Confessions of a Readaholic: August 2012

The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer

The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer

Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Series: The Demon Catchers of Milan, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ◆ Website

Mia's ordinary life is disrupted in the most horrifying way possible when she is possessed by a hungry and powerful demon--and only saved by the arrival of relatives from Italy, the country her grandfather fled many decades ago. Now her cousins Emilio and Giuliano say the only way to keep her safe is for her to come back with them to Milan, to live, to learn Italian, to fall in and out of love, and to master the family trade: fighting all demons with the lore of bell, book, and candle. Milan is not what Mia expected, but it will change her forever, in this stunningly well-written novel about an American girl who, fleeing an ancient evil, finds her only salvation in her ancestral home.

I will be frank: While I did like this book as a whole, there were some (maybe several) parts which really didn't make me enjoy it as much as I wanted to. When I read the blurb for this one, my expectations blasted pretty high. When I read some reviews, okay my expectations were lowered a little. But I didn't expect it to be lower than what my slightly lowered expectations was. For this review I first want to point out what I liked and what I didn't–

What I liked...

Okay, I LOVED the author's writing. Beautiful, gorgeous and completely out of this world. Her descriptions of Milan made my soul crave for it, and the demon possessions, oh god, nearly scared the hell out of me.
The characters little quirks. It really helped me to identify them. Nonna's cooking (yum, which made my stomach growl several times), Emilio's ability to melt women into a pile of mush, and Nonno's sudden fierceness. For many characters, they were all pretty properly developed!
The idea of the story. WOW. I have never read a book about Demons... I think. Maybe I have, but whatever, this concept is totally new. I loved how history and mythology come together in this one, with a flurry of languages and an amazing setting.

On the other hand...

What I didn't like was that there were too many characters. Too many names to remember, and you don't really connect with the main character. Speaking of which: I didn't enjoy Mia all that much. She seemed kind of plastic-y. Going along with everything, picking up on the traditions, customs and language (oh gods, at super-human speed for this one), whereas a regular person would be super confused. She just annoyed me with her general boredom and her gullibility throughout the novel.
The plot was kind of a downer for me. With such a great idea for a story, it sure didn't seem to contain much stuffing. There are only two or three big things that happen, but most of the book seems focused on Mia learning stuff, people explaining things and just a whole load of descriptions.

Overall, regardless of what I liked and didn't like about The Demon Catchers of Milan, I will definitely be picking up the second book (if there is one... not too sure if this is going to become a series!). I need to see how the story continues– I thought it ended in a good place, but oh well, demons will be demons and will try to possess someone sometime or the other. Now I really got to go to Italy, because my hearts burning for it. *sigh* Kat Byer, how you make me lust for Milan!

If you like this, try...

Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish ◆ Goodreads
The Host by Stephanie Meyer ◆ Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 69

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight on upcoming releases which I'm DYING to get my hands on.

This week's WoW is:

Covet by Melissa Darnell

**Warning may include spoilers from book 1, Crave**

Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart.
Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.

Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming …and not everyone will survive.

Goodreads ◆ September 25, 2012

Okay, not too big a fan of the cover, but the color red is gorgeous on it :D Can't wait to get started on this one– I managed to get an egalley (YAY!) and loved Crave. WHAT AWAITS ME IN THIS ONE???

What are you waiting on?

Allegiance by Cayla Kluver

Allegiance by Cayla Kluver

Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Series: Legacy, Book 2
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ◆ Website

Read my review of Legacy HERE.

Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive.

An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...

Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.

Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....

It has been a while since I've read Cayla Kluver's Legacy and I've been putting this one off because of other books for review, but FINALLY I've managed to crack through and read this one. Oh. My. Gosh. I thought I had forgotten everything and would really need to jog my memory when starting this book, when when I read about the beautiful descriptions of Hytanica and Cokyri, and the small hints about what happened in the previous book, I was back in with the flow. I've mentioned this before, but I am INCREDIBLY jealous of Kluver... she wrote the first book when she was 16!! Now that's talent for sure.
This one was a big turning point for me. My views changed, the story grabbed me and everything was either making me clutch my throat in shock or nearly popping my eyes out of my head. It was seriously that good.

I think Alera's character truly must have been a toughie to write about. She's totally going against the whole "I'm a princess, I'm a delicate flower" thing, like in the first book, but she's completely headstrong in this one, and determined to save her kingdom. However, it was kind of annoying the way she kept mooning after Narian. Yes, yes, we all know he's the hottie mchottie hero, but he doesn't have to be the thought on her mind every other page does he? And I felt bad for Steldor. Like seriously, so bad... (and all you Narian fans I know will kill me) that I kind of... changed to Team Steldor. In the first book, Legacy, yes he was a pompous jerk with no other intention other than marrying Alera for her beauty. But Allegiance showed another side to him. He's so sweet, and he really shows how much he loves Alera, you can totally see it radiating off of him. GAH, I felt so frustrated with her for refusing to like him just the teensiest bit back.
Narian didn't make much of an appearance in the book, but I didn't feel anything for him sadly, like I did in the first. Too much Steldor has taken over my mind, I'm afraid...

This book completely shattered me. It was so very much like Mockingjay. If you get that reference, prepare to be saddened greatly, because my eyes were starting to water with every big BANG.
HOWEVER, not to end this review (nearly) with a sad note, this book completely enraptured me. I was stuck reading this large book in one sitting, my eyes glued to my laptop's screen, not willing to let go of this beautiful world and the amazing (and some dangerous) people in it.

Overall, if you've read Legacy I BEG of you– read this now! And if you haven't read this series yet, you better run very far away right now... Allegiance was mind-blowingly beautiful, radiantly engrossing and a fantastically gripping read. Cayla Kluver has done it again: she made me fall in love once more...and I'm sure I will again with the third and final book, Sacrifice!

If you like this, try...

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross ◆ Goodreads
Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner ◆ Goodreads
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell ◆ Goodreads

The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Series: The Liar Society, Book 1
Rated: YA 13+
Format: Paperback
Source: Won – Thank you to Dani @ Refracted Light!
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ◆ Website

Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)

Kate,
I'm here…
sort of.
Find Cameron.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. She teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not so)-shining armor--the dangerously hot bad boy, Liam, and her love-struck neighbor, Seth. But at their elite private school, there are secrets so big people will do anything to protect them—even if it means getting rid of anyone trying to solve a murder...

Ever since seeing the schoolgirl cover, I've been dying to get my hands on it. When the oppetunity presented itself (Thanks to the lovely Dani!!) I managed to win a copy. I. LOVED. IT. It was like Pretty Little Liars meets The Gallagher Girls... minus the spy school and a creepy stalker named 'A'. The atmosphere was rich, gave that whole rich-privileged-school-with-secrets feel and I loved the switch in perspectives. And COME ON. Who wouldn't want to read it after hearing somebody's dead best friend sent her an email? Too creepy to be true.

I loved the characters in this. Even though this was an esteemed boarding school, the characters I feel could have fit in anywhere. We have our heroine Kate, who is HILARIOUS and has an (understandable) obsession with pearls. And plus pink hair. Loved her from the mention of that. I loved her humor and found her a great character overall.
Oh. My. GAWD. Seth was ADORBBZZZZ (and yes I totally just used that word). He's just so geeky that you can't help but fall in love with him :) He made me laugh, like Kate and Liam, and was ~~probably~~ definitely my favorite character.
Speaking of which, LIAM... um, bad-boy-hottie much?? just from that description in the blurb I was sold.

I really liked how the mystery builds up, very creepily and then to see how it all turns out in the end. However, I was kind of disappointed in the ending, because it wasn't what I expected, but I'll be anticipating to see how the story continues in book 2, The Lies That Bind.
Overall, I was happy with The Liar Society. It's got what you'd want in a book: mystery, deadly secrets, a very hot guy, and an adorable geek. I think that this is a fabulous collaboration and debut from two sisters, Lisa and Laura, and am eagerly waiting for more Seth.

If you like this, try...

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter ◆ Goodreads
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard ◆ Goodreads
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder ◆ Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 68

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight on upcoming reads which I'm DYING to get my hands on :D.

This week's WoW is:

Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver

**no blurb as yet!!**

Goodreads ◆ October 23, 2012

OHHHHH MIIIIIIIII GAWWWWWDDDD. I'm literally pining for this just thinking about this book! Too bad the blurb isn't out yet. SO looking forward to this one, even though I'll be sad to see it end. It'll be interesting to see how everything turns out in the end. Allegiance was amazing (and I'm WAY overdue with the review...should be coming up this week guys!) and I know this one's going to be as good :)

What are you waiting on?

dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman

dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman

Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Series: WiHi, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ◆ Website

Ever feel like someone's watching you? Me, too. But lately it's been happening in my room.

When I'm alone.

A friend posted a video of me dancing online, and now I'm no longer Ali Ruffino. I'm dancergirl. And suddenly it's like me against the world. Everyone's got opinions.

My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy, even he's acting weird. And some stalker isn't content to just watch anymore.

Ali. Dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose way more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.

