Review: Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Title: Asylum

Author: Madeleine Roux
Series: Asylum #1

Published: 2013 by Harper Teen

Blurb: 

Unlock the doors to the Asylum, but don't go into the basement. Some things are best left unseen... 

The summer programme at New Hampshire College is a chance for Dan Crawford to make friends. He might be staying in old asylum grounds rather than a new campus, but summer is definitely looking up. 

Until Dan and his new friends uncover disturbing images in their freaky summer home. Then Dan starts learning that curiosity kills... It's no coincidence they ended up at the ASYLUM. 

---

Review:

There is nothing wrong with mental hospitals. But there is something wrong with the word 'asylum'. They have always been known as a place that no one wants to go to. Mental hospitals are good. Asylums, on the other hand, have this creepy, dark edge. Before I read this, I had a feeling of dread but also curious anticipation.

Asylum is about Dan, who moves to New Hampshire College. He is looking forward to it. He imagines hanging out with friends who actually want to study. But on his arrival, he finds a disturbing photo in the drawer of his bedside table. His roommate tells there are similar ones in the basement. Curious, Dan and his new friends explore the basement, discovering numerous freaky pictures. 

Soon starts the strange messages, nightmares and emails that are not meant to be there. Something strange was going on.

I'd be lying to say I wasn't spooked. Surely, if a book actually made me scared, it should be a good book, right?

It wasn't totally the case with Asylum. The writing wasn't what actually scared me. Throughout the book were numerous black and white photos; they were what scared me. In fact, they were superb in creating a scary atmosphere. I would be reading, then I would flip the page, giving myself a heart attack. Some of the photos really were quite unsettling and freaky.

However, if the book was written without any photos, I would not exactly call it a good book. The plot was quite interesting. There was a mystery and I wanted to know the answer. It was enjoyable and suspenseful, that was, until the end. The end really disappointed me. There were too unanswered questions I guess that is why there is a sequel. Yet, I would have preferred it as a stand-alone.

The characters were not bad, but they weren't as finely crafted as they could have been. I didn't mind Dan. But his infatuation with Abby was annoying. He barely knew her, and he was considering on asking her on a date. Abby was quite an interesting character. I liked her. Jordan was hardly mentioned during the book. Maybe it was the author's fault, or perhaps Dan was acting like a douchebag, ignoring his friend. I would have liked knowing more about Jordan. 

It would have been better if the characters were more developed. Abby and Jordan lacked development, and Dan didn't mature in any way. If the characters were more well written, Asylum would be a pretty awesome book.

Asylum has a interesting story line and a fantastic setting. Those are worth reading. There is a sequel coming out. I am not too keen on reading it, but I still might read it to see if there is any character development.

Review: The Messenger by Markus Zusak

Title: The Messenger
Author: Markus Zusak
Published: 2002 by Pan Macmillan

Blurb: 

Meet Ed Kennedy - underage cab driver, pathetic card palyer, and useless at romance. He lives in a shack, and he's hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first Ace arrives...That's when Ed becomes the messenger. 

Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary), until only one question remains. Who's behind Ed's mission?

---

Review:

Ed Kennedy is your typical good-for-nothing guy. He drives cabs to earn money and plays cards with his friends. The girl he likes just wants to be friends. Other than his three best friends, and his dog, he virtually has no one else.

Everything changes when he somehow stops a robbery by chasing after the robber. Not long after, he receives an Ace in the mail. It gives him three people who he needs to help.

As Ed drives around town, helping people in need, slowly he starts to become someone more. Someone more than useless Ed.

For starters, I enjoyed The Messenger more than The Book Thief. The way Markus Zusak wrote The Book Thief was slightly devoid of emotion. I could feel something inside of me, but the feeling could not be surfaced. In the Messenger, I could feel all the warm emotions.

The book was written in a heartfelt manner. It was so heartwarming. Every time Ed helped someone, I just thought 'that is so kind of him- so simply nice'. It inspired me to want to become a kinder person.

Sometimes being kind is self-sacrificial. This book shows just that. How much would you really take out, just so you could help make someone else' slide better? The degree Ed goes to help these people is really touching. Ed used up his time, hurt others, even got himself beaten up, for the sake of others.

"There is blood in my hands and blood at the bottom of the street. I hope for a moment that they both understand what they're doing and what they're proving." (190) 

The setting was shown well. Not only could I see what it looked like, but I also saw more. Through Ed's emotions and connections to the setting, I saw what the setting seemed like in his eyes.

I liked the four main characters. All had their distinct personalities, their dreams and inner conflicts. Near the end, when Ed is instructed to help his best friends by the Ace, it really draws attention to their inner problems. 

The Messenger was heartwarming and entertaining. To me, the message it conveys really stands out. 

"If a guy like you can stand up and do what you did, then maybe everyone can. Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of." (386)

Review: Ink by Amanda Sun

Title: Ink

Series: The Paper Gods #1

Author: Amanda Sun
Published: June 2013 by Harlequin Teen

Blurb:

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan now she may not make it out of the country alive.

