Review: Storm by Melissa Kline

Storm by Melissa Kline

Genre: YA Contemporary
Paperback: 281pages

Release Date: December 21st 2012
Source: From the author in exchange for an honest review

   

Sixteen-year-old Storm enjoys skateboarding, fixing broken electronics, and building things with his hands. They distract him from the tormented thoughts surrounding the circumstances of his mother’s death. But his problems can’t be avoided forever…

Since his mother’s death, tensions are high at home, the girl of Storm’s dreams is dating someone else, and an argument with his father lands him in the school counselors’ office.

Will Storm overcome his fears, let go of the feelings that have been haunting him, and reveal his long-held secrets? Can his dad ever forgive him? Will the girl of his dreams ever see him as more than a friend?

A true-to-life young adult novel teeming with mystery, romance and intrigue.

Review

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and to be honest I was a bit hesitant accepting the review request but after I finished 'Storm' I'm glad I did accept the offer. (:

I don't know what to expect from this book but from the beginning of the story I was already drawn to 'Storm', his family and everything about his world. Since I was having a bad day when I started reading it I can truly feel the feelings he has buried deep within himself. I like the way the story unfold as he was trying to keep up from the whirlwind of emotions; from the girl he had been crushing on, to the death of his mother which his Dad and brother held him responsible for and the hatred he feels to himself because of the accident. Storm is a passive, brave and talented kind of guy he might have made some bad decisions before but it didn't stop him to be someone who could be able to love, forgive and happy again. The book was told from his perspective letting us all in to his thoughts and emotions that were always bottled up. There was this consistency in his voice that gives the honesty of what a young man may think and feel from all the struggles he faces. There was romance in the story but it wasn't what makes this story captivating instead it was the characters and their lives. They were all messed up...broken...in different ways but these hardships brought them together and each one of them used it to heal and help each other. Actually, I don't know how to put into words how this book had affected me. I mean this is a different kind of read that could affect you in such a way that could make you feel and think of the things that you're going through, of your family and it could give you a better view of some things in life.

'Storm' is a coming-of-age story highlighting real-life issues that most of the youth have. It has an inspirational story that teaches us how to forgive; to trust and to love again no matter how many times life knocked us off our feet. Life may be unfair but the friendship, the family and the people who loves us unconditionally makes everything bearable and all worth it.

I would like to express my huge gratitude to Melissa Kline for giving me an opportunity to read and review her book. It is REALLY an amazing read! (:

  

Author Bio

Melissa Kline has been writing for as long as she can remember. She completed her first full-length novel at the age of thirteen and has written 12 young adult novels to date, including the award-winning dystopian adventure, MY BEGINNING. Her latest contemporary novel, STORM, was released in the winter of 2012 with DreamFusion Press, LLC. 

"I am bursting with overwhelming excitement to announce that my latest Young Adult novel, STORM, is a finalist for the 2012 Foreword Book of the Year Awards!!!" 

Follow her on these sites: Website||Twitter|| Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Eyes of Ember by Rebecca Ethington + Giveaway

Paperback, 380 pages

Expected publication: April 6th 2013 by Imdalind Press
Eyes of Ember is the second book in Ethington's Imdalind Series.

Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased, no memory of Joclyn remains. But, Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. While, in reality the black eyed monster that possesses him, attempts to kill her over and over.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan. The man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only thing she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and while she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then there is her father.

The man who has never been there, is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be.

The Silnỳ.

Kiss of Fire (book #1)

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Find Rebecca Ethington...

Twitter, Facebook, and Website

Books Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

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GIVEAWAY

- US ONLY

- Must be 13 or older to enter

- Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or else a new winner will be chosen. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway: Signed Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi + A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Hiya everyone! Last week we had the opportunity to meet the lovely and funny author of Shatter Me series, Tahereh Mafi and Ransom Riggs, the author of Miss Peregrine's  Home for Peculiar Children. We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to be invited on a blogger forum with less than twenty others. The three of us seized that moment to ask them questions and talk to them! They were very sweet and nice and we had such a great time.
For the full recap of the Blogger forum and signing event with Tahereh and Ransom, read this post.

Aaaand as promised, we've prepared an awesome contest just for you. We have an extra signed paperback copy of Unravel Me to give away!


BUT I believe we have another thing to celebrate. If you have noticed, our blog is now filled with pinks and yellows and grays and browns - all thanks to Chri of Ink Skies. We totally adore our new layout and I think this calls for a celebration. 

So...I'm adding in my extra copy of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness! You guys, this book is one of my all-time favorites and I'm so glad to be sharing it with you.

There you have it! Now for some giveaway rules...

• Enter via Rafflecopter form below.
• Open Internationally 
• Open to participants 13 years old and above. Otherwise, please have your parents' permission.
• Giveaway ends on April 10th at 12:00 am EST
• Winner will be notified via email and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Untitled Me - Tahereh Mafi and Ransom Riggs in Manila!

TAHEREH MAFI was in MANILA!

Dea, Mary Ann and I couldn't express our excitement (and butterflies in our stomachs) when the day ---March 2--- finally came for Tahereh Mafi's signing event here in Manila! More so, two weeks prior the event we were invited by National Bookstore to attend their very first Exclusive Blogger Forum. 

