Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Trafficking
Moderate: Gun violence
Out of Control was my Waiting on Wednesday post a couple of weeks back and when Sarah Alderson had noticed she kindly offered me a copy as a thank you, which I am so grateful for as it was a great book.
I love this cover and was the second thing that drew me into the want of having this book. It looks different to any book cover that I have seen before with its vivid colours and different style of font. I feel like it is one of the most eye catching covers that I have seen in awhile.
As soon as I started this book I was hooked as I haven't read anything like it before and there was a lot of action happening but it wasn't too over powering. I loved that I never knew what was going to happen next which sure kept me guessing throughout the book with some shockers that I was not expecting. The added romance to this book that I wasn't actually expecting but I am glad of it as I do love romance in the books I read. With Out of Control being set within a day or two it was surprising how believable the romance was as in some books it feels rushed but not in this case as it was more of a grower. I would have liked a bit more in the romance department as I didn't feel like there was much closure for them. I think this is because the ending didn't feel like 'The End' as for me there seemed to be a couple of unanswered questions which is why I couldn't give it the full 5 out of 5 that I was going to give it until the end.
I loved all the characters even though I wasn't quite sure who Liva could trust. I didn't think I was going to like Liva as at the beginning she seemed a bit annoying as she seemed to be one of those weak characters that no one likes but this wasn't the case and after everything she went through anyone would understand the way she was at the beginning. She was really smart and knew how to hold her own which really surprised me but in a good way. Jay was great and like Liva I had a different idea of who he was at the beginning where he came of as a bad boy he was actually just misunderstood and he had me laughing out load at times too. There was a couple of other secondary characters that I liked mainly Yoyo he was great especially the dance scene.
Overall this book was great and if it wasn't for the ending it would have been amazing.
I love this cover and was the second thing that drew me into the want of having this book. It looks different to any book cover that I have seen before with its vivid colours and different style of font. I feel like it is one of the most eye catching covers that I have seen in awhile.
As soon as I started this book I was hooked as I haven't read anything like it before and there was a lot of action happening but it wasn't too over powering. I loved that I never knew what was going to happen next which sure kept me guessing throughout the book with some shockers that I was not expecting. The added romance to this book that I wasn't actually expecting but I am glad of it as I do love romance in the books I read. With Out of Control being set within a day or two it was surprising how believable the romance was as in some books it feels rushed but not in this case as it was more of a grower. I would have liked a bit more in the romance department as I didn't feel like there was much closure for them. I think this is because the ending didn't feel like 'The End' as for me there seemed to be a couple of unanswered questions which is why I couldn't give it the full 5 out of 5 that I was going to give it until the end.
I loved all the characters even though I wasn't quite sure who Liva could trust. I didn't think I was going to like Liva as at the beginning she seemed a bit annoying as she seemed to be one of those weak characters that no one likes but this wasn't the case and after everything she went through anyone would understand the way she was at the beginning. She was really smart and knew how to hold her own which really surprised me but in a good way. Jay was great and like Liva I had a different idea of who he was at the beginning where he came of as a bad boy he was actually just misunderstood and he had me laughing out load at times too. There was a couple of other secondary characters that I liked mainly Yoyo he was great especially the dance scene.
Overall this book was great and if it wasn't for the ending it would have been amazing.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Blurb sounds good even though not particularly my usual genre. Not read anything by this Author before either so all new, a voyage of discovery awaits!
MY REVIEW
I received an e-arc of this one directly from the author! The cover depicts the young male/possible felon called Jay and Liva who is unfortunate enough to have witnessed a murder. I really like the byline bit on the cover as it sums up what Liva does in the book in a nutshell without giving too much away! Would the cover make me pick it up from a book shelf? Being totally honest the cover put me off initially.
So after reading just 7% here is my reaction: Wow talk about an action packed beginning! Witnessing a murder, then at the police station there's a shoot out and you're rescued by a possible murderer! The two main characters are Liva (Olivia) and Jay (Jaime) and yes they meet in an unlikely situation and if they had passed on a street they probably wouldn't have thought each other "friend" material. They do end up trusting each other with their lives. It soon becomes apparent that someone is trying to kidnap Liva, and after Liva helping Jay "escape" the bloodbath at the Police Station Jay feels he owes her. So initially its a sense of duty that keeps him hanging around Liva but as the book progresses they both develop much deeper stronger feelings for each other. The mystery in the book is Who is after Olivia (liva)? Is it something to do with her fathers job? Can Liva and Jaime (Jay) stay safe until they can meet up with Liva's father? Lots of drama,sneaking about and action, & suspense.
I can't go into more detail as I feel you should read the intricacies of the plot by reading the book for yourselves.
What more can I say I was kid of going "wow" "OMG" and sat on the edge of my seat for a lot of this book. Sarah Alderson writes in such away you feel like you are running along away from the danger along with Liva & Jay. You want them to escape, you feel their confusion as to who is chasing them.
One of my favourite scenes in the book is when Yoyo and Liva are in the club dancing. I of course also love, love, love the relationship between Liva and Jay. Even though they are from totally different backgrounds they pull together to survive.
You go through a lot of emotions in this book, from fearful, clenching your teeth, smiling, sighing etc. There is a point in the book when Liva's and Jay's "current problems" actually cross over. I can't say without giving a major spoiler . . but you'll so know when you get to that point in the book. I was so surprised it had honestly not crossed my mind. My realisation happened slowly at the same time and pace as Liva's in the book.
