Known for her Wake trilogy McMann does have a number of other books out. I do have Wake, Fade, and Gone all reviewed and they are linked. If you click on their names you will be taken to the reviews. I do believe this is a standalone, I don't think McMann will be writing any more books that go along with Cryer's Cross.
When something big happens in a small town, especially like a teenager going missing, it hits close to home. No pun intended. But when it happens a second time, something is seriously wrong. Kendall has OCD and having something like someone close to her heart go missing doesn't make it better. Fear and anxiety makes it even more worse as she tries to keep it all together. Hearing voices nearly tips her off completely, but when she finds a message scratched into the desk she decides to act on her impulses. Why? It's the same desk where both students who went missing sat. Some small towns have secrets, some are more horrifying than others.
I don't have many likes. I was more disappointed then anything. I liked the plot, and where it was going. I liked the characters names, they weren't popular (well maybe all but Kendall). I liked that McMann kept that with super small towns everyone knows everything going on with everyone. It's true, though sometimes it doesn't need to be a really small town for this to happen. With the small town Kendall's need to get out and go somewhere big, I could relate to. Sometimes I feel as though I am going to do the same thing everyday for years and I reallllly don't like that feeling. I do feel as though McMann did well showing how Kendall's OCD is. There are many types but she portrayed this one well, especially including how Kendall would feel if she wouldn't get to finish a ritual. I really enjoyed the "story" at the end that Hector told. I wish more would have come from it.
As I said before I liked the plot but there could have been soooo much more done with it, and I was disappointed that there wasn't. Hectors "story" could have been incorporated a lot more and there could have been a lot more done with it. I really felt as though there was a lack of real sustenance. It was basically Kendall dealing with loss, Kendall dealing with her OCD, Kendall dealing with conflicted feelings, Kendall dealing with this, Kendall dealing with that. Things did move along even though it was like this but there could have been more. Do you get that I wanted more by now? It wasn't a good more though. I think I would prefer rereading Gone before rereading this...yeah. I could go on but I don't like tearing a book completely apart with negatives.
I feel as though McMann's writing is more for the younger part of young adults. I enjoy how McMann writes, but I don't enjoy hoping for something amazing from her and getting something mediocre at best. I don't know if I will read anything else of McMann, I want to give her Visions series a try but it might be a while unless I want something really quick to read. As hinted toward before I don't think I will be rereading this book at all, I would much rather reread Gone. I don't think this will be a book I will own, unless it is $3 or under. I won't be paying more for it even if I did want to really own Cryer's Cross. Do I mean to completely discourage you from reading this? No, but I definitely recommend this book for the younger readers. Not someone "older" or a more advanced reader, unless they want something to pass a couple of hours with.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Page Count: 233 pages (hardcover)
Price: $16.99
Next book: Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Thank you for reading!
~Jade
Showing posts with label Lisa McMann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lisa McMann. Show all posts
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Gone by Lisa McMann
Third and final book in the Wake trilogy, I do have Wake and Fade reviewed. If you would like to read them click on their titles and you will be taken to my reviews. I can do a review of the trilogy as a whole if requested, otherwise I will just continue on with the planned reviews to come. If you would like for me to do something like that, say something. I will leave my Tumblr link at the very bottom of this, and if you would like to say so there go right on ahead. Anonymous is on for those who would like to utilize it.
Janie knew what her future was going to be like, or so she thought. She'd make peace with it and not avoid it until the last minute. The only thing she didn't want, was to drag Cabel down with her. He will stay with her, even though she knows what he fears through his dreams. It makes her an emotional and mental train wreck. She knows what she has to do to set him free. She has to disappear completely, and this is going to hurt them both. The next thing Janie knows a stranger comes into her life and everything she thought she knew comes undone. The future she thought she knew has a twist to it. Her choices are more desperate, and she has to choose between the lesser of two evils to live with.