I didn't expect to like this one, or get into it at all, but I'd heard good things about the sequel, Circle of Silence (and got an eGalley for review), so I decided to give this one a go. It was quite a quick fast-paced read! I'll admit, the beginning was a little slow, but then picked up and went full onto heart-pounding mode. It's a short book, and I have no idea why I didn't pick it earlier, because I finished it in one sitting!
I love how this book wasn't completely focused on dance, like I thought it would be judging it by the title, but I was glad to see that even though it featured dance, it wasn't something that got in the way of the story. TRUE, the plot does revolve around dance, but it wasn't too intense.

Ali was a great character, especially during when she thinks that someone's watching her. I didn't like her at first because she seemed obsessed with being no. 1 and all the typical competitive-dancer stuff, but I really began to love her when she showed her real emotions, her fear of someone stalking her and her determination to find out who.
Jacy was also another amazing character, even though he seemed sort of "spacey" at first, but then all will be revealed :)
All of the supporting characters were fabulous as well, and it was really interesting to see how all of them could have been connected to this. The real stalker is revealed, and even though I didn't find it too surprising (I guessed correctly!) it was still a thrill to see who's the creepy person behind the creepy videos.

Speaking of creepy, that is one thing the atmosphere is. CREE-PY. *shudders* the whole thing about her being watched reminded me of something out of The Lovely Bones. Not that creepy, be assured, but still climaxes somewhat to that.

If you want a quick read with stalkers, dancing, and a hint of romance, dancergirl's the book for you. I can't wait to get started on Circle of Silence, which features one of the tiny characters in this book. Pick this up– it's a great contemporary!

If you like this, try...

New Girl by Paige Harbison ◆ Goodreads
Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers ◆ Goodreads

Interview and Giveaway with Laura Lascarso

Laura Lascarso

Books:

Counting Backwards (2012) ◆ My Review ❘ Goodreads ❘ Amazon ❘ The Book Depository

COUNTING BACKWARDS is Laura Lascarso’s debut novel to be released by Atheneum (Simon & Schuster) in August 2012. She lives in in North Florida with her darling husband, two children, three chickens and a dog named Lucy.

Follow Her:

Website ❘ Goodreads ❘ Twitter

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Hi! Thank you so much for stopping by Confessions of a Readaholic to answer some questions for the COUNTING BACKWARDS Blog Tour :)

Can you please describe your book for us in three 3-word sentences?

Taylor wants escape. From her life. And herself too.

As this is your debut novel, what was the road to publishing like?

There were a few round-abouts, and I may have taken a left when I should have gone right, but once I remembered where I was coming from, I was able to find my way there.

Name the three closes things nearest to you...Go!

Rambo, my mom's jack-rat, who is a great foot-warmer, the remote control, and this laptop.

If COUNTING BACKWARDS was to become a movie, who would be apart of your dream cast?

I would pick unknowns who have a lot of talent and raw emotion to bring to the screen. It would be a low-budget indie film that grows into a cult classic.

How did you come up with Taylor's character, as well as the rest of the cast of your novel? Do you see yourself in any of them?

Taylor I wrestled with for a while, trying to find the right balance of determination, vulnerability and realistic baggage. Margo was actually the easiest to write, and the most fun. Dr. Deb played different roles as I got deeper into Taylor's character, as did her father. AJ's character grew in importance over the course of several drafts. He got better and better.

I see myself in Taylor for sure– we share some of the same flaws, but there are pieces of me in all my characters, as well as bits of those who are close to me. I try to stick with what I know.

What music do you like listening to?

I have such varied taste in music but lately it's a lot of Black Keys and Feist.

When you're not writing, what can you be found doing?

Hanging out with family and friends, reading, drinking coffee, watching movies and catching up on my shows.

■ ■ ■

PICK THIS OR THAT:

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream? Ice Cream

Sunshine or Rain? Sunshine

Dogs or Cats? Dogs (me too!)

The Beach or the Mountains? The Beach

Indoors or Outdoors? Outdoors

Vampires or Werewolves? Superheroes (lately, I feel the same :D)

■ ■ ■

What do you want readers to take away from your novel?

Hope in the ability to change.

What are you currently reading? What are your top 5 favorite books?

I just finished INSURGENT by Veronica Roth. I have a rule with trilogies that I employed ever since THE HUNGER GAMES, which is, I won't read the first book of a trilogy until the last has come out, because I read HG its first year of publication and had to wait for both CATCHING FIRE and MOCKINGJAY and the wait nearly killed me. But I broke the rule twice this year, first with LEGEND by Marie Lu and now with the DIVERGENT trilogy. And yes, it's been torture!

