Tag: book review

Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Buy

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Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. When Cricket, a gifted inventor, steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I absolutely loved this book. Not only did I love Lola and Cricket but I loved seeing Anna and Etienne again. I definitely liked this novel even better than Anna and the French Kiss because seeing Anna and Etienne already together and happy kind of just made Lola and Cricket’s romance feel inevitable.

Moreover, I found both Lola and Cricket to be interesting characters.  I loved how eccentric Lola was with her crazy outfits and costumes. More than that though I liked that she was daring. She never stuck to the status quo and although her adventurous attitude got her into trouble at times it was also a big part of who she was. I really liked her character a lot and I think all the mistakes she made were fair ones for any teen.

Additionally, the Bell twins have an interesting relationship. I’ve always found twins, in general, to be cool and I kind of wish I had one. Calliope and Cricket are very close but Cricket often gets pushed back into the shadows because his sister is an elite figure skater. I loved watching Cricket come out of his shell and put himself out there when it came to Lola. He was so cute and adorkable that I couldn’t help but cheer for him.

I also loved Lola’s family dynamic. Her birth parent’s were teen parents so her birth mother gave her up to her older brother, Nathan who had been wanting to have kids with his partner, Andy, for a while. First, it’s rare that I read a novel where the main character’s parents are queer. I think there’s a lot of novels where the main character themselves are queer but the last time I remember reading a novel with queer parents was Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List. Therefore that aspect of the novel itself, interested me. 

Overall, this was a cute, short romance novel that I totally want on my shelf so I can reread it whenever I please. Definitely a must read!

Borrow or Buy: Buy!

Stars:

5 stars

Favorite Line:

“I know you aren’t perfect. But it’s a person’s imperfections that make them perfect for someone else.”

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Book Review: Wicked Games

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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Synopsis from Amazon.com:

Tainted love. Sexy secrets. A chilling revenge plot. It’s all here in Wicked Gamesby Sean Olin, the first in a psychologically-charged, suspenseful series set in a picturesque coastal Florida town called Dream Point, where dangerous mind games are played with abandon.

Lilah has spent the last four years by her boyfriend Carter’s side, and everyone thinks their relationship is rock solid. But behind closed doors, things are beginning to crumble. Just as Lilah’s intensifying mood-swings are making Carter think about distancing himself from her, another girl enters the picture. Jules is beautiful, funny, smart, and artistic. Carter can’t help but fall under her spell. But one stolen night of passion has consequences they could never imagine.

Fans of books packed with drama and doomed romance, like The Lying Game and Perfect Chemistry, will immediately be hooked by Wicked Games.

*This book is part of my POPSUGAR 2015 Reading Challenge*

I really only read this book because it was on my reading challenge. That’s also the only reason why I finished it. Although the book is filled with drama and there’s definitely a suspense aspect to it, this book just didn’t do it for me.

It felt like this book was trying to hard. Lilah has so many issues and I’m not sure how I feel about the author demonizing her mental illness. Of course, this a trope that has been used multiple times but still. It just didn’t sit right with me. Also, the author kind of skips over the fact that Carter is in the wrong. He cheated on his girlfriend! Yes, Lilah has issues but newsflash, cheating on her isn’t going to help.

And then he lies about it and blames Lilah for his cheating. Nonsense. Oh and don’t worry, these aren’t really spoilers. This is the main premise of the story. Carter cheats on Lilah, Lilah loses her mind, plot thickens.

I started and finished this book in one day mainly because I skimmed over most of it, honestly. I just couldn’t deal with all the nonsense. The only character I kind of liked was Jules because although she did do something wrong she didn’t seem as much as a jerk as Carter.

I think the ending of this book is supposed to be a shocking twist but I wasn’t feeling it. It just seemed strange to me and out of place. All this being said, this is definitely a borrow, although honestly, I just wouldn’t read it.

Borrow or Buy: Borrow.

