Review: Two Boys Kissing by: David Levithan

Two Boys Kissing by: David Levithan (2013)

208 pages

Genre:            

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: The Library

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary: New York Times bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS.

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

My Review

I will tell you right now, this review of Two Boys Kissing isn’t so much a review as it is me gushing about its awesomeness and sharing why it hit so close to home for me, and obviously me trying to get you to read it. 

Every teen should read Two Boys Kissing. Sure it may be little graphic and have some coarse language, but I’m sure teens have heard/seen worse in movies or from their peers. Two Boys Kissing broke my heart and put it back together, multiple times. I was moved in a way that I didn’t think possible. Sure I have been moved by books before, but this was different. I looked back over the notes I wrote while reading Two Boys Kissing and this was all it said, “love the narration, heart breaking, heartwarming, very emotional, SO MANY FEELS.”

Oh and in case you overlooked this in the synopsis, I will give you a heads up that this is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS, and it was amazing. This unique narration really made the book that much more amazing and powerful. Every single character in Two Boys Kissing will leave a lasting impression on you.  Every single moment in this book holds significance, even if you think it doesn’t. I cheered on those two boys kissing, sending them good thoughts in their battle to beat the world record even though they are fictional (although they are based off of real people). I was that invested in this book.

Now in case you haven't noticed yet, I am obviously pro-gay rights equality, because gay people are the same as everyone else, and no, being gay isn't a choice. Is being straight a choice? Nope. I also want you to know that I have a family member who is gay, which may be why this book affected me so much, but even if I didn't know someone who was gay I would still be their ally.  Anyway, I felt like you should know a little bit about my views so you can better understand why I loved this book so much. I can hope that if people who aren't pro - gay marriage equality or anything like that do for some reason read this book, that it will at least get them to really think about the topic. In the end, all I really want to say is this... read Two Boys Kissing. If you are a teen, read it. If you are an adult, read it. If you are a human, read it. Not to mention that Two Boys Kissing would also be a great book to read and discuss for a book club. Did I mention that if you haven’t read this book yet you should?

ARC Review: The Testing by: Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing by: Joelle Charbonneau (June 4, 2013)

336 pages

Genre: YA/Dystopian
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books

Source: I received a free copy from Houghton Mifflin Books for my honest review.

Purchase: Barnes and Noble |  Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

My Review

The Testing is a dystopian novel that will give you something to talk about. A gripping read with a heroine that can outsmart the best of them. The Testing shouldn’t be passed up, plunge in and take a deep breath, you will feel the stress of the characters as they embark on The Testing, the hardest test they will ever take. Sharpen your pencils and prepare to fight for your life.

Some may say that the parallels between The Testing and The Hunger Games are too similar, but being a huge Hunger Games fan this didn’t bother me, because I loved The Hunger Games so why wouldn’t I love a book that is similar? There are still enough unique elements in The Testing that the similarities shouldn’t bother you, if anything it should make you love the book even more, but everyone is different.

You know that saying, curiosity killed the cat? Oh boy, I was so overly curious about everything going on in this novel right there with the characters, and sure enough curiosity can get you killed in The Testing. They just want you to follow their rules and play their game. Step out of line and who knows what is waiting for you on the other side.

The female heroine, Cia, is everything you could want in a strong central character. She is clever, nice, strong, and will do anything and everything to survive. I was rooting for her from day one and was awed by her cleverness and how well she played the game. Although her love interest, Tomas, isn’t overly amazing and their relationship is somewhat strange at times, he still adds a little something to the story. Cia’s family is an interesting bunch and I wish we would have had more time with them, I think her father holds the key to some of the secrets surrounding the government and their test. There are several other minor characters and all I can say about them, be careful about who you trust.

The Testing is filled with suspense and action. My palms were sweaty and I was on high alert while reading the whole book. Be warned, some of the scenes are brutal and bloody. There are several WTF moments and many moments where I had to ask myself, did that just happen? Don’t worry, although this is an intense novel, there are several points of humor done well and used when needed to add some comic relief.

