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: