Mundie Moms

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Book Review: Burning Blue by Paul Griffin


Published by: Dial
To Be Released on: October 25th, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher to review
4 stars: It Was A Good Read
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

How far would you go for love, beauty, and jealousy?

When Nicole Castro, the most beautiful girl in her wealthy New Jersey high school, is splashed with acid on the left side of her perfect face, the whole world takes notice. But quiet loner Jay Nazarro does more than that--he decides to find out who did it. Jay understands how it feels to be treated like a freak, and he also has a secret: He's a brilliant hacker. But the deeper he digs, the more danger he's in--and the more he falls for Nicole. Too bad everyone is turning into a suspect, including Nicole herself.

Award-winning author Paul Griffin has written a high-stakes, soulful mystery about the meaning--and dangers--of love and beauty -quoted from Goodreads

Burning Blue is one part thriller one part realistic contemporary. It's a complex story that connects the lives of two teens who are both dealing with some interesting situations, Jay and Nicole. Coming from two totally different back grounds, these two connect on a level that brings them both closer together, and allows them to slowly open up and confide in each other in a way that leaves them both exposed and vulnerable. Paul Griffin's writing is amazing! Not only does he weave together this incredible story of two teen's lives who suffered from life changing moments, but he creates this intense mystery surrounding Nicole's acid attack. Everyone is a suspect and when the real attacker is exposed it is down right insane, as in, I can't believe that's who was behind it, and I never saw that one coming.

This is story that is filled with suspense, fueled by an intense mystery, and in turn is given an intriguing storyline I couldn't stop reading. Written in a way that tells the story from the main character's POV of, Jay, along with the victims journal entries, Nicole, and from the point of view of one of the psychologists Nicole sees, made for an interesting read. I liked getting to see the story from so many points of views. It not only gave me an inside look behind these three characters, it allowed me to understand them a little more. At the same time is also created and deepened the story's complex mystery regarding the acid attack on Nicole. It's the type mystery that left me completely hooked, and I couldn't stop reading the book until I knew who did it. Believe me, you'll be shocked when you find out the who in the who dun it is.

Jay is a kid who once seemed like he fit in well with everyone at school, well for the most part, and  suffers from seizures. After having one at school exposed the embarrassing after math of what can happen from the an attack, and having it posted on youtube made him withdrawal from school to be homeschooled. Despite having a father who's often times lost to his work, a mother who passed away when he was young, Jay often times is by himself. Jay doesn't hail from money. He's kid who seems like he has a pretty good head on his shoulders, and I admire him for doing things he things are right. Though he shouldn't get involved, Jay finds himself in the middle of trying to solve the shocking who done it case of beauty queen and fellow student Nicole's acid attack that let's her scared, exposed, and extremely vulnerable. Nicole is someone who most people would find themselves envious of. She's that drop dead gorgeous girl with the flawless skin, wears the trendy clothes, comes from money, and is dating the hottest guy at school. What I loved about Nicole is how grounded, and nice she is. Like the type of girl who's nice to everyone. Her beauty/looks also have  her slated to be the new Miss New Jersey. That is until someone squirts acid on her at school.

In a story about beauty, infused with love, and given a jealous twit, Burning Blue will leave readers hooked until the last page. Paul Griffin's writing is one that I really liked, and I'm definitely picking up more of his book. I really like the way he unraveled everything that happens in Burning Blue. The way Jay and Nicole meet, the way they slowly start opening up to each other, and the twists into the attack were well written, and believable. I liked how everyone was a suspect and the way the real suspect was weeded out. I also liked that though Jay tries to solve the mystery himself, he does some not so legal things to solve it, and in the process has a few consequences he deals with because of it. I understood his motivation to solve the case, and why he does what he does, but I also like that he has consequences for those actions. Over all I felt like this was a good read. There is some mild language and a sexual reference in this book, making this one that may not be suitable for younger readers. If you're looking for a thrilling YA read I'd recommend picking this one up. 

This Week's YA Books News

Happy Saturday! Here's a few of the recent book news, author signing tours, cover reveals, and events mentioned this past week.


This Sunday at Books of Wonder, Fierce Reads is stopping by from 1-3! Don't miss meeting these amazing authors. Find out more info HERE.



Don't miss this year's All Hallow's Read! Epic Reads posted about it recently on Tumblr, you can hear what Neil Gaiman himself has to say about it below in the video, and you can find out more about it HERE.





Days of Blood and Starlight's release in next month!! I know, I can not wait to get my hands on this book. Per Little Brown,  Laini will be on TOUR for DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT! Check out her tour stops below.

PORTLAND, OR

Tuesday, November 6th
Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
7:00 PM

Tuesday, November 27th
Barnes & Noble (Clackamas)
6:30 PM

HOUSTON, TX

Wednesday, November 7th 
7:00 PM

AUSTIN, TX

Thursday, November 8th
7:00 PM

PHOENIX, AZ

Friday, November 9th
7:00 PM

Saturday, November 10th 
Barnes & Noble (Desert Ridge)
3:00 PM

LOS ANGELES, CA

Thursday, November 15th
4:00 PM

Friday, November 16th
Barnes & Noble (Glendale)
7:00 PM

KANSAS CITY, MO

Monday, November 19th
Organized by Rainy Day Books

Tuesday, November 20th 
Barnes & Noble (Zona Rosa)
7:00 PM

You can learn more about Laini on her website and connect with her on twitter at @lainitaylor. And remember to follow us on twitter, @lbkids, for the latest news on DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT!


Jessica Spotswood revealed the paperback cover to Born Wicked! What do you guys think? I'm a little torn as I really like the hardback cover, but this cover is just as cool. Love the moon in the back ground and all the birds. Head over to Jessica's site to leave her a comment, and enter her giveaway.

Per SourceBooks:




The Get Real: Contemps on Tour kicks off on November 1st.  The author tour reaches 10 cities in 10 days and is sure to be packed with memories and laughs.  Special Guest Author, Geoff Herbach joins the GET REAL team for one night only on November 6th!  Plus…

The GET REAL author tour has a new Facebook page!  We want to know if you’re coming so make sure and join your city’s event on the event page! On the GET REAL Facebook page you’ll find author videos, updates, and more!

An OUTRAGEOUSLY COOL opportunity is within your reach at the click of a button. SourcebooksFire wants to offer our dedicated bloggers a super secret special giveaway at each tour stop.
           
Here’s how the secret special giveaway works:
·        Like the GET REAL Facebook page
·        Let us know you’re coming on the event page or send us an e-mail
·        Attend the author signing at a store near you
·        We give you super secret special giveaway

While you’re on Facebook: don’t miss our first-ever GET REAL Author Video! Laura and Lisa Roecker, Geoff Herbach, Janet Gurtler and Miranda Kenneally get the chance to ask each other "What's the COOLEST thing about being an author?"





Cassie was just one of a many authors who had posted and tweeted about yesterday's Spirit Day. Wearing purple yesterday meant you were taking a stand against bulling of LGBT youth. Though the 19th has already passed, October is AntiBullying month and I feel it's important to still bring this day and the info posted to below to light here on the blog. No one deserves to be bullied!


Spirit Day  is October 19th this year!  Millions of Americans will wear purple to speak out against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Join in!
If you are a person who is in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call The Trevor Lifeline now at 866-488-7386
or visit [link]
or [link]

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