Review- Firsts (Laurie Elizabeth Flynn)

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.

Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.

When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, FIRSTS is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.

                     - Goodreads.com

My Review 

Firsts is a difficult novel to review. While I went into this expecting something light (think along the lines of Easy A with Emma Stone), it actually presented some hard to swallow topics. The writing itself was god enough to keep me reading, and the story was ‘entertaining’ for lack of a better word.

The idea of the book seemed a little far-fetched when I first read the synopsis, but the more I read the more I could see how a young person may get themselves into this type of situation. I’m not saying that it’s a common occurrence in today’s youth (although what the hell do I know, really) but I feel that many teens, male and female develop warped views of sex and sexuality. 

"Virginity is supposed to be something a girl gives up only when she is ready and feels comfortable, something a girl discusses at length with her friends and flip-flops over a million times in her mind before actually doing it. A guy is expected to be born ready."

- Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (Firsts)

Now Mercedes, didn’t exactly go about things the right way. The issue I have with what she did, is not that she was having sex (or even the fact that she was doing it with other people’s boyfriends- although I highly frown upon that), I mean at least she was practicing safe sex…right? The problem in question is that she only thought she was doing it for herself, when really it was an escape, just like alcoholics use booze in attempt to gain control over an aspect of their life, Mercedes used sex. The truth is, she really had no control over it, and she was doing it for all the wrong reasons despite telling herself differently. Add to the fact that teen boys can’t keep their mouth shut after they get laid and you have a whole range of problems ahead.

“The doorbell rings and I sink into a heap on the carpet. With any luck, whoever is down there will just go away.  But I’m just starting to think nothing goes away, no matter how deep you try to bury it.” 

- Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (Firsts)

In contrast to the heavy topic and the drama inevitably surrounding Mercedes once the shit hit the fan (because obviously it’s going to… no spoiler here), some really important themes around friendship and relationships are presented. Not just romantic relationships either, Mercedes and her mum’s tumultuous relationship plays an important part in many of Mercedes decisions, along with her lack of a father figure. 

Overall, this is an eye opening book. In a way it teaches us to be responsible for our own happiness, and that seeking solace through other means rather than facing the real issue is the equivalent to putting a band aid on a severed limb. 

My rating: 4/5

Series Review- Y- The Last Man (Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra & José Marzán Jr)

Synopsis

"Y" is none other than unemployed escape artist Yorick Brown (his father was a Shakespeare buff), and he's seemingly the only male human left alive after a mysterious plague kills all Y-chromosome carriers on earth. But why are he and his faithful companion, the often testy male monkey Ampersand, still alive?

He sets out to find the answer (and his girlfriend), while running from angry female Republicans (now running the government), Amazon wannabes that include his own sister (seemingly brainwashed), and other threats. The Vertigo team of Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, and José Marzán Jr. have given us a great read!

                     - Goodreads.com

My Review 

This is a graphic novel of epic proportions… but I wouldn’t expect any less from the man that brought us Saga.

In the first volume we are introduced to Yorick our main man (literally). He’s in his early 20’s and like many of us is having trouble ‘adulting’ and getting his life together. Beth, his college girlfriend has just moved to Australia to continue her passion for anthropology, and while Yorick struggles to find his way after college, he keeps himself occupied with his escape magic (think Houdini) and a pet capuchin who he is training to be a helper monkey.

So anyway on the  July 17, 2002 all the men in the entire world die, and not in a slow way so anyone can find out what’s wrong or do something to preserve the human race, I’m talking bleeding out of every orifice dead within seconds kind of death…you know except for Yorick. Who is the last remaining man on Earth… and so begins our journey.

Yorick’s ultimate goal is to find Beth and reunite with her. However these things aren’t as easy as they seem, being the last man on earth comes with its challenges. There are Amazons; an extreme feminist group of woman seeking out to destroy anything in relation to men, Israeli soldiers who want Yorick as a spoil of war, secret society agents, really horny woman and obviously the weight of the worlds future on your shoulders since you’re the only one left with a Y chromosome.

So I completely loved this series. Not only is Yorick an endearing character that you come to love, but you also become very attached to all the secondary characters. The main plot delves and dives bringing in more characters including threats and allies. It’s a great story of a ‘boys’ transition to manhood, in an epic setting.

My final words are READ THIS NOW. 

My rating: 4/5

ARC Review- Paper Girls Vol 1 (Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang & Matthew Wilson)

Synopsis

In the early hours after Halloween of 1988, four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls uncover the most important story of all time. Suburban drama and otherworldly mysteries collide in this smash-hit series about nostalgia, first jobs, and the last days of childhood.
     
  - Goodreads.com

My Review 

* Many thanks to the publisher for providing me this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *

As soon as I saw this up for grabs on Netgalley I had to read it. As a huge fan of Brian K. Vaughan I was undoubtedly not disappointed with his latest graphic novel series.

