Monday, April 14, 2014

ARC Book #Review: Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley

Book Title: Ask Me
Author: Kimberly Pauley |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: SOHO TEEN
Genre: YA Paranormal
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Hardback, ebook
Cost: $17.99
Pages: 304
How I got it: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
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Synopsis:
Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she’s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone. But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture. Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.
"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue?? It rather denotes a lack of courage!" Aunt Frances Owens, Practical Magic
Oh my, for a debut author this book has done really well. I loved this book!! I mean, I really enjoyed it, That very first page?!! Totally pulled me in, I dived right into the story and was kept totally engaged.  I laughed a bit in this story especially at & with the protagonist.  Aria is so thirsty for affection and peer acceptance that she's ignoring her own gift, and any warnings that it maybe trying to give her.  She refuses to embrace her 'curse' and it especially put her in a vulnerable position because she just wrote everything off as nonsense, even though it really was the truth.

I think this is a really unique take on the 'normal' teen books, she isn't the "Grand poohba of anything" she just happens to be a girl who is an oracle.  She's a litle afraid of her gifts because of what they had previously cost her. I mean we all say we want the truth but if given the pure unvarnished truth would pitch a fit of epic proportions.  I loved the characterization of Aria, and her Grandparents, I personally enjoyed that this was about Aria and her own personal truths, not about a love story (although there was a little bit of it in there).  Her personal history, her family's history totally made me interested in reading the story even more, especially after the Grandmother...Wait nope no spoilers.

Unfortunately for Aria, being so needy made her willing to overlook somethings. It was funny reading it, she reminded me of that character in the horror movie that you scream at the screen when she's going into the room with the killer, I had a blast reading this because it was so engaging. I loved freaking out at the things going on, I wanted to shake Aria, and at the same time I totally get why she's trying so hard to remain normal.

This is a good whodunit novel, with a great likeable protagonist.  I was rooting for her in the end.  I wanted her to get it; I made two guesses about who had done it, and I was correct on the second guess, but I didn't know until closer to the end, because man oh man Aria is so obtuse!!  As it got confirmed and the author revealed everything I found myself going back and re-reading the scenes and seeing exactly what she was saying, and I was so excited as we got to who it was. I totally didn't want to end the story so I kept delaying the last few pages, I kept putting it down and trying to leave it alone, but I couldn't, I needed to see how it ended.

I don't believe I'm expressing how much fun I had. I picked this up late one night, fell asleep after I had read half the book and my eyes wouldn't stay open anymore then work up, and dived right back in (thank gawds it was a Sunday).
 ★★★★☆
I also personally loved that the author named each chapter a different song. Which means?!! That we are going to a have a Book Soundtrack!!! Woohoo!!  I enjoyed this immensely. I highly recommend this book.

Have a blast my loves and I'll see you tomorrow!!

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