Stars:

2 stars

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Book Review: Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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*This book is part of my POPSUGAR 2015 Reading Challenge*

Synopsis from Amazon:

Top Five Things That Are Ruining Chloe’s Day

5) Working the 6:30 a.m. shift at GoodFoods Market

4) Crashing a cart into a customer’s car right in front of her snarky coworker Sammi

3) Trying to rock the “drowned rat” look after being caught in a snowstorm

2) Making zero progress with her crush, Tyson (see #3)

1) Being accused—along with her fellow teenage employees— of stealing upwards of $10,000

Chloe would rather be anywhere than locked in work jail (aka the break room) with five of her coworkers . . . even if one of them is Tyson. But if they can band together to clear their names, what looks like a total disaster might just make Chloe’s list of Top Ten Best Moments.

It’s been way too long since I’ve read a book for my POPSUGAR reading challenge so I’m glad I finally got around to picking up this book. I picked this book based on it’s cover, apparently. Honestly, I no longer remember what I liked about it but I liked the book itself so it’s fine.

This was a typical, short YA novel that had a Breakfast Club vibe. Chloe, along with five of her other coworkers that are all around her age, are forced to stay late after work because someone accused them of stealing money that was supposed to be donated to those in need.

Through this unfortunate situation these six kids get to know each other, learning about their pasts, families, and school life. They realize they’re not as different from each other as they once thought and that maybe instead of just being coworkers, they could be friends too.

Overall, this book was cute. It had a good amount of diversity amongst the characters, which I really liked. And there was little bit of romance, a lot of friendship bondings, and a plot twist that you’ll see coming but is still interesting. Will I read this again? No, probably not. Did I enjoy it? Sure did.

If you’re looking for a quick, fun read this is the perfect book for you.

Borrow or Buy: Borrow. It’s a cute, fun read but not one you’ll want to reread.

Stars:

4 stars

Favorite Line:

I keep hearing that being a geek is cool now, but I’m not sure the rest of the world has gotten the memo.

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Book Review: Gilded

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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Synopsis from Amazon.com:

Sixteen-year-old Jae Hwa Lee is a Korean-American girl with a black belt, a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows, and a chip on her shoulder the size of Korea itself. When her widowed dad uproots her to Seoul from her home in L.A., Jae thinks her biggest challenges will be fitting into a new school and dealing with her dismissive Korean grandfather. Then she discovers that a Korean demi-god, Haemosu, has been stealing the soul of the oldest daughter of each generation in her family for centuries. And she’s next.

But that’s not Jae’s only problem.

There’s also Marc. Irresistible and charming, Marc threatens to break the barriers around Jae’s heart. As the two grow closer, Jae must decide if she can trust him. But Marc has a secret of his own—one that could help Jae overturn the curse on her family for good. It turns out that Jae’s been wrong about a lot of things: her grandfather is her greatest ally, even the tough girl can fall in love, and Korea might just be the home she’s always been looking for.

*I received a free digital copy of this book from Skyscape via NetGalley. This did not influence my review of this book in anyway. This is an honest review of the novel as I saw it. This novel is now on sell at Amazon.com.*

According to Amazon, this book has been on my wish list since February 22, 2014. Therefore you can only imagine my excitement when I received a free copy of it. You can then fully understand my disappointment when I didn’t love it.

Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate this book. It had a great plot filled with mystery and a romance that I really enjoyed. But the spark wasn’t there. I was excited to keep reading. I was never on the edge of my seat to find out what would happen next. The protagonist, Jae Hwa, didn’t draw me in. I wanted to feel bad for her and everything she was struggling with but I just didn’t. I couldn’t get invested in her character.

My biggest issue with Jae Hwa was how often she discovered she was wrong about something. “I was wrong. Again,” was one of her most popular lines. At first it was fine because of course she wouldn’t fully understand how to fight against an ancient demi-god that’s been kidnapping the ladies in her family for centuries. Who would? But after a while it just got annoying. At some point you’d think she’d get the hang of things. Or, at least not be so surprised when she was, once again, wrong.

