Word to Dreams

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

Reading this, I could identify with Liz on so many levels. Myself, I was a tomboy. I was the girl hanging with the boys during recess, playing baseball with them or playing with cars in the dirt. I was the one shunned by the girls from about mid-first grade, through 8th grade. I can still remember the hurt I felt, coming back from summer vacation and the boys treating me differently because I was a girl and the girls being complete witches because I wasn't into all that girl stuff. I remember being called a boy, innocently, on a few occasions.

This book represents even more to me though. I have a daughter, who is 16. The last time she wore a dress was to a funeral in first grade. As soon as we got home, she promptly took it off and gave it to her sister. As a baby, she was the one with the sturdy squared off shoulders. As a small child, she was the girl who I shopped in the boy section for. Her sister would get a Barbie for a gift and she would get the equivalent in a Ken doll. Pokemon, Avatar, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc, were her go to items. As a teenager, her dress style is very boyish, she likes to wear "tails" on her jeans and she has crushes on boys. When looking at the authors picture, she could definitely be mistaken as sisters with my daughter.

Parts of this book have helped me understand my own daughter even more. The author comes across very personable with her drawings and real life happenings. So many boyish girls are assumed to be lesbians that it's so hard for them to accept their own identities and feel good about themselves. I feel that this book should be required reading for all genders and starting in middle school. It's an educational novel that doesn't feel quite like it since there are drawings, but the reader can relate because either they have been in that situation or know of someone who has been.

The memoir runs the gamut of feelings. There are funny parts, scary parts, sibling issues, crushes, sexuality and so much more. The author comes deals with everything in such a great way. The graphics are spot on and you can imagine yourself there, in that moment. An easy read, which is great for the demographic age the book is primarily focused on, that of a teenage girl finding her own identity, embracing it and understanding it. I enjoyed the Epilogue too. Parents, this is not a book to be afraid of when I speak of sexuality. The author gives the reader a true sense on how there are pressures, but that you must be true to yourself and not give in to that.

I really can't say enough good things about this book, it was a wonderful read and it hit on all the points of being a tomboy throughout life so well. Tomorrow, I'm giving the book to my daughter and I know she will appreciate it and the author will have a new friend from it. Liz Prince, thank you for showing the world the life and feelings of a true tomboy.

I would like to thank the author for providing with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In the first book of this series, Our Souls to Keep, we met Wake, a trained soul collector. In that book, Wake was given a job that he couldn't come to terms with. In this book, Wake is struggling even more. He has a physical and mental burden he is dealing with and when it seems that nothing good will come out of it, things start changing.

This book started strong and just kept on moving throughout it's entirety. The first book had set up everything nicely that the reader comes into this one being able to just keep on going, without the need of explanation. The transition of the two books makes this one even better than the first. I found myself hoping that Wake would get what he wanted, even though he's not exactly the boy next door.

This is a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know immediately what was going to happen next. The torture endured, the emotional pain, felt so real. It was heartbreaking many times. So many emotions in this book, from one level through the rest, it really pulled me in.

I recommend this book for readers who like reading about Satan's damned and the battle between good and evil, that goes on even when it's thought that the fight was already lost

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book. There was a familiarity with the ferret story line, but a twist on it that really piqued my interest. Quickly though, there were distractions that kept me from really enjoying the story. Where I should have been digging in I found myself instead hoping that another foot note was not coming and that the Scottish accent of the ferret would level out.

Footnotes. First off, I should say that this was an ebook that I read and I have never read a fictional ebook with footnotes before. There would be a number, you would touch it, and it would take you a listing of that chapters footnotes. Now, these were usually whimsical humorous notes, and sometimes I just skipped over them, but I honestly don't know if I would have continued on with this book if it had been one that I had bought on my own, just because of the footnotes.

The Scottish accent of Shambles. It got to the point that I imagined it was Peter Capaldi's voice as Shambles, because his accent is as thick and layered as that. This is not a good thing. It drove me up the walls at times. When reading, I don't want to have to read and reread and rereread small sentences to figure out exactly what was being said. This immediately distracted me from the story and I found it very easy to put down my reading and come back later once I wanted to dive back in.

