The Paige Turner

A blog for young adult book lovers

We're Moving!

Right now I am in the long process of moving this blog into a Wordpress one since I've heard it's a lot easier and more functional to use.
I will of course still have this site up and running but for all the newest updates you can check out my new site here: http://thepaigeturnerblog.wordpress.com/
Please bear with me while I'm still under construction and am working out all the kinks in the system. It would also mean the world to me if you could subscribe/follow the new blog! Thank you all so much!

Ask Me Blog Tour and Review

Synopsis: Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she‘s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone.

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.

Release Date: April 8, 2014

Number of pages: 304

My review: My goodness this book was fantastic! I had such a good time reading it and it is definitely going down as one of my favorites for the year. I honestly didn't expect to like it very much because the story line seemed a little weak based off the summary, but I was so wrong!

We start out learning that our main character, Aria Morse, is an oracle and must answer every single question that someone asks, whether or not it is directed towards her. She must also answer all these questions honestly, so the combination of those two factors makes her life very difficult. I actually liked reading about how she struggled with going about her everyday life. It was interesting to see how she dealt with things in different ways.

When, Aria learns that someone has been murdered, she starts to act as her own sort of detective and figures out more clues and facts about the girl who has been murdered and who actually is the murderer. This was also very interesting to me because everything she did seemed like it was possible in real life (despite the fact that she was an oracle). I loved reading from Aria's point of view, she was very honest (haha) and brought a fresh voice to the novel.

The whole book kept me glued to it from beginning to end, though I do think the ending was wrapped up rather quickly and I wished there could have been an epilogue at least. Nevertheless, this was fantastic and something I just could not put down!

About the author: Kimberly Pauley is the award-winning author of Sucks to Be Me, which was honored on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list, and a paranormal mystery starring an oracle, called Ask Me. Born in California, she has lived everywhere from Florida to Chicago and has now gone international to live in London with her husband and son. She is also the founder of YA Books Central, one of the first and largest teen book websites in the world. Visit her online at www.kimberlypauley.com

http://www.kimberlypauley.com/

https://twitter.com/kimberlyrpauley

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Pauley/81688255502

http://sohopress.com/books/ask-me/

The Terrorist's Daughters (Book One of the T.O.G.G.L.E. series) by Brian Arthur Levene

The Terrorist's Daughters (T.O.G.G.L.E., #1)

Synopsis: Born in Chicago, Illinois, three sisters are uprooted and brought to Pakistan, after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. After becoming oppressed and abused by their radicalized father and drug-sedated mother, two of the girls decide to run away from home and soon they discover their inner selves. One is a twelve-year-old blessed with a gift she does not know she has, the other, a seventeen-year-old proficient in the methods of psychological warfare. Along the way they encounter a handsome young man, and his family who are also looking to start a new life away from their terrorist state. Their travels takes them to Afghanistan, Dubai, Mexico and the United States, leaving a chaotic but interesting trail behind.

Developing a family among a group of outcasts, including a young Asian girl who is prolific in computer hacking, their adventures continue with the girls making daring escapes from authorities, and fighting Al Qaeda extremists working for their father. The Terrorist's Daughter all leads to a dramatic conclusion revolving around love, faith, family, and the potential destruction of an entire city.

Release Date: February 20, 2014

Number of pages: 252

My review: This was such an amazing read! I finished this in about 2 hours because I could not put it down. There was so much action and adventure through the whole story. From the very beginning we are thrust on this chase where this terrorist's daughters are running from their father because they are afraid he will kill them. It goes a little deeper than that, but that's the main gist of it.

Basically the entire story is like a high speed chase where these two girls are running from their terrorist father and all of his henchmen. While some of the situations were a little far-fetched I still immensely enjoyed the story and I hope there will be a second one coming out because the ending was a bit of a cliff-hanger.

I also really enjoyed the writing style which was simple to understand, yet quite complex in the way the story was woven. I also liked the switching viewpoints, even though it did not continue through the entirety of the story. I quickly felt for these characters and can't wait to read about the next part of their adventure!