Moreover, her father infuriated me. I could understand why he wouldn’t believe that a demi-god was after his daughter. What I couldn’t understand was him not being around a lot but towards the end of the novel suddenly being really stressed about losing his daughter, especially since he lost his wife to cancer. He was so adamant about how he’d be devastated if something happened to Jae Hwa but dismissed her concerns about living in Korea over and over again. I understand plot wise why he couldn’t very well say, “Yes, Jae Hwa. Let’s leave Korea.” But if that’s the case don’t make it seem like his greatest desire in life is to keep her safe or at least don’t wait until the end of the book to make those feelings evident.

My favorite characters of the whole novel were, Marc, the love interest, and Michelle, the best friend who in my opinion did not get enough scenes in this novel. I really liked Marc. The romance between him and Jae Hwa is mostly what made me push through this novel. And I loved Michelle. She was honest and a little sassy; my favorite combination.

Overall, this book had it’s downfalls but I think the idea behind it was good and maybe it just wasn’t for me. Either way, I’d say if you’re going to read it, borrow it.

Borrow or Buy: Borrow.

Stars:

2 stars

Favorite Line:

“Disbelief is the root of the impossible.”

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Book Review: The Girl On The Train

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Honestly, I’m not sure if The Girl on the Train or Go Set Watchmensold more copies this year. Either way, The Girl on the Train was a runaway bestseller and I can see why.

I absolutely loved this novel. This is what I like to call “Miss Your Stop On The Train” good. I was so sucked into everything going on this novel. Told in three different women’s point of views: Rachel’s, in the present; Anna, the wife of Rachel’s ex, also in the present; and Megan (“Jess”), in the past.

Recently divorced and an alcoholic, Rachel is having a tough go at it. She’s struggling to let go of her past with her ex-husband, Tom, and gets enthralled with a couple that lives a few houses down from her former home. Referring to them as “Jess and Jason” Rachel sees them as the perfect couple she wishes she and her ex-husband could be, or rather, could’ve been.

Paula Hawkins perfectly weaves the narratives of these three women together, giving readers and air of mystery by making us wonder who to believe. Each woman has her own story of events and it’s impossible to figure out the truth until the near end. I was happily shocked once I figured it out and wasn’t disappointed by the ending at all.

At times, I will say, Rachel and the other narrators did annoy me with their whining, but I’d say the only one I really couldn’t stand was Anna and I believe she had the smallest parts so that was fine. Rachel was my favorite. Although she definitely has her faults, I couldn’t help but root for her to get better. Of course a lot of her troubles were of her own doing but not all of it was and I felt sorry for her. More than that, Rachel consistently tried to do what she believed was right and I loved her all the more for it.

I greatly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I’m interested to see what Hawkins will come up with next.

Borrow or Buy: Buy!! So great. I’d love to give it a second read, knowing how it ends now.

Favorite Line:

It’s possible to miss what you’ve never had, to mourn for it.

Stars:

5 stars

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Book Review: City of Heavenly Fire

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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Synopsis from Amazon.com:

Shadowhunters and demons square off for the final showdown in the spellbinding, seductive conclusion to the #1 “New York Times” bestselling Mortal Instruments series. Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian–but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance… Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world will change. Who will survive the explosive sixth and final installment of the Mortal Instruments series?

If you’ve been following by blog for at least the last month then you know that I have fallen deeply in love with The Mortal Instruments series. I have now read every book in the series and have made most of the main characters either a Man Crush Monday or Woman Crush Wednesday. Needless to say I was obsessed. And, sadly, now it’s all over and I’m at a loss as to what to do with myself.

Thankfully, there’s more books to read! The Infernal Devices! The Bane Chronicles! The Dark Artifices (which hasn’t come out yet but I will get my hands on it as soon as it does or as an ARC if I can)! I can’t wait to get my hands on these.

Until then I’ll be taking a break from the Shadowhunters world to read other things to cater to those of you that don’t actually read books by Cassandra Clare (although you really, really should!). If you haven’t read the first five books in the series please stop here unless you want to get spoiled. It’s review time!

City of Heavenly Fire was everything I needed it to be and more. There were some parts I could do without and definitely some sections I skimmed but overall I absolutely loved it. The story began with Emma, a young Shadowhunter in L.A. who will be the main character in the spin off series that comes out next year. I loved Emma and her friend, Julian, and their whole story and I’m excited to get to know them better.

