The Cage by Megan Shepherd

Title: The Cage
Author: Megan Shepherd
Format I Read: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, (Romance)
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

Ever since I saw the cover for this book, I've been dying to get my hands on it. It sounded fantastically intriguing and I loved Megan Shepherd's ideas--her retellings of classics seem so fascinating. I couldn't wait to see what she'd whipped up for The Cage. Unfortunately, I think this set my expectations up too high. The book was well done, with a captivating concept, but it just fell a little flat.

For those who haven't heard of The Cage, here's the synopsis:

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

The book started off great--Shepherd immediately sucked me in with the intrigue and mystery of the cage. She hinted at Cora's past, which involves eighteen months in a juvenile detention center. She then hinted at Lucky's connection to her past. It sparked an immediate interest in the characters. I became invested in them right away. They were just so likable and captivating at the beginning. Shepherd continues to develop this interest by alternating the chapters' focus, designating certain chapters to certain characters (though she remained in third person the entire time). This created a very interesting effect. Unfortunately, it didn't really resonate with me. I found it a little too confusing and disorienting!

Unfortunately, for me, the book started going downhill around halfway through. The only thing that really kept me reading was my psychology class I took last year. If I hadn't taken psychology, I may have dropped the book, if I'm completely honest. I just started to hate the characters so much. They all turned on each other; all of that likability that I described at the beginning faded away and I wanted to throttle just about everyone. The entire cast of characters grew so petty and delusional. The sole reason I continued was because I justified it all with psychology. It was nice how Shepherd kept referencing lab rats and using the psychological experiment reference; it helped remind me that the degradation of the characters was expected. It wasn't because of Shepherd's bad character development--it was the natural psychological response when stuck in captivity with six other people. This helped me keep going. I just don't deal well with novels like this; other people may love it!

As the book went on, the only solid base that remained was Cora. She was the only one who held strong and the only one who I remained even remotely partial to. But then she had to go and fall for her captor! She just became so flimsy as the book went on. She rants and raves about how she's always treated like a victim, how she's really stronger than anyone else thinks. But she keeps giving in to her attraction to Cassian (one of the aliens, or Kindred, who kidnapped her) and swooning over him?! I just felt like her character traits (both as described by Shepherd and as described by Cora herself) did not match her actions whatsoever. She was strong one second but weak the next. It grated on my nerves a bit. Luckily, my dislike for her only really developed at the very end of the novel. For most of the book, I thoroughly enjoyed her as a main character.

Nonetheless, I loved the whole concept of the book. The idea that more advanced and intelligent aliens could use humans the same way that we use animals. The idea that humans could be looking out of the zoo (or cage) instead of looking in. It was all such a fascinating idea. I also enjoyed what a puzzle the book was. The reader never really knew what was going on; I felt like every other chapter had a big reveal. It kept me on my toes and made me constantly wonder what was going to happen next. One thing The Cage has going for it: it wasn't predictable!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the concept! The execution was a little rocky and disorienting, though that may simply be because the idea was an ambitious one to tackle. However, the biggest nail in the 3-star-coffin was the devolution of the characters. I understand why it had to happen and I don't fault Shepherd for it at all; it just wasn't the best read for me because I can't handle when characters become so frustrating!

Even so, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books like Alienated by Melissa Landers or anyone who enjoys psychological novels. It was an interesting and innovative read!

Well done on such an ambitious new book, Ms. Shepherd!

Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Title: Take Me On
Author: Katie McGarry
Format I Read: Hardcover
Pages: 544
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Stars: 4
Goodreads Link

I will preface this with a single statement: Damn, this book is long. That's the only downer for me. Typically, I love long books. They give me the greatest sense of accomplishment after I plow through them. Unfortunately, Take Me On didn't have that "it" factor that made me dive in like I wanted to.

The premise was interesting. Haley was a national title holder for kickboxing. West is a rough-around-the-edges trust fund boy. When he nearly hits her with his car, West finds himself plunged into her world. He finds himself scheduled to fight with Haley's ex-boyfriend's brother (isn't that a mouthful) in two months. Haley knows that a.) she got him into this mess and b.) he doesn't have a chance in the fight. So she decides to train him, despite the fact that she abandoned fighting after she broke up with her ex-boyfriend, Matt. Unfortunately, it turns out the breakup wasn't simple or peaceful. Matt fought for a competing gym and Haley's relationship with him was a betrayal to her family. Ever since then, she's just been trying to protect her family. But how can she protect them when they don't even know the whole story?

This novel is the fourth in Katie McGarry's series of relatively standalone novels. West is Rachel's (from Crash Into You) brother. I really liked that connection; I love seeing the follow up with all of the characters from previous books. It's so cool how each novel builds on the previous without technically being a sequel. It's impressive how perfectly Ms. McGarry builds the world of these books and connects everyone together!

