Book Review: The Beginning of Everything /Severed Heads and Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider

 Goodreads Description:

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

Title: The Beginning of Everything (published as Severed Heads and Broken Hearts in the AU/UK)
Author: Robyn Schneider
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Coming of Age

Format: Paperback
Pages: 335
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Source: Purchased at MPH Bookshop at KLIA (just before boarding :P)

Golden boy Ezra believes that life does not start till you get yourself into a tragedy. For him that was the summer before senior year when he gets into a car accident, shattering his leg and ending her career as a star tennis player. The book follows the aftermath of his accident as Ezra discovering who he is and what he wants to do in life with the down fall of his athlete career and losing the status of being one of the "in crowd" with the help of the new girl Cassidy.

I love this story so freaking much and connected with it instantly! A way to describe this book is as if its written by a best friend who knows me well and incorporated all the things that I love in a book. It’s intelligent, witty and spontaneous! The synopsis was what  intrigued me and the moment I picked up the book I could not put it down as I was captivated with Ezra and his story. There were some parts where I foreshadowed in the book but the way the plot twisted was very different from what I expected. There was a good hint of mystery where it feel like there were missing clues which all ties up in the end.

While it was well paced out, I had mix feelings about the ending. It was not a picture perfect ending it was bittersweet and was happy with where Ezra was at the end of the book and the final few pages were beautifully and poetically written as well as ultimately satisfying. 

The characters were really fun to read! They relatable characters that I want to befriend with. Also 50 points to Gryffindor for the awesome Doctor who and Harry Potter references! They were great Easter egg and I had fun fangirling to it. 

Ezra's character development made the book for me. I was charmed with him from page one and the more I read about him the more I swoon over him! He’s a ‘Nerd in a Jock’ body which I love stories like that. He’s intelligent, sarcastic and quirky who cares a bit too much about what people think and feel insecure. 

No joke I wanted to jump into the book and shake the dude silly shouting ‘Don’t give a crap about them’ or ‘Stand up for yourself’.

He started out at the low point, self-cautious and trying to blend in with the crowd but at the end he realises his potential, grew in confidants, stand up for himself, move away from the stereotype and his ‘friends’. Even though Cassidy's was the one who pushed him change in the end it is himself who made him change for better and be true to himself. Also he learns to let go of the past in order to move on with life.

I love reading from his POV with his brainy, snarky and unique narration along with the random puns throw here and there. Also I never swoon over a MC guy character but Ezra is one of my ultimate bookish boyfriend!

Cassidy remind me much of a lovelier of John Green characters Alaska and Margo where they are this pretty, smart, funny with a hint of mysteriousness. She is under the love hate section of the book where I adored her but was frustrated with her! Like the cover of the book Cassidy was a roller coaster to read. She comes out as happy-go-lucky, free spirit and intelligent but deep down she has her secrets and is broken.

I enjoyed her character’s spontaneous adventure and energetic yet mysterious personality which was fun to follow but when the book hit a certainty point, I became not a fan of her because her secretive personality drove me NUTS. I like her relationship with Ezra as she influence him to change his mind-set. Their very different personalities fitted together very well which made their interaction very entertaining to read about.

The romance was a roller coaster to read about! I adored Ezra and Cassidy relationship trough the book! It was fun watching their relationship and there were some really cute and sweet moments between them. Then it hit a certainty point I felt the boat shattered! *cries!*

The cast of side characters was amazing! I love reading about the Debate club gang where they are a smart, intelligent and diverse group of kids who do well in school yet knows how to kick back and loosen up. I love reading about the 'cool nerds' and kinda identify myself as one.. well sorta :P! 

Toby is one of my favorite characters to read! Won't mind a full book about him. Freaking cool guy and one of those loyal friends who'll always be there no matter what. Also he's freaking cute when he make references and fanboys about Doctor Who and Harry Potter. Like Ezra he has been trough his own tragedy when they were younger, though it involves a Disneyland roller coaster incident which made him an outcast in school. Even so he is confident, hilarious and know his motives and what he wants to do in life. I also like how he addresses about his sexuality when he confesses about being gay but does not want to come out in high school. 

His friendship with Ezra is one of my favorite bormance in YA. He welcomes Ezra's friendship at his downfall with open arms and was there to be his voice of reason when Ezra needed a hit in the head!

Also there is Pheobe who I adored! An aspiring journalist with a cute yet edgy personality. I love reading an Asian character who diverge from stereotype 'asian kid'. I also don't mind reading a full book on her. 

