Dark Song - Gail Giles

Description: Mark said he heard the dark song when he creeped houses. The song the predator's heart sings when it hears the heart of the prey. I heard it now. Mark said it had always been in me. Lurking. Waiting for me to hear.

Ames is not the person she was a few months ago. Her father lost his job, and her family is crumbling apart. Now, all she has is Marc. Marc, who loves her more than anything. Marc, who owns a gun collection. And he'll stop at nothing--even using his guns--to get what he wants. Ames feels her parents have betrayed her with their lies and self-absorption, but is she prepared to make the ultimate betrayal against them?





Just like yesterday when I talked about Glass, this is a YA book that deals with real issues and isn't completely OMG HE IS SOOOO CUTE type of YA. GAG me with a spoon. '





The book starts out introducing us to Ames and her 'perfect' family Typical things in her family are spontaneous expensive trips, family game nights and everyone getting along. Her friends think they are freaky cuz what teen gets along with their family THAT well. While, I would agree with her friends somewhat, they are too dumb for me to want to agree with them. Typical private school floozies. Or just typical in how they are portrayed in books. Cuz I really don't have experience with private school floozies. If I did, I would suspect Ames friends would be them..





Anyway, her 'perfect' life is disrupted when her dad loses his job and her parents start fighting constantly and Ames finds out they are lying to her. In typical teenage fashion, she rebels. They fight. She does something stupid. They fight. They yell. Her dad turns to alcohol, her mom freaks out because she thought she left poverty behind. Her 6 year old sister is the only one with common sense. And then they find out Ames dad lied about the extent of his gambling/losing others money and there is no money. No money for the house, no money for college no money. They have to go to Texas and spoiled little Ames has to work. Her parents treat her like crap and she hates life.





However, she meets Mark. Mark is obviously trouble and Ames sort of realizes that but she is sooo sheltered and soo insecure and Mark is a leech and possessive and abusive and he knows how to get Ames where he wants her. The way there relationship was portrayed was scary and authentic. Older guys that creep on younger girls. Ewww.. Cuz really what does a 22 year old have in common with a 16 year old? Yuck.





I think the scariest part of Mark happened to be his guns. And the part where Ames thought they were cool. She was smart enough to have some thoughts about them but not smart enough to run run run run like a normal girl. But that is part of an abusive relationship. He gave her security and kept her safe when her parents had pretty much turned on her and her whole life flipped upside down.





I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it. It's GOOD YA and speaks to real issues. It also comes out in September so you can check it out then!

Oh and isn't the cover awesome???

I received an ARC from Traveling Arc Tours. All opinions as always, are authentically mine.





Have you ever been in an abusive relationship? Any of your friends?

Orphan - John R. Weber

In the midst of the Depression Homer's life is uprooted with the simple sentence, 'You're an orphan Homer.' This single sentence rocker Homer's world. He couldn't believe that HIS parents were NOT his parents. After everyone goes to bed the night of the big revelation he finds a paper that says his parents can take him out of school after he is 13 and they have to pay him like a hired hand when he is 17 and no longer have to care for him after he turns 18. Homer always assumed he would farm with his dad and eventually take over, but now he is only good enough to be a hired hand?? Homer runs away and decides he needs to find his own parents and find out why they gave him up.

All he knows is he came on an orphan train, his real name and that he came from New York City. After holing up in a barn for a few days he decides that he HAS to go to NYC and find his parents. The only way to do so? Jumping trains of course. He is too scared to go by himself so he convinces Jamie, his best-friend to go with him.

The boys hop on the first train heading east out of their small Iowa farm town. The first time they hop off in Kansas City, is almost their last day on this earth. They are as green to the rails as fresh sailor in the sea. They walk right up to a bull (railroad detective) and the meanest one around at that, to ask directions. He badly beats Homer and almost violates Jamie in the most intimate of ways, until he is stopped by Smilin' Jack. Jack befriends the boys and introduces them to the hoboing life.

The boys have many adventures before they reach NYC and their friends Sam's house. They encounter a whorehouse, rich people unaffected by the Depression and the kindness of many strangers.

When they reach NYC Homer has finally reached the place that holds all of his answers. Will he get them???

I have to say when I started Orphan, I almost didn't even finish it. But I had REQUESTED it, and the premise sounded so good. So I stuck through the first 50 or so pages where I wanted to smack the author and forged on. I am so glad I did. The book completely picks up as soon as the boys hit the rails and it doesn't disappoint anymore. I enjoyed the history that is thrown in and the young adults that this book is aimed at, will be none the wiser.

My problem with the first 50 pages, was the writing. It sounded soooo dumbed down and so simple. Yes the book is for a younger crowd, but it was just ridiculous. When they hit the rails, it is either less noticeable to me because of the action taking place or it indeed did pick up. Almost, like the author became more sure of himself. Regardless, if you are interested in hobos or the Depression era this would be an interesting read for you!

I received this book through the Traveling Arc Tours.