(I really need to read DIVERGENT! But as you say it's torture waiting on the next one, I might as well wait for the last book before starting it :P)

My top 5 YA books are: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green, STORY OF A GIRL by Sara Zarr, SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins and FEED by MT Anderson.

(LOVE John Green and Laurie Halse Anderson. Both make me laugh and close to tears!)

For aspiring writers out there, what advice do you have for them?

Believe in yourself and your ability to reach others with your words. Revise even when you don't want to. Listen to what your trusted readers have to say. And no matter what obstacles you have to climb, just keep writing!

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Thank you so much to Laura Lascarso for answering my questions and allowing me to be apart of the blog tour for COUNTING BACKWARDS. Seriously, I loved this book– you will not be disappointed!!

Three weeks ago I tried to run away from home. Now all I want is to go back.

When troubled Taylor Truwell is caught with a stolen car and lands in court for resisting arrest, her father convinces the judge of an alternative to punishment: treatment in a juvenile psychiatric correctional facility. Sunny Meadows is anything but the easy way out, and Taylor has to fight hard just to hold on to her sanity as she battles her parents, her therapist, and vicious fellow patients. But even as Taylor struggles to hold on to her stubborn former self, she finds herself relenting as she lets in two unlikely friends-Margo, a former child star and arsonist, and AJ, a mysterious boy who doesn’t speak. In this striking debut, Laura Lascarso weaves together a powerful story of anger and self-destruction, hope and love.

and now... for the GIVEAWAY!!

Thanks to Atheneum, one of you lovelies will be able to win a copy of this fabulous novel!!

DA RULZ:

US ONLY. I'm sorry, if it were up to me... BAM: INTERNATIONAL LOVE. But this is sent from them, so I don't call the shots here :(
You must be over the age of 13.
There are no mandatory entries, you are entitled to do as many or as as little as you want.
This giveaway will run until August 31 (11:59 pm).
As this is sent through the publishers, I am not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.

Enter in the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Counting Backwards by Laura Lascarso

Counting Backwards by Laura Lascarso

Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Rated: YA 14+
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher for Blog Tour
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ◆ Website

I had been itching to start this one the moment I got home from vacation, and finally having to for the blog tour, I managed to read this in two sittings: before going to sleep and the first thing I did when I woke up. It was seriously that good. Counting Backwards is exactly what it says it is: an enrapturing novel about Taylor's challenge to find herself, love and come to terms with the people who surround her. Laura Lascarso's writing is beautiful, yet uncomplicated and easy to go with the flow, and this book, even though it's roughly 290 pages, it's surprisingly a quick read. I mean, perhaps that was just me being enthralled by this novel, but I was so into it I didn't seem to think it took that long at all. Now, I really wish I'd slowed myself down, because I want more!

I loved the characters, I think Lascarso had built them up extremely well. They're obviously not perfect, as all the characters (other than Taylor's parents) are at Sunny Meadows a treatment boarding school facility. However, like all books surrounding rehab, abuse, etc. you really can get attached to the characters.

Taylor was an compelling character. She was amusing at times with her smart comebacks and her crazy plans to run away, but other than that she's either angry or trying to figure out the means to get out of the facility. I loved her determination. I really enjoyed reading about her fight to accept her fears, her parents and herself. It was an emotional ride at times, and really sucks you into it, allowing you to feel how Taylor does at times. You will really get attached to her, I promise you.
There always has to be that boy, doesn't there? This one is slightly more interesting– he doesn't speak. It's not that he can't speak, it's just that he doesn't want to. A.J. was, to be honest, my favorite character (Taylor comes second). His life's so complicated, yet he wants to make things right, and he's just so sweet! You can't really help but feel a pang in your heart for him. Loved him. LOVED. HIM.

All the other characters were fabulous as well. Margo was amazing– that totally sassy girl with an attitude that you just adore. The Latina Queens were, to be frank, bitchy, but it was interesting to see another obstacle come up in Taylor's life. Dr. Deb at first kind of annoyed me, being the typical therapist, but then over time, you really do warm up to her. This cast of characters worked really well together, from screaming Charlotte to the over-dramatic McKenzie.

Counting Backwards is one book which I'll be sure to recommend to everyone– it's an extraordinary contemporary. It's got its own special sauce and I'm sure it'll stay with me for a while. Lascarso's debut will be sure to make many readers fall in love with it, as I have. Can't wait for more from her– I'll be eagerly waiting.

**Thank you so much to Laura Lascarso for allowing me to be apart of the blog tour and Atheneum Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) for sending me Counting Backwards for review!**

If you like this, try...

