Shut Up by Anne Tibbets

Reading Level: Young Adult with mature themes

Paperback: 118 Pages

Publisher: Premier Digital Publishing

ISBN: 978-1937957360

My Rating: 5/5

Mary's older sister, Gwen, has royally screwed up her life. Not only is Gwen pregnant at seventeen, but she's also decided to marry The Creep who knocked her up. Now Mary is powerless to stop her family from imploding. Her parents are freaking out royally, and to top it off The Creep has a gross fascination with Mary while Gwen enjoys teasing her to tears for sport. Despite her brother's advice to shut up, Mary can't keep her trap closed and manages to piss off Mom so much it comes to blows. Mary doesn't know what to do, and all her attempts to get help are rejected. When she finally plans her escape, she fails to consider how it could destroy them all.

After I finished reading 'Shut Up' by Anne Tibbets I had to sit on it for a while. I kind of let it swirl around in my head and the story just completely consumed me. The only thing I could even think to say at the end of it was 'Wow!' It is such an incredible story of pain and heartache but there is also this fierce courage and strength to it that it's empowering. It is easily one of the most emotional books I have read to date.

'Shut Up' tells the story of Mary who is beaten by her family both physically and emotionally. She has an older sister who is the antagonist in my mind. She does everything she can to ruin Mary and her happiness. Everyone in Mary's family seems to let their anger out on her in so many different ways. And through all of this she has to endure disgusting sexual advances by 'The Creep' which is her older sister's boyfriend.

It was amazing to read such a powerful story and literally watch this young girl go from naive child to maturity in one small novel. I was completely and totally trapped in this world with her and sometimes I just wanted to cry with Mary and sometimes I wished I could help her. 'Shut Up' really touches your soul on an intense emotional level which is why it is EASILY one of my favorite books. I think that 'Shut Up' portrays a strong message and theme that it could be both influential and beneficial to any teenager, child or adult. If you haven't had to chance to read 'Shut Up' by Anne Tibbets, make sure you get it! It's one emotional drama filled book that you'll wish you found sooner!

The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz

Reading Level: 18 and up

Paperback: 384 Pages

Publisher: Hyperion Book

ISBN: 978-1423102274

My Rating: 3/5

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged.

For a long time now the Blue Bloods series has been one of my favorites. I really just loved all the characters and the story just everything about it! That being said, 'The Van Alen Legacy' was my least favorite of the series so far. The first three quarters of the book was very slow and hard for me to get into. I did persevere and keep on reading though!

'The Van Alen Legacy' takes place exactly where 'Revelations' left off. Basically, Schuyler is on the run with Oliver because she is being accused of murder. Mimi is working with Kingsley and Bliss is dealing with a whole world of other problems. Bliss had the most interesting story to me although there was a lot of filler in the entire book.

I feel  like 'The Van Alen Legacy' was exactly that, a filler. I still thought it was an alright book and definitely an important book in the series but it just felt a little forced to me. There was a lot of repetition although, unlike other reviewers, I do still feel like the characters were each well distinguished. I highly recommend the Blue Bloods series, I still think it's an amazing series! And I'm hoping that the next book in the series will be better than 'The Van Alen Legacy' which I've heard it is.