***The Starry-Eyed Revue***: unexpected surprises

Title: 738 Days
Author: Stacey Kade
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Forge Books
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Source: received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

At fifteen, Amanda Grace was abducted on her way home from school. 738 days later, she escaped. Her 20/20 interview is what everyone remembers—Amanda describing the room where she was kept, the torn poster of TV heartthrob Chase Henry on the wall. It reminded her of home and gave her the strength to keep fighting.

Now, years later, Amanda is struggling to live normally. Her friends have gone on to college, while she battles PTSD. She’s not getting any better, and she fears that if something doesn’t change soon she never will.

Six years ago, Chase Henry defied astronomical odds, won a coveted role on a new TV show, and was elevated to super-stardom. With it, came drugs, alcohol, arrests, and crazy spending sprees. Now he's sober and a Hollywood pariah, washed up at twenty-four.

To revamp his image, Chase’s publicist comes up with a plan: surprise Amanda Grace with the chance to meet her hero, followed by a visit to the set of Chase’s new movie. The meeting is a disaster, but out of mutual desperation, Amanda and Chase strike a deal. What starts as a simple arrangement, though, rapidly becomes more complicated when they realize they need each other in more ways than one. But when the past resurfaces in a new threat, will they stand together or fall apart?

I've never read any of Stacey Kade's books before, but I've definitely had some interest in reading them, to be sure. None more than 738 Days, though, which says a lot about the content. I usually shy away from new adult novels because they tend to get really cliche and trope-y. Damaged girl with tragic backstory. Hero with his own share of baggage. Coping issues. Miscommunication. Lies. Betrayal. The usual.

This story has all of that...and then some. Yet I found myself so invested in the lives of these characters who, for better or worse, have each been through harrowing ordeals that have left them completely changed people. But I suspect that stems from the fact that I didn't feel emotionally manipulated as I read. The characters felt genuine in their grief, in their heartbreak, and in their attempts to be the people they want to be.

The relationship that develops between Amanda and Chase evolves rather quickly and is nothing short of tumultuous, but it is beautiful nonetheless. And it's nearly impossible not to get caught up in their whirlwind romance. I don't want to say that they needed each other to complete the healing process, but they were definitely beneficial to each other and I like how that aspect played out without them becoming dependent upon one another.

738 Days was thoughtful and thought-provoking but also honest and completely brutal at times. More so with Amanda's story than Chase's because there are triggers that set her off and the flashbacks are not pretty. It was hard to read at times while also being nearly unputdownable.

And lovely and heart-breaking and just wow. I think I may have found my new favorite new adult novel. I am very interested in reading more NA from Stacey Kade...as well as checking out her YA backlist because now that I've gotten a taste of her writing, I'm pretty sure I'll want to devour the rest.

GIF it to me straight:

About the author:

As an award-winning corporate copywriter, Stacey Kade has written about everything from backhoe loaders to breast pumps. But she prefers to make things up instead.

She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Greg, and two retired racing greyhounds, SheWearsThePants (Pansy) and Shutter. When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll likely find her parked in front of the television catching up on her favorite shows (Scandal, The Vampire Diaries, Almost Human, The Walking Dead, and Sherlock, among others.)

Stacey is the author of the The Ghost and the Goth trilogy (THE GHOST AND THE GOTH, QUEEN OF THE DEAD, and BODY & SOUL) and The Project Paper Doll Series (THE RULES and THE HUNT).

Find Stacey:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Tumblr

Labels: 738 days, contemporary, new adult, stacey kade, tor, tough subject, unexpected surprises

Title:  The Dark Light
Author:  Sara Walsh
Series: I sure hope so!
Publisher:  Simon Pulse
Publication Date:  August 28, 2012
Source: publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Mia is torn between two guys—and two worlds—in this epic, romantic fantasy.

Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she’s concerned, that’s about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town.

That is, until Sol arrives. Mia’s not one to fall for just any guy, but she can’t get Sol—or the brilliant tattoo on his back—out of her mind.

Then Mia’s brother goes missing, and Mia’s convinced that Sol knows more than he’s sharing. But getting closer to Sol means reevaluating everything Mia once believed to be true. Because Sol’s not who Mia thought he was—and neither is she.

After reading several reviews of this book, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who was taken by surprise. That cover screams standard PNR fare. The summary had me believing we were dealing with a sci-fi filled with body-snatching aliens. What I got was a quirky fantasy that doesn't feature a love triangle, despite what the first line of that synopsis might imply.

The Dark Light is quirky in that nothing about this novel is typical. It's not your typical fantasy realm with a bunch of crazy-sounding names and places, though those are there and they are hilarious. (One guy's name is Bromasta. BROMASTA. Bromasta? Seriously?) This book is set in our world and a fantasy realm with a ridiculous name. And though this book packs as much as it possibly can into 500 pages, I still felt like both worlds/settings were described more than adequately for me to envision them clearly.

The characters are anything but stereotypical. Upon first inspection, they might seem it, but as Sol helps Mia to unlock the secrets to her past -- her heritage -- pieces fall into place and nothing is as it seems anymore. I connected with Mia immediately. Her voice was realistic and though she's had a less-than-ideal upbringing, she's making the most of it for herself and for her younger brother. Mia's friends are all a bit quirky, as well, and though they give her a hard time, they endeared themselves to me, much the same as Mia did.

When Mia's brother goes missing, she enlists the help of the new guy. Sol is mysterious and keeps to himself and because of a strange tattoo, she thinks he might have something to do with -- or at least knows something about -- her brother's disappearance and the disappearances of the other local boys. Sol isn't very forthcoming at first, but Mia kind of forces his hand. I loved that they got off to a bit of a rocky start, but eventually Sol comes clean with Mia and a whole new world has opened up to Mia. Literally.

As with a standard fantasy novel, you have to pay attention. So much information is thrown at you, and it can be hard to keep track of. I love fantasy novels, and I had no problem with this aspect. I don't think you have to love fantasy novels to enjoy The Dark Light, though, because for all of its otherworldy idiosyncrasies, there were lots of real world facets thrown in there, as well. I found this novel extremely fun and engaging, and if you give it a chance, I hope it surprises you, too.

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