Today I'm reviewing the first two books of the captivating and heart wrenching series, The Butterfly Chronicles, written by Mia Castile. If you want a mature Young Adult series that will make you laugh, cry, and just *feel* this is a series I suggest that you check out. After this, stay tuned for my blog tour review for book three, The Butterfly Migration!
*Spoiler-Free* REVIEW: Becoming a Butterfly (The Butterfly Chronicles #1) by Mia Castile
Published On: May 22nd, 2012 by Entwined Publishing
*DISCLOSURE: ARC was provided in exchange for a fair and honest review
Becoming a Butterfly (The Butterfly Chronicles #1)
by Mia Castile
Publication Date: May 22nd, 2012 by Entwined Publishing
Synopsis:
Sixteen year old Lacey was never the center of attention, unless she was tripping, stammering, or being deposited into a pool by the local popular kids. All she wanted was to fit in, until one night when everything changed. Jade and Tasha, her two best friends, helped her create an online personality that was everything she wanted to be– and it was only the beginning. In doing so, she attracted the attention of Henry, her lifelong crush and next door neighbor. Unfortunately, it was Farrah, her online personality and not herself, he was interested in.
She also attracted Chase, the brooding, quiet, anti-social new kid of Brownsburg High School, who easily figured out her secret and blackmailed her. They forged a friendship that was both unique and complicated.
Lacey must decide if revealing herself to Henry and her entire school as the cool, charming, and funny Farrah is worth possibly losing him forever. She finds herself needing to make an even harder decision than she ever thought possible. When did the lines between truth and lies get so blurred?
Becoming a Butterfly is a story about coming of age and finding yourself when you never knew you were lost.
**This is a MATURE YA FICTION SERIES.**
The Verdict:
At the heart of this story, is Lacey, a girl who was never once part of the in-crowd, a girl who has had a crush on her neighbor for as long as she could remember. Then, one night, after messing around with some wigs, costumes, and an online social media site, a new identity for her is born. This alter-ego, Farrah, is cool, stylish, and popular. She also attracts the boy next door. Lacey, as Farrah, begins an online relationship with her crush and all goes well...until she gets caught....by the school’s notorious bad boy. Blackmail turns to friendship and lines started getting crossed as her lives begin to intertwine.
Becoming a Butterfly sucked me in an spit me out in a whirlwind of turbulent emotions. This book took me back to my teenage years and made me nostalgic in one breath and then, in the next, so thankful that I was never misfortunate enough to experience some of the issues that are portrayed. Mia Castile has given us a story about discovering who you are and fighting for yourself, even when the world seems to want to push you down.
This book was not quite what I expected. Though there is a light hearted tone for much of the book, it also deals very seriously with the issue of bullying. Additionally, though realistically, I found myself getting quite upset with some of the characters and the decisions made, especially concerning Lacey’s two best friends. Though, at the same time, one could argue that this gives credence to the coming of age tale. Be forewarned readers, this is a series in every respect of the word. Be ready to pick up the next book once you finish!
At the heart of this story, is Lacey, a girl who was never once part of the in-crowd, a girl who has had a crush on her neighbor for as long as she could remember. Then, one night, after messing around with some wigs, costumes, and an online social media site, a new identity for her is born. This alter-ego, Farrah, is cool, stylish, and popular. She also attracts the boy next door. Lacey, as Farrah, begins an online relationship with her crush and all goes well...until she gets caught....by the school’s notorious bad boy. Blackmail turns to friendship and lines started getting crossed as her lives begin to intertwine.
Becoming a Butterfly sucked me in an spit me out in a whirlwind of turbulent emotions. This book took me back to my teenage years and made me nostalgic in one breath and then, in the next, so thankful that I was never misfortunate enough to experience some of the issues that are portrayed. Mia Castile has given us a story about discovering who you are and fighting for yourself, even when the world seems to want to push you down.
This book was not quite what I expected. Though there is a light hearted tone for much of the book, it also deals very seriously with the issue of bullying. Additionally, though realistically, I found myself getting quite upset with some of the characters and the decisions made, especially concerning Lacey’s two best friends. Though, at the same time, one could argue that this gives credence to the coming of age tale. Be forewarned readers, this is a series in every respect of the word. Be ready to pick up the next book once you finish!
Rating: 
*SPOILER WARNING* this next summary will, unfortunately, tell you how Book 1 ends, so read at your own risk!