Oh and the ending will have you wishing the next book was already out. I have no idea how I’m going to be able to wait a year before the next book. The Testing turned out to exceed my expectations and give me hope in the dystopian genre. Heck, the second book may even be better from the first, and that is saying something. Although this novel isn’t perfect I still feel the need to give it five stars because I enjoyed it so much.

So what are you waiting for? Get a copy of The Testing and see for yourself how this new dystopian trilogy is better than many.

** Thanks Houghton Mifflin Books for an ARC copy of The Testing!

RATING 5/5 

Release Day Review: The River of No Return by: Bee Ridgway

The River of No Return by: Bee Ridgway (April 23, 2013)

Publisher: DUTTON

452 pages

Genre: Fiction/Time Travel/Romance

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary: “You are now a member of the Guild. There is no return.” Two hundred years after he was about to die on a Napoleonic battlefield, Nick Falcott, soldier and aristocrat, wakes up in a hospital bed in modern London. The Guild, an entity that controls time travel, showers him with life's advantages. But Nick yearns for home and for one brown-eyed girl, lost now down the centuries. Then the Guild asks him to break its own rule. It needs Nick to go back to 1815 to fight the Guild’s enemies and to find something called the Talisman.

In 1815, Julia Percy mourns the death of her beloved grandfather, an earl who could play with time. On his deathbed he whispers in her ear: “Pretend!” Pretend what? When Nick returns home as if from the dead, older than he should be and battle scarred, Julia begins to suspect that her very life depends upon the secrets Grandfather never told her. Soon enough Julia and Nick are caught up in an adventure that stretches up and down the river of time. As their knowledge of the Guild and their feelings for each other grow, the fate of the future itself is hanging in the balance.

My Review

Once I read the last page of this novel and set the book down with a sigh of gratification I announced at the top of my lungs “I LOVE THIS BOOK!” The River of No Return is a unique time traveling story with a beautiful romance and nothing less than page-turning intrigue that had me swooning.

The River of No Return is a perfect fit for fans of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. You won’t be disappointed.

Where do I even begin to explain to you how much I love this novel? I know it is a simple thing, but let’s start with the cover. I have some hard core cover love for this one. It is eye catching and simple yet complex, perfectly catching the feel of the story.

The writing was elegant and perfect for a novel mostly set in the 1800s. I was instantly entranced in this time traveling story. I was somewhat nervous that the time traveling aspect would be hard to follow, but I thought it was well explained and I felt like I was learning just as the main character Nick was. So if thinking that the time traveling part of the book is too confusing is keeping you from reading this book it shouldn't, it isn't too hard to understand. It was actually a great part of the novel and more interesting and complex than I thought it would be.

Now I think it's time I shout some praise out to the awesome main characters. Nick is the sexy and somewhat snarky male lead that I love to love. He is a pretty stand up guy that I completely adored. Nick jumps forward in time when he is about to die, saving his life. He then must help The Guild with an important mission and jumps back in time to the 1800s. I loved seeing Nick try to figure out how to live life in the 2000s and then have to learn to return to his old ways in the 1800s. Ridgway does an amazing job with details and descriptions especially when Nick is learning to adapt to the 21^st century. This quote brought a huge smile on my face and shows how excellent the writing is when it comes down to those awesome details I was talking about.

"He was bobbing like a cork in a heated infinity pool in the Andes, his formerly stiff rump tucked into a plastic flotation device made to look like a spotted frog. His two friends were bobbing too, one in a dragon and one in a panda bear." - pg. 27

Somewhat Side Note: This kept making me ask myself how I would react and adapt if I was thrown into the future, something fun to think about.  

The main female lead, Julia, is instantly likeable. She is strong, intense, and lovely. A character I won't soon forget. The best part is that the romance between her and Nick is perfect, and not sickeningly so. Not to mention there are a whole handful of great minor characters in this novel too. You get the whole package.

This is hands down a one of my favorite reads of 2013. The book was paced perfectly. There were so many “did that just happen” moments that made it so I never lost interest even though this is a slightly longer novel. Some of the revelations were somewhat predictable, but most were revealed in just the right way at the right time. I had many mouth hanging open moments.

So basically to sum it up, I’m telling you that you NEED to read this book. It is worth taking the the time to read. It is a great romance novel with a secret time traveling guild, what more could you want?

** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

RATING 5/5