I love the premise of the story so I wasted no time before ordering Immaculate on Amazon. One virgin. One baby. One miracle. 

The pacing of the story was just right. Not once while reading did I feel bogged down or rushed. I zoned right through even though it is a mammoth book -- which, let's face it, all bookies love! 

Given the sensitive material, I also appreciated the way Detweiler handled the religious theme. While immaculate conception is a big deal in relation to religion in Immaculate it did not feel overdone -- I did not feel overwhelmed. 

Overall, writing was nicely done and the interesting. However, if there is not a sequel I would be highly disappointed. I would feel cheated by the story because it is so clearly not over. I want to know why Mina's baby is so important, what was the purpose of Mina's story. Having said that, I would definitely read the sequel if there was one.

Character Breakdown:

Mina Deitrich - Mina was a feminine, teenage good girl without being a drag, and annoying. I found myself able to relate to her because she reminded me of myself in high school. Hardworking, life planned out, goal-oriented, always trying to be good and do the right thing.

Jesse Spero - was a adorable, kind and dependable. While I enjoyed meeting his character, I do wish he had a stronger presence -- however, I do understand the was essential Mina's story. 

Gracie Deitrich - Gracie was Mina's little sister ... and by far my favorite character in the story. She was innocent, caring and likable.

"Okay?" I asked, still waiting to take my next breath.

She stepped in closer to me, so close that I could see one small tear slowly rolling down her cheek.

"You're my big sister, Mina, and for you, I'll believe in miracles." - page 126

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Immaculate:

Mina's mother to Mina: ..."I trust in you. I believe in you. You're my Mina, my baby girl, and I can see right through those amazing blue eyes of yours. I can see exactly what's inside, and I know like only a mother could know for sure that you;re not hiding a thing from me, not a thing. So if you're crazy, then I'm crazy, and we're just going to have to be crazy together, all right?" - page 84

Meet the Author:

Katelyn Detweiler was born and raised in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania, living in a centuries-old farmhouse surrounded by fields and woods. She spent the vast majority of childhood with her nose in a book or creating make-believe worlds with friends, daydreaming about how she could turn those interests into an actual paying career. After graduating from Penn State University with a B.A. in English Literature, emphasis in Creative Writing and Women’s Studies, she packed her bags and made the move to New York City, determined to break into the world of publishing. She worked for two years in the marketing department of Macmillan Children’s Group before moving in 2010 to the agency side of the business at Jill Grinberg Literary, where she is currently a literary agent representing books for all ages and across all genres.

Katelyn lives, works, and writes in Brooklyn, playing with words all day, every day, her dream come true. When she’s not reading or writing, Katelyn enjoys yoga, fancy cocktails, and road trips. She frequently treks back to her hometown in Pennsylvania, a lovely green escape from life in the city, and her favorite place to write.

***Check out Katelyn Detweiler's website for more information about her and Immaculate: HERE

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday #6

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just flip through your current read to a random page -- or not -- and share two teaser quotes from somewhere on said page.

This week my Teaser Tuesday quotes will be taken from my current read, Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler.

Teaser #1:

"I should have left town, should have taken my dad's advice more seriously. My baby was in danger now. We all were." - page 415

Teaser #2:

"A nauseating swell of regret made me want to call out after him, but I pushed it back down. I would have to erase that kiss from my mind. An eighteen-year-old single mom didn't have time for romance and all the complications that came along with a relationship. Especially not when she had an angry mob of strangers to deal with first and foremost ." - page 291

What teasers are you sharing this week?
Don't forget to tell me in the comments or on twitter; @TheTatteredPage. You can also use #Immaculate on twitter if you're reading it! 
Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday #5

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just flip through your current read to a random page -- or not -- and share two teaser quotes from somewhere on said page.

This week my Teaser Tuesday quotes will be taken from my current read, A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston.

Teaser #1:

"On the tenth morning, when I woke alone in my comfortable room and was not dead, I was not surprised." - page 70

Teaser #2:

"Their fear was a delicious things, so raw and powerful that I could not steer it. It could only be consumed. Their terror gave me power, before I was strong enough to bend the men of the court to my will.By the time the law was brought to bear, I did not need the girls so much anymore: I had stores of power to last. I did not stop, though. THere was no reason to, not so long as they served their daughters up to me for the asking." - page 122

What teasers are you sharing this week?
Don't forget to tell me in the comments or on twitter; @TheTatteredPage. You can also use #A Thousand Nights on twitter if you're reading it! 
Happy Reading!