REVIEW: Butterfly Kisses (The Butterfly Chronicles #2) by Mia Castile
Published On: October 22nd, 2012 by Entwined Publishing
*DISCLOSURE: ARC was provided in exchange for a fair and honest review
Butterfly Kisses (The Butterfly Chronicles #2)
by Mia Castile
Publication Date: October 22nd, 2012 by Entwined Publishing
Synopsis:
Everything changed for the Baxter sisters last spring. Lacey blew it with Henry her lifelong crush, only to discover a blooming relationship with her best friend, Chase. While he picked her up and put her back together, they grew closer over the summer. Now that school has started, he’s found popularity thanks to his band Cate’s Ashes, and he’s hiding secret phone calls and text messages. Plus, did his ex-girlfriend just appear out of the blue at his show? Forcing Lacey to wonder if he’s over the feelings he pronounced for her at the beginning of summer. Add to the tension, a realization and secret of her own to keep about her worse enemy. Lacey vows to be the bigger person and keep Byron’s revelation, but what will it cost?
Meanwhile, as Lana tries to find herself again after her suicide attempt, she’s befriended by the school’s resident bad girl, Britt, and new chicano boy, Tomas, in the same week. Britt offers unconditional acceptance that Lana didn’t realize she craved, while Tomas brings out the best in her, and makes her feel alive again. Britt is dangerous and daring, while Tomas exudes security and safety. Vices come easily when you are already addicted to something you crave, and Lana muddles through figuring out who she wants to be.
With their parents constantly arguing, and their dad moving into the guest bedroom, the pressure on the girls may explode destroying them all. Is there a place for happiness when their world is crumbling around them?
The Verdict:
Told in an alternating POV, Butterfly Kisses picks up soon after Becoming a Butterfly telling the stories of both Baxter sisters. Though in many ways I loved hearing Lana’s story, I really found myself craving Lacey’s chapters. I ached to read about Lacey and Chase’s burgeoning relationship and all of the trials that get thrown their way...some easier to overcome than others.
There is so, so much that happens in this book. I cannot express this enough and I don’t really know how to review this without spoiling it. Without giving anything away, this book ends on a monster sized cliff, positioning you precariously on the edge (fortunately, book 3, The Butterfly Migration is available now!). This book made me laugh, made me sigh, made my heart beat nearly out of my chest, and oh, yes...the ugly cry was in abundance.
Mia Castile did not disappoint with her follow up and you’ll barely have time to recover before you’ll be racing out to read the next book in the series, The Butterfly Migration.
Told in an alternating POV, Butterfly Kisses picks up soon after Becoming a Butterfly telling the stories of both Baxter sisters. Though in many ways I loved hearing Lana’s story, I really found myself craving Lacey’s chapters. I ached to read about Lacey and Chase’s burgeoning relationship and all of the trials that get thrown their way...some easier to overcome than others.
There is so, so much that happens in this book. I cannot express this enough and I don’t really know how to review this without spoiling it. Without giving anything away, this book ends on a monster sized cliff, positioning you precariously on the edge (fortunately, book 3, The Butterfly Migration is available now!). This book made me laugh, made me sigh, made my heart beat nearly out of my chest, and oh, yes...the ugly cry was in abundance.
Mia Castile did not disappoint with her follow up and you’ll barely have time to recover before you’ll be racing out to read the next book in the series, The Butterfly Migration.
Rating:
About the Author:
This is a story about a girl, named Mia. She grew up in suburb of medium sized city. There were cold winters, and hot sticky summers. Mia’s favorite seasons were spring and fall. She enjoyed the mild seasons, but also loved the vibrant colors each possessed.
Mia loved music. She didn’t just love it, she sat on the floor in front of her Casio stereo for hours at a time, recording songs off the radio. Then she would cue them up and make sure she only got the music as she recorded them on a second tape, without the DJ’s voices on them, just the music. Then she would listen to those songs absorbing the words as she sat in her room and wrote her poetry.
She wrote her first Poem when she was thirteen. It was called Sands of Time. When she was sixteen and again when she was eighteen she won two state competitions for her poetry. Her Poetry was stories of roses, starry nights, love, loss, and the scars left behind. She found recourse in those private moments filling notebooks of her writings. As she grew so did her inspirations, and when ever it hit her the rest of the world melted away until her verses were written, alive in the world.
Even today as Mia writes mostly YA fiction, poetry still holds a special place in her heart. Her love for all things words propels her forward in her pursuit of the next great story. Her Debut Novel The Ocean will be released this spring.
Where to purchase & learn more:
Becoming a Butterfly
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Add on Goodreads
Butterfly Kisses
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Add on Goodreads
Mia's Website | Mia's Goodreads
Becoming a Butterfly
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Add on Goodreads
Butterfly Kisses
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Add on Goodreads
Mia's Website | Mia's Goodreads
all the best, dear readers!
I only read the first review, but this does sound like a very good series. I'm glad you enjoyed it do much!
ReplyDelete