The focus of this novel, however, was Jace, Clary, Alec, Isabelle, Simon, and Magnus. So much happened in this book and I was enthralled by it all. By beginning the novel with new characters I was thrown off a little bit but liked how Clare didn’t just jump into the drama right away. She eased us into it, showing us just how bad things were for the Shadowhunters and what Sebastian was doing.

Sebastian is probably my favorite character to hate. He’s so diabolical but also a cunning, evil genius. He’s smart, which is what made him successful. Thankfully, Clary and Jace are smarter. I loved seeing Jace and Clary work together in this book. Of course, with every war there were many losses in the novel as well, some of which I wasn’t expecting at all, but there was also victory and romance and enough happy moments to keep me satisfied.

Clare’s ability to bounce from character to character, setting to setting, in her novels is what makes them so great. I never got bored because as soon as we spent time with one or two characters we were then moving along to the next. The third person narrative really works here and I loved reading this book. I found myself so sucked into the story there was definitely a day I almost missed my stop on the train because I was so into the story.

The ending of the book didn’t satisfy me and honestly that’s probably because of two things. One, I hadn’t wanted the series to end but also, for Clare the story’s not really done. Sure the spin off will focus on Emma but it’s still a continuation of this story and I’m sure we’ll be seeing Clary and her crew again.

Even so, I wanted something more final about the ending. I won’t spoil it but I will say I was a little disappointed with the ending for Simon. I need more closure than that but apparently there’s a bunch of short stories about him so I guess I’ll have to read those to know more. Honestly, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to read them. More Shadowhunters!

Overall, I really did love this book. I still wanted more from it although I’m not sure what exactly. I don’t think this is my favorite book in the series, I think City of Lost Souls was better, but I still really loved it.

Borrow or Buy: Buy! You need a complete set. I wish I had one.

Favorite Line: 

“There are a hundred trillion cells in the human body, and every single one of the cells of my body loves you. We shed cells, and grow new ones, and my new cells love you more than the old ones, which is why I love you more every day than I did the day before. It’s science. And when I die and they burn my body and I become ashes that mix with the air, and part of the ground and the trees and the stars, everyone who breathes that air or sees the flowers that grow out of the ground or looks up at the stars will remember you and love you, because I love you that much.”

Stars:

4 stars

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Book Review: Sharp Objects

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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Synopsis from Amazon.com:

Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming.

Sharp Objects is Gillian Flynn’s first novel and I think it’s her best. Gone Girl may have the bigger plot twist but this book not only had a great plot twist but also an amazing protagonist and plot overall.

There’s so many things I loved about this book I’m not sure where to start. First, Flynn’s mind for the dark and twisted never ceases to amaze me. I literally just finished the book and knew I had to write this review right now before I forgot this feeling of terrifying fear and shock this book has left me in.

Word to the wise, do not read this book right before bed. It’ll take you forever to fall asleep because you’ll either be too caught up in the book to stop reading or you’ll finish it and just find yourself lying in bed staring up at the ceiling wondering what in God’s name made Flynn come up with this insane story.

The combination of the scarred protagonist, Camille, her unkind mother, Adora, and Camille’s creepy younger half-sister, Amma, makes for a family dynamic that’s scarring, strange, and at times will sometimes make your skin crawl. Add in the mysterious murders of two preteen girls, a small town that’s filled with gossip and secrets, and an out of town detective with a lot of questions and this book will keep you on your toes the whole ride.

Then, just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Flynn hits you with a twist that makes this freaky story go from strange to downright nightmarish.

Definitely a page turner and definitely worth every cent. I feel like I need to read this book again and look for every clue I missed. I’m blown away. If you haven’t read this book yet do yourself a favor and pick it up. And maybe only read it when the sun’s up or with the lights on. This one really messed me up guys. If anyone needs me I’ll be reading a nice romance novel to get over this.

Borrow or Buy: Buy this. Buy this right now. Go!

Favorite Line:

Problems always start long before you really, really see them.

Stars:

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Book Review: Where She Went

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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Synopsis from Amazon.com:

Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay,Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam’s point of view. Ever since Mia’s decision to stay – but not with him – Adam’s career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite – with wholly satisfying results.

It’s been a long time since I read If I Stay but I know I loved it. Therefore when I learned there was a sequel I had to read it. Finding out it was in Adam’s point of view was an extra bonus because he’s one of my favorite book boyfriends ever.

Adam is sweet, moody, and the type of rock star boyfriend I’m sure many girls dream of. Going into this book I knew Mia and Adam had broken up and I was heartbroken. After everything she went through just to decide to wake up, Adam being the deciding factor, to discover their relationship then ended was heart wrenching to say the least.

The greatest thing about this novel is that it starts several years later. Following a similar format of If I Stay, there’s a lot of flashbacks to the time between when Mia woke up to Adam’s present. Of course we only get to see Adam’s point of view in this but I think seeing Mia’s might of made me hate her and for that I am grateful to Gayle Forman because I don’t, in fact, want to hate Mia.

Adam goes through a roller coaster of emotions in this book. He starts out depressed and then seeing Mia again for the first time in years doesn’t really help his dark feelings. However, the two of them decide despite the terrible way in which things ended between them they’re going to ignore all their responsibilities and run around New York City together. Both Mia and Adam have found their own pockets of fame in the world and will be leaving New York for their own separate tours the next day. This one night is there chance to enjoy New York before their fast paced lives kick up again and they have to face reality, including discussing why Mia left and what they’ve both been up to since.

I loved that this story took place mainly all in one night. Getting to see these two reconnect and deal with their warring emotions of seeing each other again was fantastic. There was so much tension and heartache but also moments of happiness that made me smile. Additionally, the flashbacks of moments between Adam and Mia before the car crash were brilliant and perfectly placed.

In If I Stay we didn’t really get to see Mia and Adam fall in love. The novel just jumped right in and honestly Mia’s relationship with her family was really the focus, as it should have been. However, in this book it was mainly about Adam and Mia and it felt like seeing them fall in love for the first time, even though it wasn’t. Heart felt and honest, this book is one for the shelf.

Borrow or Buy: Buy!

Favorite Line:

“You don’t share me. You own me.”

Stars

4 stars

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Book Review: City of Fallen Angels

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

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Synopsis from Amazon:

Trust is dangerous, and to love is to destroy. Plunge into the fourth installment in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly)—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! City of Fallen Angels is a Shadowhunters novel.

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

I’m so hooked on this series. I don’t how it took me this long to start reading it but now I’m playing catch up and reading through them as fast as I can. Then I can start reading the Clockwork series and learn what the fuss is about Will Herondale.

But for now let’s talk about the City of Fallen Angels. If you haven’t read the first three books in The Mortal Instruments series be warned there will be spoilers!

As I said before, the series could’ve ended with City of Glass. It was a good ending. However, I’m so glad it didn’t because this book was crazy good.

In this novel we got some new, interesting characters, a lot more background for various characters including Magnus and Maia, and just a lot of good plot. This novel picked up a little while after the last book and of course everything seems to be fine and dandy but it’s really not.

Despite having the Mark of Cain on him, someone is looking for Simon and quite possibly trying to kill him. Clary and Jace’s new found relationship is on the rocks and as always Jace is struggling with his communication skills. Magnus and Alec are taking a well deserved vacation until unfortunately Magnus is called back for an emergency and Magnus and Alec are forced to question the reality of their relationship. Oh, and did I mention Simon’s having girl troubles? How geeky Simon went from pining away for Clary to having two girlfriends is still a mystery.

The point is this book had a lot going on but Cassandra Clare did an excellent job of keeping everything together and not making anything confusing or hard to understand. I found the story easy to follow and once again I enjoyed being able to bounce around from character to character and get a full scope of what was going on in everyone’s lives.

I’m impatiently waiting to get City of Lost Souls because this book ends with a major cliffhanger that honestly I saw coming but still. I need to know what happens next!

If you haven’t given this series a try yet, despite me giving you about a thousand reasons why you should, do yourself a favor and check it out. You won’t regret it.