For a final book, I would say this one wasn't bad. It tied up loose ends, it answered questions, and it didn't leave me hanging. It left enough up to the imagination at the end and the rest is how ever the reader perceives it to be. I really enjoyed reading Gone, it picked up not too long after Fade. The trials of the three teachers are over and Janie's cover was blown. No surprise there, she was forewarned that that could happen. I couldn't put this book down, I wanted to know what was going to happen with Janie and what her big decision would be at the end. And I wanted to know who this mysterious guy would end up being, though I pretty much knew. I liked how it was portrayed that being in a relationship at a young age isn't always the easiest thing, especially when you have to act so grown. Some relationships won't be a walk in the park, they need work and communication from both sides. Communication, yet again, is an essential for a relationship. Even though Janie could see the inner turmoil in Cable through his dreams, he wasn't talking about it. I know I didn't mention this before, but both Fade and Gone, the copies I checked out from my library smelled amazing. I don't know how or why but they did.
I was disappointed in how predictable most of Gone was. I was hoping for the same mystery as in the first book, but I found that I knew what was going to happen pretty soon after reading the back of the book. I knew there would be two choices and only two choices for Janie to make. Go into seclusion or stay with Cabe and suffer the consequences of being a dream walker. That was pretty much the whole entire basis of this book. Janie making her decision. I was hoping for more action, but I was really let down. Yes, things did happen that we as readers wanted to know since Wake, but it was what had to happen to give this book length. Things could have been much worse, but this book had so much potential. I am severely angry when it comes to Janie's mom and why she is a drunk. *SPOILER-ALERT* The mystery man is obviously Janie's father. Come to find out he doesn't live that far away from her. He lives a secluded life and has his consequences because of it. He's also a dream walker. All because Janie's mom couldn't be with him, she became a drunk.*SPOILER-ENDED* She has a child and she should look at it as, she still has a piece of him that she can give unconditional love to.
In all I was more disappointed in Gone. I still think it was a great read, and I loved it, I just wish there was more than what was given. I absolutely still recommend this book and this trilogy, and I would love to own all three. Would I reread Gone as much? Probably not. People of all ages could get into this trilogy, not just young adults. I will say it again, if you want my review of the trilogy as a whole, you can leave a comment on this review saying so, or go to my Tumblr (link at the bottom) and say so there.
Next Book: Swept Up by Kayla Dawn Thomas
Thank you for reading!
~Jade
Tumblr link: http://jades-reviews.tumblr.com/ (If you want to ask me a question or talk look at the very top, and where it says "Questions? ASK ME HERE!" click that and it will enable you to ask away.
Janie knew what her future was going to be like, or so she thought. She'd make peace with it and not avoid it until the last minute. The only thing she didn't want, was to drag Cabel down with her. He will stay with her, even though she knows what he fears through his dreams. It makes her an emotional and mental train wreck. She knows what she has to do to set him free. She has to disappear completely, and this is going to hurt them both. The next thing Janie knows a stranger comes into her life and everything she thought she knew comes undone. The future she thought she knew has a twist to it. Her choices are more desperate, and she has to choose between the lesser of two evils to live with.
For a final book, I would say this one wasn't bad. It tied up loose ends, it answered questions, and it didn't leave me hanging. It left enough up to the imagination at the end and the rest is how ever the reader perceives it to be. I really enjoyed reading Gone, it picked up not too long after Fade. The trials of the three teachers are over and Janie's cover was blown. No surprise there, she was forewarned that that could happen. I couldn't put this book down, I wanted to know what was going to happen with Janie and what her big decision would be at the end. And I wanted to know who this mysterious guy would end up being, though I pretty much knew. I liked how it was portrayed that being in a relationship at a young age isn't always the easiest thing, especially when you have to act so grown. Some relationships won't be a walk in the park, they need work and communication from both sides. Communication, yet again, is an essential for a relationship. Even though Janie could see the inner turmoil in Cable through his dreams, he wasn't talking about it. I know I didn't mention this before, but both Fade and Gone, the copies I checked out from my library smelled amazing. I don't know how or why but they did.
I was disappointed in how predictable most of Gone was. I was hoping for the same mystery as in the first book, but I found that I knew what was going to happen pretty soon after reading the back of the book. I knew there would be two choices and only two choices for Janie to make. Go into seclusion or stay with Cabe and suffer the consequences of being a dream walker. That was pretty much the whole entire basis of this book. Janie making her decision. I was hoping for more action, but I was really let down. Yes, things did happen that we as readers wanted to know since Wake, but it was what had to happen to give this book length. Things could have been much worse, but this book had so much potential. I am severely angry when it comes to Janie's mom and why she is a drunk. *SPOILER-ALERT* The mystery man is obviously Janie's father. Come to find out he doesn't live that far away from her. He lives a secluded life and has his consequences because of it. He's also a dream walker. All because Janie's mom couldn't be with him, she became a drunk.*SPOILER-ENDED* She has a child and she should look at it as, she still has a piece of him that she can give unconditional love to.
