Sunday, February 28, 2010

Swoon by Nina Malkin

Title: Swoon
Author: Nina Malkin
Pages: 432
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 19, 2009

Swoon, Connecticut, stands proudly on its heritage and the good behavior of its Lilly Pulitzer–clad inhabitants, so semi-psychic New York transplant Candice (Dice) sticks out like a sore thumb. On the autumnal equinox, Dice’s sweet and gentle cousin Penelope suddenly changes into a dangerous vixen, and only Dice is able to see that she has been possessed. Dice knows she must exorcise Sinclair, the ghost of a handsome young man from the colonial era, but she has fallen deeply in love with the appropriately nicknamed Sin. Finally, Dice follows Sin’s directions for an exorcism, which frees Penelope from his hold and releases Sin into his own physical form. The golem-like Sin finally reveals his goal: to exact revenge on the descendants of those who unjustly hung him for the murder of his fiancée.

When Dice moves to Swoon, Connecticut, her only connection to the social circle there is her angelic yet naive cousin Pen. But drama starts to bloom when Pen falls from a tree. Dice finds that Pen is a mortal-shell of Sinclair Youngblood Powers. He's not happy at what the people of Swoon did to him all those decades ago. Now, he's back for revenge on the descendants of those who unjustly punished him for the murder of his fiancée. Dice tries to exorcise him out of Pen's body, and instead, sets him free with his own body to go with his soul. There's no stopping him now...except Dice. But how can she go against the guy she loves?

Swoon is a hypnotic, dark, and edgy read that will capture readers' attentions with its addictive and sensual prose. Malkin writes with vivid detail and lures readers in with the contrast of the quaint town of Swoon, Connecticut and the complete epitome of bad-ass: Sin. The intriguing premise of this book is what will ultimately attract readers, but that is only the surface. Once the first page is turned, readers will be pulled into the witty and unconventional narration of Dice. Her strong, persuasive voice draws them into the intense and suspense-filled plot.

Swoon, unarguably, has some of the most charismatic characters you will ever meet in YA fiction. That includes Sin. Just like literal and actual sin, Sin is forbidden but with an ensnaring and captivating air that makes him completely and utterly desirable. Swoon triggers and draws out real urges and desires in the reader without being explicit and that is what makes this novel so special. The magnetism and chemistry between the characters--not just with Sin and Dice--is undeniable. Each is so very different, and together, they fit perfectly like a puzzle.

Malkin perceptively instills the 'real' teenage world and does not sugar-coat or soften the real nature of themes greed, lust, and jealousy. The interesting thing about Swoon is that Malkin writes with a seductive prose and at the same time, shows the true and raw actions of not only the teens of Swoon, but also the adults. These unthinkable 'sins' are seemingly and suddenly glamorous and highly tempting. And this all happens in the small town of Swoon, Connecticut.

Every single element in Swoon is mesmerizing and alluring. Readers will find Swoon to be a secret-filled, provocative, and ultimately irresistible novel about the people of Swoon. Malkin's book will make every reader swoon...both for Sin and the novel itself. Swoon is a seductive and sinful read that doesn't overstep the boundaries of YA fiction, but rather, teeters on the very edge. A+ =)

The Bottom Line: Suspense + Addicting = Swoon

---Report Card---
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 100/100 (A+) !!!This is one of the EIGHT books that hold the title: !!!
my signature

62 comments:

Maria February 28, 2010 at 6:14 PM  

Wow! Looks like you really liked this one :D Now I can't wait to read it!

Precious February 28, 2010 at 6:38 PM  

Wow Reggie! 100! You really liked this one. Hmm...maybe I'll read it after I finish what I'm reading now. Rather, listen to it. I have the audiobook and I still haven't started it.
Great review!

Lauren February 28, 2010 at 7:12 PM  

Interesting! I've heard such mixed reviews about this one so for you to consider it an A+ book is pretty intriguing.

Nina February 28, 2010 at 7:45 PM  

Sounds nice, like Lauren me too heard very negative and positive reviews for this book! But after reading your review it got me thinking if i should read it. Thanks!

Emily February 28, 2010 at 11:55 PM  

I've been meaning to read this book for a long time. I'm putting it on hold at the library now! Thanks for the great review!

