Fave Five Reviews

They say to be an author you have to grow a thick skin. Elephants have thick skin, and I don't really want to look like and elephant--or a aligator--or a hippo--or any of those things. But I get what they mean. There's a lot of rejection and then, when you think that you've finaly made it and everyone is going to get to read your awesome book, you find out that not everyone loves it as much as you do. So it's really wonderful when you read a review of your book and just know that the reader really got what you were trying to do. I have to say that I wrote Personal Demons for teens, and even though I appreciate every single one of my adult readers, it's the teen reviews I take most to heart. I have yet to read a review written by a teen who did not like Personal Demons, so that makes me feel pretty good.

There are so many wonderful reviews to choose from that choosing just five was hard. The first is a review that so totally understood everything I was trying to relate that I have to put it in here even though it was written by a professional reviewer, but the others I chose from a huge pool of teen reviews. So, here are excerpts from my fave five PD reviews of 2010 with links to the full review:

Barnes&Noble.com review by Paul Goat Allen:
    While comparing an unassuming debut novel to an international pop culture phenomenon may be unfair, the reality is this: Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers is better written than Twilight, has more well developed and realistic characters, and is decidedly more edgy and existentially weighty. Yes, I completely understand the mass appeal of Meyer’s Twilight saga – and while angels and demons may not be as “sexy” as werewolves with abs of steel and brooding vampiric James Dean wannabes, the profoundly deep questions raised in Personal Demons (about the existence of God, the inanity of organized religion, the healing power of forgiveness, etc.) make it a much more forceful read.
    As the novel progresses, the decidedly YA paranormal romance element expands into a storyline more indicative of an adult paranormal fantasy – Frannie, with the help of her friends, must figure out her place in the world and is forced to make decisions that will not only affect her but the entire mortal realm…
    I was pleasantly surprised with this debut novel. Personal Demons was Twilight with a soul – I’d recommend it not only for young adult readers but anyone who enjoys paranormal romance.

The Naughty Book Kitties review by Brent Taylor
    Frannie Cavanaugh, the sweet Catholic girl having doubts about her faith, doesn’t know what in the hell to do with herself when she starts catching an eye for the two new boys in town. There’s Luc, who works in the acquisitions department of Hell, tagging souls to be sent to Hades. Both Luc and the King of Hell want her bad… but so do the Angels, and they’ve sent one of their best to get her. Gabe. But does Frannie know any of this shit?! No. All she thinks is, “Damn, Luc’s pretty dark and sexy, but Gabe’s gotta nice ass.”
     I loved the use of humor in Personal Demons. It kind of keeps it from being melodramatic, while still upholding the high tension levels. Lisa Dez did that perfect, as well. She added new elements to an old storyline, Heaven vs. Hell. Good vs. Bad. Which is eaxactly what writers are supposed to do. Each story has already been told, so writers tell these stories with a new spin and original voice. Lisa is definitely an author I’ll be following. :)   
     I know this sounds corny, but I loved every page of Personal Demons. (Please don’t call me a YA blogging hooker! I try not to sound corny, but sometimes I’m unable to!) The characters were real and funny, the plot was “Damn, girl,” and the ending was like “F#@k, now I gotta go hooker myself out to the publisher so I can  get the sequel SOON!”

Mini Bookinista Review by Kylie Jefferis   
Lisa Desrochers tells an intriguing tale in Personal Demons. Teen readers (especially the females) will identify with Frannie, the protagonist, from the get go. Being the only member in her large Catholic family to ever be expelled from school makes her just enough of an anti goody-goody to not be boring. She also suffers from chronic boy issues, which I can relate to.

    Frannie is pursued by two boys … who aren’t actually boys. Lucifer and Gabriel are out for her soul, but they also want her affection. This keeps the story interesting for girls who like all different kinds of guys. Bad boys, knights in shining armor, silly rockers, and everything in between.

    Boys, friends, the difference between right and wrong and being popular, changes, guilt, and the hell we know as high school all come together in this beautifully written novel of love, religion, and finding who you are.

    Personal Demons will certainly tag your soul!

Call Me Crazy Reviews by Katie

    Lisa Desrochers' writing is pure genius. I cannot believe she is not a teenager! There was realistic teen lingo without it being overdone or cheesy. Frannie and Luc's voice was just incredible. I found it so easy to put myself into their shoes and feel the same emotions as they did. I absolutely adored the duel narration from Frannie and Luc! It was so much fun being inside their minds as they found themselves falling for one another.

    I can't even count the times I laughed my butt off while reading. I loved the play on words(especially from Luc) and just the all around hilarious dialog.

    Not only did Lisa pull of amazingly swoon worthy boys, but she created the perfect leading lady. Frannie was strong, yet vulnerable at times. She was stubborn and knew how to defend herself. Frannie had all of the characteristics of an actual teenage girl. After reading Personal Demons you can't help but fall in love with Frannie! All of the characters change and develop throughout the story making it really awesome to go on this journey with them.

    The plot was incredible. There was just full-out shockers that I had never seen coming! There's enough space and explanation to each twist so I didn't get lost going from one to the other.

Electrifying Reviews by Alex Bennett (review from Goodreads cuz Alex is dragging his butt getting it on his blog ;p)

    I loved the writing style Lisa Desrochers wrote with. The whole time I was addicted to the story, never wanting to put it down. Several times I was telling myself I would put the book down after I finished just one more chapter. Do you think I put it down after that chapter? Hell no!
    Sure there are plenty of books about angels and demons, but nothing like this. I was completely exhilarated during the entire duration of my reading experience with this book. I couldn't wait to read what would happen next with these entertaining characters in this astonishing world.

My Fave Five Chicks of 2010

Yesterday was my fave five boys, so today it’s the girls’ turn. This is the list of my favorite five heroines I read or re-read in 2010.

Mia from If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

It was really hard leaving Adam off the list yesterday, but Mia is definitely here today. I’ve never read a character truer to herself than Mia. She loves her family and her boyfriend, but still values her individuality.

Calla Tor from Wolfsbane/Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

She’s doesn’t take crap off anyone.

Ellie from Angelfire/Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Ditto

Katniss Everdeen from Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Ditto (Are you seeing a pattern here?)

Sophie from Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

I occasionally get the interview question, “Which fictional character from another book would you pair Luc up with?” The answer is Sophie, but I can’t get into why without spoiling HH for those of you who haven’t read it. ;p

How about you? Which fictional women do it for you?

Fave Five Fictional Boys

Today’s fave five list is my favorite fictional boys/men that I read or re-read in 2010. There are some new friend, and a few old ones on this list. Again, these are in no particular order.

Henry from The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

I love the whole concept of Henry. He’s sweet, but jaded. He gets pretty beat up but takes it all in stride.

Wes from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Just got around to reading this one a few months ago. Wes is the perfect boyfriend.

Wesley from The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Who doesn’t love a good man-whore.

Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

I re-read this every four or five years. Heathcliff is just so deliciously warped.

Camden Saybrook from Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas

I’d never read a woman’s romance before and I thought it would be good research to see how a book that’s totally driven by characters and emotion works, so I picked this one up a few years ago and read it. OMG! Camden Saybrook is just…there aren’t words. I just reread it this summer as a treat. If you like historical romance, I highly recommend this one.

Which fictional boys to you love to love?

The five 2011 books I'd pimp myself to get.

My fave five list today is 2011 releases I’d pimp myself for. I am totally thrilled that the Elevensies took me in when they found me wandering the publishing desert alone and hungry. Because I’m part of this community of incredible writers, I’m very acquainted with many of the truly fabulous books that are on the horizon in 2011. Many of them, I’ve been dying to get my hand on for some time, and where I was able to finagle ARCs or manuscript exchanges, I did, so I’ve read some of them already. Here’s the list of 2011 (and 2012) releases I’ve already read and loved:

Wolfsbane (2011) and Bloodrose (2012) by Andrea Cremer

Angelfire (2011) and the sequel, Wings of the Wicked (2012) by Courtney Allison Moulton

A Touch Mortal (2011) by Leah Clifford

The Near Witch (2011) by Victoria Schwab

False Memory (2012) by Dan Krokos

And a super sekrit 2011 release by an author whose 2010 release was on my list yesterday (under pain of death, that’s all I can say) ;p

But…there are a ton of 2011 releases I have been unable to get my grubby little hands on. So my fave five list today is 2011 releases I’d totally pimp myself for. Here they are in no particular order:

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Possession by Elana Johnson

Wildefire by Karsten Knight (Original Sin and Wildefire covers have been featured together on several blogs, so we’ve decided they’re a tabloid couple now)

Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

The Faery Ring by Kiki Hamilton

I had Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore on there, but I heard rumors that it’s being pushed back =(

Which 2011 releases are on your must have list?

Fave Five Books 2010

All this week I will be posting 2010 fave five lists. Today’s list is books. These are the five books I read this year that stuck with me long after I put them down. (not in any particular order) Remember that they may not all have been published this year.

If I Stay, by Gayle Forman

Can I just say WOW! I loved everything about this book. I often get the interview question, “Which book do you wish you wrote?” I’ve never been able to answer that question, because there are so many books that I adore. But now I have an answer. If I Stay is beautifully written, but not flowery. The characters jump off the page because Gayle is able to paint us such a complete picture of them without boring us with minutia. She finds the perfect balance. And, yes, I cried.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

This book is pure genius. I laughed out loud throughout the entire book, even though the subject matter was pretty serious. The writing is that good.

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Not only is Kody about the cutest and nicest person I’ve ever known, but she writes a killer story with a totally delicious man-whore who I’m still lusting after ten months after reading the thing.

I hate to say it, but Mockinjay by Suzanne Collins still has me picking it up to re-read sections, just to make sure…

And, I’m going to cheat a little and lump two books by the same author in at number five. I read Nightshade by my fabulous critique partner, Andrea Cremer last year, so I can’t include it here. But I can include Wolfsbane and Bloodrose, which are both OMG! And that’s all I’m allowed to say about them =)

So, there's the list! Happy reading! Tomorrow's list will be 2011 books I'm dying for!