Would not give it to a YA reader!!
929790
This book was all over the place with plot elements that didn't add up and immature characters with apparent personality disorders. The emotional reactions of all the characters were exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness and unrealistically swung from one extreme to another in mere moments. It was incredibly unrealistic.

The story had promise and the characters weren't terrible, but the book would benefit from the author doing some serious foundational work. The world-building needs a clear set of concrete rules - too many "rules" of supernatural behavior established in the book later seemed to be broken. The plot could use some mapping to develop clear cycles of conflict and resolution, culminating in a climax that isn't kneecapped by shuffling it "off screen." The author also needs to decide on a few challenges for the characters to overcome, rather than seemingly throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the protagonist at random. And the author should really consider if 800-year-old preternatural creatures would behave like teenagers - I know it's a YA book, but Mitch was just as juvenile as Amelia.

Also, I am disturbed by some glaring elements of misogyny and abuse in this book. Amelia hero-worships and defends Mitch, even when he is violently unhinged to the point of nearly killing her. She is emotionally and socially punished for having negative emotions towards his outburst. However, later when the tables turn, Amelia is punished once again and Mitch sulks like a victim. And the obvious hypocrisy is never addressed. Also, her nickname doesn't feel like it's given to her lovingly - just, all of a sudden, she's been assigned a new name that everyone, even strangers, use. She is constantly being drug or pushed around by other characters, forced to do what they want for her, and not making many decisions on her own. She's forced into a new wardrobe and repeatedly told that her current self is inferior; she's forced into new "friendships" she doesn't want; she is immediately placed under almost complete house arrest; and she is repeatedly beaten by various characters (in manners that, given her symptoms, I am not confident she would live through). And the entire town is so intimidated by Mitch that he can abuse this orphaned and barely-legal young woman in whatever manner he pleases. The most disturbing part, for me, is that they are professing their love for one another in the midst of it all - it's not love to behave in the manner of the main characters; instead, it smacks of these characters all having severe psychological and emotional problems.

And, then, of course, there are all the unanswered questions hanging around - the most obvious one for me being: given the emotional value placed on the appearance of the house, why on earth didn't she recognize it in the very beginning of the book??

Given the psychology issues inherent in the characters, I would not recommend this book to a young adult. Teenage years are confusing enough without a book like this spelling out exactly what not to do and then either glorifying it or excusing it. Young women, especially, don't need to be consuming the kind of message illustrated in this book that shows a young woman accepting and even loving the severe abuse from her partner, family, and friends.
655566
It started out with promise, but as the book unfolded, it was a disappointment.  The lack of character development really mars the book.  The plot unfolds too quickly and as a result isn't compelling or believable.  This is flawed YA fiction that just isn't sophisticated enough for adult readers.  And honestly, I don't know that I would have liked it as a teenager.  In terms of its level of sophistication, it's aimed at younger readers.

And, as an adult, I found the driving plot point creepy in a way that means I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers (SPOILER ALERT):
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You see this coming from a million miles away, so not much of a spoiler, but I hate it when people reveal stuff I'm not supposed to know yet in reviews, so I'm being cautious about giving stuff away.

