Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island's workers--soulless clones like Elysia--are immune to.
At first, Elysia's life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island's flawless exterior, there is an under-current of discontent among Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care--so why are overpowering sensations cloud-ing Elysia's mind? 

If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happi-ness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive. 

The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, "Beta "is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a cor-rupted world.
-----------Goodreads summary
Rachel Cohn is one of my favourite YA authors. Ever. She is an instant read for me, without question. I don't even have to know the synopsis or anything about the book - if her name is attached, I want it. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is the YA book that got me into young adult literature, Dash & Lily make me warm and fuzzy just thinking about them, and her Gingerbread/Shrimp/Cupcake novels are the only contemporary books I've ever really supported as a series. So when I heard of Beta? I. Am. On. It.

Unfortunately.

Maybe I just have too high expectations for a Rachel Cohn book (because let's face it, I worship the literary ground she writes upon), but Beta left me so disappointed. I wanted to like it - I really did. And I still love the concept of it. But so far? Not feeling it.

Oddly, it's hard for me to pinpoint exactly why I didn't like the book, other than I just wasn't interested. It took me over halfway through the book to really care what was going on; and even then, it was just a little boring. I had no investment in any of the characters, and I never connected with anyone in the novel. There are scenes that are meant to be exciting and dangerous, but it always felt a bit dull to me. Without trying to make a pun on the fact it's a book about clones, there seemed to be a distinct lack of life to this novel.

I actually think my issue is the same one reason I have a hard time reading about anything time travel: loopholes. Things just don't seem to match up in time travel books to me; there's always something that doesn't make sense or I don't think is plausible. For a lot of Beta, I felt the same way. Elysia being a "feeling clone" was just a little too handy sometimes; and other times, I felt she was too clone-like in her thoughts. I know there has to be a transition from just clone to feeling clone, but I wasn't satisfied with it. Not yet, anyway. It did pick up towards the end, when she fully embraced that there may be something defective about herself and what that meant to her and her lifestyle.

The love interests themselves weren't very interesting, but the parts they each played in the big "twist" that happened - that was something I really liked. I like that their function is more than just a distraction or love - they have a real purpose, a real part to the grand plot, and I can't wait to find out more about each one. I am also very taken with the idea that Teen Betas are created from real people, that they are basically "recycled" from a real person that has passed. I can't quite say too much on the topic without giving away a substantial section of the plotline, but it's a great element and has a lot of potential. While so far I don't see a lot of that being put to use in the story, I do have a lot of hope it'll come to play in the coming books. And based on the ending of Beta...it definitely will.

I'm also trying to sort out how I feel about Ataraxia, the drug used in Beta. It's basically the hybrid version of X and Steroids - and while I get the function of it in the novel, for some reason it sits weird with me. I don't know if I'm just suspecting it will have a larger part to the plot, or if something just feels off about it, but there's something about it that's tickling my brain. I don't have issues with drug uses in novels as long as it makes sense - and it definitely does in this, especially on an island engineered to be perfect - so I don't think I'm just being a prude or uptight and am thinking 'oh no, drug uses with teens!' or anything like that. Maybe I just missed something while reading, but I feel like I need to read more about it. I could be way off, I'm not sure - but it feels like I'm not.

Even though the majority of this novel didn't hold my attention, there is something I really liked: the uprising. The bigger happenings. Just what it means that Elysia is a feeling clone, a Defect. There's a bigger world going on past the limits of Demesne, more to this series than just following some teen who realizes she's feeling shit and having emotions -- and I LOVE what it feels like it could be. Beta wasn't that high on my list, but I am definitely interested in reading the second book because I want to know what's going to happen with this bigger picture and retaliation. I'll probably go into Book 2 with a little more reservation than I did with Beta, but I know I'll still be there.

Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
PS. Make sure you come back on November 1, because that's when my Holiday giveaway begins!

Anyhow. So, I will be participating this year again! And I'm actually really excited, because in all the years past I've been quite a pants-er about the process - pretty much November 1, I fish around my brain for the best idea in my head at the time, put my fingers to the keyboard, and go. And while I've managed to crank out 70k and 93k words for each of those successes, ultimately the stories have led nowhere and are subsequently shelved.

But! This year, I've actually got a plan! It was one of those ideas that hit me early in the year, and I was kinda like...hmmm. That actually sounds...good! But I don't know. But it's an idea that's stayed, that I just can't quite let go, and I find myself actually working out the details in my head and gathering storylines and characters for it. I'm taking it as a sign that it's an idea needed to be written, and NaNo seems like the perfect time to do just that.

Anyone else taking part in the madness? Has anyone done it before? Stories to tell about it? I've done a few meetups in San Diego, and once I accidentally stumbled into a meet up when I overheard people chatting about it at my local Coffee Bean where I usually write. This is the first year I'm going into it with a real story idea that could turn into something, and I'm pretty nervous!

I also bring this up because...what does this mean for the blog? If anyone did the math, getting to 50k words in a month means roughly 1667 words a day. For me, a naturally wordy person (as you can see by this post...and probably every review I've ever written...), it's not too hard - but those days that are tough? They're tough. It feels impossible some days when you're stuck. And throw in the holidays, and that for me personally I have a massive family reunion happening one of the weekends in November, and a huge YA event one of the days, and I'm still doing full time work...well. It's going to be a month of madness, and it becomes a question of what the hell do I do with this blog?!