---

Review:

The reason why I picked up Ink was that it had a gorgeous cover, and an interesting title. I always loved reading manga, and loved the idea that the book was set somewhere that stories I enjoy had come from.

Ink is about Katie Greene, an American who moved to Japan after some family dilemma.

Immediately, she is intrigued by Tomohiro Yuu who she found arguing with his ex-girlfriend and then broke up. Tomohiro is your rude delinquent with a mysterious past and a unexpected passion for art.

What bothered me afterwards though was how Katie and Tomohiro got along really well. They were meant to dislike each other, however, instead it was instant romance.

I also disliked how it seemed forgotten that Tomohiro is a delinquent. He seemed more like the school prince than a rebel. He was perfect at everything and handsome. He was also rather weak a protagonist who was frightened of himself.

Furthermore, the storyline didn't seem to develop so much. It was too slow for my liking, romance and them more romance. Plus, a bit cliché but sometimes that can be overlooked.

However, I must say that the idea is very intriguing and original. I loved the setting. I enjoyed the idea of manipulating ink and making something so simple, so dangerous. When the second book comes out, I'll be reading it.

I would recommend this book, however, don't get your hopes too high.

Plus, if you haven't read the book yet...

Here is a prequel to Ink, Shadow, available on wattpad: 

Blurb: 

Meet two teens whose worlds are about to change forever in this paranormal Young Adult novella, a prequel to Ink by debut author Amanda Sun…

Katie Greene’s worst nightmare comes true when her mother dies, and she’s devastated to learn that she will have to leave the only home she’s ever known. Desperate to find where she belongs, she must decide if she has what it takes to start a new life across the ocean. 

For Yuu Tomohiro, every day is a nightmare. He struggles to control his strange ability, and keeps everyone at a distance so they won’t get hurt—even his girlfriend, Myu. At night, a shadow haunts his dreams, and a mysterious woman torments him with omens of death and destruction. But these haunting premonitions are only the beginning…

What did you think of Ink?

Please comment and follow :)

Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Title: The Name of the Star
Series: Shades of London #1

Author: Maureen Johnson

Published: September 2011 by Harper Collins

Blurb:

Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux flies to London for the start of a new life at boarding school. But her arrival is overshadowed by a sudden outbreak of brutal murders, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific work of Jack the Ripper.  

'Rippermania' grabs hold of London, and the police are stumped with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory has seen their prime suspect on the school grounds. But her friend Jazza didn't see anyone.

So why could Rory see him? And what is he planning to do next?

In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense and romance, Rory discovers the secrets of London and the truth about her shocking abilities, as Jack the Ripper returns...

---

Review:

Jack the Ripper has always been a topic of interest of mine. So this book especially piqued my interest. Reading The Name of the Star was a thrilling and suspenseful adventure, and one that I enjoyed.

Rory moves from Louisiana to London starting fresh at Wexford boarding school. But on the day she arrives, a grotesque murder has occurred, similar to ones by Jack the Ripper. A chain of murders continues, all occurring on the same dates Jack the Ripper had struck on many years ago.

These murders do not affect Rory much. That is, until before the fourth murder, she sees a man that no one else can see. He becomes the prime suspect of the murders. But now the man won't leave her alone. Something eerie was happening. Something very, very dangerous.

The plot of the book was quite interesting. I was gripped and couldn't stop reading. However, there were some scenes in the middle that seemed unnecessary and boring. They sort of slowed down the pace of the book. The rest of the book was of high standard.

I completely loved the setting of the book. If there was something the author did flawlessly, it would have to be the atmosphere. It was perfectly sinister. At points of the book, I was honestly worried and scared for the characters. The sections of the book not written from Rory's point of view contributed greatly towards the atmosphere of the book.

The characters were not as perfect. They did have their personalities, but some of the were a bit dull. I liked Rory,Jazza and Boo. They had distinct personalities. But, for example, Charlotte was a bit stereotypical. The idea of head girl being the main characters most hated person was a bit cliche. 

I didn't particularly like the romance between Jerome and Rory. It seemed too sudden, and didn't seem real. They only met for a few days and they started dating. It also didn't seem like Rory actually loved him.

The Ripper's character wasn't bad, but he was lacking in one aspect. What was his aim? Why was he killing all these people? I hate how the book never told me.

Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed this book. The plot was compelling and the setting brilliantly written. The Name of the Star is an uncanny read and despite its flaws, is worth reading.

Review: Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield

Title: Friday Brown

Author: Vikki Wakefield

Published: August 2012 by Text Publishing

Blurb:

‘I am Friday Brown. I buried my mother. My grandfather buried a swimming pool. A boy who can’t speak has adopted me. A girl kissed me. I broke and entered. Now I’m fantasising about a guy who’s a victim of crime and I am the criminal. I’m going nowhere and every minute I’m not moving, I’m being tail-gated by a curse that may or may not be real. They call me Friday. It has been foretold that on a Saturday I will drown…’

Friday, 17, flees memories of her mother, grandad, and the family curse. She joins Silence in a street gang led by beautiful charismatic Arden, and escapes to a ghost town in the outback. In Murungal Creek, the town of never leaving, Friday faces the ghosts of her past. Sometimes you have to stay to finish what you started, and before you can find out who you are, you have to become someone you never meant to be

---

Review:

How many good books have you read? How many of them actually went through you?