Tahereh Mafi!! *Can you guess the second man sitting to her left?* :)

The Forum started around 1:30 pm but as I insisted we were at Greenbelt earlier than that. We arrived at Powerbooks around 11 am and we were really surprised when JB told us that Ransom Riggs (yes, you heard me right....) will also be joining us at the event. We were like:

The first twenty people who registered were given a chance to ask Tahereh Mafi.  She was so amazing answering the questions given to her and she's really friendly. She even mentioned that her mom was very supportive of her writing career and that she gave her some suggestions for the title of the third book: "Unshackle Me". Although it was very sweet of her mom to suggest a title, Tahereh said the third book is still called 'Untitled Me'. 

Some of things that we learned from Tahereh:

• The first title she thought for her book Shatter Me was 'Touching Juliet'. She said her agents did not approve of the title because if that's the case it would sound out of the YA genre. She thought if it were 'Touching Juliette' then next books might have been Caressing Adam or Blushing Warner... (Good thing the first book's title was changed into Shatter Me. Haha)
• Kenji's character was hugely inspired by her brother. That's why it would be weird if Juliette and Kenji would have a thing. 
• I asked Tahereh if she is planning on writing another dystopian series or if she would divert on other genres. She said that she would probably write something in the Paranormal genre.
• If you guys are waiting for the selling of the Shatter Me shoes :( Sorry guys but I don't think it will be for sale.

After a while...

Ransom Riggs joined Tahereh up on the stage! =D And he answered perhaps one of your endless questions about him. His real name is Ransom and he has a birth certificate to prove it. :))

They were both funny and friendly

Tahereh Mafi's "eye" 

After the question and answer here and there it's time for the Book Signing!

The Teen Readers' Diary (from left to right: me, Mary Ann, Dea) with Kai Agito of Amaterasu Reads patiently waiting in line with the other bloggers.

Yay! Having our books signed by the one and only awesome Tahereh Mafi!

On this one, Dea told Tahereh how our friend Jello was a super-spoiler friend (going back to the time when he told me the ending of Catching Fire when I was still halfway through the book). Jello took this picture and Tahereh was telling him what a bad spoiling-friend he is. Hahaha

The Teen Readers' Diary with Tahereh Mafi! 

Best part and picture of all! This is so cute. I can't believe Tahereh did this pose with us! #IamstillonCloudNine

I would like to congratulate Dea! She won a 500 GC from National Bookstore. The winners were actually numbers 1, 2 and 3. The odds had been on their favor. ;)

Thanks to Illy Cafe Delizio for their yummy muffins! We're starving after that incredible conversation with Tahereh.

After eating the delicious muffins, we've moved on to Ransom Riggs!

(Left to Right: Dea, Ransom, Jello and Mary Ann)

The Teen Readers' Diary with Ransom Riggs. He sat on a small chair so he could be on our level. He's incredibly tall.

Ransom Riggs and me! *squeals*

We're deciding what kind of wacky pose....Hmmm... Ransom asked me? *fangirl scream* 

The Mr. Pogi (Mr. Handsome) pose!

The bloggers with Tahereh Mafi!

After the Exclusive Blogger Forum at Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4. We went to National Bookstore, Glorietta 1 to attend the book signing event.

A lot of people went to see Tahereh Mafi and have their books signed. 

During the book signing event:

My copies of Shatter Me and Unravel Me signed! :))

Team Handsome! 

We have a book signed by Tahereh Mafi for a giveaway. Wait for a post about that guys! :)

Waiting on Wednesday: Not a Drop to Drink and Tandem

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Here are my WoW picks this week (click title for the Goodreads page):

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Release date: September 10th, 2013

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pre-Order: Amazon | Book Depository

Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water. 

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

 I miss reading Dystopia and it has been a while since a new one in the genre caught my attention. NOT A DROP TO DRINK's summary immediately compelled me.

Tandem (Many-Worlds #1) by Anna Jarzab

Release date: October 8th, 2013

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Amazon | Book Depository

Everything repeats.
You. Your best friend. Every person you know.
Many worlds. Many lives--infinite possibilities.
Welcome to the multiverse.

Sixteen-year-old Sasha Lawson has only ever known one small, ordinary life. When she was young, she loved her grandfather's stories of parallel worlds inhabited by girls who looked like her but led totally different lives. Sasha never believed such worlds were real--until now, when she finds herself thrust into one against her will.

To prevent imminent war, Sasha must slip into the life of an alternate version of herself, a princess who has vanished on the eve of her arranged marriage. If Sasha succeeds in fooling everyone, she will be returned home; if she fails, she'll be trapped in another girl's life forever. As time runs out, Sasha finds herself torn between two worlds, two lives, and two young men vying for her love--one who knows her secret, and one who thinks she's someone she's not.

The first book in the Many-Worlds Trilogy, Tandem is a riveting saga of love and betrayal set in parallel universes in which nothing--and no one--is what it seems.

Parallel universe! I love the cover of TANDEM almost as much as I do the sound of it.