As for Ezra's old friends I am just going to say they are all fishing self centered potholes (trying to keep swearing pg-13) Especially Charlotte!!! gosh!!! i wanted to jump into the book and strangle that BEACH cause she acted like she is the flipping queen and annoyed the heck out of me! Long story short they were the stereotypical jerky jock/popular kids that kinda annoyed the heck of me. 

Overall I enjoyed it! I love the story and writing style as well as the pop culture references! Its filled with both beautiful poetic quotes and funny witty moments that made me laugh out loud. Also the quote above is my fav of the bunch.

I not only connected with the story and the characters (especially Ezra) but related to the scenario of moving on in life after a tragedy as I too faced a 'tragedy', on a few things including health wise (which I am not gonna go into too much details as its just something too personal and kinda emotional. FYI I am better now) when I was eighteen and it kind of change my life drastically. 

This book seriously have a special place on my favorites shelve! It helped me during my low times as what Ezra felt with his health condition and how he moved on in life motivated and inspired me! Long story short its one book that influence me and 'saved' me not to mention turn my perspective on life. 

I've re read this six times ++ and counting. Its the one book I push to friends when they want a book to read especially when they were recovering from a John Green/TFIOS book hangover. 

The Beginning of Everything is an optimistic, realistic and moving coming off age story of self-discovery and moving on with life after a tragedy along with moving from exception that one was expected to live up to after a downfall. 

I laugh with this book till I cried (of both happy and sad tears as Cassidy is kind of a heart breaker). A book for fans of Doctor Who, Harry Potter and John Green!

 

Quick note: When I first read the Beginning of Everything I was at a low point of my life where I had 'tragedy' after 'tragedy' happening to me that affected both my health, studies and life wise. I related to Ezra on what he was going through and the book inspired me to be a bit more spontaneous, pick up the pieces and move on with life. I mentioned this book over and over and over again that its one of my most influential books of all time cause if I were to choose a book that 'Saved my life' this will be the book.

For the UK/ AUS readers, the book is published under a different name and cover called Severed Heads and Broken Hearts which to be honest kinda suits the plot of book more. Even so I like the original US cover which is the one that I owe, more than the new cover which is blue instead of yellow.

Also the Author is coming out with a new book this year on May 28 2015 called Extraordinary Means which I was lucky to get an ARC of from Netgalley so a full review COMING SOON closer to the release date. 

FYI I already read the arc and have a 'little review' on my Goodreads and all I can say is I LOVE IT AND MY MIND IS ALL OVER THE PLACE!!! And I might have pre ordered a lovely hardback of the left cover from the book depository... Okay I did pre ordered it with another anticipated YA! :D

Also I feel like a Russian spy with secret hidden information as there is so much I want to say about Extraordinary Means but have to hold back till closer to the release date.

So till then I re-read The Beginning of Everything to hype myself (and to get over a bad book hangover) for reading the physical copy of Extraordinary Means which kinda explain why I'm now reviewing it even though its been over a year since I first read it.

Long story short then just PICK UP THIS BOOK! 

Also Check out my Anticipated YA releases for MAY 2015 (Click Here)

Till Next Time 

Book Review: Every Breath (Every #1) by Ellie Marney

Goodreads Description:

Rachel Watts is an unwilling new arrival to Melbourne from the country. James Mycroft is her neighbour, an intriguingly troubled seventeen-year-old genius with a passion for forensics. Despite her misgivings, Rachel finds herself unable to resist Mycroft when he wants her help investigating a murder. And when Watts and Mycroft follow a trail to the cold-blooded killer, they find themselves in the lion's den - literally.

A night at the zoo will never have quite the same meaning again...

Title: Every Breath (Every #1)
Author: Ellie Marney
Genre: Conteporary, Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Format: E-book

Pages: 335 pages
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: free of itunes

Thanks to Miranda of Bookss101 and Ebony of DarlingDemsel as watching and reading your rave made me read this! :D

I love Sherlock and have watch many adaptations like the the Robert Downey Jr movies, the  Steven Moffat BBC adaptation and my personal favorite, MidSomer Murders (especially the Tom Barnaby and Ben Jones arc!!!)! 

This is one of the best and unique adaptations. Sherlock meets YA set in Melbourne!