For me, Friday Brown was one of them.

Friday Brown is the touching story of family and love. It follows the journey of 17 year old Liliane Brown, also known as Friday Brown. Her family was cursed so that the females would die from drowning on a Saturday. Hence, came the name Friday.

After her mother died, Friday goes to live with her grandfather, but escapes to a large city. There, she meets a strange mute boy, Silence, who is as invisible as he is quiet. Having nowhere else to go, Silence takes Friday to his home, a squat on the outskirts which houses other street kids.

The leader is Arden, a beautiful, charismatic girl, but dangerous. She holds utmost authority. But since Friday's arrival, Arden's leadership is challenged. In return, she challenges Friday to the limits.

The characters in the novel are exceptionally crafted. They are realistic and fascinating. I fell in love with them. They aren't flat and predictable, they are flawed just like humans. Friday is a strong protagonist. She doesn't give up, although she is struggling within herself. She asks herself, "Who am I, without you?" and this is explored throughout the book. 

"I was the sum of two people, one dead, the other unknown. I’d lived in a hundred small towns and I’d never known another person for my whole life, except for Vivienne [Friday's mother]." - Friday Brown

I liked how the author uses foreshadowing. And if you read it quite carefully, you can pinpoint the fates of the different characters and their inner selves, whether they should be trusted. 

I think that the greatness of this book outshone the faults in it. One part that bothered me though was how the curse seemed to be neglected. It is introduced in the prologue in a interesting manner, making it seem like the central part of the plot. It, however, isn't, and is reminded when Friday tried to drown another person.

At the end of the book, one might have a new understanding of grief, family and love, like Friday Brown. It is a must read.


What did you think about Friday Brown?

Please comment and follow :)

Review: Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman

Title: Boys Don't Cry

Author: Malorie Blackman
Published: October 2010 by Corgi Childrens

Blurb:

You're waiting for the postman - he's bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist - a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it's your old girlfriend; and she's carrying a baby. Your baby. 

You're happy to look after it, just for an hour or two. But then she doesn't come back - and your future suddenly looks very different.

---

Review:

Recently, I read the Noughts and Crosses sequence by the same author and I loved it. (For anyone who hasn't read it yet, you must read it.) I decided to read more books by Malorie Blackman. At first, I didn't want to read Boys Don't Cry because the idea of teenage parenting seemed a bit uninteresting for me. But there were numerous recommendations for it, so I gave it a go.

Meet Dante. He's waiting for his A level results to arrive. But when he opens the door, it isn't the postman. It is his ex-girlfriend, carrying a baby and he is the father. She leaves the baby with him and does a runner. Dante is left behind with his daughter Emma who he didn't even know existed until a few hours ago. He is confused, angry and lost. He doesn't want to be Emma's father. However, the heartwarming scenes that appear later show how he starts to love his daughter. Not long comes the harsh realities of being a teenage father.

Meanwhile, many family issues are also happening. There is a dead mother, and a father who rarely shows emotion towards his sons. There is also Adam, Dante's younger brother, whose family is turning a blind eye to what he is. Each member struggles in their own way to express their love and how they really feel. But as the story progresses, you can see the family bonding together and taking shape.

I really enjoyed the book. There were many heartwarming scenes, and I laughed and smiled countless times. I liked how the author avoided the cliché of a single teenage mother. This book showed how teenage fathers can show care and love just like a mother's.

This is a well-written story about family and growing up. It is inspiring and should be loved by many readers.

Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Title: Mind Games

Series: Mind Games #1

Author: Kiersten White
Published: February 2013 by HarperTeen

Blurb:

I can't see the present...but I know what lies ahead. My instincts are always right...but every move I make feels wrong. It's my fault Fia's here...how was I supposed to know? Annie will die if I don't do what they ask...I'll wish  I were dead if I do.

---

Review:

I was completely unsure of what to expect from Mind Games. I really didn't read this due to the blurb (I mean, it's so vague), but due to the title. What would a book called Mind Games be about? I had no idea.

Straight away, I was launched into the story of Sofia "Fia" and Annie. They were sisters who were trapped in a school for psychics and mind readers. The story jumps frequently between past and present, telling you the back story. Annie is blind, but she can see fragments of the future. Fia has a unique power, she has perfect instincts. Fia has to do what the school wants her to do, or else, they would kill Annie. She always does. Except once.

Even though the story is told from both characters' point of view, I would have to say that Fia is more the main character. I liked how the author made the character voices quite distinct. 

Fia, although she is quite mature, her voice has a more immature feel to it. She sometimes repeats things and she frequently taps her leg. In the writing, her voice frequently has thoughts written inside brackets. She is very broken inside, and always tries to hide her secrets from Annie.

Annie has a more sensible and reserved voice. Like Fia, she really loves her sister and her main actions are all centred around her.

Mind Games is a really interesting book. It is a fresh idea among many YA books out there. It is a dark, twisted story about two sisters facing impossible choices. This book is a must read.