The main character is a 19-year-old woman who is an "apprentice" to a divorced man in his 30s, with who she comes to live and work to study her craft after the magician equivalent of high school.  She decides--after knowing only him as her boss and only for a few days--that she is falling in love with him and that her future is having his babies.  She also cooks for him and does his laundry as his live-in apprentice/trainee magician, even though that's unsurprisingly not in the job description of being an apprentice magician.  So basically this reads as a romance novel for tween girls, not real fantasy, and the plot is driven by a very young, naive, and childlike woman fantasizing about her much-older boss.  That it's set in the late 1800s/early 1900s didn't make that feel any less retrograde/inappropriate.
666801
This was a good concept but not well written. I have read alot of YA and most of them, while being aimed at the teenage group, was still written at a mature enough reading level that I could enjoy it. This was not. It seemed written at a 4th-6th grade reading level. It was very simplistic writing and the story moved very slow without any new and interesting developments to move the plot along in any exciting way well into the halfway mark. The characters were very one dimensional and the only investment I had was in the little brother who was taken away in the beginning but I couldn't be bothered to follow it through to the end. When the point of view changed a few chapters in, it was terribly confusing because the voice of the character didn't seem to change in any way. It wasn't until I read most of that chapter and was confused by the facts that were being presented that it was even a different character, the alien, speaking. Also, why was he stalking her if the rest of humanity was dead? That made very little sense even in suspended reality. This was just not for me and I would guess that if anyone were to enjoy it, it would be someone very young but this is certainly not for higher reading levels as I thought.
3809344
I didn't like at all the fact that these are supposed to be 15 to 16 year old kids who are drinking and having casual sex. This was very disappointing. I thought this was supposed to be a young adult book. The character should have been older for the content. This had the potential for being a good story. But I also felt like I was reading a fashion magazine most of the time. I mean she even tells you what name brand underwear the characters wear. Who needs to know that! Stick to the story! without all that none sense and age issues for me I think I could have liked the story. It was just so so for me as is. Nothing I would read again. This also wouldn't be the first book I would recommend to friends.
2575409
I bought this book because it was on a list of "best spiritual books." And honestly, I mixed it up with "Sophie's Choice," and missed the subtitle "A novel about the history of philosophy." My bad.

It's one of the most boring books I've ever read. Written from a fourteen year old's perspective, I think it should be classified like a Middle-Grade of YA novel with a twist of fantasy. Had I known that, I would never have bought the book. For young fantasy lovers, I'm sure this is great. I might have loved it myself when I was fourteen.
1549222
this book is not really made for young adults. i am in 8th grade and I couldn't bear it. Everyone else hated it, but I believe it is only because we couldn't really understand it. All the symbols Golding used made the  image foggy and the only way i got through it was with the symbols teachers  gave me, such as Simon being Jesus and other things like that. It's just a  little deep for teens my age....
2493648
As an ex-children's librarian and teacher of young people, I must give this book two thumbs way down!  Intended as a Young Adult novel, it lacks characterization, plot, historical and scientific accuracy and depth in all ways.  The two main characters, Hawk and Willow, supposedly ages 18 and 16, are thrown out of their tribe and attempt to live on their own.  Battling snakes, sabre-toothed tigers and bears, the two barely survive. however are able to produce two off-spring.  They seem to live 12 years in a 2 page spread.  More detail is needed to hold YAs interest..and, frankly, anyone else's.

The author contradicts himself in many areas, which is frustrating to readers.  He also uses stilted language in conversation and descriptions, which makes for a very boring read.

There are many great historical novels out there for YAs to read.  This is not one of them.
3453341
This is my first review I've ever written on a book, but I felt compelled to. I'm a sucker for a cheesy young adult book and am an avid reader of them. So when I read the description I felt this could be a book I really liked, boy was I proven way wrong. It started out really good but it just got worse and worse. I honestly cannot fathom why people liked this junk. It felt like every single cliche imaginable was thrown into this plot, it literally contained almost every possible twist and turn you would think of. By half way through it got so predictable, I knew what was going to happen 50 pages before it would. I had to finish it, because I hate not finishing books. I really honestly tried to like this book and look past all the stupid plot twist and turns, but found myself rolling my eyes more than anything. Harper is a unrelatable character who you really just start hating half way through. Chase was my favorite character, and he is only in part of this book. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time or money on this!
2891145
SPOILERS!!