Kari Olson March 1, 2010 at 3:16 AM  

I'm glad you liked this one- I have to admit, I just didn't care for it at all. The idea was tehre but the execution lacked for me. =)

Dwayne March 1, 2010 at 3:21 AM  

Oh wow - must read this if you gave it the perfect score! :)

Chioma March 1, 2010 at 4:06 AM  

Damn!!! I can tell you adored this one!!! I want to read this one so much more now!!!
Chioma

Sara March 1, 2010 at 10:22 PM  

Great review! I'm putting this one on my TBR list rightaway!

Miriam March 7, 2010 at 1:57 AM  

I remember reading about this before - it looks cool and I love the cover. The idea sounds good too, so I'll have to put it on my HUGE wishlist. Btw, thanks for the comment you left me - and don't worry I love smilies too XD XD XD

Anonymous,  March 29, 2010 at 12:25 AM  

I read this book last year and LOVED it, what a fantastic novel! Your review is great, I completely agree with everything you have to say ... Swoon is dark and edgy ... and if you like your cupcakes iced, this is not the book for you! :o

vonze March 30, 2010 at 3:02 AM  

I hadn't heard of this book before! I'll be sure to put it on my to-read this. Thanks for the review!

Wendy May 7, 2010 at 9:03 PM  

Fab review, I can't wait to read this one! :)

Anonymous,  May 7, 2010 at 9:56 PM  

This novel is brilliant, I read it last year and loved it :))) It is incredibly edgy and REAL and ... hell ... there was one part that I couldn't even take reading, lol, it was just TOO intense ... the maze part! I was like *gasp* ... hehe.

Great review :)

Speech Delay Mamma May 7, 2010 at 10:31 PM  

You have definitely got me wanting to read the book now! Must get it!

Lale May 7, 2010 at 10:34 PM  

Edgy? Count me in. I need something gritty after all this revision. >.< Great review!

Kim May 7, 2010 at 11:13 PM  

I've heard good and bad things about this book so I guess I need to get my hands on a copy and see for myself.

Vicky B May 7, 2010 at 11:26 PM  

I keep going back and forth between whether I want to read this or not, and I think I've pretty much decided to read it!!

Anonymous,  May 8, 2010 at 12:50 AM  

I like your description of hypnotic, dark and edgy. Sounds like my kind of book.

Bookie May 8, 2010 at 1:35 AM  

An A+ from you must be read by me! :) It does sound like a very edgy and addicting read.

Anne May 8, 2010 at 1:45 AM  

Wow! Sounds freaky, but amazing! I've never heard of it, but now I want to read it so bad!

Alex Bennett from Electrifying Reviews May 8, 2010 at 4:09 AM  

I've heard both bad and good, but I know I will be checking it out!

Jada May 8, 2010 at 4:33 AM  

Wow This looks great.
Nice Review!

Unknown May 8, 2010 at 5:27 AM  

Dice sounds like a exiting characer

SiNn May 8, 2010 at 8:15 AM  

wow sounds awesome cant w ait to read this

Unknown May 8, 2010 at 8:48 AM  

Wow!!!
I loved your review! The book must be amazing, since you give 100! :D
Well, the synops sounds really, really great! :)

Rebecca May 8, 2010 at 9:09 AM  

Swoon is something awesome. I like paranormal books. Great review.

angie May 8, 2010 at 9:33 AM  

After watching the trailer and reading your review I really want to read this! You made me want to read it with your description "a secret-filled, provocative, and ultimately irresistible novel about the people of Swoon"

Kirsten May 8, 2010 at 9:41 AM  

This book sounds amazing! I loved the review ;)

Kirsten
p.kirsten.b@gmail.com

Amber Skye May 8, 2010 at 11:22 AM  

I'm so glad to see that you liked this one! I've really been looking forward to it. Good review :)

skyla11377 May 8, 2010 at 1:36 PM  

As I Said On Your Author Interview I AM So Adding This Book To My To be Read Pile. The Use Of The Character Names Being Shortened The Way They Are Is So Original. The Story Sounds Like Nothing I Have Every Read Which Is Huge Plus.

buddyt May 8, 2010 at 3:57 PM  

One can see you really loved this book but from the comments so far it seems that others didn't.

Guess I will have to read it for myself to find out.

Carol T

Unknown May 8, 2010 at 4:14 PM  

Awesome review! I definitely want to read Swoon now :)

Aik May 8, 2010 at 9:34 PM  

Your excellent review makes me want to read SWOON! Thank you!