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Synopsis: Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

Release Date: April 15, 2014

Number of pages: 352

My review: This was such a fantastic read! I blew through more than half the book in one day because I simply could not put it down!

Our two main characters, Lucy and Owen, take us on a journey of love and travel that makes you feel like you're being transported to all the different places their going, and you develop this deep and unique connection with each of them.

I simply loved how the viewpoints switch back and forth between the characters because you could get both sides of their stories and see what each one was thinking. In the end this was even better because you became excited when things began to line up for each other and they told the opposite character what they were thinking the whole time.

There is something about Jennifer E. Smith's writing that is so flawless and easy going, that while you're reading you don't even notice you've gone through 100+ pages until you reach the end of the book.

The ending left me completely satisfied and this being the first Jennifer E. Smith book I've ever read I can't wait to pick up her other one's. I hope they are as fantastic as The Geography of You and Me was! Make sure to pick this up when it comes out later in April! Also, this cover is simply gorgeous!

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Synopsis: The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Release Date: October 22, 2013

Number of pages: 525

My review: Well, I guess this is the end of another series. I LOVED the Divergent series and Allegiant was such a wonderful ending. People compare it to Mockingjay in the sense that it's not the happiest of ending, but to me it's the most realistic.

I liked Allegiant much more than Insurgent. There was more action and I think just more stuff going on overall, which didn't happen in Insurgent. Insurgent set up the political and socio-economic conflict, while Allegiant had actual fighting and war. There was so much build up and planning in Allegiant and sometimes it was for nothing which kind of irked me, but then I realized that's how it would be in real life. Sometimes you have to plan and plan for something that may never happen.

Another thing I liked was the switching viewpoints between Tris and Tobias/Four. I really enjoyed reading from his point of view, especially since in my last review I complained about not knowing what was going on in his head.

I guess Allegiant pleasantly surprised me and I was up until 1AM finishing the book. I think my tweet from last night says it all best:

With bleary eyes and a tear streaked face, I have finished Allegiant. It's 1 AM and I regret nothing.
— Paige (@ThePaige_Turner) March 22, 2014

So, overall, I'm sad the series is over because I can't read anymore about Tris who is such a kick-ass character and she had so much development along with all the other characters with her. However, everything was SO well done and Veronica Roth is such a great author. I can't wait to see what she'll write next!

(Also check out my pictures of the series here: http://paigiieee.tumblr.com/post/80342847640/love-these-beauties)

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis: One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Number of pages: 525

My review: ASDFGHJKL! WHAT!? The ending is such a cliff-hanger! Okay maybe I should back track a bit...

I LOVED this sequel! It was just as good as the first book and I now cannot wait to get my hands on the third one. Veronica Roth has seriously outdone herself. I can't believe how well written these novels are! The world building and all the things the characters go through is just so fantastic!

I liked how the first novel set things up so well, that this novel did not disappoint. We could easily move on with the story and find out what was going to happen next to all our favorite characters. I am so excited to see what the next book is going to entail because even this one set things up for an action-packed conclusion.

I don't want to say too much about the plot if you haven't read Divergent, but I will say that I think the way that Tris went through everything in Insurgent was not only inspirational and incredibly brave, but I liked that often she was confused or mislead about what she was going to do in certain situations. I mean she is only 16, she can't know how the entire world works and I liked that Veronica Roth didn't necessarily make her smarter than the adults because that would have just been illogical. Tris is one of those characters that just feels so real, it's like she jumps off the page and is actually sitting next to you describing the whole story. I love that Veronica Roth has the ability to do that to her characters.

We didn't see as much of Four in this one which was kind of disappointing, so hopefully he'll pop up more in Allegiant. That being said, when he did show up I got kind of annoyed with him. Maybe because we see only Tris' side of the story, but everything he did it was kind of like, if you love Tris so much why do you not trust her?? I want to buy the Four collective stories when it comes out in July so I can figure out what the hell was going on with him.