Borrow or Buy: Buy! Buy the whole series. I would if I had some money.

Favorite Line:

“It means,” [Jace] said, “that love is the most powerful force in the world. That love can do anything.”

Stars:

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Book Review: Traffick

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in ARC Reviews, Books to Buy

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Synopsis from Amazon:

Five teens victimized by sex trafficking try to find their way to a new life in this riveting companion to the New York Times bestsellingTricks from Ellen Hopkins, author of Crank.

In her bestselling novel, Tricks, Ellen Hopkins introduced us to five memorable characters tackling these enormous questions: Eden, the preacher’s daughter who turns tricks in Vegas and is helped into a child prostitution rescue; Seth, the gay farm boy disowned by his father who finds himself without money or resources other than his own body; Whitney, the privileged kid coaxed into the life by a pimp and whose dreams are ruined in a heroin haze; Ginger, who runs away from home with her girlfriend and is arrested for soliciting an undercover cop; and Cody, whose gambling habit forces him into the life, but who is shot and left for dead.

And now, in Traffick, these five are faced with the toughest question of all: Is there a way out? How these five teenagers face the aftermath of their decisions and experiences is the soul of this story that exposes the dark, ferocious underbelly of the child trafficking trade. Heartwrenching and hopeful, Traffick takes us on five separate but intertwined journeys through the painful challenges of recovery, rehabilitation, and renewal to forgiveness and love. All the way home.

*I received this book as a digital ARC from Simon and Schuster. This did not influence my review of this book in anyway. This is an honest review of the novel as I saw it. This novel will be released on November 3, 2015.*

I first fell in love with Ellen Hopkins’ writing style in high school when I read Crank. Since then I’ve read every single one of her books (including the adult novels) except one. I’m still waiting to get my hands on Smoke.

The point is I’m a huge fan and Traffick did not disappoint. If you haven’t read Tricks yet be warned there will be spoilers from that book here. I’ll try to keep it minimal but it’ll be hard not to mention a few key points.

If you’re like me it may have been a while since you read Tricks and therefore I urge you to  reread it, or at least look up a summary because when I first started reading Traffick I thought everything would just come back to me but I was very mistaken. I had to read up on Tricks to remember all the crazy that went on before I could dive into the sequel.

Traffick begins pretty close to where Tricks left off. We start with Cody who wakes up from a coma after being shot and then move through all my favorite characters from the first novel.

Seth is still struggling on his own, not being able to return home since he came out to his father. Ginger, Whitney, and Eden are all recovering from their life of turning tricks and trying to figure what will be next for them although they all handle this in very different ways.

I found this novel very interesting because it shows what happens after being trafficked. Seth is the only main character in this novel who’s still turning tricks. Everyone else is dealing with the repercussions and effects of what happened to them.

What Hopkins does very well is show the variety of ways in which a child could end up in this life and unfortunately often do today. There was no stereotype of all these kids coming from a bad home or a poor neighborhood. Of course that was the case for some but not for all. Each of these characters were different with different stories and experiences and I think Hopkins demonstrated that well.

This book took me through a roller coaster of emotions. When one of the characters succeeded I cheered with them. When one failed I cried along with them. I thankfully can’t say I know what living a life like this is like but I can only imagine how difficult it would be to get out. Hopkins doesn’t sugar coat her characters’ struggles but she also showed their triumphs.

My one issue with the book was the typical description of a person of color in reference to food, i.e. using words like “chocolate” and “espresso”to describe skin color and eyes instead of just saying dark skin and brown eyes. But because this book was excellent overall I’ll give Hopkins a pass although really you don’t have to describe us like food. Just say our skin tone color. It’s fine, really.

Moving on, this was an excellent novel and I urge you all to pick it up. If nothing else it made me want to learn more about sex trafficking, and specifically, child trafficking and what I can do to stop it. Hopkins brought light to a real issue and although I know sometimes people look down on YA fiction, Traffick just goes to show that any book, no matter the genre, can have a real message and an even more real impact.

Borrow or Buy: Buy! And while you’re at buy Tricks too.

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