Thursday, February 25, 2016

Review: The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks


The Lifeboat CliqueTitle: The Lifeboat Clique 
Author:  Kathy Parks and Kathy 
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publishing Date: March 1st 2016
Pages: 336
Genre: YA Adventure/Survival/Humor
Series: Stand Alone
Source: ARC
 
Some people might say that Denver had a death wish. Why else would she have dared to sneak into a Malibu beach party where she’d be surrounded by enemies, namely including her ex-BFF Abigail?

Oh yeah. Croix. Denver never thought in a million years he’d ask her out, but who was she to question this miracle of fate? Well, that wasn’t the only surprise fate had in store.

During the party a tsunami hit the coast of California, wiping out everything in its path. Denver and a handful of others escaped death by holding onto the roof of the house and were swept out to sea. Of course, one of her fellow castaways was none other than Abigail, who could barely stand the sight of her.

Now that she’s floating in the ocean, stuck on a small boat with the most popular kids in school and waiting to be rescued, Denver wonders what might kill her first-dehydration, sunstroke, or the girl she used to think of as a sister?

A hilariously dark and twisted story that sparkles with a remarkably fresh voice, The Lifeboat Clique is Kathy Park’s irreverent yet insightful novel about how to survive in the most unthinkable circumstances.


I liked this book. It was not at all what I had expected but I did enjoy it very much. This book was a very quick read, a kind of twisted read. Full of dark humor. If you like dark humor, this is a good book for you. I do  like dark humor so I really enjoyed it.  

So this book is a survival story. A survival story that starts after a huge tsunami takes out part of the west coast and Abigail and her not so friends happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They end up on a boat together. Which is funny because Denver and Abigail hate each other guts. So this is the story of Denver and Abigail and a few others that hate each, used to be friends and now are not, thrown together, to survive in the ocean, on a small boat, with no food,water, or sunscreen. 

I really wasn't prepared for the book I was about to read. I really don't know what I expected. I did expect some funny, which I did get. I was prepared for survival, and that was there. What I wasn't prepared for was a but of journey of growth. There was that too. So all together, it was a well rounded read for me. I like my funny with my serious. 

The characters and the story together make this book a great read for me. The characters were pretty awesome and not always likeable. I will start with the star of the show, Denver. For the most part. I really liked Denver, witty, smart, snarky, she stood out and I liked her. She was the only one of the group that seemed to have some kind of brain. She had her moments of maybe not the best comments to throw out there but she was a survivor. 

Abigail was a real witch. Didn't like her but loved her character and what that character brought to the story. Typical mean girl with two loyal followers. She was once best friends with Denver and now she hated her. From the very beginning I didn't like her. In the flashbacks I didn't like her In the end I really still didn't like her but she was tolerable. She was the antagonist and she did it well. 

The other three on the boat. More likable than Abigail but only by a bit. The each had their redeeming moments and added some fluff to the story but  weren't really needed. 

There were three points to the story that kept me interested.. the survival aspect.. which Denver rocked... the mystery and back story of what happened between the girls, and the growth of Denver and Abigail. So three things I like in my story and I thought they were done well. 

The story flipped between past and present and I do like books that do that, when done well. These type of storytelling really keep me invested because I never get too much at one time. I can't wait to start the next chapter just to be left wanting more... but I can wait because the other part of the story continues from where it left me hanging last. It's like two stories in one. I don't get bored with either because I only get snid bits at a time. Really good for those ADD readers. 

The ending was a bit sappy but just a bit and it wrapped everything up nicely with a pretty but damaged bow. I was satisfied and smiling so it was a winner for me. The only thing that kept it from being a 5 star read for me.. I was a bit predictable with the girls, it was a bit cliche from the high school aspect, it was bit corny in end.... but those were minor. The writing was supurb and the main character was pretty awesome. The story was the icing on the cake. 




If you like twisted humor, snarky characters, and a good survival story. Try this one. I throughly enjoyed it. 



Kathy  ParksHi, I’m Kathy Parks, author of The Lifeboat Clique. (Katherine Tegen Books, March 1 2016)
It’s about Denver Reynolds, an outcast at her high school, who ends up in a lifeboat with the popular kids who hate her.
It’s Mean Girls meets Life of Pi!
I live near the beach in Carpinteria, California with my husband and two cats.
I love questions and meeting other authors.
Hope you’ll check out The Lifeboat Clique!




Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday: Wild Swans by Jessica Spotwood





Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Jenn's Pick- I Can't wait for:



Wild Swans
Wild Swans by Jessica Spotwood 
                 


The summer before Ivy’s senior year is going to be golden; all bonfires, barbeques, and spending time with her best friends. For once, she will just get to be. No summer classes, none of Granddad’s intense expectations to live up to the family name. For generations, the Milbourn women have lead extraordinary lives—and died young and tragically. Granddad calls it a legacy, but Ivy considers it a curse. Why else would her mother have run off and abandoned her as a child?