Truthfully, I don't know what will happen. I'm working now to get things scheduled, especially since that'll lead up to December and I'm SUCH a holidays/Christmas freak that I want to do some fun things then. I'm doing my best to get quality content to go up and not have this fall to the wayside, but I wanted to give a small warning that things may be...quieter than normal. I have no problem devoting every free moment of my time to this blog 11 months of the year, but I am a writer still. And I'm going to allow myself 30 days to put writing before reading. I hope you understand.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

meant to highlight an upcoming release we're excited for!

What book are you eagerly awaiting?

Leave your link and I'll hop by!

Notable Quote

"You always manage it," said Bramble, curling her toes on the slick stone. "Turning things about."

Thanks to the magic of scheduling posts, nobody knew that I've been without internet all week! As I type this, I'm at a Starbucks near my house. Our router at home went kaput, so I've been without and unable to return any comments :( I hope to have a new one installed this weekend though!

In case you missed it...

ARC Review: The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini.

Quirky and I love it. 4 Stars.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Basically Killed For To Buy...and I Still Haven't Read Them.

Sigh.

Waiting on: Golden by Jessi Kirby.

I can barely stand the wait.

ARC Review: Between You & Me by Marisa Calin.

A fabulous look at friendship with a unique presentation. 4.5 Stars

Coming up this week...

Shanon reviews Entwined by Heather Dixon

I review For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (spoiler: LOVE) and Beta by Rachel Cohn!

(apparently it's beautiful cover week!)

Also, a Waiting on Wednesday pick that I know you all share. I just know.

Onto the book haul!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Library

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

When I was at the Keeper of the Lost Cities launch, I was in line with my friend Andrea Ortega and she spotted this on the shelf and said it was one of her favourites. I had to check it out! It sounds like a fab novel just based on the synopsis, at least - and I trust Andrea :)

Purchased

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

One of my favourites, and it's a holiday book! Finally own it :) I'll be giving away a copy next month, too!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Eve by Anna Carey

There's a reason why I bought all these this week, but my lips are sealed as to why ;) Hopefully you'll find out next week!

Small, but a seriously great haul this week.

What books came into your possession?

Leave your link and I'll hop by!

Notable Quote

I'm kind of in love with the concept of this book, you guys. That it's written in a screenplay format, and that the best friend is simply referred to as "YOU"...it's unique and intriguing and, frankly, quite brilliant.

This is kind of a weird thing to say I feel, but one of the things I liked best about this book is how...normal it all is. Phyre is a drama student, and a lot of the time those characters are stereotyped into an extreme: either sitting in the corner, super off-beat and wearing a black beret, or just outlandish and over the top and a bit annoying. But Phyre...she's unique, and loud, and out there, but she's also just a normal teenage girl. She embarrasses herself, she has doubts, she volunteers in class sometimes and sits back sometimes. It's refreshing to have an average teenage girl as a main character when it could have gone so many ways.

The story itself is a bit normal: girl begins to have feelings for an enigmatic, new person in her life, and now she struggles to figure it all out. It's a bit elevated by the fact that the new, enigmatic person is a girl - which Phyre has never desired before. But still, the trajectory and the feelings remain the same as it would for a boy/girl situation, and I can't say I was surprised by any parts of the story. What you think will happen, probably will and does.

Not that that's a bad thing though! I loved it. I loved getting to experience Phyre's mixed emotions and doubt, seeing her friendship with "YOU" and sorting it all to make sense. Every reader who picks this up will recognize the feelings and indecision in it; we've all gone through it, and Marisa Calin captures it perfectly.

The best part of this novel though is that even though it seems to focus a lot on the fact Phyre finds herself falling for her female teacher, it really is about Phyre and "YOU". Amongst all the angst, it's about the friendship between Phyre and her best friend, and what happens between them. How they struggle sometimes, how they make up, how the best friend is really there for her whenever she needs him/her. The title is perfection, because ultimately, that is the story, and it is best that way. It's a nice, gentle reminder that even though the love interest can take up all the time, right there behind, steady and true, is the best friend.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Golden by Jessi Kirby
Simon & Schuster, 256 pages
Expected US Release Date: May 14, 2013

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost may be a distant relative of Robert Frost, but she has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a mystery in her lap—one that might be the key to uncovering the truth behind a town tragedy, she decides to take a chance.
-----------------Goodreads summary

I love Jessi Kirby. Not only is she super sweet in person (I've met her at the Summer Lovin' Book Tour and hung out at an event during ALA), but her writing is fabulous. When I read In Honor (review here!), I was so swept up in the tale and lost in her beautiful writing - and Golden looks like it'll be just like that, if not better. The premise is so intriguing, and how gorgeous is the cover?! May needs to get here fast!

What book are you eagerly awaiting?

Leave your link in the comments and I'll hop by!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the fab ladies at The Broke and the Bookish!

This week was a rewind, so I chose...