The story itself is fun, a twist on a fairytale and has all the potential of an outstanding book. There's romance, family, magic, conspiracies, and more. There is a MG feel to the story, especially when Ondine talks, but a definite YA tone, but the two don't mesh well at times. I do love the family dynamics in this book. This really glues the story together and the author really knows how to play on the quirks of each character which brings all of them to life.

There is so many different layers of adventure in this story and they wove through each other well. There's the Shambles/Hamish adventure, the fairytale bit, the villains and the adventures of the family itself within their own home. There is an endearing quality to this story and it is suited well for reading by MG readers. I just don't think that older readers will appreciate it as well.

I would like to thank the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

One of the first things that really caught me off guard with this book was the way I started feeling nostalgic while reading it. I felt like I was back to my teenage days, in my bedroom, the window open with a slight breeze coming through as I laid across my bed reading about mermaids and mermen. I forgot just how much I loved the stories of the sea and the mermaids seducing and picking off the sailors. Bringing back that feeling was amazing on many levels and I even mentioned it to a couple of my coworkers.

Meela is written strongly, both as a 10 year old with a secret but deadly friendship, with a young mermaid, and as an 18 year old, coming into her own as an adult, a woman and a uncertain warrior. The story evolves from a girl who doesn't see black and white, but the colors in between, in people and creatures. She is very trusting of what she doesn't really understand. This trust is betrayed and the author gives us the insight to see how that impacted Meela and sculpted her in the years to come and to the point she becomes part of the team that goes out to seek revenge against the mermaids.

The author lets us in to Meela's head, lets us know how she ticks and lets us understand her compassion with the mermaids. We feel the betrayal, like a slap in the face. We feel the fear, the anger, the indecision's, everything that makes up Meela as a child and as an adult. She is bullied by the same girl for years and in a way it creates a certain armor for her. As an adult, she is able to understand better the things she learned from the mermaid of her youth and in many ways it works to her advantage.

With this story, you learn about the island that Meela and the villagers live. The hardships brought on by the constant killings of fisherman and such, but the mermaids. Women becoming widows at a young age. The fear of the sea and the beaches while being surrounded by such, because they are on an island. You also learn the plight of the mermaids.

A very well written book, it grabbed my interest quickly and took me along for the ride. When I wasn't reading, I found myself thinking about the story and the characters, wondering what was going to happen and how Meela was going to get through it all. By the time you get to the end, you will be wishing the next book was out. Now, this book isn't all about the interaction of Meela and the mermaids, but also about a war that is being waged between humans and creatures of the sea. There is graphic violence involved, so consider yourself warned.

I would like to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

This has to be one of my harder reviews to write in a long time. I want to give the book 3 stars, but that would be a disservice not only to the author, but to the intended audience. I am not the audience this book is for, so I had to sit back, mull it over and after thinking about the teen boys and girls who will be reading this book, I find that the author has really nailed it on the head.

This book is considered dystopia, but honestly, it's more about the hardcore teen skaters, their love for the sport, the search for the perfect park and how family is more than blood alone. Yes, there is a catastrophic event, which unfortunately the author builds up but that story itself falls flat. Get over that part and the reader will see the Ollie's, the half-pipes,etc and feel the camaraderie of the skaters.

The author places popular songs, movies and other pop culture items in this book and they fit perfectly in their place. Readers years from now will not be lost on references, because the author picked classics that flow over generations and feel just as special with the next. Any reader, no matter if you are in the skate culture or not, will be able to follow along.

Back to the dystopia story-line. This is where the book itself is weak. There is no real who, what, where or why covered. There are some areas put in context, but not to the depth that there should be. Also, the fact that these group got from point A to wherever their point B is without much interference from other individuals is a bit of a stretch. The group detailed hardly ever sees other people unless it's at the skate refuges and unless there was a huge nuclear disaster, they would have had to deal with a whole lot more people on the road and in the towns. Also, the end wraps up way to happily for all. Maybe the author didn't want to scare his readers, but there was a lack of believability to the book throughout the entirety of it.

