Tag: eArc

Geekerella by Ashley Poston (eArc Review)

Kat Impossible24 Comments

Publishing: April 4, 2017
Publisher: Quirk Books
Page Count: 320

**I was provided with an eArc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**

I don’t know if you know this about me, but I am a huge fan of the Cinderella Story movies. The first one is one of my all time favourite chick flicks. Also, I am a massive geek. My ability to annoy people with the same topic (mostly a TV show/movie/actor/actress I can’t stop thinking about) is one of my best developed skills. That very same thing is also the reason I wasn’t very popular at school. Everything pop culture was always my jam, but unfortunately my fellow peers got very bored with my ramblings after a while. No one was ever truly mean to me, they all thought I was a nice girl, but we all know that “nice” can be an insult as well. It took me forever to come to terms with who I was and that I was awesome in my own right, I just had to find the right people to make my true geek-colors shine. This book just embodied all of that for me – that journey, the finding to one self, the friendships that can be found in fandoms and to be brave enough to stand up for what you believe in.

Elle is such a relatable girl to me. She’s passionate about a TV show, even if it hasn’t been on air for years, and she’s a blogger (SHE’S ONE OF US!). Generally she seemed like a good person and she didn’t deserve the treatment from her stepmonster/-sister. All she wanted was to cherish the memories of her parents and she wasn’t even allowed to do that. There were so many moments that made me really emotional. I was so glad when she finally stood up for herself, because she was so isolated and there’s only so much a person can take. I don’t know why I ever keep hoping for better reactions from the villains, but I guess I just don’t want to give up hope on them. Anyway, I was so happy when she found a great friend and unexpected allies along the way. Go Elle!

Darien was such a sweetheart even when he could be a silly dork sometimes. I liked that he was one of the biggest up and coming stars, but felt so utterly grounded most of the time. He just wanted to be a teenager and I think, he too, still needed to figure himself out (because sometimes he was acting immature). He is of Indian descent, but I didn’t feel like he was anywhere near as connected to that culture as he was to geekdom. Just like Elle, he struggled with his sense of family and I liked the idea of sometimes choosing your own family in the people you surround yourself with.

Everything just fit together perfectly in this book! The atmosphere felt authentically fangirlish and it was fun to have settings such as a convention and a movie set (although, as a film student, I know better than to believe that a big budget movie can be shot in 23 days. It takes 4-6 weeks minimum). The only reason that this isn’t a 5-star-book for me is because I found everything a bit predictable. It’s fairy tale re-telling, so that was to be expected and it didn’t take away anything from my enjoyment of the story. However, I also didn’t feel like it was something completely groundbreaking, so yeah, that’s why. I would still highly recommend it!

Fazit: 4/5 stars! Lovely and fun geekish retelling!

Would you read this book? Do you think Geekerella will warm your heart as it did mine?

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner (eArc Review)

Kat Impossible19 Comments

UK Publishing: April 6, 2017
Publisher: Random House
Page Count: 416

**I was provided with an eArc by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

When I first saw Goodbye Days, I didn’t even know what it was about. However, what I did know was that I needed to read it ASAP! I really enjoyed Zentner’s first book, The Serpent King, so I was over the moon when I got approved for the arc now (even though I pre-ordered it before anyway) and it was even more fun to read because I had Cátia and Cristina along on the ride!

Going into a book written by Jeff Zentner, you have to be prepared for sadness. I knew this, I hardened my heart, but I still cried multiple times. While the Serpent King was more of a punch in the gut, this was like a constant cloud of somberness following you around. There’s such an important message here – don’t text while driving! It’s what starts this mess and then unabashedly portrays the devastating aftermath. It sugarcoats nothing and goes deep into the self-blame, the anxiety, the loneliness and sometimes downright panic of the situation.

“For the most part, you don’t hold the people you love in your heart because they rescued you from drowning or pulled you from a burning house. Mostly you hold them in your heart because they save you, in a million quiet and perfect ways, from being alone.”