The story centres around 4 pre-teen girls who all have paper runs. Early post Halloween morning in the year 1988, they all run into one another and stumble upon some freaky stuff… and I’m not talking Halloween freaky, I’m talking pterodactyls flying in the sky, disappearing adults and time-travellers.

While the premise had a lot going on, with many elements coming in to play, there were a few instances where I yearned for more explanation as to what was going on or a little more backstory. But what I’ve learnt is that Vaughan is all about the slow reveal. The artwork on the other hand was spot on. I was a huge fan of the stylization and colour tones/palette.

While it was not my favourite work of Vaughan’s, this series has a lot of potential and I can’t wait for future instalments. 

My rating: 4/5

Review- The Art of Lainey (Paula Stokes)

Synopsis

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?           
  - Goodreads.com

My Review 

When Lainey is dumped unceremoniously in the middle of her workplace, she sees all her dreams of the perfect year ahead with the perfect boyfriend all fade away.

So using Sun Tzu’s Art of War she devises a plan to win him back. First step, is getting on a level playing field. Since he’s moved on to a new girl so quickly Lainey’s only option is to find herself a new guy to make him jealous. Who better to help with her war plans than the misfit fry cook, at her workplace, who’s also going through a break up?

When Lainey first trys to employ Micah into her ranks he has trepidations, after all they have nothing in common. But the possibility of winning back his own ex has him agreeing. But of course with all war plans there have to be some boundaries and rules…

- Number one: no telling anyone else about the plan.

- Two: no touching.

- Three: absolutely no kissing

Of course, rules are meant to be broken.

Lainey, while sometimes vain and a bit clueless grows throughout the book.  A lot of the book she is hung up on Jason, and believes that he has made her the beautiful, popular girl she is today. Without him, her world is bound to fall apart and she’ll go back to the nerdy geek of her middle-school days. Lainey’s ability to place her self-importance as determined by those around her, is something that many teenagers will be able to relate to. 

Micah, was every bit the male lead I wanted him to be. While the opposite of blonde, tanned and beach-ready Lainey, with his Mohawk, tattoos and ripped clothing. His down to earth nature is everything she needs to help her realise who she wants to be. 

Incorporating the use of 'The Art of War' to spice up the old trope of 'girl trying to back her boyfriend' took this book to the next level and gave it a unique spin. The characters were well fleshed out and easily likeable, even if Lainey’s talent of being completely oblivious at times was frustrating as a reader.

I would highly suggest giving this one a go, if you want a funny, smart summer read, with a dose of some growing up and learning who you are and what truly matters thrown in.

My rating: 4/5

Review - The Duff (Kody Keplinger)

  Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.  

-Goodreads.com

  My Review

It wasn’t till after finishing the book that I realised it was written by an 18 year old, but it honestly didn’t feel like it. A) Because the writing reflected maturity, unlike other books written by young authors ie Halo by Alexandra Adornetto (Which I personally hated). And B) because of the number of times the F* Bomb was dropped.

The whole idea surrounding the book, is that in each group of girls there is a Duff. While reading the book, you start to understand the point of view the author is trying to get across. The book is not simply a ‘woe is me’ story about a self-conscious girl and all her body issues, but rather a story about the self consciousness that all woman posses at some point in time... even the drop dead gorgeous ones.  At some point in their life, everyone feels like the duff. A designated ugly fat friend; the one who is not necessarily less pretty but feels less pretty than the rest of her cohort. I know that I’ve definitely felt like the duff of my group, but there have been times I know my friends have felt the same way also. 

As the book progresses I, along with the main character Bianca, go from hating the word (purely because it makes me think of my ugly duckling days) to accepting it, as a way of feeling rather than a way of being. I think this is a great book for young girls (Despite the large scale amount of swearing), as it deals with the insecurities that all of us have at some point or another. The book was simple, yet heartfelt and I found myself getting very attached to the characters which oozed personality. 

My rating: 4/5

 

Review - Linger (Maggie Stiefvater)

 

Synopsis

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. 

 - Goodreads.com

My Review 

So this is Maggie Stiefvater’s 2nd book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. In all seriousness I think she could have stopped after book 1. The ending to Shiver, was perfect (big fat full stop). However I am truly glad she decided to continue with this series. While this book was not as good as its predecessor- Shiver. It was still a great read which kept me engaged throughout and wondering what the hell is going on with Grace? 

The ending was what really struck me the most. Throughout the whole story I had convinced myself that something bad was going to happen to Grace, but honestly didn’t think that the author would be so daring to go there...but she did. She really did!

With only one book to go, Miss Stiefvater is going to have to pull one hell of a Houdini act, to get out of that one.... and I can’t wait for what she comes up with.

Overall Maggie Stiefvater, has a beautiful way of narrating the story. The prose is delightful, and opens the imagination wide to all the senses around you. Personally I get restless, when there is too much description and not enough action. But in Linger it works well adding dimension to the world that’s been created. 

Overall 4/5

 The main thing that let it down, nothing was really achieved in this book. It was more of a lead up to the big finale in Forever #3