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott ◆ Goodreads
All These Lives by Sarah Wylie ◆ Goodreads

Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop!

The Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and The Elliot Review.

Wowie, I have certainly been on a giveaway role this month! So... what to give away this time? WELL, for my 500 giveaway I'm giving away 2013 pre-orders, YA contemporaries and swag. And then for the Young Adult Giveaway Hop I gave away YA paranormal novels. And then I started thinking, looking at the title "Last Days of Freedom", what YA genre has constant rebels going against the rules of society? BAM and we have: DYSTOPIANS!

Before I go onto giving you what books you can choose from (there's something so deliciously fun about posting pictures and giving your choices! Like a whole bunch of eye candy :D) here are of course and always, THE RULES.

DA RULZ

This giveaway is open to anyone aged 13+ whom The Book Depository ships free to. Not sure? Check here!
Enter in the rafflecopter below. One winner will get one book of the choices below.
The only requirement for entering this giveaway is to be a follower of Confessions of a Readaholic through either Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (both located on the sidebar). All other entries are optional.
This giveaway runs from August 17 to 22.
The winner has 72 hours to answer to the email, or another winner shall be chosen.
I am not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.

Okay, whew! Now that we're done with those rules (pesky things they are) here are your choices!

NOTE: Covers may differentiate (slightly) from the ones shown below. If you want an alternative cover, as long as the cost isn't more than what the book shown below is, then I MAY buy that for the winner instead.

PRE-ORDERS: Reached by Ally Condie, Requiem by Lauren Oliver, Shades of Earth by Beth Revis, Sever by Lauren DeStefano, Light by Michael Grant, Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi, The Prey by Andrew Fukuda, Breathe by Sarah Crossan.

So hopefully there's enough choices for you all :) Enter in the rafflecopter below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out all the rest of the giveaways on the hop!

A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Series: Digit, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ◆ Website

Farrah "Digit" Higgins may be going to MIT in the fall, but this L.A. high school genius has left her geek self behind in another school district so she can blend in with the popular crowd at Santa Monica High and actuallyenjoy her senior year. But when Farrah, the daughter of a UCLA math professor, unknowingly cracks a terrorist group's number sequence, her laid-back senior year gets a lot more interesting. Soon she is personally investigating the case, on the run from terrorists, and faking her own kidnapping-- all while trying to convince a young, hot FBI agent to take her seriously. So much for blending in...

FBI? Terrorists? A Girl who is completely obsessed with numbers and is named after one of the Charlie's Angels? I'm SO. IN.
From the beginning we know that Farrah has to try very hard to fit in, to be normal and popular at school, because her math gift totally takes over her life if she isn't in control. Sounds pretty hard right? So when a strange number sequence appears on a TV show, she immediately cracks it and informs the FBI. I was immediately intrigued because this book was really original, just from the blurb alone. I found myself glued to my laptop's screen, reading this book non-stop because it is very action-packed... action-and-romance-wise! You will NOT be disappointed.

I love how this book features slightly older characters, which you don't get too much in YA. I mean, Farrah's 17 (close to 18) in this novel, but the guy, John, is slightly older, like around 21. Different, but a good change I must say!
I really loved Farrah. I mean, it was hard not to. I love her internal monologue– totally cracked me up every time! I like how easily she went with the situation, but also found things challenging, like a normal person would. Her emotions really came through to me in the book, conflicting feelings for John, missing home and her normal life, the struggle to fit in: all of it, Monaghan had done brilliantly.
John, oh John, you make my heart go wild. Now days I'm loving the bad boys with a sweet side sort, but there's something definitely hot about an FBI agent...and one that's young. And did I mention hot? Oh yes, you definitely need to read this book now.

Even though I totally loved this book, there was one problem, which I'm sure everyone except the math genius' will understand: the number sequences and codes! I didn't understand ANY of it (haha, like John as well) and it was rather confusing how Farrah/Digit was explaining it. Had to skip over it to see how it generally turned out! But everything ran smoothly other than that.
Another thing I must say is that I drew up comparisons with the movie Knight and Day when reading this book. It's quite similar! With the "clueless" girl (in this case, not too clueless) and the agent, it's definitely a thrill ride you don't want to miss out on.

I absolutely loved A Girl Named Digit! It's fast, it's hot and it's just plain-oh-gosh-darn-it-amazing. I was swooped into this world from the first word and I was giggling, gasping and goggling my eyes out with every twist and turn. Annabel Monaghan, thank you for writing such a fabulous debut, and please please PLEASE: More John in book 2!!

If you like this, try...

When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot ◆ Goodreads
Shine by Lauren Myracle ◆ Goodreads