I recommend this book to any teen looking for an action-adventure read. They can be skaters themselves or just have an interest in the subject. The book is told from a single POV, but the author provides enough insight to the other characters that it almost feels like multiple POV's at times. This book is for teens of any genre, cultural background and economic background. There's no romance, no sex, nothing that gets in the way of the ultimate theme that friends have each others backs through the good and the bad times.

4.5/5 stars

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

As I read this book, I couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction. A true YA science fiction novel that is as refreshing as it is unique. A strong female character who is basically an athletic tomboy that lacks self confidence in one area but is like a steroid overload in another. She's created in a way that many young adult females can relate to, to a point. And that's enough for the readers to make a connection and put themselves in Aeva's character which than brings the story to life, on a whole new level.

There are layers of stories with different heightened emotions throughout this book. There are times that the action gets so intense, that you find yourself a little confused on what just happened, but a quick look back and you find yourself back on track. The details throughout the book are vibrant, descriptive and allow the reader to see the story as the author intended it to be seen. As a reader, I did not find myself on sensory overload but a constant level of awareness that kept the story flowing.

Reading this, there were several different novels, from different authors, that came to mind. Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, Cormac McCarthy's The Road, Stephen Baxter's Flood series, and the movie Mad Max. I don't know if the author received any of her inspiration from any of those but to be compared in feeling to them is a huge compliment to the author. As a reader, I felt the thrills of the game, the awkwardness of the unknown, the adrenaline of the chase, the hope of the found and the sadness of things being taken away, even if only temporarily.

Set in the far future of our own world, the Earth is starting to die away. Societies have degraded to complete opposites of one another and the government is playing big brother in a way that is far more sinister than one would think, while humanity is at a point of losing all stability because of it. The nature of the Modi and the reasons for creating them are learned in this novel and the reality of how delicate humanity is against the stark backdrop of life makes for a story that is getting it's start in this novel and can only provide more insight and action in the further novels.

Anyone who likes a science fiction novel that is earth based and not space base will enjoy this novel. Lovers of the classic dystopia novels, such as 1984 will find a story comparable in feeling and maturity in this one. Those just starting in the science fiction genre would also find this to be a good one to start out with. The author treats the reader with respect in their knowledge and allows the reader to think and flow with the story itself.

I would like to thank the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

As a child, I devoured all the classics. I couldn't wait for Halloween time to see the TV specials about The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. I was draw to them, captivated by them and held them close to me all the years that followed. As an adult, I was looking at rentals, found one that didn't realize please me but almost still rented it because it was on Sleepy Hollow Rd. It's probably a good thing I didn't rent it, because knowing my imagination, I wouldn't have gotten a wink of sleep until about 5 minutes before the morning alarm went off. [a:Stacey Rourke|5309409|Stacey Rourke|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1371670689p2/5309409.jpg] has taken this classics, matured them for the older reading audience and really made the characters her own and created her own Legends series.

In this book, as hinted with the title, the author has added Edgar Allan Poe into the mix. I will warn future readers, do not start reading this book while eating and if you are eating, don't be eating chicken wings like I was. The start is a bit gruesome, but thankfully I have an iron stomach and just kept winging it as I read on. In this story, you have your main characters from the first one, [b:Crane|22423158|Crane (The Legends Saga, #1)|Stacey Rourke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402161170s/22423158.jpg|41206437]. The Headless Horseman is as dark and devious as always, Edgar is as gothic as you would imagine, Ireland is searching for answers and of course doing so stirs everything the pot even more, and Rip, poor guy just wants some rest, in mostly the weirdest circumstances.

If you have read Crane, this book starts up right where that one left off. A very fluid continuity that at times stumps even the best authors, but Ms. Rourke takes it and runs with it. The characters all mix in a way that seals them together and the layers intertwine to make a sarcastic, fun, adventure of a story. Each character gets his or her due and the rapport will keep you glued to the story.

For me, there were times that I had a hard time getting in to the story. Some things were a bit off the wall that it just didn't seem like something that actually would have occurred. Yes, this story has a lot of paranormal things happening, but I'm talking about issues that weren't of the paranormal kind. I also had a hard time feeling some of the characters at times, but that happened sporadically, not through the entire book. Now these things could just be me. Honestly, my allergies have been kicking my butt off and on for the past couple weeks so it may be just my biology interfering.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a bigger picture on classics from the yesteryear and for those who may not know of the legends but like a paranormal thriller that is unique to what is and has been in the literary world. There are twists in the story, which keeps the reader interest and there is a definite shock and awe at the end with questions that will transfer into the next Legends book. A fast paced action thriller, that will have you wanting more.

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of Escapement in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

Science fiction...dystopian...romance...what more could this girl want? I jumped at the chance to read this novel. If food is the way to a man's heart, those three genres mixed together are the way to mine. The cover also drew me to this book, and amazingly did help me in the visualization of the main character, Princess Semara Valderak.

The title Princess is quite different in this book than the royalty that we are used to in our history. Yes, in some ways the same though. She had to look a certain way, act a certain way but in the end, she was more of a slave to her mother, the Queen, who demanded a puppet rather than a person to succeed her. Things head south quickly in this book and the life she was going to have to lead was stripped from her, but leaving her on the run and full of guilt.

At first, I found it a little hard to keep up with the different terms, characters and such, but after an adjustment period, both for Semara and for me, the reader, I started getting the hang of it. The author provided twists with the different gifts the people presented with and showed how their gifts weren't one dimensional, leaving the characters baffled at times. The romance in this book builds, but I felt it started to quickly with a bang. It just didn't seem natural with the predicament the assorted characters were in at the time.

This book is full of action, adventure, iron fist ruling, guilt, fear and hope. At times I found myself rereading a paragraph here and there because the action was so fast paced that I had skipped over some essential information. Those times reminded me of when I watch a movie more than once and notice things I hadn't before because my attention was originally on another character or item.

As I read, I found myself attaching to the characters and truly hating the ones that were evil to the core. When that happens, I know that the book has grabbed me, hook, line and sinker. Once that happens, I'm able to let go of any reservations and let the story sweep me away. Having said that, I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

First I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

Before I start my review, a tip for future readers. Do NOT read this book at night, while everyone else is asleep. You will be ready to hide under the covers and/or wake everyone in the house to ease your fear. Yes, this book creeped me out that much. I love scary stories, horror movies and ghost tours and if I feel my body tighten up with anxiety, it means it's a good one.

For a novella, this book really packs in the horror factor. Starting off, the story centers around a mentally challenged woman and the death of her equally disabled daughter. A deadly cover up of the true nature of girls death ensues culminating with the execution of the mother. After this, the town starts to hear screams in the night. This is a town with lots of hidden secrets and one of the biggest is trying to be heard.

So much is unsaid in this book, but your imagination quickly fills in the blanks. I honestly haven't been this spooked by a book since I read [b:Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown|7013171|Paranormal State My Journey into the Unknown|Ryan Buell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348767664s/7013171.jpg|7258689] by [a:Ryan Buell|3127235|Ryan Buell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1351406987p2/3127235.jpg]. While reading that, my imagination really kicked into full gear. I'm hoping that tonight I'm able to get a good nights sleep without the side effects of dreaming of demons and such.

This book has murder, cover ups, paranormal investigators, conspiracy, shadows, cold spots, fire and death by electric chair gone worse than one could ever imagine. Tressie is ready to avenge the death of her daughter and bring everyone to their knees. People will be begging for mercy and there will be blood spilled. If it wasn't for having to be up in 4 hours for work, I'd be nose deep in the next book in the series, [b:Tressie: A Thriller of Paranormal Revenge - Book 2|22912067|Tressie A Thriller of Paranormal Revenge - Book 2|Blaine Hislop|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410827636s/22912067.jpg|42476973].

I recommend this to anyone who likes to read horror stories. You will be drawn immediately into this book and come up for air only either once you are done, or if the unease gets the best of you. It takes a brilliant storyteller to draw one in and make them frightened in the short time this author does. I look forward to reading more from this writer and I hope he keeps on terrifying me.

I grew up reading Nancy Drew and can happily say that one of my daughters is becoming a fan.

Reviewing a victims book is always hard. Just for what the author went through and being able to talk about it, is worth 5 stars. I do recommend this book to everyone though, because how she and the other two women who were also victims were kidnapped, could easily happen to others.

This book isn't just about the kidnapping and the daily torture she went through. This book starts when the author is very young and the abuse she endured from youth and on. How she tried to get out of that situation again and again. This woman just could never catch a break. She was rescued at the age of 32 and basically that is when she finally got the taste of true freedom.

The author details the torture that the other women and she went through. The rapes, the miscarriages, the birth of a child. The author didn't go in graphic detail about the rapes, but let it be known just how severe they were. The heartbreak of the forced miscarriages comes through. This is a woman who treasures life and wanted the children, even if they were created from a man who was her kidnapper, rapist and torturer. She missed her son, who she last saw when he was 2, and it felt like she was looking for someone she could mother during that separation.

Out of the three women kidnapped, Michelle was the first and in turn was there the longest. The things she describes would break a person, instead of giving up, Michelle pushed through each day, living for the hope of seeing her son again one day. She was the big sister to the other women, giving them the strength to not give up. By the time I finished this book, I wanted nothing more than to give Michelle the biggest hug and tell her, she did good, the evil is gone and one day she will have the happy ending she is looking for.

Now after all this, I couldn't give the book 5 stars. The writing was a bit underdeveloped and the way time jumped it sometimes was a bit confusing. There was also descriptions of various things that seemed a bit jumbled and could have used some fine tuning. I know, she's not writing this to be an author, but to get her and the others stories out there, but as a reviewer, this is what I have to do.

Mothers and fathers, read this. Once your daughter turns 13, have her read it. Read it to your daughter, who is under 12, leaving out whatever you feel would be too much for them. This book is not just a memoir but also an education in what victims go through.

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not change my review in any way.

Before I get into the actual review, I have to take a moment to talk about the amazing cover. How awesome is it? Beautiful, creepy, stunning, mesmerizing and tantalizing all in one. I just love looking at this cover and feeling the impact and impressions it gives me. I wish every author could have such a fabulous cover as this. Artist Nathalia Suellen never ceases to amaze me.

For many authors, just being able to bring forth their characters world in one area and describe it and construct it to give it the depths needed for the readers imagination is hard enough. Author Tiffany Daune takes that even further with creating not just one realm but two. The world we walk on and the realm underwater that holds many secrets. Many girls can relate to Halen, feeling a bit out of place and finding in ways that there is more to them than what you see.

Whenever I read a book for review, no matter who the author is, I always worry that maybe I won't like it. What if I can't get into it? What if I'm just not drawn to the characters? Thank the stars above, this book grabbed my interest from the start, the story line intrigued me, took me by the hand and guided me like a friend through lands of wonders. I was thrilled, bewildered, chilled and so much more. Growing up, I loved reading the tales of mermaids and sea creatures. The author took those tales, modernized them and provided a personal twist on them and she owned it from start to finish.

So many secrets, so many layers of stories, so many levels of lies, so very devilish in a most delicious way. Anyone who has even considered reading a book that centers around paranormal sea creatures, should pick this book up. They won't want to put it down. Take a break from all the other paranormal out there, this book opens up a whole new world to you. Bring on the adventures!

I would like to thank the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

Having read several of the author’s books, I get a little nervous when he shifts topic gears. What if I don’t like it? What if I just can’t get into the book? So many what ifs. Once again, David Estes has swept the rug from under my feet and off I went on another adventure just thrilling and crazy as Alice in the rabbit hole.

Witches, wizards and warlocks… not just your every day run of the mill type either. These are ones with a grudge. Society has pushed them over the edge and they are taking no prisoners. Rhett has lost all that was dear to him and as he seeks his revenge, he meets new friends and magic guides him along. Together they will face whatever gets in their way.

In the beginning of the book, you learn a few things about what is going on and who Rhett and his family and friends are. The author really knows how to put together a diverse group of characters, build up their strengths and weaknesses and present it to the reader in a way that does everyone justice. The characters become solid beings to the readers pretty quickly and the loss that Rhett feels resonates in the reader’s core.

There is darkness to this novel that is quite unique. The brutality of the witches, the heavy loss of life, but also the revenge that feeds into the characters to keep on moving. The author is able to keep the story moving, not losing momentum and the reader wants nothing more to know what’s going to happen next. The layers of stories, the emotions that pulse from each character, the level of destruction throughout isn’t jumbled or strewn about; there is equality to it all.

This is an exceptional first book to a series. It delivers again and again and again to the reader. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a thriller mixed with an apocalyptic event and aren’t afraid of a bit of traumatic death here and there. I recommend this to the older teen reader through the oldest adult. An amazing read and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Boil, which will be out shortly.

I would like to thank both the author and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, a favorite comic book from my childhood came to mind. It was back in the 1970's and there was a little girl whose mother was being accused of witchcraft and she was taken away by villagers. While home along, the little girl discovered her powers and created all kinds of havoc. I can't remember the name of this comic book, but I must have read it and looked through it a bazillion times. Now, this is a part of my childhood that I hold close and to have a synopsis spark that memory, made me decide right away that I had to read this book.

Rune, an orphan, is being raised by an older lady who is like a gypsy. She reads peoples fortunes, creates potions for their ailments, reads stones and things like that. This woman has kept a secret from Rune, since the child's birth, but realizes the time has come to tell Rune the truth. The stories within the stories kept my nose in this book and I didn't want to put it down. The delight I felt in the magick, trickery and people's ignorance kept me engrossed.

I've always loved a good witch story, and this book is right up there near the top of my list as a favorite. The author brings together stories of girls who were falsely accused and killed because the villagers paranoia with witchcraft. The very science of nature was turned on more than a fair share of innocent girls and women. And than there are the stories of those who were actual witches and could control the forces of nature itself and bring devastation to anyone and anything that witch wanted to. The stories from long ago are centered around the dark magick.

The author shows the reader how natural occurrences were treated by those ignorant of science. Through a time period, when nature struck back, it was because they thought someone made it do it. Innocent mistakes were labeled criminal at the drop of the hat while imaginations ran wild. The author did a fine job of bringing the stories of old to the reader while still keeping it interesting. The descriptions from the author were very well detailed, I could feel myself in the forest. I could hear the whispers, see the looks on faces and feel the textures of the world around the characters.

The author kept true to the time period, using words that gave it the real feel. Thankfully, she is quite the thinker and provides the pronunciation and meaning of those words in the very beginning of the book. I quickly became accustomed to the wording and it didn't break the flow of the story. There are dual POV's in this story. One of Rune, another of Laurentz and one special one from Liese. Rune was interesting but Laurentz felt a bit flat. I found myself skimming over his chapters quite a few times.

The chapter of Liese. That one pulled at my heartstrings. So much is said in those couple of pages that puts everything in a new perspective. The truth come out and you see the story in a whole new light. You realize that ignorance is also a cover up in many ways.

I recommend this for anyone who likes books on magick, witches and that whole scenario. Trying to describe the essence of this book is hard. It wraps up the mystery of witches with a feel of the old style movies that would creep you out but not have you running from the room. This story will keep you on the edge though.

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

"You have to be strong and face your fears, Jon. Courage is endurance for one moment more!"

