This is Where the World Ends Book Review

This is Where the World Ends by: Amy Zhang

Pub date: 3/22/16 by HarperTeen

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Janie and Micah, Micah and Janie. That’s how it’s been ever since elementary school, when Janie Vivien moved next door. Janie says Micah is everything she is not. Where Micah is shy, Janie is outgoing. Where Micah loves music, Janie loves art. It’s the perfect friendship—as long as no one finds out about it. But then Janie goes missing and everything Micah thought he knew about his best friend is colored with doubt.

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This is Where the World Ends is the type of book that is best to not know what it's about before heading into it. I am a huge fan of Amy's other novel, Falling into Place. So, when I saw that she was coming out with another stand-alone contemporary, I had to get my hands on it ASAP! I will admit, I really didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. If you guys didn't know, if there is something I hate about a book, it's most likely alternating chapters. 75% of the time, they aren't done right. The story doesn't flow or there are gaps that never get filled. This time, it wasn't as bad as others, but it would have made the book better if the story flowed as one.

This book left me with a lot of questions, questions that I would love answers for. Amy did this with Falling into Place, but I believe the book hangover was worst this time around. If you want a dark, grungy story, this book it right up your alley. The emotions that come of the pages just wiggle there way through your chest and into your heart. You want to help Micah and tell him that he's okay, but you just can't that is what you call writing.

Janie and Micah, oh what those kids went through. It like you're on a rollercoaster that never stops until the last word. No spoilers, but it's a lot like Mara Dyer, but 2 times more hallucinations. I would have loved to have more backstory on their friendship before Janie goes missing. My heart was broken throughout this whole book for Micah. 

Amy's writing and creativity make this book whole. She makes all her work so captivating, I just cannot get enough of it. I hope to see more masterpieces from her in the future. 

Overall, This is Where the World End is a heart wrenching, dark contemporary novel that put you in a story about friendship, loss, and living with one of the biggest mistakes you could ever make.

Star rating: 4/5 stars

-Savannah @abookowl ig

In Real Life Book Review

In Real Life by: Jessica Love

Pub Date: March 1st by St. Martians Press

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Hannah Cho and Nick Cooper have been best friends since 8th grade. They talk for hours on the phone, regularly shower each other with presents, and know everything there is to know about one another. 
There's just one problem: Hannah and Nick have never actually met.
Hannah has spent her entire life doing what she's supposed to, but when her senior year spring break plans get ruined by a rule-breaker, she decides to break a rule or two herself. She impulsively decides to road trip to Las Vegas, her older sister and BFF in tow, to surprise Nick and finally declare her more-than-friend feelings for him.
Hannah's surprise romantic gesture backfires when she gets to Vegas and finds out that Nick has been keeping some major secrets. Hannah knows the real Nick can't be that different from the online Nick she knows and loves, but now she only has night in Sin City to figure out what her feelings for Nick really are, all while discovering how life can change when you break the rules every now and then.

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I really enjoyed this book!! At times, it was a bit unbelievable and other times it was very realistic. It did feel a bit like a story about two characters that were from a different story. I guess you could say is was like a fan-made story. Which I have absolutely no issues with. I really liked how Jessica portrayed the characters and how the story glided along.

The characters were a bit frustrating at times. Hannah didn't picked up on the "bad" or "misleading" signs which frustrated me a bit because the story might have drastically changed if she did. Although, there were parts that I definitely could relate to, such as the character's quirkiness. 

Hannah and Nick's relationship was definitely different. I've never read a book about a "couple" that were virtually seeing each other. I believe Jessica did a wonderful job at portraying their relationship. It takes a lot a trust to really let yourself out there to someone you've never even met and could be cat-fishing you. This is a very common situation that happens in the real world in our generation and this book shows the pros and cons of virtual dating.

Overall, In Real Life was not a disappointment what so ever. It was quirky, fun, and very adorable. Even though it did flip back and forth from good to bad, I really enjoyed it and it would be a perfect read for all you contemporary lovers out there. <3

Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

-Savannah @abookowl