I thought that most of the story was handled in a very realistic way and that it flowed beautifully. No matter how emotional or intense the book gets, it never overwhelms you. The sadness comes in waves and little punches instead, always revealing something new to you about the people Carver cared so much about and he loved those boys so very much. I enjoyed that this was a book about friendship and family, especially the parents or guardians had important roles to play and we all know how rare that is in YA these days. There might be a sort of romantic sub-plot, but it didn’t take up too much of the time and I liked how that was left in the end.

The only reason this book isn’t a complete 5-star-read for me, is that I struggled a bit with the criminal investigation. While I understand the components of guilt and blame, I just couldn’t wrap my head around the legal charges. I think it was explained pretty well, but I just don’t believe that those claims were substantial, which is also why I wasn’t entire happy with the resolution of that part. It’s really only a minor thing though, something that adds to the drama I guess.

Finally, there’s a cameo of someone from The Serpent King and it’s bit of a spoiler if you realise that person is the cameo. So, I would recommend you read the other book first, but it’s completely up to you.

Fazit: 4.5/5 stars! Another crazy emotional ride with Zentner.

Have you read Goodbye Days? Do you want to?

The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker (eArc Review)

Kat Impossible12 Comments

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Publisher: Random House
Page Count: 384
Release Date: Jan 31, 2017

**I was provided with an eArc by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**

I haven’t read any kind of general adult fiction for what seems like an eternity. I mostly dabble in Young Adult Fantasy and/or Contemporaries, but this book (still can’t believe it’s Whitaker’s debut) has reminded me as to why I shouldn’t forget about adult fiction any time soon!

It is not a story I immediately fell in love with. The writing flowed nicely, but there were a lot of references to old time cartoons that I did not get and felt like I would miss out on the full experience. The language is crude and foul sometimes, but always very direct. There’s an excessive use of alcohol and drugs and very few inhibitions when it comes to sex. Sharon and Mel aren’t exactly likable people at all times. They are loud, brash, unhinged, talented, selfish, messed up, brilliant; in simple terms – flawed but very real. That is exactly what made them work so well!

Their relationship is just as complex as they are as individuals. They push each other to extremes, drive each other crazy, but are always there when it counts. While Mel may date half the women in New York and Sharon remains hung up on the first boy she ever loved, it still comes down to them and their all encompassing bond in the end. They weren’t just a team at work, they were a team in life as well.

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I am trying to find a way to express my feelings about this book. I don’t see the point of talking about the plot, that is something each and everyone should discover on their own. However, this book treated a lot of topics and very dark ones at that, which in turn made me feel an unexpectedly large amount of feelings that I simply didn’t see coming. There are themes of loss – quite literal loss of a person you love but also the loss of innocence. Family – the one you choose and the one you don’t. Love – the pure, platonic and romantic kind. The Animators makes you aware that the world isn’t rainbows and sunshine, there are dark alleys and predators. Amidst all of that gloom, it still never lets you forget that there is always someone, even if it’s someone unexpected, who will be there to help you through it.

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The book is “only” 380 pages long, but somehow it felt like three times as much. It’s almost as if you are accompanying Sharon, who narrates the whole story in her unique voice, for an entire lifetime. She grew on me so much and I felt with her whenever life threw her another curveball. It’s such an ingenious debut, so very well crafted, however, I don’t think this is really for everyone. At times, it felt like going into a really deep, really warped and disturbed rabbit hole. It makes sense in hindsight, a necessary journey for the characters to go through, but even I felt like it was too much for me and too crass in some parts and I watch the weirdest stuff on TV. Still, it didn’t keep me from enjoying the story and I doubt that it will leave me anytime soon!

Fazit: 4/5 stars! A stunning debut about partnership and adulthood and all the struggles coming with it!

4stars

Could you see yourself enjoying this book? Can you sometimes find joy in really messed up stories too?