Follow Rachael Watts who's family moves from the country to Melbourne befriends her neighbor Mycroft. Together the neighbors, best friends and partners in crime investigates the murder of their friend Homeless Dave while Rachael finds herself falling for for her mysterious friend. 

I liked Rachael from the start! Quick thinking, tough and tomboyish, she's a country girl trying to fit in and adjust to life in the suburbs of Melbourne. Though she is mature, there were times where she makes some stupid decisions though thanks to her quick thinking she manages to get them out of the situation. 

Mycroft... where can I get me one?! I love reading more about Mycroft as he is so mysterious and has some mess up secrets and past which makes him kind of insane. He has a lot of issues that got me a bit frustrated at times bout once I understand him I empathize him. Also I love reading about his passion or forensic science and though I don't understand the jargon at first it was still fascinating reading all about it! 

Also did I mention he is British? Hello sexy British accent!

I love reading the diverse cast of side characters! Mai and Gus, Rachael and Mycroft's classmates and best friends were great to read especially Mai and her knowledge for Legal studies.

Also I love the family element of Rachael and her family! Though she's angry with her parents for moving to the city, she is still supportive and does not make a fuss about the move. 

I also love her relationship with her brother Mike as I RARELY see YA with a good, strong and realistic brother-sister relationship! In fact THIS how a brother-sister relationship should be written (I know as I have a little brother and the way Rachael interacts with her brother is how I interact with mine).

I enjoyed the plot and how it throws you straight into the action without giving the readers a heart attack along with the pacing though I found the first one third of the book a bit hard for me to click with the story. There was a good air of mystery which made the book a page turner as I want to know what happens in the end! 

I like how we slowly got to know a bit about both Rachael and Mycroft and their past trough the book. I also like the suspense and gripping moments of THAT climax as I was on the edge on my seat reading it! There were some good plot twist though I kinda foreshadow the big WTF event the moment I got enough evidence though it came out totally different from what I expected.

Though I've read a couple of Aussie YA's that is set in Melbourne (which has been my second home for the past 5 years) its still refreshing and exciting to read a book set in somewhere familiar and was great picturing them taking the tram/train and going to some places that I've passed by or am familiar with.  

One thing that made the book for me was Rachael and Mycroft's relationship! As the book progress they developed a 'more than friends/neighbor/partner in crime' relationship and boy was the tension between them gripping to read! 

They keep insisting they are 'just friends' but the more the story develops the more I wanted to shout 'OH JUST GET TOGETHER ALREAD- oh.... ohhhhhhhh xD' 

I love when the two of them bilker and watching the tension between them build and though it took a while for the romance to build but ITS WORTH THE WAIT! Best friends turn romance is one of my favorite kind of romance and I love how once they established their mutual feelings its not dragged for the rest of the book!

Also when they are together expect alot of swooning as the romance is cute and HOT!

Overall this is a great and solid start to the series! Its well written and researched, great cast of characters and refreshing plot! Rachael and Mycroft are one of the best bookish duo's I've read!

I just purchased the whole series and am currently reading Every Word! This is a great YA Mystery & Crime Romance and Sherlock with a twist! 

Check out this book (and series) and get lost in the mysteries! 

Now to get back to my copy of Every Word as I NEED MORE WATTSCROFT !!! 
 

 

Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Goodreads Description:

All her life, Elise Dembowski has been an outsider. Starting a new school, she dreams of fitting in at last – but when her best attempts at popularity fail, she almost gives up. Then she stumbles upon a secret warehouse party. There, at night, Elise can be a different person, making real friends, falling in love for the first time, and finding her true passion – DJ’ing. 
But when her real and secret lives collide, she has to make a decision once and for all: just who is the real Elise?

An irresistible novel about hope, heartbreak and the power of music to bring people together.

Title: This Song Will Save Your Life
Author: Leila Sales
Genre: Contemporary, Coming of Age, Romance
Format: Paperback

Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (UK)
Source: Purchased from Popular Bookshop

Everyone need to read this book as it can save lives!

 

This was an therapeutic yet emotional roller coaster ride!! More emotional than I expected! But its also very realistic.

 

warning: I get a bit personal and in this review

This book was powerful! Empowering! Positive and beautiful! Music lovers will love it to bits. I can feel the energy and adrenaline just by reading this.

Ellis is an outcast. All she wants is a friend. Sadly no one likes her no matter how hard she try and is the target of being bullied. After stumbling upon a underground indie dance club she finds her love for music and passion for DJing.