Nina May 8, 2010 at 10:33 PM  

Wow, A plus, it cant get any better! I really love the sound of this story. Can't wait to get a copy to read it.

Sarah May 9, 2010 at 12:02 AM  

Wow fantastic review Reggie! Now I've GOT to read this one :o) I love the premise of the story - sounds like something completely original & I love the name Sin

Anonymous,  May 9, 2010 at 12:07 AM  

You do a great job with talking about what makes the novel worth reading. I like your writing. Keep it up!

<3 Kissmylit

Anonymous,  May 9, 2010 at 2:16 AM  

You must have loved it to give it a 100! I just have to read a book that gets such a high rating. Plus it sounds great. Good review!

Raíla May 9, 2010 at 6:19 AM  

I really hope it seems to be just like you say it's to you. I mean, I don't want to get disappointed. GREAT review.

Anonymous,  May 9, 2010 at 6:32 AM  

This book seems to be great!! and its cover.... PRETTY!

Sharli May 9, 2010 at 10:28 AM  

Ok, how am I supposed to resist this when there's an irresistible guy named Sin?! And you gave it a 100!! Must have it!!
Loved the review! You really made me want to read this xD

Sena May 9, 2010 at 2:10 PM  

Wow!!! Seems like this book's an Ace! I've been wanting to read this too!!!

Kasumi May 10, 2010 at 6:01 AM  

100 points?
Ok, you and Nina (the autor) are better than the sinopsis and now I really want to read Swoon :D

Emma Kate "Coops" @ Whats Cracking Coops May 10, 2010 at 10:57 AM  

Oh wow, great review. Never heard of this one before...but wow, I think I need to read it!!! :)

Lisa Richards/alterlisa May 10, 2010 at 12:21 PM  

100% It's going on my wishlist right now!

bookaholic May 11, 2010 at 2:48 AM  

As the owner of 'The Holy Grail',this book certainly draws my attention to it. And I love the fact that you said that the book comes across as an image of the real teen world.

Sara May 11, 2010 at 8:57 AM  

I'm glad to see that you enjoyed this novel! There were many readers who found it too be too "raunchy" for YA, but I really liked it! I like that it pushes the boundary... and I think teens can handle it!

donnas May 11, 2010 at 12:05 PM  

Great review. I am really really looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for sharing!!

Fi-chan May 12, 2010 at 11:06 PM  

WOAH PERFECT SCORE! *adds to wish list*

Bookish in a Box May 12, 2010 at 11:27 PM  

Great review! I can't wait to read Swoon. It sounds like a really good--albeit highly magnetic--novel that stays within YA boundaries.

Rae Reads May 13, 2010 at 12:52 PM  

I have been having so much trouble finding this book. Hopefully I will find it before the end of the summer. I want to read it so bad.

Great review!

EVA SB May 14, 2010 at 2:02 PM  

Impressive score!
But with a name like Sin how could you resist - this one looks interesting

Anlu May 15, 2010 at 1:17 AM  

Sounds great, I really really want to read this book!

Anonymous,  May 15, 2010 at 4:33 AM  

Oh, wow, another A+! This sounds like a really different, irresistable sort of novel. Great review!

andrea b May 17, 2010 at 7:25 AM  

I'm not a fan of the character's nicknames but your review was great, really made me want to read the book one of these days :D I also like the book's cover...

Mearadh May 18, 2010 at 2:08 AM  

every adjective you used makes me want to read it. Edgy, hypnotic, dark. I want to read it.

Mary not so Contrary May 19, 2010 at 11:35 PM  

Great review!!!! It should be printed on the back of the book. That way everyone that reads your review will want to read the book! Plus it made the perfect list. Which in turns just makes it must read for me. Thanks!!

J May 21, 2010 at 9:51 PM  

OMG a perfect score?! Really want to read Swoon now!

lexi June 18, 2010 at 12:41 AM  

Very worthy of the perfect 100+!! I loved this book. it was so well written. now where did my Sin go?? :P

Jessica @ a GREAT read June 21, 2010 at 7:45 AM  

Awesome review! This was a book I skimmed on a glance as a maybe read. Now it's definitely bumping up to something that I might have to buy when I hit a lapse in my TBR pile!

Daniele July 6, 2010 at 7:49 AM  

Love this book!!! But I really wanted to know where did Sin go...

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