Feature Friday ARC Review : Devils Unto Daughters by Amy Luckavics

*Feature Friday is a meme hosted by The Tattered Page to feature YA books that have not yet been released by reviewing them.

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication date: September 29, 2015

Pages: 240

Source: ARC

The Story:

When sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner's family decides to move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, she hopes it is her chance for a fresh start. She can leave behind the memory of the past winter; of her sickly ma giving birth to a baby sister who cries endlessly; of the terrifying visions she saw as her sanity began to slip, the victim of cabin fever; and most of all, the memories of the boy she has been secretly meeting with as a distraction from her pain. The boy whose baby she now carries. 

When the Verners arrive at their new home, a large cabin abandoned by its previous owners, they discover the inside covered in blood. And as the days pass, it is obvious to Amanda that something isn't right on the prairie. She's heard stories of lands being tainted by evil, of men losing their minds and killing their families, and there is something strange about the doctor and his son who live in the woods on the edge of the prairie. But with the guilt and shame of her sins weighing on her, Amanda can't be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or deep within her soul.

- via Amazon

Rating: 

My Review: 

I loved this book! I could not put Daughters Unto Devils down unless I absolutely had to (only to work to make money to by more books).

Opening Line:

The first time I lay with the post boy was on a Sunday, and I broke three commandments to do it.

Plot:

The premise of Daughters Unto Devils, to me anyway, is Little House on the Prairie meets The Exorcist. I mean, come on, who would not want to read that? I was hooked from the opening line. And what an opening line it was!

The pacing was interesting. While not exactly slow, nothing really scary happened until the end. However, as I was reading I did not notice much. At least not to the extent that I could put the book down for extended periods of time. I mean I zoomed right through it -- granted it was a fairly short book -- but still I was so drawn into the book there was not a moment I did not want more.

Gritty and eloquent, I so loved Lukavics' writing. It was so refreshing to reading something not so prime and proper. Overall, Amy Lukavics is a talented writer and she has made my short auto-buy list. Daughters Unto Devils was real, frightening and I did not want it to end. Without a doubt, I recommend Daughters Unto Devils to anyone who is interested in horror - it is a must-read.

Character Breakdown:

Amanda Verners - Her character was real to me. She drew me into the story. At first, I thought she was completely nuts but as the story continued, I honestly began to sympathize with and see her more as a troubled teen growing up in a very different time. 

She is trying not to sound desperate for my sake, but still i can sense that she is pining for him. And by the way he turns around, looks into her eyes, and steps close enough to kiss her if he wanted, it's clear he feels the same way. This is when I fully realize that the post boy from the mountain never loved me at all. - pages 159-160

Pa Verners -- Oh man, did I not like this man. There were time when he was just plain mean. And I wanted to choke him.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Daughters Unto Devils:

Ma to Amanda: "I tried and tried, but in the end there was no room for me, oh no." 
She stops eating for a moment,tilts her head curosiously. "Because you already have a devil in you, girl. I can see him whispering in your ear right now."

Sinner.  - page 213

Meet the Author:

Amy Lukavics lurks within the pine-topped mountains of Arizona, along with her husband and two precious squidlings. When she isn't reading or writing creepy stories, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and playing video games. Daughters Unto Devils is her debut novel.

***Check out Amy Lukavics' website for more information about her and Daughters Unto Devils: HERE

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday #4

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just flip through your current read to a random page -- or not -- and share two teaser quotes from somewhere on said page.

This week my Teaser Tuesday quotes will be taken from my current read, Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics.

Teaser #1:

"With each wave of searing pain I see Henry's face. How it studied mine with such curiosity the first time we met, when I came to the mountain town with my Pa. How it twisted in pleasure while he rode me in the woods behind our cabin with animalistic urgency. How it gazed upon me in disgust when I told him I carried his child.

The agony continues longer than I could have ever imagined." - page 118 

Teaser #2:

"The ghost will be forever waiting."

"'Goodbye,' I whisper to the memories, to Henry, to the cabin.