In all I was more disappointed in Gone. I still think it was a great read, and I loved it, I just wish there was more than what was given. I absolutely still recommend this book and this trilogy, and I would love to own all three. Would I reread Gone as much? Probably not. People of all ages could get into this trilogy, not just young adults. I will say it again, if you want my review of the trilogy as a whole, you can leave a comment on this review saying so, or go to my Tumblr (link at the bottom) and say so there.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Page Count: 214 pages
(hardcover)
Next Book: Swept Up by Kayla Dawn Thomas
Thank you for reading!
~Jade
Tumblr link: http://jades-reviews.tumblr.com/ (If you want to ask me a question or talk look at the very top, and where it says "Questions? ASK ME HERE!" click that and it will enable you to ask away.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Fade by Lisa McMann
Second book in the Wake trilogy, I do have the first book Wake reviewed and it is linked. I will have the third book reviewed soon. I made darn sure to check out both books this time instead of one at a time. Gone won't be next, but it will be after the next book review. If you are interested keep on the look out for it, or just wait until I link it back in this review.
Things haven't changed, yet. Janie and Cabel still have a secret relationship and trying to find time for themselves is near impossible. With little clues, something very wrong is happening at Fieldridge High, but no one is speaking up about it. It isn't until Janie enters a classmates dream that things begin to open up. Nothing goes as planned, nothing is easy. Janie has a lot on her plate, and Cable is no help. His behavior ends up getting them both in trouble. It's one hit after another for Janie, she learns the truth about her ability, and it's not the greatest. Her fate is all but sealed as a dream catcher, but what's to come is what could break a person.
Oh the feels, oh so many feels with Fade. This was just as good as the first, and I have high hopes for the third and final book. There was just as much excitement, and drama as the first, only I would say there is more emotion this time around. You're heart can't help but go out to Janie, and everything that she is going through. I'm grateful that she has Cable, but there is more growing that needs to be done mentally and emotionally for them both. I love the fact that I was glued to the book from page one. I had to finish it once I started, things got in the way of that but I was grabbing Fade every chance I got. I was most definitely kept interested throughout the book. I loved the plot and how we got to see Janie go undercover and deal with a problem. I'd say that Janie grows some in Fade she begins to see that she has to be a big girl about her life and not about another's life. She really has to start thinking about her own life and what is going to happen. I love Captain, she's like the tough mother that both Cable and Janie need. Captain is for sure on my top five favorite characters.
I was a little disappointed in a few things. They were minor and shouldn't pose a problem, but I was hoping for one of them not to happen. I know I have mentioned this before. I've noticed that with second books if the two main characters are love interests, this reoccurring theme almost always happens. *SPOILER-ALERT* After the bust goes down and Janie does her job, Cable pretty much breaks up with her. This is more at the end of the book, but it happened nonetheless. *SPOILER-ENDED* I was hoping that McMann would stay away from this, but I understand. Cable's reasoning for this though, had me wanting to bang my head against the wall. I understand with his father being majorly abusive, but still Janie? Janie wouldn't be like that. Also, there was a huge predictable spot in the book, as to the drawback to being a dream catcher. I saw that coming from the very beginning. I think a lot of people also did too. I wouldn't say that it ruined the book for me because there was so much more going on in the book.
Without really intending to, I have been reading books lately that need a sort of trigger warning. Fade is one of them, but it is still a very clean book. There is talk of rape, a number of times throughout the book. It goes with the plot, and the undercover work that Janie has to do. There is nothing graphic, and there are no details. There is also talk of being drugged. This next one is more of a warning for parents. There is talk of sex, once again, not graphic and not detailed. It is hinted toward. If you think you can handle mentions, and hints, then you can handle reading Fade. I guess I will do this more often if I see a need to put a trigger warning on a book.
I recommend this book and the previous Wake to everyone, young and "old". I would love to own this book. I don't see a problem with younger people reading, I don't think the topics in this would be anything that they can't handle. Obviously if a parent hasn't had a few talks with them they may be curious as to what is going on. For a young adult book, I loved it. Even with the predictable parts I wanted to keep reading. It was just a little bump in the road. I just wish that this were a longer book, along with the first. I would most definitely reread Fade again.
