Reading Rocks

The Returning by Christine Hinwood

2011-08-10T21:22:00.001-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

The war between the Uplanders and Downlanders is over. After six years of fighting, Cam Attling is the only one from his tiny town of Kayforl to return, and suspicion surrounds him. When his betrothal to Graceful Fenister is called off and his entire role in the community questioned, Cam leaves to find the Uplander lord who maimed him but spared his life, seeking answers and a new place in the world.

But this is not just Cam's story, it's about all those whose fates entwine with his. Graceful Fenister, who will go on to marry the last person Cam would expect. Cam's sister, Pin, who grows into a young lady who embraces Uplander culture. Lord Gyaar, who is haunted by Cam and the resemblance he bears to his own brother. Diido, who lost everything in war too, but finds a new life for herself when she meets Cam.

Ratings:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 10/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Voice: 10/10!
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10!
Total Score: 66/70

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Some.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Some drinking and drunkenness.
Sexual Content: A few scenes, mostly mild.
Disturbing Images/Violence: References to rape/prostitution, domestic violence, images of war.

Review:

When I contemplate this story, one word comes to mind: Beautiful. The world is stunning, one of the most vividly imagined and complete universes I have experienced in writing. The characters are unique, deep, sometimes painfully true. And the voice Hinwood has created in them, their speech, their mannerisms and cultures--it is startling, captivating...beautiful. She somehow manages to portray the struggle and pain associated with the aftermath of war in an almost gentle way, with honesty and reality, that is all the more powerful for that. And what a beautiful cover, no? All in all, a breathtaking and mature read from a talented and imaginative woman. Can't wait for those to follow.

RETRIBUTION Giveaway!

2011-08-02T10:45:00.001-05:00

Today is the official release date for Sherrilyn Kenyon's book RETRIBUTION, the next in the Dark-Hunter Series:

...Harm no human…

A hired gunslinger, William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave. He believed that every life had a price. Until the day when he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he’d spend eternity protecting the humans he’d once considered prey.

Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised on one belief- Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. While protecting her adoptive race, she has spent her life eliminating the Dark-Hunters...

Reading Rocks has been given the opportunity to GIVE AWAY A COPY OF THE BOOK TO ONE LUCKY WINNER!

CONTEST ENDS AUGUST 12th.

To enter, fill out the form below. US/Canadian addresses only please.

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XVI by Julia Karr

2011-07-11T19:50:00.003-05:00

Grade: A

Synopsis:

Every girl gets one. An XVI tattoo on the wrist--sixteen. They say they're there for protection.

Some girls can't wait to be sixteen, to be legal. Nina is not one of them. Even though she has no choice in the matter, she knows that so long as her life continues as normal, everything will be okay.

Then, with one brutal strike, Nina's normal life is shattered; and she discovers hat nothing that she believed about her life is true. But there's one boy who can help--and he just may hold the key to her past.

But with the line between attraction and danger as thin as a whisper, one thing is for sure...for Nina, turning sixteen promises to be anything but sweet.

Ratings:

Character Development: 6/10
Originality: 9/10
Overall Enjoyment: 7/10
Ending: 8/10
Voice: 7/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 56/70

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Some.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Some references to drug use, I believe, especially drugging by the government.
Sexual Content: Sex plays a very big role in this book, especially where teens are concerned. Also, rape and references to porn and sex slavery.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Domestic abuse, murder.

Review:

While I very much loved the author's dystopian perspective on our future--a future filled with advertising manipulation, a "tier" class system, and a corrupt government hiding behind a facade of protection--I simply could not connect with the main character, Nina. Her emotions were wild and unformed, and I did not believe her motivations. On the one hand, she would rant to herself about how obviously spoiled the government was and how she knew that free speech was being tamped down, but then she would passionately defend it in a conversation with another character. Also, the way she handled sex was whiny. Sex, particularly the teen variety, played a big role in this book, and while, yeah, the government of the future stamping girls with tattoos that make them free game for guys is totally conceivable, but the way Nina dealt with it was totally beyond me. All in all, she didn't really come across so much a strong heroine as an angsty, feeble-minded child. But that's just me.

That aside, I thought the author's concept and execution of the future was great and totally unique--definitely something I was interested in reading about. She wove enormous amounts of mystery and intrigue into the exposition of the story that is gradually revealed as the story progresses--marvelous! Because of this, I will most certainly be returning for the sequel.