(Skip if you don't want to know)

I warned you:

What on Earth is the guy who wrote this book thinking? This is supposed to be a novel for young adults, a category which usually includes teenagers, especially young teenagers who read well. Actual young adults read novels from whatever section of the bookstore that they want. Anyway, this book is about a society that controls the United States at some point in the future, after a religious zealot causes the destruction of our current society. The Powers in charge at that time are The Priests, who appease the masses desire for blood by sacrificing children. Little girls who just began puberty, to be precise. If the girl somehow survives a "black knife plunged to its hilt in her chest," (by being stuffed into mysterious "Diskos" that appear in the sky), she becomes a nun, sort of. If not, then oh well; let's try again next "blood moon." (lunar eclipse) Oh yes, to keep too many young girls from surviving, they stun them with some sort of tranquilizer sneaked into the tea they get as part of their last meal. If a girl smartens up and refuses the tea, it is poured down her throat by force.

This is mostly the story of one young girl who manages to avoid being stabbed to death because a boy somehow appears from the disko, just before she is supposed to be "sacrificed." Somehow, she ends up horribly hurt, but in a hospital. When she is healed, the hospital demands payment, then sells her to a passing Amish-Jew farmer when she cannot pay. This farmer has a disko in his barn, but there is no explanation given of why it's there until the very end of the book. Because she refuses to climb into the Amish-Jew farmer's disko, she has to survive by working at a farm where one of the family members wants to have sex with her. Now remember, this is a girl who just began her period. She's 11, maybe 12, 13 at the absolute outside, unless girls have changed their physiology radically between now and when all this stuff starts.

And that isn't even the storyline of the boy, which runs somewhat parallel to this storyline.  I ended up reading the book twice before understanding what on Earth the author was trying to do. (two stories running parallel to one another until they join, then they become one. Unless they don't.)

I didn't even figure out that the Klaatu were the spirits (maybe) of the dead who surrounded each disko when something was supposed to be happening.  The girl who was killed at the beginning of the book, to show the heroine what she was facing, ends up as a Klaatu.

Unbelievable.  There is no way I would purchase this for my child. Not now, not ever.  Now if my child was over 18 and chose this, well, I don't believe in telling adults what they can or cannot read.  But this -- sheesh. I hope that any self-respecting adult doesn't want to read a book where child murder is the main function of the leaders of a future America.
975757
This book drove me nuts. I found myself skimming through the whole thing because I just couldn't take the obsession of a guy she met and wasn't even with for very long. I had a boy tween and I'm so glad because if this is how girls act, I would rather put a nail in my hand than be friends with her. This is a college student, not a junior high schooler and that made it so much worse.

I didn't read all of the book, I skimmed through it. It wasn't an actual did-not-finish, but I really didn't like it. The heroine was just too whiney.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4204523
Teen girl Scotty, Samson's protagonist in this young adult series for girls, is on the run with her hippie grandma, Charley, from a mysterious stranger. Charley designs food for movies, so Scotty is in on the Hollywood scene even as they travel for movies shot on location. She blogs the latest gossip and tries to keep her head on straight despite her crazy RV-living life.

The average reader of this book is probably a young woman, 11-14 years old, who has grown up in a Christian home if not Christian school or home school.

I am about 15 years older than the target audience of this book, but I usually enjoy teen fiction because it is quick and entertaining. Unfortunately, this book didn't really keep my attention and I only finished reading it because of this review I needed to write.

The book is written entirely in the present tense (one of my pet peeves) and is very chatty and full of useless phrases like "I'm just sayin'" (another pet peeve).  I found Scotty to be annoying and I didn't want to be inside her head more than necessary. But I was in her head ALL the time. It really was overkill -- first person present tense for the narrator, plus a blog written by Scotty, plus Scotty's diary which she writes to someone named "Elaine."  Oh, and text messages and online chat sessions. It was just too much. I never got settled into the story and was constantly reminded that I was reading a book about an opinionated teen. In fact, I put the book down for several weeks because I couldn't take it anymore.