Page Count: 248 pages (hardcover)
Price: ???
Things haven't changed, yet. Janie and Cabel still have a secret relationship and trying to find time for themselves is near impossible. With little clues, something very wrong is happening at Fieldridge High, but no one is speaking up about it. It isn't until Janie enters a classmates dream that things begin to open up. Nothing goes as planned, nothing is easy. Janie has a lot on her plate, and Cable is no help. His behavior ends up getting them both in trouble. It's one hit after another for Janie, she learns the truth about her ability, and it's not the greatest. Her fate is all but sealed as a dream catcher, but what's to come is what could break a person.
Oh the feels, oh so many feels with Fade. This was just as good as the first, and I have high hopes for the third and final book. There was just as much excitement, and drama as the first, only I would say there is more emotion this time around. You're heart can't help but go out to Janie, and everything that she is going through. I'm grateful that she has Cable, but there is more growing that needs to be done mentally and emotionally for them both. I love the fact that I was glued to the book from page one. I had to finish it once I started, things got in the way of that but I was grabbing Fade every chance I got. I was most definitely kept interested throughout the book. I loved the plot and how we got to see Janie go undercover and deal with a problem. I'd say that Janie grows some in Fade she begins to see that she has to be a big girl about her life and not about another's life. She really has to start thinking about her own life and what is going to happen. I love Captain, she's like the tough mother that both Cable and Janie need. Captain is for sure on my top five favorite characters.
I was a little disappointed in a few things. They were minor and shouldn't pose a problem, but I was hoping for one of them not to happen. I know I have mentioned this before. I've noticed that with second books if the two main characters are love interests, this reoccurring theme almost always happens. *SPOILER-ALERT* After the bust goes down and Janie does her job, Cable pretty much breaks up with her. This is more at the end of the book, but it happened nonetheless. *SPOILER-ENDED* I was hoping that McMann would stay away from this, but I understand. Cable's reasoning for this though, had me wanting to bang my head against the wall. I understand with his father being majorly abusive, but still Janie? Janie wouldn't be like that. Also, there was a huge predictable spot in the book, as to the drawback to being a dream catcher. I saw that coming from the very beginning. I think a lot of people also did too. I wouldn't say that it ruined the book for me because there was so much more going on in the book.
Without really intending to, I have been reading books lately that need a sort of trigger warning. Fade is one of them, but it is still a very clean book. There is talk of rape, a number of times throughout the book. It goes with the plot, and the undercover work that Janie has to do. There is nothing graphic, and there are no details. There is also talk of being drugged. This next one is more of a warning for parents. There is talk of sex, once again, not graphic and not detailed. It is hinted toward. If you think you can handle mentions, and hints, then you can handle reading Fade. I guess I will do this more often if I see a need to put a trigger warning on a book.
I recommend this book and the previous Wake to everyone, young and "old". I would love to own this book. I don't see a problem with younger people reading, I don't think the topics in this would be anything that they can't handle. Obviously if a parent hasn't had a few talks with them they may be curious as to what is going on. For a young adult book, I loved it. Even with the predictable parts I wanted to keep reading. It was just a little bump in the road. I just wish that this were a longer book, along with the first. I would most definitely reread Fade again.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Page Count: 248 pages (hardcover)
Price: ???
Next Book: I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It by Adam Selzer
Thanks for reading!
~Jade
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Wake by Lisa McMann
The first book in the Wake trilogy, and I wonder where the hype for it is? Or maybe I missed it? I am going to go with I missed the hype, because that's usually how it happens. I've had my eye on this trilogy for a little while now, and I have never been able to get the first book until now. I was warned by someone who has read these books to read them in order if I really don't want to spoil anything. I took the warning and I am glad I did. I hope you enjoy.
Seventeen-year old Janie has a lot on her plate, and being sucking into other people dreams isn't helping any. She's getting tired of it, and sadly has no one to talk to about it because honestly who wouldn't think she was crazy if they knew about it? She can't control it either and it doesn't matter what time of day it is, if someone is dreaming around her she is getting pulled into it. But the dream of a kid named Cabel, is different. He dreams of killing someone, but he also dreams of her.
