Pages: 310
Publication date: August 20, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

How I got the copy: Library

Rating:  3 Stars
  

    
  

From Goodreads:

Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

    The first time I ever laid eyes on this cover I got chills.  It's so creepy and definitely what my nightmares are made of.  But sadly, it wasn't scary at all.  Upon reading the last sentence of the book I was left thinking "this is not what I signed up for".  Where were the creepy ghosts that I was promised on the cover?

Number of Pgs.: 544

Publication date: October 23, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 
Genre: YA, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural, Thriller

How I got the copy: Bought

Rating:  5 Stars

From Goodreads:

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Plot: 9/10

Characters: 9/10

Setting: 10/10

Pacing: 10/10

Style: 10/10

Cover:  I love the covers for this series.  The color in this one is perfect.  It's dark and sets the mood of the book.  It also reminds me of the color of the dress she wears during the amazing beach scene.

48+50=98 (5 Stars)

    Wow.  Ladies and gentlemen I think I just found my new favorite series.  This book really messed with my mind, but in a good way.  I didn't know what was real and what was hallucinations.  I love that slowly pieces of the puzzle are starting to make sense.  I was a little confused with the flashbacks with India though so I hope that's clarified in book three. 

     While we're on this journey with Mara to unravel these secrets of her past, we are also getting a better understand of Noah and his pain.  I was able to predict a few minor things, but overall I was really surprised where Michelle went with the story.  While talking to Judy over at Paper Riot (you can find her review below), we discussed how it felt like there was a genre shift in this story.  I loved that though.

     Noah is just so swoon-worthy it's a tad ridiculous.  He's up there next to Daemon and Aiden on my list of book boyfriends I wish were real.  And Mara's a great character too.  She's a little self deprecating and whiny in this one by thinking she deserves bad things to happen to her.  But I guess if I was doing what she was I'd hate myself too.  I like that there were some new characters introduced and some old favorites, like Daniel, were back and didn't disappoint.  I love that Mara's family seems to be really close.  You don't see that much in YA books anymore.

     This book was the perfect balance of humor, steamy romantic scenes, and action.  There was some paranormal/sci fi thrown in and mystery as well.  Be warned though, there is a cliffhanger...I'm pretty sure I need book three asap.  Standing ovation for Michelle Hodkin!

Number of Pgs.: 452

Publication date: September 27, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Genre: YA, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural, Thriller

How I got the copy: Bought

Rating:  5 Stars

From Goodreads:

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
She’s wrong.

Plot: 9/10

Characters: 9/10

Setting: 9/10

Pacing: 10/10

Style: 10/10

Cover:  I love underwater covers and this one is no exception.  The first time I read this book it was because the cover caught my eye at the library!

47+50=97 (5 Stars)

     I had reviewed this book the first time I read it, but it was when I was first starting out blogging and it was on my old blog so here it is reposted and then a paragraph about my rereading experience.

-Electrifying physical and emotional attraction between main characters

-Fast paced action scenes
-Well Written
-Suspense
-Murder Mystery 

Check, check, and check!  This book had all of the above and more, making it one of the most unexpectedly exciting reads of 2011.  I only wish I had picked it up sooner.  I immediately connected with the main character, Mara.  Here sarcastic, yet hilarious, sense of humor had me laughing out loud at times.  It's very rare that you see an author write dialogue that is close to how teens actually speak to each other.  (I will advise that there is some cursing in there, for those of you readers who might take offense.)  Mara's love interest, Noah, is British, rich, an animal lover, and hot!  He is also very mysterious and sly.  The way those two interacted was very entertaining and had me laughing one moment and on the edge of my seat the next. 

I am proud to say I figured out who the murderer was halfway through the book!  I liked that the reader is provided with enough clues.  I always get frustrated during Law and Order when they introduce the murderer in the last three minutes of the episode.  It's no fun when you can't guess.  I also liked how even once I knew who did it there was still a bigger mystery that we won't figure out until book two.  My one complaint is that Mara is a little self hating in the end and it comes off a little whiny and ridiculous, but other than that I love everything about this book.        

    In my rereading experience I fell in love with this book even more if that's possible.  After blogging for a year and reading a lot more books than I had the first time I read this, I can honestly say this is in my top five books I love.  So if that's not enough of a reason for you to go read it check out the quotes I love below or read some more reviews.