Review: Pushing the Limits

Original Title: Pushing the Limits
Series: Pushing the Limits #1
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: July 31st 2012
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Young-adult

US / UK Cover

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

REVIEW

Okay, if you don't know about this book, let me say it.  For the past few days, this is the most hyped book in Goodreads.  And I was like -- "Oh God, all my friends like it..I want to read this now."  So, I just went to NetGalley and requested for it.  As always, every book blogger's favorite publisher, Harlequin, provided the ARC of this novel immediately.  I was like "YAY" and dancing around with my Kindle.  Then even in the midst of all my more important personal works, I started reading it.............

Now, I am finished with this novel.  And I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.  Why?  Because I don't have any idea, why this book became so popular.

Yeah, I was drawn to it and I loved it sometimes.  But this just didn't feel natural.  I want to complete this novel and see it somehow end.  But, I don't have any interest on Noah, just because they say he has great abs and he is bad (which he is not).  And I can't bring myself to care for Echo, just because she goes from a hot popular girl to a depressing cry-baby (okay, that's an exaggeration..but only a little bit).  Nope, this all seem somehow 'forced'!

Credits: http://gentogenym.com/post/dealing-with-death/cheap-help-for-troubled-teens

Credits: http://www.drorzunz.com/health/rescuing-the-troubled-ones/

This story has depth, characters, chemistry and all things that you need for a romance.  And the problem is I didn't 'feel' any romance forming between the two teens..just two damaged teenagers trying to understand each other.  I am a fan of Perfect Chemistry and Graffiti Moon.  So, this should have been a perfect book for me..  I, myself, am shocked that I can't connect with it.

Sorry, more melodramatic for me!  And thus the characters stays disconnected with me throughout the novel.

Will I read the next one in the series?  Undecided!
Will I recommend it?  Nope, but maybe you can give it a try from your library.

Rating: 2.5 STARS!

Review: The Goddess Legacy

Original Title: The Goddess Legacy
Series: Goddess Test #2.5
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: July 31st 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimée Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness….

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal….

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another….

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others#151;but never knew true loss before….

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope….

REVIEW

*** Thanks to HarlequinTEEN for providing an ARC of this novel. ***

When I first heard that this is an intermediate novel, I was like "Do we really need this?  Why can't they just get on with the story?"  Okay, I admit that I was so wrong.  I absolutely loved this and if you are asking whether this novel is necessary for the story, my answer is no, but this helped me understand about other characters in "Goddess Test" series.  And I am really glad that I read it.

5 AMAZING short stories combined as one and at last, lead to the "Goddess Test" series.  The author is an amazing writer.  As these are short stories, I don't want to spoil the fun by discussing the plot, but I will say few things just to tempt you.. :)

1.  Hera is not totally evil.  Yep, it seems to me like she is some sort of psycho, but this novel shows her as some-love-sick-puppy.
2.  Ava, who always seemed so happy and care-free in other novels, had her bad times, because of her commitment issues (just like her dad).  You must read this to know how Ava found a guy, who seem to love her, no matter who she spends her time with.
3.  Persephone, who was portrayed to have betrayed Henry in the series, is not at fault.  (Actually, I hated Persephone in the first two series because of leaving Henry and all that, but I think I was wrong.)
4.  James, who we all know as some care-free guy, has his very bad times and that MAY involve Persephone and Ava. ;-)
5.  At last, you have Henry's story of how he first sees Kate.  We also learn about some of the girls, who died before Kate took the Goddess Test.  Throughout this novel, this is what I what to know..so when are you going to read?

As I said, this novel changed my view of the characters in this series.  And I really really love that the author has delivered it so beautifully, that I don't feel like she is ruining the myth.  Thanks Aimee, I am glad I read this.

I read this book a long time ago - like one month back.  And the feeling, that I got while reading this novel, still stays fresh in my mind.  That's the main reason, I gave this novel -- 5 stars!

Interesting take on Greek mythology - AGAIN!

SERIES

1.  The Goddess Test - Read review here

1.5.  The Goddess Hunt - Publication: March 1st 2012

2.  Goddess Interrupted - See review here

2.5  The Goddess Legacy

3  The Goddess Inheritance

Feature & Follow #23 - Currently reading list and how I like it!

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$10 Gift Card Giveaway & Interview with Emlyn Chand

INTERVIEW WITH EMLYN CHAND

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
Past. I’m too worried going to the future would ruin life for me. I mean, what if humanity’s destroyed itself? Then how do you keep living in your present time knowing doom and gloom is on its way? One ticket back in time please!

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
Oh, gosh! Um...  James Joyce, Edgar Allan Poe, and Ken Kesey – all enormously talented authors; all certifiably insane (and therefore they’d make interesting dinner guests). I’d also take along DH Lawrence and JK Rowling. We’d have quite the literary round table while eating... I don’t know... shepherd’s pie? Gotta accommodate my dead British author friends!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
First, I’d like to have a supply of fresh water, because the island is probably surrounded by salt water, and I need to stay hydrated (very pragmatic and boring, huh?). Second, I’d like to have something to keep me warm and sheltered at night. Third, I’d like a comm device, so I could call in help and no longer be stranded. Ta-da! That’s how you do the desert island question ;-)

What is one book everyone should read?
My favorite book is A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, definitely. The novel has so many layers and entertains on so many levels. Also the characters in that novel seem more real than those from any other I’ve ever read. It’s just beautiful—that’s the only word for it. This one book everyone should attempt regardless of genre preference.

If you were a superhero what would your name be?
HyperSpeed—because that’s how I live my life. If I want to get something done, I get it done. Okay, I procrastinate *a little bit* on Facebook. Okay, a lot a bit, but I still do manage to get a crazy amount accomplished. I’ve been asked more than once whether (a) I have a clone army or (b) I ever sleep. HyperSpeed to the rescue. Zoooom!

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Ooo, I’d love to be the master of time and space—that isn’t too much to ask for, is it? I promise not to abuse my newfound powers, but—c’mon—being able to travel great distances in a microsecond or to actually pack more hours into my busy work day would be awesome!

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Chocolate, of course, but not just plain chocolate—chocolate with lots of chunky goodness mixed in like nuts, marshmallows, cookie pieces, cookie dough, anything nummy.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?
Urm, how about one of my relatives from way back? I have no idea which one, but somebody who is super awesome and impressive and had a cool life, someone who can teach me about where I came from in the best possible light. Yeah, that would be totally cool.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Things I should not eat for breakfast like candy and ice cream. I also enjoy toaster waffles with a drizzle of honey on them.

GIVEAWAY

The author is giving away $10 Gift card to one random commentor.  So, all you have to do in comment in this post.  If you are posting as 'Anonymous' or 'Name/URL' type, please include your email ID in the comment, so that we can contact you.

Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY!  Ends September 15th!