"'Goodbye,' I whisper to the lost part of myself." - page 55

What teasers are you sharing this week?
Don't forget to tell me in the comments or on twitter; @TheTatteredPage. You can also use #DaughtersUntoDevils on twitter if you're reading it! 
Happy Reading!

Feature Friday ARC Review : Nightfall by Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski

                                      
*Feature Friday is a meme hosted by The Tattered Page to feature YA books that have not yet been released by reviewing them.*

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Pages: 368
Source: ARC

The Story:

The dark will bring your worst nightmares to light in this gripping and eerie survival story, perfect for fans of James Dashner and Neil Gaiman.

On Marin’s island, sunrise doesn’t come every twenty-four hours—it comes every twenty-eight years. Now the sun is just a sliver of light on the horizon. The weather is turning cold and the shadows are growing long.

Because sunset triggers the tide to roll out hundreds of miles, the islanders are frantically preparing to sail south, where they will wait out the long Night.

Marin and her twin brother, Kana, help their anxious parents ready the house for departure. Locks must be taken off doors. Furniture must be arranged. Tables must be set. The rituals are puzzling—bizarre, even—but none of the adults in town will discuss why it has to be done this way.

Just as the ships are about to sail, a teenage boy goes missing—the twins’ friend Line. Marin and  Kana are the only ones who know the truth about where Line’s gone, and the only way to rescue him is by doing it themselves. But Night is falling. Their island is changing.And it may already be too late.

via Amazon

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: 

Tag Line:

After fourteen years of fay, comes fourteen years of night.

Opening Line:

Marin walked into the wind and felt it gently push back.

Plot:

The premise of the story made me want to love the book. And while Nightfall was a decent read, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. I wanted to be frightened. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The presence of monsters was almost null -- even though the hint of their existence was strong. 

Nightfall was a slow start for me. I questioned whether I would be able to continue on. Luckily, after the first chapter or two the pace started picking up. This detail definitely kept me reading the novel even with its shortcomings.

The three main characters are fourteen years old which is generally a bit to young for me but I figured I still give the story a shot. Luckily, their age did not show. However, I found it bothersome that Line and his 7-year old brother were left to fend for themselves after their mother died. Like what?! Child services? Or at least the help of the island? This particular detail really did not settle right with me.

Overall, Halpern and Kujawinski's style of writing was enjoyable enough, as was the story. My only wish was that Nightfall was scarier. 

Meet the Authors:

Jake Halpern is an author, journalist, and radio producer.  Jake’s debut work of fiction, a young adult trilogy, Dormia, has been hailed by the American Library Association's Booklist as a worthy heir to the Harry Potter series.  In September of 2014, Jake signed a two book deal with Putnam / Penguin for two more young adult novels.  Last, but not least, Jake is a fellow of Morse College at Yale University, where he teaches a class on journalism.  He recently returned from India where he was visiting as a Fulbright Scholar. 

Peter Kujawinski is an author and diplomat born in Chicago. His first fictional work, Dormia, was co-written with noted journalist Jake Halpern. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2009, Dormia was hailed by the American Library Association's Booklist as the next Harry Potter. The second book in the series, World's End, was released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2010. The third book in the Dormia series is tentatively titled The Shadow Tree. He also works for the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. His assignments as a diplomat include US Embassies in Tel Aviv, Paris, the UN Security Council in New York City, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In addition to his fiction, his nonfiction commentaries have been published in the international edition of the New York Times.

***Check out Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski's website for more information about their and Nightfall: HERE & HERE

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday #3

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just flip through your current read to a random page -- or not -- and share two teaser quotes from somewhere on said page.

This week my Teaser Tuesday quotes will be taken from my current read, Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski.

Teaser #1:

"Kana saw the creature for the just a split second longer before she disappeared into the tree. He stared at the knife in his hand." - page 294

Teaser #2:

"'Quiet.'

Water began to drip again, but there was something else -- another noise, a shuffling of rocks and gravel on a nearby surface.

'Go,' said the voice. 'They have your ssscent -- and they are coming for you." - page 202

What teasers are you sharing this week?
Don't forget to tell me in the comments or on twitter; @TheTatteredPage. You can also use #Nightfall on twitter if you're reading it! 
Happy Reading!

