Blog Tour: Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven

Title: Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Release Date: October 4, 2013

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pages: 400

Received: Publisher *In exchange for a fair and honest review

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool:Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . .Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.[goodreads]

My Thoughts

Upfront, this is of course a non spoiler review. This is also my first Niven novel and I know of her previous NYT bestseller. But what did this one have that intrigued me more? Some substance. I'm talking its central theme brings up stigma or bullying overweight teens. But I don't believe the author wrote it in a convincing way. Some people might even take it offensively. It's tricky...or it's an easy topic that can be taken out of proportion and at times I felt like it did.

Libby Strout was once in every headline on tv which started with something like "America's Fattest Teen". No one really looks past her weight and high school kids are brutal to her. The type of comments she receives from people her age are terrible and disheartening. She also wanted to be a dancer despite her weight contradictions and comments from teachers. I feel like the story lost sight of that, but she keeps on dancing in spite of the haters.

Jack Masselin is supposedly the cute, nerdy guy who sees Libby for who she is underneath and out of her skin. His friends are complete jerks, so he fits into the high school scene just fine. Did I mention he has prosopagnosia? Which means he can't identify faces, not even the faces of whom he loves. And another engineer in the male dominated STEM world. It's sarcasm. I feel like it didn't really delve into that engineering part except making robots and I didn't see a clear purpose for it.

This entire relationship was very tedious. It felted like a "meet-cute, insta-love after a week" type of deal. Maybe they were utterly perfect for each other and any other climax didn't stop them from realizing they needed each other. But the entirety of the description, "finding someone who sees you for who you are and seeing them right back" is a little tacky. Isn't that what love in every other books is or becomes? It's a good comparison with Caroline, Jack's on/off girlfriend, but other than that...it didn't feel as exhilarating as the description delivered.

I gave this novel a chance or I took, " Every Possibility Life Has To Offer", but I didn't deliver for me. This didn't take me home, but take the book's advice and "Take every possibility life has to offer" and give this your best shot.

3/5 STARS

Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

Release Date: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 448

Received: Publisher

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.
The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.
Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.
Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.
Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . .  [goodreads]

My Thoughts

This may not seem like a high rating for a Rosamund Hodge novel because I've loved her previous dark, eerie novels. I can't help but feel a bit disappointed in this one. The premise intrigued me because I read Romeo and Juliet and the idea of how different scenarios pan out is so cool. But the problem was, I couldn't explain it to a friend. I was somewhat confused throughout the novel because the world was so huge, I couldn't keep up with the complexity. 

But once I got to the half way mark, it all clicked and I've fully realized what was going on. The writing didn't feel as special as in her previous works. There were of course threats in the novel. There were revenants and reapers, etc, Even though the romance between Romeo and Juliet was a bit dim, this world was so big and with there being more conflict, it was satisfying. A great character in the novel, Runajo was another hero saving the day from revenants. I enjoyed the magical surrealism in this retelling because it almost feels like another relic in history.

Also, the first thing I read about of the description is Romeo and Juliet retelling. I'm sad to say there's less Romeo and Juliet romance except in flashbacks, but there's more retelling. A countless amount of twists and turns, I'm 50/50 puzzled and interested. Additionally, I love being kept on the balls of my feet and this book did just that.

This first installment was full of tremendous detail, creativity, power, and eerie storytelling that would interest anyone in the classics.

3/5 STARS

Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

Title: Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

Release Date: September 6, 2016

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 368

Received: Publisher

Star Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.

Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.

Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.

Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.


The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love? [goodreads]

My Thoughts

I was really impressed and looking forward to this one. I've actually read a few books about daughters and sons of senators and presidents and quite enjoyed reading about an idea of that life. I just thought these characters were dry as in I couldn't find a reason to like them. Rafael, the son of the Spanish ambassador, held up to a stereotype. 

I've also read a few "sketchy" adjectives describing POC, which I'm not too fond about. There was just no pizazz in the characters, story, or the world. I couldn't help but cringe at each chapter. It might be small things, but all these small things add up to my interpretation of the writing and the writer. 

