Check out my full review at between-the-shelves.com!

To be honest, I struggled in reading this book. It felt very formulaic, not really straying from what you would consider the typical dystopian story line. Additionally, the characters were flat and I couldn't bring myself to really care about what happened to them. I'm all about the characters when I'm reading books--characters are what make me interested in the story. Simon, the main character, was particularly bad for me. He was full of himself, centrally focused on his needs and not really caring about who had to sacrifice in order for him to get what he wanted. He irritated me throughout the whole story, which was a contributing factor into how long it took me to get through this book.

All in all, I definitely won't be picking up the second book. The story can continue without me.

Beckett is an out gay teen living with his single dad, desperate to have some relationship experience before he graduates high school. Jaxon is the golden high school quarterback, raised by two moms, one of whom has started dating Beckett's dad. Both Jaxon and Beckett are unhappy with the situation, so they devise a plan to get each of their respective parents back with their original partner. But a different romance starts to brew as the two work on their plans--one that neither of them suspected.

This was such a fun read! A lot of the scenes throughout the novel reminded me of Parent Trap at times, as Beckett and Jaxon concoct this scheme in order to actually stop their parents from dating each other. The story itself is also different than a lot of LGBTQ books I've read; instead of focusing on Beckett and Jaxon's coming out stories, the core conflict is focused on something complete different, and I found that really refreshing.

Despite the refreshing story line, there were some problematic moments throughout the book as well. There were some stereotypes that were perpetuated, specifically with Jaxon and his moms, though Beckett also embodies the typically feminine gay stereotype. There also aren't a lot of female characters throughout the story, which can be fine, but the ones that are presented are generally flat. If they were more complex, it wouldn't have bugged me so much.

Though there are some problematic aspects within the story, it was still an overall fun read, though probably not one that I'll revisit again. If you're looking for a fun, LGBTQ romance for the summer, this one is worth picking up!

I loved the world building in Scythe (you can read more about that here!), and I think the overall format of the story works so well in immersing the reader into this futuristic world.

I've determined that Neal Shusterman might also be the king of plot twists. I feel that this book could have gone in a very different, probably predictable, direction and it most definitely did not. There's a cliffhanger so large at the end that I'm desperate to get my hands on the next book (and I don't even know when it's set to come out). The moral question introduced in Scythe is furthered here; and I think it will continue to be furthered in the final book.

From the characters to the world to the plot twists, I absolutely devoured this book. And I can't wait to read more.

Read my full review at between-the-shelves.com!

I've loved everything I've read from Shaun David Hutchinson (including We Are the Ants and At the Edge of the Universe), and I loved this book even more. Elena Mendoza is perhaps one of the most compelling of the characters that Hutchinson has created. She's stuck in an impossible situation; every time she heals someone, hundreds of people disappear. But she's told if she doesn't heal, then the apocalypse will come. Supported by a cast of equally colorful characters, I found myself immediately sucked into Elena's world.

One of the things I also love about Hutchinson is the way he includes mentions of characters from his other books within the plot. Elena interacts with both Henry and Tommy on her path to figuring out her own decisions, and those that have read his other books will appreciate the references.

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza takes its readers on a crazy ride, leaving them with much to think about along the way.

Read more of my thoughts at between-the-shelves.com!

All in all, this book was an intense emotional journey filled by a cast of vivid characters in an absolutely desolate setting that makes you question the difference between reality and perception. Ness delivers an absolutely strange story that, despite its bleak setting, presents an ultimate message of hope. Definitely a must-read.

Read more on my blog at Between-the-Shelves.com!