To say I devoured this book is an understatement. I began reading at about 1AM and was half way through by 3:30AM. I slept, woke up, and read the rest of the book in just a hour and a half more. It was a very quick read for me but I think that has to do with how fast paced it was, for the most part. The pace did slow but never for very long, which I loved. It fit the book perfectly. In the POV of Janie, I find that she was very relatable, which is nice for a reader. Anyone who wasn't very privileged, had to work for their things, and almost an outcast could really relate to Janie. I feel if I can't 'connect' with one of the main characters, the book isn't that enjoyable. Unless the author does something amazing. I don't even know how to explain Cabel, he seems like a bad boy but that's just too stereotypical for him. *SPOILER-ALERT* I did not see him working under cover as a agent at his age coming. I had to read a couple of pages over just to be sure. Though in the end it made sense why and how he came to be in that position. *SPOILER-ENDED* I have never read a book before where a character has been drawn into anyone and everyone's dreams, so long as they are in close enough proximity, and awake. It was what drew me in in the first place when I picked it up a while ago, and read the back cover. I got annoyed with Janie and Cabel in the beginning and kept yelling at the book. It was good yelling, and I was cracking myself up.
Quite honestly I don't have any real complaints about Wake. I was upset by how fast I read it, and how small the book is compared to some of the other books I have read. I have a feeling that unless Ms. McMann makes some stereotypical moves for the next two book, I may just love them as well. Even with the shortness.
I loved this book to say the least. It is a great relaxed read for adults. I made my mom read it once I was done with Wake and she really liked it as well. I recommend this book to everyone of all ages, I personally don't see a problem with someone in 8th grade reading this. There are a couple of spots where Janie gets sucked into a sexual dream but even then it isn't nearly as bad as it could have been. I think I could reread Wake a few times before I would get tired of it. I don't own the book but I surely want to one day, as for the rest of the trilogy, that remains to be seen.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Page Count: 210 (paperback)
Price: $9.99
Next Book: Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Thanks for reading!
~Jade
Seventeen-year old Janie has a lot on her plate, and being sucking into other people dreams isn't helping any. She's getting tired of it, and sadly has no one to talk to about it because honestly who wouldn't think she was crazy if they knew about it? She can't control it either and it doesn't matter what time of day it is, if someone is dreaming around her she is getting pulled into it. But the dream of a kid named Cabel, is different. He dreams of killing someone, but he also dreams of her.
To say I devoured this book is an understatement. I began reading at about 1AM and was half way through by 3:30AM. I slept, woke up, and read the rest of the book in just a hour and a half more. It was a very quick read for me but I think that has to do with how fast paced it was, for the most part. The pace did slow but never for very long, which I loved. It fit the book perfectly. In the POV of Janie, I find that she was very relatable, which is nice for a reader. Anyone who wasn't very privileged, had to work for their things, and almost an outcast could really relate to Janie. I feel if I can't 'connect' with one of the main characters, the book isn't that enjoyable. Unless the author does something amazing. I don't even know how to explain Cabel, he seems like a bad boy but that's just too stereotypical for him. *SPOILER-ALERT* I did not see him working under cover as a agent at his age coming. I had to read a couple of pages over just to be sure. Though in the end it made sense why and how he came to be in that position. *SPOILER-ENDED* I have never read a book before where a character has been drawn into anyone and everyone's dreams, so long as they are in close enough proximity, and awake. It was what drew me in in the first place when I picked it up a while ago, and read the back cover. I got annoyed with Janie and Cabel in the beginning and kept yelling at the book. It was good yelling, and I was cracking myself up.
Quite honestly I don't have any real complaints about Wake. I was upset by how fast I read it, and how small the book is compared to some of the other books I have read. I have a feeling that unless Ms. McMann makes some stereotypical moves for the next two book, I may just love them as well. Even with the shortness.
I loved this book to say the least. It is a great relaxed read for adults. I made my mom read it once I was done with Wake and she really liked it as well. I recommend this book to everyone of all ages, I personally don't see a problem with someone in 8th grade reading this. There are a couple of spots where Janie gets sucked into a sexual dream but even then it isn't nearly as bad as it could have been. I think I could reread Wake a few times before I would get tired of it. I don't own the book but I surely want to one day, as for the rest of the trilogy, that remains to be seen.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Page Count: 210 (paperback)
Price: $9.99
Next Book: Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Thanks for reading!
~Jade
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