Scream - Stacey R. Campbell

Scream

By: Stacey R. Campbell

Green Darner Press

Published/Release Date: July 20th, 2015

Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary: 

It’s Halle Henry’s final year at Lakeview Academy, and she is determined to make it her best year yet. But when drugs are discovered in her boyfriend Alex’s backpack and he is expelled, Halle’s life spins out of control.

Refusing to believe the accusations against him, Halle vows to get to the bottom of what really happened and bring Alex back to campus so they can graduate together.

Now, all Halle has to do is save her boyfriend, solve a murder, graduate from high school, and keep from getting killed in the process.

My Review:

I was only given the third book to read in the Lakeview Novel Series. That being said, this cannot be read as a standalone novel – the reader would be much too confused. This series is too unbelievable for my taste – like when shows “jump the shark”. The sister is secretly royalty. A student just happens to witness a murder on a ferry and the murderer works at his school. Also, that murder and his wife are actually from Florida where they escaped jail time by hiding out in Canada for an unsolved drug case. And of course, a student solves it all! I’m going to give the author the benefit of the doubt that she did all of her world building and character development in the first two novels, because this one lacked it. I would recommend it to readers that the style of “realistic” fiction that Sara Shepard (ie. Pretty Little Liars, Lying Game) writes.

Verdict: Only If You Read The Prior Books

Star Rating: 

Clouded Sky - Megan Crewe

The Clouded Sky

By: Megan Crewe

Skyscape

Published/Release Date: May 5th, 2015

Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary: 

When seventeen-year-old Skylar escapes the time-bending Enforcers who secretly control Earth, her troubles have just begun. She and her friend Win take refuge on Win’s home space station with his fellow rebels, but the fate of Skylar’s planet still spins out of her control.

To avoid detection, Skylar poses as the Earthling “pet” of Win’s rival, an arrogant boy named Jule. Homesick and faced with a cool reception from the other rebels, she throws herself into the group’s mission: assembling a weapon to disable Earth’s restrictive time field. Gradually, Skylar’s skill for detail gains respect—even from Jule, who is more vulnerable than he lets on.

Yet challenges spring from every side. Not only must Sky navigate the muddy waters of romance, but suspicions of betrayal grow among the rebels as their work narrowly misses sabotage.

In the latest in Megan Crewe’s Earth & Sky series, can Skylar expose the traitor before time runs out and Earth is destroyed?
My Review:

I would like to preface this by saying that this is book two of the Earth & Sky trilogy – and I was not given book one to review so I essentially started in the middle of the story. That being said, although I didn’t necessarily understand all of the references to the first book I didn’t feel confused throughout. I believe that the author did a good job building on the first story, but also made the second book able to stand on its own. It was an interesting premise that I haven’t read before, but I also wouldn’t reread the book. The world building was scarce and the characters underdeveloped. Most, but not all of the time, I didn’t feel like I could relate to them. I would recommend this read to those that like books that are sci-fi, about space, or time travel. I think it was too specific to appeal to a wide range of audience.

Verdict: Give It A Try

Star Rating: