Review: In Honor - Jessi Kirby

In Honor - Jessi Kirby
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers - May 8, 2012
Reading level: Ages 14 and up

"Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it."

"Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?"

In Honor has been on my to-read list since last fall and it was worth the wait.  It was a great YA Contemporary with heartbreak, self discovery and closure. 

Plenty of reviewers have compared Rusty to Tim Riggins and the comparison is perfect.  Rusty is the Tim Riggins of the book world.  (If you haven't seen Friday Night Lights (the television show), you're missing out and need to watch it ASAP!)

The rode trip in "Paula" was the most enjoyable part of the book.  The situations Rusty and Honor became entangled in were realistic and entertaining.  Their relationship blossomed during the road trip and that was the main element of the book.  

Honor and Rusty were fantastic characters.  It was easy to understand their heartbreak and loved to see them move on and find closure together.  Even though Finn was gone, Kirby did a great job at making his character complete.  We got to know him well through his letter and Honor's memories.

The lack of romantic gestures was the only disappointment of In Honor.  There was only one kiss and while it was fitting, it would have been nice to see more romance between Honor and Rusty.

I loved In Honor and have read it twice since it's release.  I would recommend this book to YA Contemporary fans or a YA fan looking for a good read.  

PAGE'S RATING: 4.5/5

Review: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
Dutton Juvenile - January 10, 2012
Reading level: Ages 14 and up

"Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love."

 One statement I kept repeating on Twitter was 'the story is so much different when you're a sick kid reading about a sick kid.' Technically I'm not a sick kid anymore, I'm an adult. And I don't have cancer I have lupus.

I've been a fan of John Green for years now, his writing is easy to get lost in and his stories are always deep and leave a lasting impression. Usually I will find myself in deep thought and questioning every aspect of my life when finishing a book by him.

However when I heard that John was writing a book where the main character had cancer, I foolishly questioned his ability to write something like that. After all as far as we know John has never himself been on the fence between life and death like that. I get really defensive of the subject, everyone wants to cash in on a tearjerker.

I'm glad to report John did not let his fans down.

Hazel and Augustus are brought to life by John's words so much in fact that I joked on Twitter about how I was planning on taking him to court because a lot of the things in the novel I've said myself, one way or another.

Following John's true nature heartache, adventure and love. And like always questions are all provided from the first page for instance: Augustus the devilishly handsome new guy cannot stop staring at Hazel, is it because she's lugging around an oxygen tank?

While this was an amazing book I cannot say it won out as my favorite John Green novel. I felt that it lacked certain elements of emotion for me, I just read the novel as I would any other book. Maybe because I've already been exposed to the harsh reality that is the medical world--who knows. But in the end I did feel as if it were missing a key ingredient.

With all of that being said, I would totally suggest this book to anyone. I do hope that the book can find a home with other sick kids, it's something that needs to be read. It's something that made me feel less alone in this gigantic mess of a web that we call Earth.

PLOT'S RATING: 4/5
SPOILER: I used my Make-A-Wish on a shopping spree. ;)