Trough the book she matures in confident and finds empowerment as she looses herself to the music as well as find herself and be comfortable with who she really is. Long story short this is a story of her fitting in at the same time finding her passion. 

 

Elise started as an emotionally broken character looking for a place to be accepted and as the book progresses we watch her grow and learn from her mistakes along the way. I really cared for her character trough the book and was freaking happy with her position at the end of the book.

She was a relatable character as she reminds me of how I was like in some of my primary and early secondary years. Her problem was that she cared too much about the world and not enough about herself.

 

 

Like Elise, I escaped to the music but instead of DJing, I had my piano. I love how the author describe Elise loosing herself and feeling empowered to DJing as that was how I felt whenever I played the piano. I feel confident with every song I mastered and I feel empowered when I flow with the emotions of the piece.  

 

She is empower with confidents and transformed to this kickass DJ as well as finds a place she finally belongs!

 

The cast of secondary characters were great especially Vicky, Mel and Char who helps Ellis and mentor her trough the book.

Vicky was a great friend, mentor and indirectly the 'older sister' figure for Ellis. I like how she uses her experience from High School and even college to help Ellis trough her issues.

I like the family element which was heavy. I also like reading about her parents. Though separated they are very involve with Ellis life. Elies younger half sibling was great to read about.
 

I was not a fan of the romance. Char mentors Ellis on DJing and was one of those friends turned romance relationship. It didn't worked for me as Char was a lot older than Elise and I didn’t see the chemistry between them.
 

The plot was fast paced and easy to read and while the book did started out emotional and depressing, it was not overwhelming. Also even though there were deep and dark themes like suiscide, self harming and bulling, it was not too heavy that was a turn off but it made me feel a lot of feels.

I not a fan of stories that talk heavily about self harming (especially fan fiction as they are freaking graphic) as one of those things where its against my morals but also my best friend used to self harm herself and it kind of scared me for life learning that such things.

Even so I love the messages in this book and how it handles bulling. It talks heavily on cyber bullying, emotionally bullied and bullying in general but it also talk about giving the power or opportunity to let people harm you which is something that I see a lot of books that have a heavy topic about bullying failed to talk about.

Since primary school I've been bullied in many ways and from including for my race to and for an odd reason the school I went to (I am not joking on this one though around this time I was more mature and learned to ignore the snobs). I've been there and learned a lot trough those times and if I could go back and redo it I would have just shake it off and not care about what the world thinks.

As someone who used to be bullied and witness a lot of bullying incidents, in some cases its not just the bullies fault but also the 'victim' as they give the opportunity to let the bullies 'attack them'.

I was one of those who let them.

Like Elise, there was a point where I let myself be vulnerable with a big 'hit me' sigh around my neck and let the bullies get the best of me (though this was in primary school and probably early secondary school. Looking back there were times I was too Naïve for my own good... 21 year old me is face palming thinking about this).

I was like Elise. For her it took her Start and DJing to mature and belong, for me it took my love for books, piano covers on youtube and the internet to find my myself and somewhere to belong (this my friend and dear readers is another story for another day I promise!).

Reading this brought back some memories that I wish I could shake off though back then I was a totally different person and it felt like it was once a life time ago. But then again that's life! We learned and mature from our mistakes to improve ourselves.

Overall great coming of age story about figuring who you are, your passion and somewhere to belong as well as not caring bout what others think.

This Song Will Save Your Life was emotionally, realistic and positive. Its not a pretty book with a cherry on top but its raw, honest and truthful about High School.

 

 

 

Music plays a big part in this book so here are some songs that I had stuck in my head when reading This Song Will Save Your Life  

 

 

Its hard to be your own best friend On The Outside Looking In

 

 

To those who are facing trough tough times or just need a bit of positive energy to boost you, keep your head up as things WILL get better.

 

Cause I'm Hopeful to take this music and use it to take me away.

 

Shake It Off and don't care about what others think.

 

Be Empowered. Be Confident. Be Brave

 

 Jump to the rhythm and dance to the music. 

 

 

Cause after all I REALLY DON'T CARE !

