Wednesday, July 11, 2012

White Walls by Lauren Hammond

White Walls (The Asylum Trilogy)

Synopsis:
Adelaide Carmichael knows that she's lost her mind.

She's aware that she's being sent to The Oakhill Institution, but she's been told that she's being sent there to get better. She's been told that the staff is there to help.

And it doesn't take Adelaide long to discover that she was very, very wrong about The Oakhill Institution. Patients roam the halls like zombies. Electric currents vibrate through the plaster walls. Patients are fed sedatives like mashed potatoes and now Adelaide knows one thing for sure, she wants out.

And she'll do whatever she can to escape.




My thoughts:
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. It's the sequel to INSANITY, which released earlier this year. I loved INSANITY because it was insanely good! White Walls takes place before INSANITY, and it clears up some mysteries about Addy and her past. I loved the way things unfolded, again using the Before and After chapters. Lauren mixes the two so seamlessly I was in awe. I think this format really lends itself to Addy's tortured mind as well. We get to see a much more coherent Addy in this book. And while Damien is still in the book, it focuses more on Elijah and how Addy meets him. I loved Elijah's character. He's what I call perfectly flawed. That's my favorite kind of fictional guy.

I know there will be more books in this series, and with the way this book ended, I can just imagine what Lauren has in store for us.

*I also want to mention that this is a New Adult title, not Young Adult, though it would be appropriate for mature teens.*

Just for fun:
Talking to Lauren, I knew she was concerned with how to portray Elijah so readers loved him as much as Damien. I think she pulls it off perfectly, but I'm posing this question to you: What is it about a first love that makes him/her so unforgettable and maybe even impossible to top?

43 comments:

  1. Ooh sounds intriguing! I'll have to check out the first in the series.

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    1. I think you'll love it. Insanity is sooo good!

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  2. Love the cover and the synopsis. I'm looking for books to load on my Kindle before my vacation in August, so I'll have to check this one out. Which one do you recommend reading first, since the chronology is out of order?

    As for my "writing retreat in the Poconos" -- that was just me by myself at our family's condo on Jack Frost Mountain in Blakeslee! But let me know next time there is a real retreat in the Poconos. I might want to attend!

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    1. Read INSANITY first. Otherwise, White Walls will spoil some things. It's kind of important to go backwards like Lauren does with the series. You'll see what I mean when you read them. Enjoy!

      Oh, that sounds great! The Pocono Retreat used to be held here every April, but next year it's moving to Honesdale. :( I wish it wasn't being moved. It was held at the Shawnee Inn 10 minutes from my house before.

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  3. it sounds awesome and that cover is AMAZING!
    I think first loves stay with us b/c it's the first time we share our heart with anyone and the emotions are so fresh and new. Sort of like holding your first child in your arms. Not that you don't love all of your kids, but that first time leaves an indelible print.

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    1. That's very true, Jessie. First can be so memorable. :)

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  4. "New Adult" is new to me. I assume this is 18-22? Oh, categories. I still read everything, with MG being my favorite, and I'm not a new anything...
    Love your positive and punchy reviews.

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  5. Mirka, my blog won't let me reply to your comment. Strange! Yes, there are so many categories now. LOL

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  6. Sounds really interesting. I like the cover and I don't usually like book covers with people on them.

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    1. Have you seen the cover for Insanity? That's equally beautiful.

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  7. New follower here. Waves. This sounds like an awesome read. Love the cover!!!

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    1. Hi. Nice to meet you. It definitely is a good read. I recommend reading Insanity first though.

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  8. I haven't read the first one- but this one sounds great. Very fascinating and something I think we are all a little afraid of. :) I think the reason first loves are hard to top is because of the innocence and the fact that that love is what we measure all others against. Great post!
    ~Jess

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    1. True. We do measure all subsequent relationships off that first one.

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  9. SOunds like a fun read. I'll have to check her books out. I didn't know you reviewed adult romance, Kelly. Do you rev contemporary too?

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    1. I usually stick to YA with some MG and New Adult thrown in. I review all genres within those: contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, horror... I read the occasional adult book, but I haven't reviewed any here.

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  10. I guess I need to pick up this series after this kind of recommendation! I'm trying to get into more NA titles. Thanks for reviewing WHITE WALLS.

    Hmm, as for first love? I must have had pretty crappy boyfriends in high school, because any of them are easily topped by what I found once I grew up a little. :)

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    1. Yes, you should read the series. Start with Insanity though. You really have to read these in order or you will miss out on great twists.

      I had a great and memorable first love. I consider myself lucky. Lots of fond memories.

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  11. Beautiful cover. Very nice review. I haven't heard of these books, but they do sound interesting. Thanks.

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    1. They're really good! Lauren uses the format of the books and series to mimic the content. It's tough to explain but it's so obvious when you read them, and I have to give her major kudos for it.

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  12. Sounds really interesting. Nice review. :)

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  13. I love that cover.

    I wonder what's really going on in that institution.

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  14. OOOh, sounds like a good one. I don't think there is any one thing about a first other than it being the first. Those emotions are tapped and come flowing out, and ever after, no one really comes close because the first opened the door to passion, desire, love, and a different kind of friendship. Subsequent relationships are likely better - one hopes, but nothing can replace the first time you feel passion heating up your blood.

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    1. Brenda, why am I not surprised that you could answer this so well? You are so full of passion, girl. I love it!

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  15. Brrrr this sounds eerily exciting! But wait! How would a sequel take place before Insanity?

    -Alicia
    bookaworld.wordpress.com

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    1. I know it seems odd to go backward, but it fits the series perfectly. The reader is uncovering mysteries about Addy and working backwards is the best way to do it.

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  16. Those first impressions are so powerful! Everything after that improves upon it but there's nothing like that feeling of encountering something for the first time.

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  17. Oh my, I'm intrigued by this book. It sounds like a book I would love to read.

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  18. Oh, I've read a couple of New Adult books andI have to say I enjoyed reading them. Thanks for the review. I've never heard of this series, so definetely going to add it. New Adult rocks. :D

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    1. Yeah, I really do like the New Adult category. I'm glad they added it.

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  19. I loved your blog :) Following you!

    Bids@theBookOutline

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  20. My first love was, er, unfortunate. Still, it was an experience I wouldn't have missed - 3 years from 16 to 19 with a man three years older. It taught me what I didn't want in a partner and to stand up for myself too.

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    1. Sorry to hear that, Fi. It sounds like you are able to find some sort of silver lining though, so good for you. I'm very grateful that my first love was a great one.

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