REVIEW: Slide

Book: Slide by Jill Hathaway  
Release Date:  March 27th, 2012 by Balzer + Bray   
Pages: 250 pages  
Source: Library Copy

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth--her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

Slide was actually pretty good. Its narration was easy to follow and it was a quick read. Vee's thoughts were (mostly) reasonable, which I enjoyed.

The few problems I had with Vee were minor. At one scene, I questioned her responsibility because she had bribed her own younger sister with alcohol. I felt like this set a bad example for some readers, but that could just be my opinion. Other readers might not view it as such big mistake.

Also, there was Vee's relationship with Zane. It was too insta-love and I didn't like it at all. The two barely talk throughout the book yet they "love" each other. After about a month or so, the two declare that they are in love, which I think is quite a stretch. I personally think that Vee would have been a better couple with Rollins, her guy best friend.

In addition to that, Slide is a mystery book, but I also felt like the ending (where Sophie's murderer was revealed) was a stretch as well. With the way things played out, this could have been a soap opera. It wasn't realistic and I personally didn't like it.

Overall, Slide was an entertaining read. Vee had her own flaws, but she wasn't an annoying character. The insta-love with Zane was the biggest problem, as he was a really flat character. The mystery could have also played out better with more subtle hints in the story. I really like the type of mystery book that drop hints within the story so subtly that if you look back, you would notice it, but if you read quickly, you wouldn't see it all. Sadly, Slide wasn't one of those books. It was just a quick, fun read with some mystery into it.

Final Rank

1     2     3    3.5    4     5

Slide was good, but it wasn't amazing. It was an enjoyable read but there wasn't anything special to it. I'm keeping my eyes out for the sequel, but it's not one of those books that would be very memorable. I would, however, recommend it if you're looking for a quick easy read.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Recommend the Most

Okay, so this is my first time doing the Top Ten Tuesdays meme, so I apologize if there's a flaw in it. However, I really like this meme and I'd always wanted to give it a try. Hopefully this will be a weekly or bi-weekly meme Umbrella Dreams will participate in.

Top Ten Tuesdays is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish blog. It's a list of ten bookish things. Each week has a new topic.

 

10. Daughter of Smoke and Bone

 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was one of the best fantasy books I've ever read. It definitely surpassed my expectations and you've probably heard of it. If so, read it! Don't let the cover scare you off; it's actually a really good read.

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.  Smart Girls Get What They Want

 

You've probably never heard of this one, but I remember myself really enjoying it when I read it. Not only is it a fun, easy read but it's also pretty realistic. I often found myself connecting with the main character, who has high ambitions to do good in school.

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

 

8. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe

 

This is another chick lit-esque book. But what can I say? It's another fun read with a funny, alive main character. And when I say alive, I mean like, bright and optimistic and just fun to read about in general.

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

7. If I Stay

This is another contemporary novel, but it has great meaning in it. The main character, Mia, also plays a classical instrument so it's a great book for orchestra muscians as well. This book deals with family and grief. It might get sad, but it's one of the most moving, heartbreaking books I've ever read.

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

6. Under the Never Sky

 

I did a review on this awhile ago. You might remember it as a four-star-read but it's still a very fantastic book. It's a sci-fi and dystopian read packed into one, so if you like sci-fi and/or dystopian, read this now! You won't regret it.

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

5. Burn for Burn

 

This is a still pretty recent read that I haven't written a book review for, but you should know --- Jenny Han is one of my favorite authors of all time. If you scroll down this Top Ten Tuesday, you'll see another series of hers. I've also read The List by Siobhan Vivian and I liked that as well. Burn for Burn, wrote by the two of them is an eerie contemporary novel with some supernatural elements into it. (If you need motivation to read it, look at the beautiful cover!)

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

4. The Tragedy Paper

 

The Tragedy Paper is based off loosely on Shakespeare's Macbeth. When I first read this book, I had not idea it would be so amazing. The ending is absolutely heartbreaking yet it allows for a sense of realistic-ness. No matter what type of genre you like, I think you would really enjoy this one.

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

3. The Summer I Turned Pretty

 

Like I mentioned before, another Jenny Han book would definitely appear in my Top Ten list. The Summer I Turned Pretty is perfect for a beach read! I know I sound like a commericial, but honestly, this book has been on my favorites list for a really long time. It was one of the first contemporary books I've really enjoyed a few years ago. I highly recommend the rest of this series as well! (And yes, it's a chick-lit read, but hey, it's a good book!)

[Goodreads Link]

 

 

 

2. Unraveling

 

You might remember this as the first review of the Umbrella Dreams blog. It was also the first written I've ever written. Unraveling is a seriously good book and the people I've recommended it to have really enjoyed it. Read it; it won't disappoint!