Top Ten Books I Just HAD To Buy...

And They're Still On My Shelf.

I also had to limit it to books acquired this year, because if this were to go back into my archives...well. It's just sad how many books I've got that I've not read yet and was so sure they'd be my immediate favourites!

Bossypants by Tina Fey

I wanted this book SO badly it was the only one I put on my Christmas wishlist to ensure I would get it. And I did! I just haven't read it yet.

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Hunted up and down for this bad boy, but it was sold out and waiting for the Printz stickers to be put on. The moment it was printed again, I went out to the store and got it.

Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Both are ones I wanted SO badly, I ordered them online - which I never, ever do. I'm still dying to read Take A Bow, but for some reason I keep putting it off.

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

I bought these both before they were officially available - I saw the boxes come in at BN and wheedled my way with the employees to sell them to me early.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Snapped 'em up because i'd heard such wonderful things, plus I was meeting them that night for the Fierce Reads tour. I was so so excited to read after hearing Leigh and Emmy talk about their books, too!

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Two of the Three I was absolutely DYING for at ALA - squealing and jumping actually occurred when I was able to get ARCs. And yet...still unread. Sigh.

I have a lot of work to do, obviously. Oh books, why must you all be so wonderful?!

What book did you DIE for and still haven't read?

Leave your links (to any TTT!) and I'll hop by!

I think the best word for The Other Normals would be quirky. The concept is a bit quirky, the main character Perry is a bit quirky, the World of The Other Normals is a bit quirky, pretty much any way you approach this book...it's odd, and weird, and completely unlike anything I've encountered. And I love that.

Even though it's a fairly hefty book at 400 pages, I flew through it in no time flat: there's something so smooth about the storyline and you go so seamlessly between the worlds, you barely notice (aside from the giant printed words!). Ned Vizzini's writing has always been captivating to me; the descriptions, personifications, every word has a purpose and they work together so well. It's hard to describe, but whenever I'm reading anything of his...it just feels familiar, even if they're words I've never heard before. I feel like I'm coming back to an old friend.

This will sound stupid, but something I didn't take into account when reading this is that it was going to be about an RPG game - which is something I have no interest in. I've never understood games like Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, etc. and even though it's callous of me to say, I don't really want to understand them. I've just never understood the appeal, and while of course everyone is free to like what they will, it's not for me. So when I started reading The Other Normals and realized that oh...I'm going to be reading about a game (called Creatures & Caverns in the book)...it was kind of tough to hold my attention, simply because games like that make my eyes glaze over. So just...be more aware than I was going in!

The other difficulty was with two of the characters. The first was Perry, the main boy. I just didn't like him much. He was awkward and weird, and not really in an endearing way - more in a cover my eyes and ears way, where I get secondhand embarrassment and want to duck my head and hide behind my hair. He made me cringe with some of his actions and thoughts, and while I'm sure those are actually very real things to a teenage boy, it just made me uncomfortable. Perry is self-involved and a bit rude, and there were definite moments I had to just take a deep breathe and remind myself that 1) he's a teenage boy, and 2) he's a character in a book. The second character I had a small issue with was Sam - he was so two-faced with Perry, which bothered me a bit; but mostly, he felt underdeveloped. I couldn't quite figure out why he did some of the things he did, and there were so many more possibilities with him! He could have been a fantastic asset to Perry in the real world, but he just...wasn't.

However! I kind of fell in love with the World of The Other Normals, and especially with the two that Perry falls in with: Mortin Enaw and Ada Ember. They were such a fun bunch, and I loved their outlook on life. I was also fascinated with the existence of The World of The Other Normals, and how it did in relation to the real world - such a weird, fun concept, and I like the idea of there being transition points between the two. It was creative and original, and I enjoyed how the actions in one would effect what happens in the other world. The Other World was so much fun to discover, and even though the world itself wasn't built too much, I enjoyed all the characters that appeared in there. It was fun to read about each one and see what crazy person/hybrid would pop up next.

The story itself was a great adventure, too - I feel like I examine elements of books so often that I forget to look at the book as a whole. Which would be a shame for The Other Normals, because the storyline is the best part! The entire plot is an awesome mix of fantasy geekdom and weapon-wielding adventure and travel with some hilarious shenanigans, odd friendships in even odder places, and an exciting ending that involved a fairly epic showdown in a summer camp mess hall thrown in.

Underlying all the fun are some great lessons and bigger pictures, too. One of my favourite elements of a Vizzini novel is the subtle wisdom that permeates it; you're learning without even realizing, because they're embedded so well in the content. And thankfully, The Other Normals delivers with that, too. Watching Perry kind of grow up, we get to see a boy finally understand what it means to live your life as opposed to wanting to live a different one. And I really enjoyed watching Perry figure out girls (or at least attempt to!) and the dynamics of relationships and friendships; it's meaningful at the same time as being funny.

While I'm not sure if The Other Normals will be for everyone, I hope that everyone at least tries - it's surprising in the weirdest, most creative way.

This week's blog happenings:

In case you missed it...

Onto the book haul!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren!

 I wasn't going to do one, but I realized I forgot a few in last week's epic post!