Piper was a very driven student and was a journalism star. She seemed blind that there were other people who want what she wants, the scholarship. Her world seems very one-sided.  couldn't help also feeling bored and dreaded when a subplot carried on.

The romance in the story came a little late, but it didn't improve my interest in the characters. I believe it was a predictable ending and the events all ended happily. 

2/5 STARS

As I Descended by Robin Talley

Title: As I Descended by Robin Talley

Release Date: September 6, 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 384

Received: Publisher

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Maria Lyon and Lily Boiten are their school’s ultimate power couple—even if no one knows it but them.

Only one thing stands between them and their perfect future: campus superstar Delilah Dufrey.

Golden child Delilah is a legend at the exclusive Acheron Academy, and the presumptive winner of the distinguished Cawdor Kingsley Prize. She runs the school, and if she chose, she could blow up Maria and Lily’s whole world with a pointed look, or a carefully placed word.

But what Delilah doesn’t know is that Lily and Maria are willing to do anything—absolutely anything—to make their dreams come true. And the first step is unseating Delilah for the Kingsley Prize. The full scholarship, awarded to Maria, will lock in her attendance at Stanford―and four more years in a shared dorm room with Lily.

Maria and Lily will stop at nothing to ensure their victory—including harnessing the dark power long rumored to be present on the former plantation that houses their school.


But when feuds turn to fatalities, and madness begins to blur the distinction between what’s real and what is imagined, the girls must decide where they draw the line. [goodreads]

My Thoughts

I'm drawn to this book because it's following two lesbians in high school and it has a similar resemblance to Macbeth. This tagline is such a hook, so if anyone's interested, don't waste any more time. The diversity was refreshing because I've never had the chance to read a premise like this. It's the idea of representation. There was and still is a lack of representation of lgbt and not all books are catered to it, but this one was.

I know the basic ideas of Macbeth, but not the entire behind the scenes. I do feel though lots of nerds would pick at this, but I'd rather enjoy it for what it is. But the small spark that got this going was competition between Maria and Delilah for a scholarship. We all know important scholarships are, they're basically free money. Maria is what they call a well-rounded student and her girlfriend Lily is going to Stanford. So Maria has to follow Lily to Stanford and this scholarship would send that ship sailing. 

But what the girls do so Maria can get the scholarship were a bit crazy to say the least. There were an abundance of ghosts. I think it was in the characters mind almost every page. I understand the author really brought the diversity wagon home because I'm pretty sure everyone was gay. It was a creepy, yet thrilling read.

4/5 STARS

Blog Tour ! Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff

Title: Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff

Release Date: May 17, 2016

Publisher: Delacorte Press (Penguin Random House Imprint)

Pages: 384

Received: Publisher**In exchange for a fair and honest review

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Waverly Camdenmar spends her nights running until she can’t even think. Then the sun comes up, life goes on, and Waverly goes back to her perfectly hateful best friend, her perfectly dull classes, and the tiny, nagging suspicion that there’s more to life than student council and GPAs.

Marshall Holt is a loser. He drinks on school nights and gets stoned in the park. He is at risk of not graduating, he does not care, he is no one. He is not even close to being in Waverly’s world.


But then one night Waverly falls asleep and dreams herself into Marshall’s bedroom—and when the sun comes up, nothing in her life can ever be the same. In Waverly’s dreams, the rules have changed. But in her days, she’ll have to decide if it’s worth losing everything for a boy who barely exists. [goodreads]

My Thoughts

This one intrigued me enough to pick up, but I don't think I would say that by the end of the novel. I knew the novel had strange and dreamlike aspects and it kept me interested enough to finish it. Some parts were a bit stretched out, or too long for my liking of a scene. The main characters, or specifically Waverly, didn't grow on me, but her growing character arc sure did.

There are plenty of books about a teenage scholar, but what makes this one unique? The conventional and paranormality of her dreams! Waverly and Marshall, the love interests, couldn't hold onto me because there was so much unspoken stuff, I couldn't stand it. Marshall felt more underdeveloped than Waverly, but he still kept his candid, annoying personality. I still want the best for each character and I don't believe they were each other's.

