Bookanista Review: Dead to You, by Lisa McMann--AND AN ARC GIVEAWAY!!!!

For this week's Bookanista Review, I'm featuring a book I was absolutely desperate to get my hands on--and it was just as awesome as I expected it to be. DEAD TO YOU, by the fabulous Lisa McMann.

Here's how the publisher describes the story:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the WAKE trilogy comes a page-turning novel with a mind-blowing ending...

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

Some of you may be noticing that the description sounds a bit like a book I featured a couple of weeks ago, DOUBLE, by Jenny Valentine (you can find the review HERE). And you're right--there are some similarities. Both are male POV (LOVE, btw--there isn't enough of it in YA), both about boys returning home to families they didn't know (apparently I've been on a lost boy kick...) and both have incredibly strong voices. But trust me, they are very different books. Both AWESOME. But definitely each their own.

I loved many, MANY things about DEAD TO YOU, but I think my favorite was how clean the writing was. Every word was exactly where and what it needed to be. The voice felt 100% teen boy--specifically screwed-up teen boy--and was genuine: his language, the things he did--and didn't--think about or remember. It all felt real. Like I'd really crawled inside his head and lived the story with him.

And THE ENDING. . .

I don't want to ruin anything so I'm just going to say: WHOA! 

Seriously, I loved this book, and whether you're a Lisa McMann fan (which you should be!) or not, it's DEFINITELY worth giving a chance. If for no other reason than to find out what everyone is talking about, because trust me, people will talk.

Which is why I've also decided to share my ARC with one of you. To enter, make sure you follow my blog (so you'll know when I post the winner) and leave a comment on this post by 11:59pm PST on Saturday, January 28th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, January 29th (fast contest this time--so make sure you enter quick!) International entries are welcome.

I do also *hope* that whoever wins will end up posting a review for the book somewhere--or blogging/tweeting/FB-ing about it--to help spread the love and get some more mileage out of the prize. I can't require that for entry. But I'm hoping the winner will feel inspired to. :) 

Ready? 

GO!

For more fabulous book recommendations, check out what my fellow Bookanistas are talking about:

Christine Fonseca  brings you a special Guestanista review of SPRINKLES AND SECRETS

Beth Revis interviews TEMPEST author Julie Cross – with giveaway

Jessi Kirby takes a shine to the SURRENDER and new POSSESSSION covers

Stasia Ward Kehoe adores IN HONOR

Jen Hayley gushes over THE GIRL WHO LOVED A CITY

Veronica Rossi  is crazy for INCARNATE

Nikki Katz marvels at A MILLION SUNS

Gennifer Albin   is on fire over CINDER

Tracy Banghart  is all about THE OTHER LIFE

Jessica Love wonders at THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

Hilary Wagner mourns over THE DEATH OF YORIK MORTWELL -- with giveaway