Super Short Reviews (16)

Here are some super short reviews of some books I've read lately. Links will take you to Goodreads.

Crewel by Gennifer Albin (read for 2012 Debut Author Challenge; arc from BEA): I held off on reading this for so long because I really haven't been in the mood for dystopian fiction in a while. During Superstorm Sandy, however, I was determined to make a dent in my TBR pile, and so it went. The premise sounds intriguing--single women, called Spinsters, are responsible for weaving time, nature, everything. However, even though I know this book has received lots of great reviews, but I almost gave up 60 pages in. I really struggled through the first half of the book--I didn't understand a lot of what was going on with the characters, and I know next to nothing about spinning so I was a little lost there. I stuck with it, though, and I'm glad I did, because the second half of the book was way better than the first. Of course it's a trilogy (what is this trend that dystopians have to be trilogies?) so of course there was a humongous cliffhanger at the end. It was intriguing enough that I will probably add the second book to my TBR pile when it releases.

Tangled by Carolyn Mackler (own paperback): I think that both of the covers for this books are misleading--they totally indicate that this is some lighthearted, fun novel about four teens whose lives intertwine. And yes, Tangled was, in many ways, a fun read--I especially enjoyed the sections narrated by football star Dakota--but it definitely delves deeper into the teenage psyche than the covers would have you believe. It was an enjoyable read, don't get me wrong. I love the idea that four teens can meet briefly over spring break (or even not really meet, as in the case of Jena and Owen) but have their lives intertwine for a long time after.

Enjoy your reading!

Christi