Once Waverly understood her imperfections, rather than let it get to her, also when all friends appreciate her, it makes her whole. I still can't believe the ending, in a WOW way. I usually end up predetermining characters' fates in books, especially this one and I didn't see it coming.

It's been too long a magical realism novel, really casted its spell on me. Yes, the characters' had its own bag of rights and wrongs, but if you're interested in the premise, go for it! 

3/5 STARS

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Title: The Unexpected Everything

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 519

Received: In-Store

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Andie had it all planned out. 

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected. 


And where’s the fun in that? [goodreads]

My Thoughts

It's summer and I'd call this the perfect summer read! I've been handling my reading slump efficiently, but I couldn't resist devouring another Morgan Matson novel! It's weird because if she dropped another novel, I'm so committed I would drop what I'm doing and buy it. Back to THIS novel, I adored it immensely. The dynamics of the characters and the relationships, also the cameo of Emily and Dawn's relationships! The Unexpected Everything was more expecting than anything, but it did not limit the novel as a whole, it lasts as a warm and touching feeling as a result.

Just letting you, the reader, know this has spoilers, so check yourself and come back! If so, let's move on to the characters! The main course, the main reason you went to the party, the characters! Andie Walker is the main character who thinks she's done everything accordingly. She has her perfect summer internship, good group of friends, and in enough relationships to keep her whole. I wanted to relate to Andie, but some characteristics were...overused. I enjoyed how she came out of a situation, like how she found the dog walking job. She bounces back and forth but it won't stop her from seeing the prize. Also, the relationship between Andie and her father was very heart-felt. I enjoyed all the little things, the movies, the dinners, and the parenting surfacing, Andie needed a parental figure in her life, and her dad really came to action.

Oh yeah, so the love interest? I cannot believe Clark was a writer! And the connection of Doug from Since You've Been Gone...It's the little things guys. Clark seemed liked the perfect boyfriend and it did bring Andie to surface with real feelings. Their relationship was very cute and gushy, so I'll spare you the amount of times I hugged my book. There were cliche moments and it became meta when Toby was mentioning those cliche moments. The friends! I loved this group of friends, I envied this group and it seemed like a typical teen summer. 

Let's move along to that ending! Especially the deleted scenes/ additional epilogues. It seemed very open ended to me, I know Morgan Matson says she won't write sequels, but she leaves them wide open...so she can write them! But none the less, I'll take what I can get. I especially love how Morgan sounds so excited to talk about her characters near the end! I could feel the radiation of her excitement.

I think I needed this book at this time. It'll definitely be a reread in the late future. The Unexpected Everything left me content with the characters and the story. I wouldn't trade it for any other.

4/5 STARS

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Title: Tell Me Three Things

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Delacorte

Pages: 336

Received: From Publisher: ***Thank you so much Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!!!***

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved? [goodreads]

My Thoughts

First of all, WAFFLES. I love this cover because it represents the novel in a clear metaphorical sense! Tell Me Three Things is sweet like waffles and unique in every shape, the waffle iron has. I enjoyed the mystery, romance, and the handling of mourning. Jessie's story is simple and the author created depth into her character that enhances her storytelling. Of course, this is spoiler free, so I will try to throw in some thoughts, while leaving you wanting more...

Jessie's life has become a disarray. She barely had time to recover over the loss of her mother and then is sent to her father, who has a whole family of his own. She has to leave her old school and friends behind and start at a new school with no friends. It sounds completely ordinary from here, but there seems to be an anonymous student (SN) emailing her tips and tricks of getting around school. Jessie was a strong lead and completely a real teenager. 

Then there comes a turning point and she finds new love interests and more friends. She also had a step brother Theo, who I learned to love. I felt...I don't know the word.. "in" a private high schooler in Los Angeles's life. The emails between SN and Jessie were also quite hilarious and the headlines cracked me up! There probably should have been more development in relationships like a little more of her step brother and step sister, but the author really took her time on working the best friend story line, which was fine by me. 

Tell Me Three Things had a plate full of components that a contemporary lover would love to dig into! It was clever, entertaining, and quite the easy read. Buxbaum's first young adult novel makes me craving for more and I'm excited to see more from her in this genre.


4/5 STARS