[Goodreads Link]

 

1. Just One Day

 

To describe this in a few words, Just One Day is heartbreaking, beautiful, and one of the best books I've ever read. It made me cry; that was how good it was. It's a must read! (it's written by the same author as If I Stay)

[Goodreads Link]







That's it! What are some books you recommend?

A Lot Can Happen In A Month [Jan + Feb + March 2013]

Welcome to the third monthly recap of Sarah and Nicole's book blog. It's now February 2013! Can you believe how time flies!? We are sorry that we missed out on the January Monthly Recap. To make up for it, this is a special edition of the monthly meme, featuring two months -- both January and February.

Book Reviews

Surviving Antartica Reality TV 2083 (Reviewed by Sarah; for full review, click here)

This book was kind of an ehhhh. This book was entertaining because it provided me with an idea of what the future would/might look like in 2083. What I like a lot is how they actually give a specific year. Most dystopian books are like: Oh, its happening somewhere in the future. But I am just like: BUT WHEN. 

This book was really interesting, but I wish there was more action. And it lasted longer. The people were in Antarctica for quite a while, but they didn't even make it to the first safe zone.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Reviewed by Sarah; for full review, click here)

This book deserves a five. In fact, I think it should go into the Hall of Fame but there was just something about the book that stops me from allowing it into the super awesome page. Maybe it was the darn cliffhanger.

Ten (Reviewed by Nicole; for full review, click here)

To get straight to the point, Meg was a pretty weak character. I didn't feel much sympathy for her even though the author tried to make her this sweet, understanding girl. She seemed more like a Mary Sue to me. Why? Well, she's in love with her best friend's crush but she's so loyal and kind that she's staying away from him. Her best friend also has issues, but Meg is also kind and understanding enough to forgive said best friend. Even though her best friend (Minnie) is absolutely nuts and I cannot stand that girl, Meg is apparently perfect/kind/awesome like that.

Under the Never Sky (Reviewed by Nicole; for full review, click here)

In most books I've read, the girl falls for the guy before they even get to know each other. But thankfully, that wasn't the case in this book. The romance actually turned out to be pretty good. I liked how it wasn't even romance at first, and that it started out as friendship between Aria and Perry. They had no reason to fall for each other at first sight because of their different backgrounds, so it hadn't happened. The romance made sense. They didn't fall head over heels for each other because of their looks either --- there was none of that. Their romance gradually transitioned and I enjoyed reading about it. 

*Because of space limitations, other reviews are linked but without a blurb of the official review.

Firelight
Delirium
Unwind
Hourglass
Room
Nightshade
I am Number Four
The Angel Experiment

A Quick Note from Nicole

Okay, so I know it isn't the end of the month yet, but I felt like this had to be posted ASAP because this monthly meme includes January, which is about 2 months ago. So yes, because of school, Sarah and I haven't been posting, but we are [somewhat] officially back. The past few weeks have been beyond stressful with too many tests at school and they aren't over yet. However, Sarah and I will try our best to keep posting. Also, it's Spring Break! (which explains my sudden appearance on our blog) 

Posts might still be delayed though, but they will at least show up sometime starting tomorrow.

That's it for this quick post!

In My Mailbox (6)

Real quick IMM! Hope you enjoy and don't forget to comment or/and subscribe.

Harry Potter series FTW! I love the books and the movies and am going to have a Harry Potter marathon. I doubt a description will be needed because these movies are just too awesome.

Fever Crumb is a girl who has been adopted and raised by Dr. Crumb, a member of the order of Engineers, where she serves as apprentice. In a time and place where women are not seen as reasonable creatures, Fever is an anomaly, the only female to serve in the order.

Soon though, she must say goodbye to Dr. Crumb - nearly the only person she's ever known - to assist archeologist Kit Solent on a top-secret project. As her work begins, Fever is plagued by memories that are not her own and Kit seems to have a particular interest in finding out what they are. Fever has also been singled out by city-dwellers who declare her part Scriven.

The Scriveners, not human, ruled the city some years ago but were hunted down and killed in a victorious uprising by the people. If there are any remaining Scriven, they are to be eliminated.

All Fever knows is what she's been told: that she is an orphan. Is Fever a Scriven? Whose memories does she hold? Is the mystery of Fever, adopted daughter of Dr. Crumb, the key to the secret that lies at the heart of London?

Haunting, arresting, and astonishingly original, Fever Crumb will delight and surprise readers at every fast-paced, breathless turn.

 Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories—they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

That's pretty much it. It's really quick because I mostly did this post just to brag about my Harry Potter movies. I hope you enjoyed it!

Hehe...

Have you ever had one of those moments where you pronounce a word wrong and everyone looks at you like, whaaaaat? So you say it again and then after the fifth time they understand what word you are trying to say. Hehe.... so embarrassing. Nicole and I both have experienced this. This is a quick post about it. 