It was great having Jonathan's story continue almost from the very point it stopped in Caught in the Crossfire. Jonathan is coming to terms with his sexuality, while being ostracized by his peers who feel that homosexuality is not only a choice but a disgusting one. As the world evolves, as does our thinking and the way we see things. Unfortunately, there are numerous people and levels of society who feel that we are creatures who should have all the nice things of the present but keep our mindset in the dark ages.

I felt for Jonathan. He's in high school, it should be the time of his life, but he's too worried about everyone finding out his "secret." In love with another boy, he's trying hard to find his identity in life. Every off colored comment, he takes to heart, thinking his secret is out. Suddenly, there's open talk. He's somehow gotten on the bad side of a kids who starts rumors. In high school, rumors become sworn to God fact in about .2 seconds and unfortunately for Jonathan, those facts he's been hiding come out of nowhere. Luckily, he also finds some allies through everything.

The story itself is wrapped within another story that gradually comes to fruition and gives the reader some answers. There is pain; physical, mental and emotional along with the feeling that things will work out, no more like, things have to work out. I wanted nothing more than to block the suffering that Jonathan went through, but I also know that some of this suffering also brought him to the realization of how life can be when surrounded by those that accept you. Though everything, Jonathan never seemed to lose his faith. There were times he wondered why, but what Christian hasn't stumbled along the way. It's the whys that bring us the answers that make our faith that much stronger.

If there was any one thing that I would have changed about this story, it would have been the pictures and certain texts from Ian. I felt it was a bit out of place for Jonathan and didn't feel quite right. I feel that I've gotten to know Jonathan enough, that he would have made it known to Ian early on that those things weren't appreciated. That right there is one reason this book did not have a 5 star impact on me.

Honestly, this book is so much stronger than the first one. The story is complex but much more put together and really holds the interest of the reader. This is the story of a person finding the strength, courage and bravery to not let the naysayers bring him down. This is a story that everyone needs to read, it's really opens ones eyes to the hate that is being flung at people for choosing to love a person of the same gender. Sexual orientation does not define a person, a person is defined by their actions and reactions.

"To believe that God sent His grace to watch over me in my darkest hour. And to know that someday, maybe not today, but someday, I'll even dance again." ~ Jonathan

As I first read this, I started feeling like it was a mix of [b:If I Stay|17450848|If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)|Gayle Forman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398088964s/17450848.jpg|4422413], [b:The Lovely Bones|12232938|The Lovely Bones|Alice Sebold|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312524577s/12232938.jpg|1145090] and the movie Ghost. As I read further into the story, I found the author even talks about Ghost, but it really put a lot of things in perspective for the character, Minty. The author creates her own story while giving the reader and her own characters something to compare things to, which really helps the narrative.

This is a story of loss, sorrow, despair, hope, peace and resilience. Minty's sister is so wound up on her pain that when Minty tries to get through to her, it comes in slow stages than all at once. Luckily, Jess' friend picks up on Minty's intentions and instead of blocking them, she allows them to come through. Through this, Minty finds a friend in Jack, who helps her get an understanding about life, loss and the difference between what she wants and what is right.

I really couldn't put this book down. The story held my attention the entire time and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about where it was going to go. Thinking about where I thought it should go, wondering if the shortcomings were going to be dealt with at a later time. With a satisfied smile, I can say yes, the author waited for the right moment and made things right. An honest read, I find myself thinking about things that I hadn't for awhile.

Reading this, I couldn't help but think of my own children. I have twins who, even with all their bickering back and forth, are truly each others best friends. They may say otherwise, but when things get tense, they are right there at each others sides. This school year is going to be a tough one on them, because it will be the first time that they will really only see one another on the bus to and from school. No lunch together, no classes together and a part of them will be feeling a bit lonely without the other. See, I told you that this book had me thinking.

There are selfish acts but with resolution and together this makes for a unique, special and welcome read. I recommend this to mature 12 year old's and everyone else above that age. The story line is about learning to cope and being able to move on after the loss of someone close to you.