 

:D



Book Review: Picture Perfect (Geek Girl #3) by Holly Smale

Goodreads Description:

"My name is Harriet Manners, and I'll always be a geek." It's the hilarious third book in the bestselling award-winning GEEK GIRL series! Harriet Manners knows more facts than most. She knows that New York is the most populous city in the United States. She knows that its official motto is 'Ever Upward'. She knows that one in thirty-eight people living in the US lives there. But she knows nothing whatsoever about modelling in the Big Apple and how her family will cope with life stateside. Or 'becoming a brand' as the models in New York say. And even more importantly, what to do when the big romantic gestures aren't coming your way from your boyfriend...Does geek girl go too far this time? The laugh out loud follow-up to award-winning debut GEEK GIRL and MODEL MISFIT will have you in stitches!

 

Title: Picture Perfect (Geek Girl #3
Author: Holly Smale
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, YA
Format: Paperback

Pages: 400 pages
Publisher: Harpercollins Children's Books
Source: Purchased from Big W

Harriet Manners and the gang are back!  

Picture Perfect is the third book in the Geek Girl series and like the previous books Harriet is back with her random facts as she sweep us into the world of modelling.

Picking up about six weeks since the last book ‘Model Misfit’ life for Harriet is changing... FAST! She's left modelling, is starting A-Levels, got a new baby sister, is turning 16 really soon and to top that her family moves across the pond to New York due to her dad, Richard's new job.

I had Welcome to New York playing in my head while reading this!

I adore reading about Harriet and this book is no exception! At first I found myself a bit frustrated with Harriet on how she acted a bratty and naïve but then I look back to my 16-year-old self and realised that’s probably how I’ll react in a situation like that (sorry Mum and Dad for being a pain in a neck if you’re reading this LOL).  It’s fun watching Harriet acting her age and actually rebelling as she was kind of a goody-two-shoes in the first two books and the start of this book.

Harriet is a head strong and intelligent girl though there were times where she was naïve and clueless in this book and the part that made me cringe was her giving into ‘peer pressure’. (Looking back 16-year-old me was freaking naïve and did at one point give into peer pressure… which is why I’m cringing as it’s a BAD mistake! *sigh* 21-year-old me is face palming at the memories). 

She goes trough a lot in this book like understanding her relationship with Nick, moving to a new country, dealing with a tutor that she hates as well as adjusting to her family's new situation. Harriet eventually handles the situations faced in Picture Perfect and matures trough the book with the help of her parents and Nick.

Speaking of her parents, they were absent through most of ‘Model Misfit’ so it was great to see them more involve in this book. Both Richard and Annabel were great to read about and though they were out of place and forgetful in some parts of the book as well as neglecting Harriet at some points, I don’t blame them as they just moved to a new country and had a new baby. Even so they managed to redeem themselves and help Harriet (and themselves) to their problems. 

Though we get to see Nat and Toby, they weren’t as involve in this book since Harriet moved to New York.

We see some familiar faces in this book including the fabulous Wilbur who gives Harriet a modelling assignment where she meets Cal and Kendrell. 

Cal started out as a charming character that I hated the more I read about him. Same goes for Kendrell, the more I read about her the more I wanted to jump into the book and push her away from Harriet (and tell her to stay FAR AWAY). 

This is how I feel about Cal and Kendrell!!! ALL LIMA HEIGHTS ALA SANTANA ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY TRY TO BREAK UP HARRIET AND LION BOY AND CORRUPT HARRIET'S HEAD!! GAHHHHH!!!

Both Cal and Kendrell had this ‘charm’ in them that manages to influence (aka peer pressure) Harriet to the opposite direction. It sounds like a good idea at first but the more you learn about their motive the more you hate the idea. Even so their influence did teach Harriet a heavy lesson on being true to herself and being comfortable with who she is. 

Picture Perfect is more romance heavy compared to the previous two books as we explore Harriet’s relationship with Lion boy aka Nick. I like how the romance was paced out and it was sweet and fluffy reading more about the two of them. We also got to know more about Nick’s life which I got to know a lot of unexpected things.

This is probably the more ‘heavier’ Geek Girl book with its coming of age theme but it was still light hearted, hilarious and fluffy. 

I love the geek girl series and it gets better with each book (SO KEEP IT COMING HOLLY SMALE!!)  

The ending of the book was very unexpected but was still sweet heart-warming and had me a huge smile on my face. 

I highly recommend the Geek Girl series as they are just one of the best feel good books out there!

Not so sure how many more books are in this series but I’m looking forward to reading more of Harriet’s fun facts and adventures in the next book ‘All That Glitters’

Also a song I'll recommend when reading this book (apart from Welcome To New York) is Charity Vance's 'Picture Perfect'! :D