Feature Friday ARC Review : Ash & Bramble by Sarah Prineas

                                      
*Feature Friday is a meme hosted by The Tattered Page to feature YA books that have not yet been released by reviewing them.*

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperTeen 
Release Date: September 15, 2015

Pages: 464
Source: ARC

The Story:

The tale of Cinderella has been retold countless times. But what you know is not the true story. Sarah Prineas’s bold fairy-tale retelling is a dark and captivating world where swords are more fitting than slippers, young shoemakers are just as striking as princes, and a heroine is more than ready to rescue herself before the clock strikes midnight.

Pin has no recollection of who she is or how she got to the Godmother’s fortress. She only knows that she is a Seamstress, working day in and out to make ball gowns fit for fairy tales. But she longs to forsake her backbreaking servitude and dares to escape with the brave young Shoemaker.

Pin isn’t free for long before she’s captured again and forced to live the new life the Godmother chooses for her—a fairy-tale story, complete with a charming prince—instead of finding her own happily ever after.

When the glass slipper just doesn’t fit . . .

via Amazon

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: 

I was interested in reading Ash & Bramble strictly because it was a fairy tale retelling. If you know anything about me it is my favor towards fairy tale and greek mythology (especially Hades and Persephone) retellings. And as the blurb states, Ash & Bramble was without a doubt an utterly original YA retelling of age-old tale of Cinderella.

Tag Line:

When the glass slipper doesn't fit . . . 

Opening Line:

I know this part of my story, the beginning, maybe.

Plot:

As aforementioned, the premise of Ash & Bramble was as I had hoped, a twist on the classic Cinderella tale. A twist I never saw coming. Not to spoil it for readers, I will keep mum except to say the plot is creative, original and keep you reading.

The writing was decent -- probably good, even --, a little thin with imagery at the beginning but a bit meatier as the story continued. The pacing of the story was perfect. While it did not feel rushed it did not feel as if it dragged along reluctantly. The only issue I had was with Shoe's character. While I did not hate his character, he did annoy me to the point I kept pulling away from the story during the last 100 or so pages. Luckily, I was able to get past my annoyance with Shoe to finish the story because I am glad I did. Also, I really appreciated the feminist theme in the story. Instead of the usual, helpless, dainty princess waiting around for the charming prince to come and save her, readers got to see a clever, strong girl save herself as well as others.

Overall, I enjoyed Ash & Bramble and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys fairy tale retellings --especially one which centers around the damsel in distress saving herself. Sarah Prineas is a writer with much potential for Young Adult fiction. Prineas' Ash & Bramble is not a bad start for her YA debut -- definitely a story worth a try.

Character Breakdown:

Pin/Pen - Pin/Pen was a decently written character. But she was not particularly unique or stood out to me. Still, I did not dislike her so her character did not distract me from the story. Pin/Pen was strong-willed, independent and witty.

"She goes to her wardrobe and pulls out a corset. 'I won't wear that,' I tell her.
'You'll have to,' Precious replies briefly, 'to fit into this dress.'
Unfortunately, she is right. The dress fits only with the corset squeezing me into the right shape. I get it on and Precious laces it tightly.
I looked down at my plumped-up breasts. 'They look like fruit laid out on a tray" [page 174].

Shoe - At first Shoe charmed me with his shy, innocence . . . but then he started to annoy the hell out of me when he was trying to escape with Pin the second time. He was diligent on escaping yet he swore they would not escape the Godmother at every turn. He drove me crazy which drew me away from the story. 

Pre-order Links:

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Powells 

Meet the Author:

Hi there! I'm Sarah Prineas, author of the Magic Thief series published in the US by HarperCollins and in 17 other languages around the world, and the Winterling trilogy. I live in rural Iowa with my mad scientist husband, two kids, two dogs, two cats, chickens and a bunch of goats.

My main thing is writing--I love to write, and talk about writing, and write emails to other writers. And reading. I read a lot. Mostly fantasy, but also romance and regular fiction.

I live on 40 acres out in the countryside, and I'm working to restore the woods and prairie. So basically I'm either writing or I'm outside working on the land, canoeing around our lake, hiking, or gardening. Or wrangling goats.  

My next book is called Ash & Bramble, and it's a YA.

Here's my website:

http://www.sarah-prineas.com

and here's my book website (with games, wallpaper, and extras!):

http://www.magicthief.com


***Check out Sarah Prineas' website for more information about her and Ash & Bramble: HERE

*My review on Goodreads 

Happy Reading!