But when her mother unexpectedly returns home with two young daughters in tow, all of the stories Ivy wove to protect her heart start to unravel. The very people she once trusted now speak in lies. And all of Ivy’s ambition and determination cannot defend her against the secrets of the Milbourn past….
This book sounds a little heartbreaking and a bit soap opera (in a good way) ... which I love. Add some family secrets into a contemporary read and I am there. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh





Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Jenn's Pick- I Can't wait for:



The Rose and the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn, #2)
The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh
                 


I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.
So I am salivating over this book. I loved the first. One of my top 10 reads of all time for sure. It grabbed my soul, trapped my heart, and left me lonely for more. So yes I need this book in my life ASAP!!!


Ash's Pick- I Can't wait for:



Henry, The Gaoler
Henry the Gaoler by A.W. Exley 



Imagine if Rapunzel's parents were Edwardian preppers
Hazel's parents saw the 1912 sinking of the Titanic as a portent of doom and locked their daughter away. Isolated and alone, each birthday she wishes to be free, whatever the risk. If only her childhood friend Henry would return and breach the high walls.
On the frontlines of the Great War, Henry kept a token of happier times – a worn photograph of a young girl with long blonde plaits. He returns from war damaged and vowing to do one brave thing to make up for his cowardice - release Hazel from her prison. But is it safe with the pandemic and its horrific aftermath?
How can Henry reconcile protecting Hazel with setting her free? Or perhaps the sheltered young woman will teach the soldier a lesson about life, and liberate him from a tower of his own construction.


     

Monday, February 15, 2016

It's Monday: What Are You Reading?




Last week Jenn read:



Stars AboveA Madness So Discreet



Jenn's Current Reads:

Freak of Nature (IFICS, #1)These Vicious Masks (These Vicious Masks, #1)

Ash's current

The Infinite Sea (The 5th Wave, #2)

This week coming up Jenn has planned 

Seven Ways We LieJane SteeleThe Yearbook


Audio:


Starflight (Starflight, #1)Sugar SkullsReign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows, #1)



What have been your great reads the week?


     



Tag You're It! Valentines Book Tag




Image result for hearts gifImage result for hearts gifImage result for hearts gif





Valentine's Day Book Tag 



We are a little late but we decided to join in. We saw this tag on LOST IN LIT  Tag was created by CC’s Books



♥ Stand Alone Book You Love ♥


Jenn

Of Beast and Beauty


Ash:

The Dead House


♥ Dystopian Book You Love ♥

Jenn

The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy, #1)


Ash:



♥ A Book That You Love But No One Else Talks About ♥

Jenn

My Name Is Rapunzel


Ash:


Ella, The Slayer



♥ Favorite Book Couple ♥

Jenn

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)

I just love love love Cress and Thorne! They have such a sparring and tormenting each other relationship. 

Ash:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Ron and Hermoine-  I have shipped them from the start, they are just perfect for each other.



♥ Book That Other People Love But You Haven’t Gotten Around to Reading ♥

Jenn

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)

I havn't read this one yet. Its not being talked about alot at this moment, but when it came out it was everywhere. Yes I know I need to read it.


Ash:

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)

I have tried and tried to read this but can't get into it. But I have heard its a pretty awesome read.




♥ A Book With Red On The Cover ♥

Jenn

Drink, Slay, Love


Ash:

15839984



♥ A Book With Pink On The Cover ♥

Jenn

Dreamology


Ash:

Center Ring: A Dark Circus Novel (Dark Circus #1)



♥ You were given a box of chocolate. What fictional boyfriend would have given them to you? ♥

Jenn

Ella, The Slayer

This one was hard for me. I am a bit old for all these boys. I can say though that the Duke, Seth, in Ella the Slayer was pretty great. 


Ash:

The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1)

Evan- he is just so yummy, so he would go great with the chocolate.




♥ You are single on Valentines Day. What book would you read? What TV show would you watch? What movie would you watch? ♥

Jenn

The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1) Grimm Poster Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Poster

Okay, lets make this a retelling day. I would read The Wrath and the Dawn because of all the feels.  I would watch Grimm because have you seen Nick!!!! I just watched Pride Prejudice and Zombies yesterday (for valentines days) and it was so awesome and yum Mr. Darcy. 


Ash:



  

Zombie in LoveThe Walking Dead PosterPride and Prejudice and Zombies Poster

Romance to me is ZOMBIES!!!! Zombies equals love! 



♥ You are in the book store. All of a sudden you get shot with an arrow by Cupid. What new release will you love? ♥

Jenn

Spinning Thorns


Ash:

Unhooked



We tag everyone! Share the LOVE