Anatomy: [uh-nat-uh-mee]

1. the science dealing with the structure of animals and plants.

2. the structure of an animal or plant, or of any of its parts.

3. dissection of all or part of an animal or plant in order to study its structure.

4. a plant or animal that has been or will be dissected, or a model of such a dissected organism.

5. a skeleton. 

Yeah, I pronounced this word wrong. Its a simple word to say, but you know, I just had to pronounce it [an-uh-tom-ee]. The people I was saying it to didn't even understand what I was saying. :[ I cringe whenever I think of that word. Thanks a lot books, thank you.

 Archive: [ahr-kahyv]

1. Usually, archives. documents or records relating to the activities, business dealings, etc., of a person, family, corporation, association, community, or nation.

2. archives, a place where public records or other historical documents are kept.

3. any extensive record or collection of data: The encyclopedia is an archive of world history. The experience was sealed in the archive of her memory.

4. Digital Technology .

   a. a long-term storage device, as a disk or magnetic tape, or a computer directory or folder that   contains copies of files for backup or future reference.

   b. a collection of digital data stored in this way.

   c. a computer file containing one or more compressed files.

   d. a collection of information permanently stored on the Internet: The magazine has its entire archive online, from 1923 to the present.

Nicole said this one wrong. She was talking about the book "The Archive" or something like that when she suddenly pronounced archive wrong. I was wondering what she was talking about, and once I figured it out, I immediately corrected her. She was pronouncing it [ar-cheeve]. But she remembers how to properly say it now!

Meme: [meem]

I think we all know what a meme is. The shame about this one is that Nicole and I used the word frequently but in writing so our pronunciations were all wrong. Nicole pronounced it [mem] and I pronounced it [me-me]. And the thing about this word is that it sounds exactly like it looks so Nicole and I both have no excuses. Hehe...
 

That's it! Hoped you like this really quick post!

 

 

ARC REVIEW: Dualed

Book: Dualed by Elsie Chapman
Release Date: February 26th 2013 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages: 304 pages
Source: ARC from publisher

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.

Dualed was one of the books I was most looking forward to reading in 2013. The blurb is just fantastic and I admit -- I have a soft spot for dystopian stories. Not only is the concept of Dualed is thrilling, but the writing, I soon discover as I read Dualed, is absolutely amazing. There's a lot of suspense in the way Elsie Chapman writes.

However, I also discover that as I read Dualed, I found some things I didn't like as much.

Firstly, there was the lack of background information. At certain times, I felt confused about which place was which, and I thought the description of places could be improved. I would also like to learn more about how their government works. As readers, we get learn some details of how Alts' lives work, but I feel like some more details are still needed.

Also, as I was reading Dualed, I found that the world-building isn't as solid as I would like it to be. From Dualed, I learned that the government is making doubles of people from two sets of parents, so they can each eliminate each other when they get older. That is to create a stronger society who will fight when war strikes. For whatever reason, I find that reason to be a really flimsy excuse. I wish that theory was further backed up with evidence or fleshed out more. Because the way I see it, whoever killed their Alt isn't neccesarily the strongest. It could always be luck, or as the story suggests, a striker for hire.

Next, there was the main character, West. I didn't hate her, but I didn't connect much with her either. At times, I couldn't really understand her actions. I was constantly asking myself why she wanted to be a striker (someone who was hired to kill another person's Alt). I think the reason why she started in the beginning was because she wanted to get practice for killing her own Alt. However, even after she got her assignment, she was still dealing with striker assignments rather than hunting down her own Alt. If anything, the plan to get practice actually backfired because she didn't truly work on her assignment until there were only a few days left.

Another reason why I couldn't connect with West was mainly because I was frustrated by how she couldn't kill her Alt. She kept dragging out the assignment, and a lot of unnecessary things have happened. I wish there was more of an actual plot going on, besides West trying to understand herself and getting the courage to kill her Alt.

However, at times, I found her to be really brave and kind. I liked how she helped Dess with training and I liked how she kept thinking about how to protect the person she cares about the most. I admit, I didn't always agree with what she did, but she had a good personality.

Lastly, there was Chord. Though his romance with West seem a bit forced (as they seem more like brother and sister), I did like him a lot. He was caring about West, and it really shows in the story. I also liked how the romance played a small part in Dualed. It was refreshing to see a story with just action and romance on the side.

So overall, Dualed was a good read, despite some things I mentioned in my review. There was a lot of potential in this story and for the most part, I did enjoy reading it. I couldn't completely agree with all the things West did, but she was an okay character most of the time. Chord was a fantastic character and the story was really fast-paced. I'm also looking forward to reading the sequel Divided because I'm curious about how this series will turn out. I would definitely recommend Dualed to readers who are looking for a quick, fun, dystopian book.