In addition to my distaste for the character, I found the plot a bit forced. I guessed the surprise twist/ending by about page 80 (out of 189 pgs) and can probably tell you how book 3 ends as well. **A warning -- if you've lost a child through miscarriage or still birth or at infancy, this book will not be fun about  or  through.**

As a teen, I got so irritated by Christian fiction because half of it was like reading a church service or listening to a guidance counselor. So I stopped reading it altogether. I hoped it would be different by now, but it really isn't. I think adults and parents want their kids to read this, but if given the choice, the teens would skip over all the religious stuff (like I did).

This book feels like the publisher went to a popular author and said, "We need something like Gossip Girl, but clean and Christian, with a good salvation message." I agree that the Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars books are over the top and ridiculous, but why do we as Christians feel the need to copy something successful and just add a chapter or two on Jesus? Surely we can be deeper and more creative than that.

Other reviewers of this book seemed to have wanted more Christian content, but I really wanted less. (And yes, I am a strong Christian in case you're wondering.) I don't want to be hit over the head with it.

I haven't read anything else by Samson, but I am guessing I would probably appreciate her work for adults in the general market more.

** Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I clearly was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
1296556
too young for me  usually i am okay with ya novels but not this one
3364533
I have read and loved  l all his other books. Hated this one esp that it is considered YA.  His other books have plenty of romance, but within a few chapters this young woman with no sexual experience moves  full speed into a lesbian relationship with a woman she just met, and who is also much older.  23 vs 18.  (A few months younger and it could qualify as a prosecutable  offense of sex w a minor).  Really really really made me angry.
4124961
I only wish I'd have read dreamsend's review of this book before reading it.  Coupled with what dreamsend said (and I highly recommend you read that review), here are my additional comments: I was disgusted by the blatant theft of all things HP. It was despicable. Also? I was given this book on the suggestion of a friend. Her 10-year old had read it and loved it. I was reading it with my 10-year old. Until I had to edit it, because the discussion of orgies, MILF's, teen drinking (and not really in a frowned-upon way), teen sex, teen drug use and incest were prevailing themes. I am not a prude. We have read the Twilight Saga together, all of Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, and she's a huge LotR fan. But these? These were really books for much older YA's. Normally she reads, then I read, then she reads...you get the picture. I couldn't let her even see the words on the page, because I had no idea where it was going to go. But really, if the story had been worth it, or original in ANY WAY, I would not have minded the edits. It was a waste of time, and I will not be wasting money on the movie.
3931589
I am a fifteen year old boy and I must admit that I did pick up the Twilight series...really expecting a good read. A lot of people, including members of my family, had been nagging at me constantly to read it, and so I was at a Target and picked it up, actually excited, because of the great reviews I had heard about it.

Well, I got down to reading about the first few chapters, and I kinda had the sense that I was not liking it. But, I wanted to keep going; I thought it was going to get better. By the middle of the book I just really wanted to put the book down, leave, and re-read Harry Potter, which I'm currently doing again! (: Believe it or not I actually finished the first book, and then continued to read the second book, and halfway through the third book, call me crazy I know!! I just HOPED that they were somehow going to get better, but they didn't

LET ME EXPLAIN:
CHARACTERS. Without good Character development a book will ultimately fail, and in my mind, Twilight has failed. Mrs. Meyer, clearly does not understand that characters should become stronger over the course of books, if there is a point to the story at all, which clearly shows there is not. All through all ALL the books, Bella is a bratty, whiny, self centered girl, who clearly only cares about herself, and scoring it with Edward, which gets really annoying after awhile, when on every single page there is always something to do with Edward and her decisions about what to do! I mean I can understand that everyone goes through that uncertainty, but for crying out loud, by the third book, shouldn't she have gotten over that already!
Also, I've heard sooo much that, "OH NO! This isn't just for girls!" HAHA! People have constantly told me that you can relate so well to the characters! I've never heard such a piece of crap in my life! I'm sorry but I'm not a girl, and I can't relate to someone who has a lust for blood, shines, and is almost 100 years old. I can not relate to someone who is going through a change that is turning his body into a werewolf. I mean, they are the three main characters, and I can't relate to any one of them, not one.