I liked the struggles that Haley and West had to deal with. Haley had to struggle with the burdens of her family. When her dad lost his job, they spiraled into debt and now live with Haley's verbally abusive uncle. She tries to protect her family while also trying to build a future for herself. West had to struggle with the crushing guilt after Rachel's car crash. Her legs are damaged and she's stuck in the hospital, and West blames himself. His dad kicks him out of the house, and West suffers as he tries to find himself. It was fantastic how Haley and West balanced each other out. West taught Haley how to fight for herself, and Haley taught West how to be himself. West taught Haley to think a little less, and Haley taught West to think a little more. They both taught each other self-worth.

West thinks to himself: "Rachel said she saved [Isaiah]. He saved her. Guess they saved each other" (407). I think that's one of the truest statement in these books. There is no spineless damsel in distress that the boy saves. It's never one-sided. The couples always save each other. There's always an amazing sense of balance.

So overall, it was great. Katie McGarry writes exquisitely, as usual. Honestly, the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was that it was too long. The plot just wasn't perfect enough to keep me fully invested for 544 pages. I didn't devour it. Nonetheless, an awesome read. The ending tied everything up and left me satisfied. The book as a whole proved to be empowering and heartwarming. Definitely a fantastic follow up to Ms. McGarry's string of novels.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Rebel Belle
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Format I Read: Hardcover
Pages: 345
Genres: Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Rebel Belle made me goofily smile numerous times, to the point where I had to hide my face in the pages. It was a fantastic read. I both started it and finished it today. Amazing!

The basic idea is that Harper Price, an overachiever and well-established "popular," becomes a Paladin. What the heck is a Paladin?, you may say. Well, it's a wonder you ask! A Paladin is like a super bodyguard. When Harper ends up in the crossfire of her killer history teacher and her not-so-ordinary school janitor, she ends up with the duties of a Paladin. And she's bound to protect David Stark, her enemy since just about birth. But why? And how will she juggle being a super bodyguard and preparing for Cotillion, while also keeping her best friend and boyfriend from getting too suspicious? She's wondering the same thing.

I thought that the book was wonderfully done. The character development didn't jump at all. Harper and David's relationship was natural and progressed as expected considering the situation. The book gave me flutters. The only thing that I didn't like was Mary Beth, one of their classmates. She was just too bitchy and her actions didn't sit well with me. However, that was really my only complaint.

The plot, setting, and lore behind the events was exquisitely presented. The story was completely original and kept me at the edge of my seat. Very interesting.

The "love triangle" (as some people may call it) was nearly non-existent. Yes, there was a struggle between the two boys, but I felt like it was pretty understated. There was no massive "Oh no, who do I choose?" It wasn't the major plot point; it was more of a side note. That was great.

I also just loved Harper and David. And Bee and Ryan, and basically everyone. They were all such great characters. Harper had such depth and I loved her voice. As a fairly neurotic high school student myself, I definitely related to her perfectionist/overachiever attitude. She was fantastic. She even had a background story in which her sister Leah-Anne died in a fairly substantial scandal. She was way more than what met the eye, and I loved that. David was the cutest mix of quirky, hipster, and ambitious. Bee was literally the best friend anyone could ask for. I kept waiting for the moment when I would start to hate her, but she was perfect. Ryan was the perfect southern boyfriend. As much as I wanted to hate him so that Harper-David could happen, I really couldn't. I couldn't really hate anyone (except for Mary Beth oops). They were all amazing.

Overall, I just loved it. Definitely 5 stars. I can't wait for the sequel (April 7 is so far away, nooo). Props to Ms. Hawkins!

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Title: All the Bright Places
Author: Jennifer Niven
Format I Read: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

So here's the scoop: I finished this book less than an hour ago. It made me sob like a baby, so much so that I had to hide away in the shower so that no one would hear me. I'm still on the brink, so I'm going to try to make this review quick so that I don't break down again.

I'm not sure that I've ever read a book that had as much of an impact on me as All the Bright Places did. The writing was absolutely flawless. I felt the characters in my bones. Even the littlest things, like the labels under the chapters as Finch counted the days he'd been Awake and Violet counted the days until graduation, enhanced their personalities. The little quirks of those labels (like how Violet eventually stopped counting down and began living in the moment) added more to the story than I thought possible.

Ms. Niven said she wanted to write something edgy, something contemporary. It is safe to say that she went above and beyond; she more than succeeded. She made an impact. She showed how there is so much more to mental disorders and suicide and teenagers. She showed how many different ways there are to deal with death, but how it is survivable. She showed how everyone is deeper than they appear, even the popular people. She showed how one person can change everything, how one person can change a life, and how one person can save a life.

And now I have to stop before I start crying. I wish I could give this book 10 stars, but my scale only goes up to 5. This is a story that will stick with me forever, that I'll think about at random moments, that will never leave me.

I cannot give a higher recommendation for All the Bright Places. Congratulations, Ms. Niven, for making me fall in love with Finch and Violet, for changing my life, for changing the way I look at the world. Oh, and for making me sob like a baby.