So Did I enjoy the book? I was slightly surprised that I loved it, as I wasn't so sure I would. Would I recommend the book? Yes, I'd go so far as to say I loved this and would put it alongside the Katie McGarry Pushing the Limits Series. I grew to love Jay as much as I did Isaiah form Katie McGarry's books. Would I read a Bk2, if there is/was one? Although the book comes to a conclusion, there could be more, I mean Liva & Jay were so impressive in the "Ferry Scene" maybe they could become trainee FBI Agents? . . .Would I read more titles by Sarah Alderson? I would definitely love to read more titles by Sarah Alderson.
Blurb sounds good even though not particularly my usual genre. Not read anything by this Author before either so all new, a voyage of discovery awaits!
MY REVIEW
I received an e-arc of this one directly from the author! The cover depicts the young male/possible felon called Jay and Liva who is unfortunate enough to have witnessed a murder. I really like the byline bit on the cover as it sums up what Liva does in the book in a nutshell without giving too much away! Would the cover make me pick it up from a book shelf? Being totally honest the cover put me off initially.
So after reading just 7% here is my reaction: Wow talk about an action packed beginning! Witnessing a murder, then at the police station there's a shoot out and you're rescued by a possible murderer! The two main characters are Liva (Olivia) and Jay (Jaime) and yes they meet in an unlikely situation and if they had passed on a street they probably wouldn't have thought each other "friend" material. They do end up trusting each other with their lives. It soon becomes apparent that someone is trying to kidnap Liva, and after Liva helping Jay "escape" the bloodbath at the Police Station Jay feels he owes her. So initially its a sense of duty that keeps him hanging around Liva but as the book progresses they both develop much deeper stronger feelings for each other. The mystery in the book is Who is after Olivia (liva)? Is it something to do with her fathers job? Can Liva and Jaime (Jay) stay safe until they can meet up with Liva's father? Lots of drama,sneaking about and action, & suspense.
I can't go into more detail as I feel you should read the intricacies of the plot by reading the book for yourselves.
What more can I say I was kid of going "wow" "OMG" and sat on the edge of my seat for a lot of this book. Sarah Alderson writes in such away you feel like you are running along away from the danger along with Liva & Jay. You want them to escape, you feel their confusion as to who is chasing them.
One of my favourite scenes in the book is when Yoyo and Liva are in the club dancing. I of course also love, love, love the relationship between Liva and Jay. Even though they are from totally different backgrounds they pull together to survive.
You go through a lot of emotions in this book, from fearful, clenching your teeth, smiling, sighing etc. There is a point in the book when Liva's and Jay's "current problems" actually cross over. I can't say without giving a major spoiler . . but you'll so know when you get to that point in the book. I was so surprised it had honestly not crossed my mind. My realisation happened slowly at the same time and pace as Liva's in the book.
So Did I enjoy the book? I was slightly surprised that I loved it, as I wasn't so sure I would. Would I recommend the book? Yes, I'd go so far as to say I loved this and would put it alongside the Katie McGarry Pushing the Limits Series. I grew to love Jay as much as I did Isaiah form Katie McGarry's books. Would I read a Bk2, if there is/was one? Although the book comes to a conclusion, there could be more, I mean Liva & Jay were so impressive in the "Ferry Scene" maybe they could become trainee FBI Agents? . . .Would I read more titles by Sarah Alderson? I would definitely love to read more titles by Sarah Alderson.
I started this book right before finals started and would have to force myself to put it down. The story took place in a matter of days now that I think back, it felt like I was going through those long days with Liva and Jay. HOLY PLOT TWIST! That was not something I saw coming but oh man, it did it's job for sure! As soon as I read that plot twist, I knew it was a matter of hours before I was going to finish the book.
I started reading this book expecting to enjoy it like I enjoyed and loved Sarah Alderson's other works. I was totally wrong.
First of all, the entire story lacked of consistency and plausibility and didn't have much sense at all.
Secondly, the characters acted stupidly for no reason at all. For example, I still can't understand how the main character is smart and acts in a calculative and rational manner in a chapter and in the next one she does a completely stupid thing without acknowledging that it's stupid. Really, it's totally nonsense.
I'm sorry to rate this book with only a star but it just disappointed me.
First of all, the entire story lacked of consistency and plausibility and didn't have much sense at all.
Secondly, the characters acted stupidly for no reason at all. For example, I still can't understand how the main character is smart and acts in a calculative and rational manner in a chapter and in the next one she does a completely stupid thing without acknowledging that it's stupid. Really, it's totally nonsense.
I'm sorry to rate this book with only a star but it just disappointed me.
I REALLY wished I loved this one more. I absolutely adored other titles I’ve read by the author, but this one didn’t do it for me. My problem was the plot seemed way too unbelievable to me. I didn’t expect total realism for a YA suspense novel, but this had me rolling my eyes way too many times. I would recommend The Sound or Hunting Lila by the author—both are amazing.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Great chemistry and tension! I loved the idea of the book almost only lasting 24 hours, which worked really well for the story and its characters.
However, there were quite stupid assumptions made by especially our protagonist and the process of police and the FBI seemed a bit more like television rather than reality.
Still definitely a page-turner!
However, there were quite stupid assumptions made by especially our protagonist and the process of police and the FBI seemed a bit more like television rather than reality.
Still definitely a page-turner!
This was super fast-paced and action-packed. The author had some strange word choices that made me cringe and the characters made some stupid decisions. But I guess they're teenagers so that kind of makes sense...