Here is my one good thought about the book. The action is really good and I can imagine that, but really there is no ultimate action. I had to wait all until the end of the first book, after I heard, "OH EDWARD..LOVE ME..NO ONE ELSE CAN!" UGHH!

Now, I know some people are going to absolutely hate me for this, but I feel a little comparison needs to be done. HARRY POTTER vs. TWILIGHT....the winner? HARRY POTTER by a million points. I'm sorry, but Harry will always be my favorite book, because I can relate to Harry, and Ron, and even Hermione at time. JK Rowling is quick, and to the point, and does NOT have to use big adjectives and REALLY long chapters to make the book look long. After all, it's quality, NOT quantity, and I think someone should mention that to Mrs. Meyer.

SO, Yes, Harry Potter is better, and I'm sorry Twilight fans, I just can't do the 4th book. I mean I know what happens, I don't even have to go on the internet cause it's really predictable. Let me guess: Edward turns her into a vampire, they have a baby, and the bad vampires are defeated. I MAY be wrong, but I know I'm close. It's just predictable, and it always has been.

AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE WON THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD!

HAHA, thank you!
3881179
I'm just kidding, I won't list thirteen reasons.  And it would take me longer to do than it did to read the book!  Based on the reviews, I thought this book would be interesting even though I am in my 20s.  The concept sounded pretty cool and unique.  I realized I am way out of the age range for this book.  I am actually amazed that the author of this book is an adult himself, because it sounds like some angsty teenager wrote this for a creative writing contest.  For reviewers suggesting parents and teens both read this book - I can't imagine a parent reading this book, enjoying it, and suggesting it to their child.  I'm not going to say that this book glorifies suicide, I don't think it does, but I do not think that the message was "hey, don't do that" either.  This whiny teenager spends the whole book telling people that THEIR actions led to her decision and essentially she is too weak to put up with anything that happens in a normal high school.  Someone started a rumor about you or used you for a ride somewhere?  Wow.. brutal. How about get over it and quit being dumb.  Everything else she said just sounds insanely far fetched and ridiculous.  The main character is just about the most boring person ever with no real feelings.  All of the characters are extremely shallow for that matter.  Her "reasons" for killing herself are not reasons, they are just situations she wanted to dwell on to justify her own stupidity and make others feel as bad as her.  Oh, and I did not like the writing style much myself, it made the story too cluttered in some areas.  I did give this book 2 stars, just for the new concept and because it is a page turner... mostly because you're waiting for something actually significant in her life to happen though =/  If only I could get a refund... guess I'll be choosing from the daily deals from now on when it comes to books like this and I suggest others do the same.  Not worth more than a dollar.
3074589
As an avid young adult reader (I'm 20), I still like to dabble in reading teen fiction as well as adult fiction.  I picked up this book a few days ago from the library thinking it would be a fun read.  However, I constantly found myself yelling at the main character (Zoey) who is seemingly sixteen years old, yet laughs at the word "boobies" for about half a page.  Her excerpts of rambling thoughts, which were contained within parentheses throughout the entire book, were unnerving.  Around page 46 I almost put the book down, thinking I couldn't bear the rambling any more.  Zoey's whininess and Mary Sue-esque nature was more than I could handle.  However, I continued reading and ended up liking the storyline once I got past Zoey's seemingly pre-teen excerpts (which began to cease nearing the end).  I will probably try reading the next book, Betrayed, to see if the writing style became more apt to a teenagers, while also looking for a developing storyline.
Parents be warned though.  As I am sure most teens and even some pre-teens understand the concept of oral sex, I would not recommend this book to anyone under 14-15.  There are sexual undertones in bits of the writing and if your daughter/son would like to read this book, I'm sure that you would want to read it first to approve.