I think one of the reasons a lot of people didn't like this book as much was because you could really choose either side of the different characters. Each side was presented pretty well and there was times even I was confused about who I should be siding with, which I think frustrated a lot of people but to me just showed how much careful thought and planning was put into the novel.

And now, I'm off to finish the series and get started on Allegiant!

Bookshelf Tour (of sorts)

I don't have the time to film a bookshelf tour and probably won't until summer comes around since I'll be away at school again starting next week, but I figured while I was at home I could snap a few pictures for you guys to show you my bookshelves.

Here is a general overview of all three:

I have the big white shelf organized with my big series on the top two shelves (so Gossip Girl series, The Clique series, A-List series, and all my Jen Calonita, Joanna Philbin, and Lauren Conrad books).

After that everything is organized alphabetically by last name all the way up to the last name Shannon. The rest of the alphabet is on the brown shelf's first and third shelves.

The second shelf on that one has all my Agatha Christie mysteries and a few other mystery authors. The fourth shelf has my Fruits Basket mangas and my Hunger Games companions (along with the Hunger Games itself!).

The very bottom shelf has childhood books and the one above that has some misc. mass market books and photo albums.

The last shelf all by itself has larger sized classics and the very top of my white shelf has mass market sized classics along with my Harry Potter boxed set.

And here are some more close-ups of individual shelves:

Welcome home book haul!

Seeing as this is my week on break from college, I decided to buy a few books! Here's what I got:

Received in a giveaway:
Acid by Emma Pass

Purchased on Amazon:
Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
Demon's Fire by Emma Holly
Get Lucky by Lorie O'Clare
Cradle of Solitude by Alex Archer

Purchased at a used book shop:
The Boyfriend App by Katharine Sise
Not Without You by Nora Roberts

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Number of pages: 487

My review: If you've read this than you already know how fantastic and amazing it is, but if you haven't read it then you need to do so right now (Especially with that movie coming out soon!).

So, I've been putting this one off for awhile and I'm not sure why. I think I was sort of apprehensive about reading it with so much hype surrounding the series. I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype and I'd be disappointed. However, this did not happen whatsoever! I loved this from beginning to end! If I didn't have school/finals I would have finished the whole thing in one night! I was reading 100 pages at a time in about 30 minute intervals and I don't think I've ever gone through a book that quickly in such a short amount of time.

I loved all the world building and character development that went into this book. Veronica Roth really took her time to set things up and explain everything. I know that the other books will be just as good because we had such a good starter novel with Divergent. That being said, I cannot wait to start reading Insurgent and Allegiant!

There was never a dull moment when I was reading and everything just seemed so fantastic! I love the names of all the factions and how everything is set up. Like she did it so well that it seems so believable! Everything was amazing and I cannot enunciate that point enough.

Go read this right now!

Also, for those of you who have read it...did you take the quiz to find out what faction you belong in? I got Erudite!

Winter Quarter Book Haul

Hello everyone! I haven't done a book haul in a really long time (mostly because I haven't had the time) but I also just wanted to wait until the end of the quarter here at college before showing you all the books I purchased while I was away at school.

This first bunch is strictly one's I sent to myself at school (I'm also not including textbooks because those are really boring and no one wants to see those):

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen
Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 by Julian Fellows
The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy edited by Leah Wilson
The Hunger Games Companion: The Unauthorized Guide to the Series by Lois H. Gresh
Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

This next bunch is one's that I also bought at college but had sent to my house.

Won in a giveaway:
Old Souls by C.G. Garcia
Cupid by Honor St. James

Received for Review:
Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold by Iain Reading

Purchased:
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
The Marriage Mistake by Jennifer Probst
Faking It by Cora Carmack
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame
Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens
A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasley
Hancock Park by Isabel Kaplan
The Best Girl by Emma Harrison
The Hunger Games: Tribute Guide by Scholastic Press
Guide to the Hunger Games by Caroline Carpenter

Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

Synopsis: Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

Release Date: November 26th, 2013

Number of pages: 366

My review: I loved this book! It was one of those sickly sweet romances that you sort of knew how it was going to end but that's alright because it has so much fluff and romance that it makes it all worthwhile. Although there was a curveball thrown in there that made me saying "What!?"

This was such a cute story though. I loved Sam and Alex and all the other characters that went along with them and who doesn't love royalty? I liked the path this took of Sam dealing with her newfound title and she seemed so real in the way she dealt with it. I could totally see someone in real life dealing with the things she went through in the same ways.

And Alex...woo! He is one sexy and handsome prince! I was smitten with him right away just like everyone else seemed to be too! He just exudes elegance and politeness, but behind doors it's a different story. Wink wink.

I can't wait to read the next few novels which focus on Alex's siblings. But they're being released later this year so I guess I have to do a little bit of waiting. I would definitely pick this up if you're looking for a light and fun read and if you are obsessed with royalty (as I am...)!

Also, not sure what to think of this cover. At first glance I was like alright that's kind of dorky but I actually sort of like it. It's got spunk and elegance just like Sam so I think it's actually pretty perfect. I like the color schemes too.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Synopsis: A coming-of-age tale of fanfiction, family, and first love.

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan.... But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she's really good at it. She and her twin, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to.

Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words...and she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Release Date: September 10th, 2013

Number of pages: 438

My review: I just finished this book and let me tell you it was SO amazing! I have not read such flawless writing in such a long time. I was pulled in from the first page and took every moment I could this weekend to pick it back up and start reading again.

I loved every aspect of this book. I loved all the characters and how real they felt. I loved the setting and how Rainbow Rowell so accurately described freshman year of college (seriously if anyone is looking for a book that kind of goes through the ups and downs of that first year of college this is it!). I loved how we were brought into Cath's world through the Simon Snow fiction and we were given little pieces of that story, and Cath's fanfiction to better connect with her. I loved Levi and how flawless he was.

Perfection. That's how I would describe this. I think this is my favorite book of the year so far because it was just so simply amazing. I honestly do not have one bad thing to say. I cannot wait to pick up another of Rainbow Rowell's books (probably will read Eleanor and Park next...) and I think she is well on my way to becoming one of my favorite authors. Please continue to write so perfectly Ms. Rowell! I can't wait to reread this!

Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts-Season 1 by Julian Fellowes

Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts, Season One

Synopsis: The full scripts of award-winning Downton Abbey, season one including previously unseen material

Downton Abbey has become an international phenomenon and the most successful British drama of our time. Created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, the first season delighted viewers and critics alike with stellar performances, ravishing costumes, and a gripping plot. Set in a grand country house during the late Edwardian era, season one of Downton Abbey follows the lives of the Crawley family upstairs and their servants downstairs as they approach the announcement of the First World War. Fellowes succeeds in not only entertaining his audience with a combination of sustained storylines and sharp one-liners but also in delivering a social commentary of British life. The scripts from season one give readers the opportunity to read the work in more detail and to study the characters, pace, and themes in depth. With extended commentary from Fellowes, highlighting key historical or dramatic details, this book gives invaluable insight, particularly for would-be screenwriters, into how Fellowes researched and crafted the world of Downton Abbey.

Featuring full-color photographs!

Release Date: October 16th, 2012

Number of pages: 432

My review: As a lot of people may know (since I talk about it on Twitter a lot) I absolutely LOVE Downton Abbey so when I found out there was a couple books that had the complete scripts I just had to get my hands on them.

While these books have the complete scripts, including parts that were cut out from the show, there's also tons of footnotes where Julian Fellowes talks about a variety of things like why certain parts were cut, his feelings on different scenes, and even research that was done for different scenes. I throughly enjoyed these footnotes because it gave you an even bigger and better back story to not only Downton Abbey but the filming and Julian Fellowes himself. You can clearly see he cares for his characters and how they are presented to the audiences.

This definitely made me want to go back and watch the whole first season over again but I've got to finish the fourth season first and above all I don't have my Downton DVD's with me here at school. Maybe something I can do over Spring Break...

I'm so excited to pick up the season two version of the scripts and want the third and fourth seasons to come out in print soon so I can read those as well! If you love Downton Abbey then you HAVE to pick these up!