Fade by Lisa Mcmann

Fade by Lisa McMann

Publish Date: February 2009
Pages: 256
Age Group: Young Adult
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open — but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability — and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....

Lisa McMann, you deserve your kitten! Just like Wake, Fade was fantastic. McMann's ability to mesh together love, supernatural, high school, and real life drama into a fast paced well-written novel blows my mind.

I was slightly afraid to read Fade because of how powerful Wake was. It was one of the best books I had ever read, and I hate to see books ruined by their sequel. However, Fade was equally as powerful as Wake.

The reason I am so drawn to McMann's novels is because I feel as though they were written for me. I have an extremely black and white personality, and do not enjoy extra fluff. I like anything that get's straight to the point. McMann's writing style is all of these things.

On top of her brilliant writing, Lisa has portrayed two broken, yet interesting and badass characters in a limited amount of words.

One of my favorite elements of this book was the issues it deals with. I love that although this book is based off of real life issues. Sex offenders have become a larger and larger problem in our nation and I think writing about it in a fictional book is a great way to explain the dangers to teens.

When Janie was drugged at the party I felt like I was there with her. The scene was so surreal I was amazed. It seemed extremely realistic and horrifying at the same time. Janie's slow loss of abilities kept me powering through the pages. I was so glad she didn't sleep with her teachers!

The relationship between Cabel and Janie is becoming slightly strange. At first I was drawn toward their sudden and intense relationship, however I feel as though now it is becoming under developed. This book should have been where the two characters begin to learn about each other rather than stay strangers in love. However all the two did was admit their lack of knowledge about each other and keep things that way. I was also disappointed it took each of them so long to begin talking after their fight.

Overall though, Fade was brilliant and I cannot wait for Gone, which will be released in 2010. 5/5

In My Mailbox #7

This amazing meme for everyone to brag about the fabulous new books they received over the week was started by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Yay, I got some great books this week that I am sooo excited about!

For review:
Paisley Hanover Acts Out by Cameron Tuttle (ARC)(March 2009)

Always one of the popular kids, sophomore Paisley Hanover gets a rude awakening when she's booted out of yearbook and into the badlands of drama class. Out of her element but only momentarily out of ideas, Paisley takes action-and an unexpected liking to her drama buddies. The result? An undercover crusade that could bring down the popularity pecking order, and Paisley along with it.
This is the story of how Paisley Hanover gets wise, gets bold, and gets into a hilarious mess of trouble. With a package as fresh and clever as Paisley herself- including a cool slipcase, a fabulous novel, and Paisley's notebook of embarrassingly funny ideas and doodles-it's the start of a series that embraces the "Un" in UnUsual.

Purge: Rehab Diaries by Nicole Johns

(April 2009)

Purge is a beautifully crafted memoir that has a Girl, Interrupted feel. In this raw and engaging account of her months in rehab, Nicole Johns documents her stay in a residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Her prose is lucid and vivid, as she seamlessly switches verb tenses and moves through time. She unearths several important themes: body image and sexuality, sexual assault and relationships, and the struggle to piece together one's path in life. While other books about eating disorders and treatment may sugarcoat the harsh realities of living with and recovering from an eating disorder, Purge does not hold back. The author presents an honest, detailed account of her experience with treatment, avoiding the clichéd happily-ever-after ending while still offering hope to those who struggle with eating disorders, as well as anyone who has watched a loved one fight to recover from an eating disorder. Purge sends a message: though the road may be rough, ultimately there is hope.

From the Library:

The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor

(February 2009)

Abigail Reed and her younger sister, Becky, are always at each other's throats. Their mother calls them the September Sisters, because their birthdays are only a day apart, and pretends that they're best friends. But really, they delight in making each other miserable. Then Becky disappears in the middle of the night, and a torn gold chain with a sapphire heart charm is the only clue to the mystery of her kidnapping. Abby struggles to cope with her own feelings of guilt and loss as she tries to keep her family together. When her world is at its bleakest, Abby meets a new neighbor, Tommy, who is dealing with his own loss, and the two of them discover that love can bloom, even when it's surrounded by thorns.

The School for Danergous Girls by Eliot Schrefer

(January 2009)

Angela's parents think she's on the road to ruin because she's dating a "bad boy." After her behavior gets too much for them, they ship her off to Hidden Oak. Isolated and isolating, Hidden Oak promises to rehabilitate "dangerous girls." But as Angela gets drawn in further and further, she discovers that recovery is only on the agenda for the "better" girls. The other girls -- designated as "the purple thread" -- will instead be manipulated to become more and more dangerous . . . and more and more reliant on Hidden Oak's care.

Bought:

Fade by Lisa McMann

(February 2009)

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.
For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.
Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open — but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.
Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability — and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....

I was SUPER excited I finally got Fade!!!! Actually, I'm excited about every book from this week! What did you get?

Taylor

Wake by Lisa McMann

Wake by Lisa McMann

Publish Date: March 2008
Pages: 210
Age Group: Young Adult
Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does — they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

Wake is the epitome of quick and to the point, and I mean that in a very positive way. McMann has done a great job on the editing process of this book. There isn't a single wasted word. Unlike most books, there are no fifty pages of fluff crammed in to fill more pages. I usually don't find myself a fan of quick reads, however Wake was quite the exception.

I'm puzzled as to how McMann has the ability to build such strong and deep characters and emotions in so few words. I found myself actually tearing up a few times. I know, I know, don't make fun of me!! Although the book may be short I can promise that there is no shortage in any other aspect. The plot line is perfect, the characters are quite developed and all of the relationships are very clear.

So as most of you know I am a huge fan of YA romance. Yeah, yeah I'm corny. Wow! There is something about the relationship between Cabel and Janie that blows my mind. I just couldn't get enough of them. They have a beautifully written relationship. Although they haven't spent very much time together the depth of their romance is wonderful. I found myself pining for more.

Wake is an absolute must read. It posesses everything necessary for a great book and then some. Don't be wary by the lack of pages, Wake says all it needs to and more. I'm waiting for my copy of Fade from the library and I can't freaking wait!!

5/5