Tips for Tuesday - Books: In Other Lands & The Perfect Daughter

 We may have been given complimentary copies of one or more of the books and/or other products listed below for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: In Other Lands and The Perfect Daughter 

Me: Today I am recommending In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan. It follows a boy named Elliot from the ages of 13 to 17 as he is taken to a magical place known as The Borderlands. He is enrolled in a school where they train children to protect the land. This book was absolutely fantastic. I love everything about it, but my favorite aspect was by far the characters. The main character, Elliot was incredible. He was so sarcastic and stubborn and such a know-it-all, and I love him so much. He was hilarious and deep down caring. I related to him on multiple levels. Serene his friend and long-time crush was a badass. She was funny without trying, and I loved watching her slowly come to be happier. Finally, we come to Luke, the owner of my heart. He was the sweetest, most precious, and lovely boy from start to finish. I completely and wholeheartedly adore him. The friendship dynamics in this book were immaculate. Serene, Luke, and Elliot cared so deeply for each other, and it warmed my heart. I loved how they were so accepting of each other in spite of and because of their flaws. There was also some adorable romance in this book that I won't spoil, but it had me bursting with joy. The story itself took a backseat, in my opinion, as this was a highly character-driven book despite being a fantasy. I didn't care as much about the wars and treaties and politics of the world as I did about the people. Ultimately, however, although I found those aspects slow at times, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I loved this book so much that I finished it and immediately started it over. Basically, In Other Worlds is a masterpiece and a new favorite of mine, and I can't wait to read it over again. 

Mom: Today I am recommending The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer. Young Penny was found abandoned in the park and was taken in and adopted by the Francone family. Now a teenager and discovered cover in blood, Penny stands accused of killing her birth mother.  Penny claims she doesn't remember anything about what happened.  It could have been one of her alternate personalities the English accented Ruby, the perfectionist Chloe, the abrasive Eve, or another alternate personality that has yet to be revealed that committed the murder. Then again, it could be that Penny is just faking her Dissociative Identity Disorder to try and get away with it. Unless, there is some other explanation, and she really didn't do it.  This rare gem of a book is completely original and not all predictable.  It is a scintalliting thriller that will keep you guessing until its completely surprising conclusion. It really is an exciting read. 

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.