A boy blows off his arms in an accidental explosion. A girl falls for him nonetheleless. A classic tale of beauty and the beast.
Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s “
Crazy Beautiful” is breathtakingly beautiful. I found myself aching at the raw emotion & losing myself in the sheer creative brilliance that is this book. I didn’t just read it; I devoured it! I even started to drag my feet as I was reaching the end. Why? Because Crazy Beautiful is so hypnotic, an unparalleled fairy tale, and I didn’t want it to end.
Baratz-Logsted’s interpretation of Beauty & the Beast is absolutely arresting. Told with a modern twist, Crazy Beautiful will have you believing anything & everything is possible thanks to the author’s striking & charismatic prose. The story is told in alternating point of views, which is not only refreshing but allows readers to experience the deeply intense emotions that cover Lucius & Aurora, the two main characters, like second skin.
Baratz-Logsted weaves an enthralling tale of fractured teens who are destined to be in a fast, emotional read that gives readers a unique take on a well-known tale.
I want a sequel!
Published September 21st, 2009 at 7:00 am in Authors, Recommended Reading, Young Adult Fiction with no comments
Tagged with Crazy Beautiful, Diane, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, lucius and aurora, teen romance, The Book Resort, Young Adult Fiction
Review by Diane at “The Book Resort:“
Let me start this review off by saying, I don’t give a hoot if Stephanie Meyer endorses this book or not. This is Aprilynne Pike’s creation and not Meyer’s! So let’s talk about Pike and her debut novel Wings.
Is the buzz fluttering around this bestselling novel authentic or hype? You need to read “Wings” yourself before you rush to make judgments based on the blurb by Meyer. Lovers of Meyer’s works will rush to “Wings” based on the mega author’s backing. However, haters will dig in their heels and deny themselves the opportunity to experience Pike’s young adult fiction. Pike’s inimitable insight into the universe of faeries is momentous. Pike unearths a provocative symmetry between fantasy and reality. “Wings” is an enchanting contemporary fairy tale with the precise mix of excitement, humor, romance, friendship and peril. “Wings” does start slow and there are some lengthy moments but Pike builds momentum as the story unfolds. Pike’s writing is velvety and flows serenely. I have not read anything as one-of-a-kind as “Wings.” I am extremely interested in finding out where Pike is leading Laurel on this fun journey.
Thanks Diane!
Published July 7th, 2009 at 6:54 am in Uncategorized with no comments
Tagged with Aprilynne Pike, The Book Resort, Wings, YA
Review by Diane at “The Book Resort:“
Perfect Chemistry“ introduces us to the riveting world of Brittany Ellis and Alex Fuentes. The cover is reminiscent of West Side Story with Romeo abd Juliet whisked in. The plot may be a timeless one of star-crossed lovers, rich girl-poor guy, but that’s where the similarities end. Simone Elkeles is an accomplished storyteller and “Perfect Chemistry” is a compelling tale filled with passion, promise and hope. Skillfully narrated in alternating voices, the novel showcases Brittany ’s heartfelt conflict with achieving perfection and also the hideous underbelly of gang life as if the author went undercover to gain insider info! She did not glide over Alex’s life but excavated it à la Indiana Jones. An emotional read, “Perfect Chemistry” shows that genuine love knows no boundaries.
Thanks Diane!
Published July 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm in Authors, Recommended Reading, Young Adult Fiction with no comments
Tagged with Perfect Chemistry, Simon Elkeles, The Book Resort, YA