LINKS:

Julia Karr (read the first chapter here!)
Truth, the sequel, available 1/19/2012:

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

2011-07-01T13:53:00.000-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the spaceship Godspeed. She has left her boyfriend, friends--and planet--behind to join her parents as a member of Project Ark Ship.

Amy and her parents believe they will wake on a new planet, Centauri-Earth, three hundred years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, cryo chamber 42 is mysteriously unplugged, and Amy is violently woken from her frozen slumber.

Someone tried to murder her.

Now, Amy is caught inside a tiny world where nothing makes sense. Godspeed's 2,312 passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader. And Elder, Eldests' rebellious teenage heir, is both fascinated with Amy and eager to discover whether he has what it takes to lead.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she put her faith in a boy who has never seen life outside the ship's cold metal walls? All Amy knows is that she and Elder must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.

Rating:

Character Development: 9/10
Originality: 10/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 65/70

Obtained: Library.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Very limited.
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Some drugging, some drunkenness, but nothing too bad.
Sexual Content: Lots, but it's all very animal and portrayed with a certain distaste. Also, near-rape.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Suicide, murder.

Review:

Incredibly action-packed and fast-paced, Across the Universe had me hooked from the start. Beth Revis manages to capture the immense and conflicting emotions surrounding the choice to leave Earth behind and life on a spaceship of limited size. The book is filled with tension, hopelessness, and loneliness, but is also a testament to the importance of the human spirit. I think Revis, best of any sci-fi YA author, has imagined the problems, internal and external struggles, and development of a society trapped in space extremely realistically, and her creativity is evident throughout. And through all of it, as is the nature of the genre, she speaks not only of the people of Godspeed, but of what it means to be human, to lead, to be alone in ways that are totally applicable to life on Earth--Sol-Earth, that is.

This, combined with the interesting cast of characters and the alternating perspective of Elder and Amy (two individuals with strikingly different worldviews but who are nonetheless full of the same vivacious humanity), creates a mysterious and fascinating story. I am so glad there are two more to come.

LINKS:

Beth Revis
AcrossTheUniverse.com
The Interrobangs talks about the controversy surrounding the cover

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

2011-06-27T11:57:00.000-05:00

Grade: Low A

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Gwen lives with her extended--and rather eccentric--family in an exclusive London neighborhood. In spite of her ancestor's peculiar history, she's had a relatively normal life so far. The time-traveling gene that runs like a secret thread through the female half of the family is supposed to have skipped over Gwen, so she hasn't been introduced to "the mysteries," and can spend her time hanging out with her best friend, Lesley, watching movies and talking about boys. It comes as an unwelcoming surprise then when she starts taking sudden, uncontrolled leaps into the past.

She's totally unprepared for time travel, not to mention all that comes with it: fancy clothes, archaic manners, a mysterious secret society, and Gideon, her time-traveling counterpart. He's obnoxious, a know-it-all, and possibly the best-looking guy she's seen in any century...

Rating:

Character Development: 7/10
Originality: 7/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 7/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 7/10
Setting: 9/10
Total Score: 53/70

Obtained: Free finished copy provided by publisher (Henry Holt)

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Some, very limited.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: None.
Sexual Content: None.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Some murder and violence.

Review:

All things considered, this book was fairly charming. It wasn't nearly as juvenile as the trailer made it seem, but nor was it a masterpiece. Gwen is mildly annoying at times, but has her moments of being quite cool. Gideon is, well...a guy, and there is absolutely nothing disguising the fact that he's "the One". But the concept of the magic is quite interesting, and I am relieved that this book is a trilogy, because there's simply too much intrigue to fit into one book of this length.

Was it worth the read? Definitely. The story is fast-paced but easy to follow, and there are some truly lovable characters you meet along the way. Gier also managed to keep the reader as ignorant as Gwen as far as who to trust, with no dramatically ironic clues whatsoever, a trait of the book that keeps it interesting and unpredictable. I honestly have no idea where the next two books are going, but I will certainly look forward to finding out!

LINKS:

Book Info

POTTERMORE!

2011-06-23T10:50:00.003-05:00

Last night, in possibly the coolest video ever, J.K. Rowling made her eagerly-anticipated announcement:

"Pottermore is a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books."

As vague as that is, readers still have to wait to find out more--Pottermore isn't open to the general public until October, but a lucky few will be given the chance to enter early on July 31st!

Probably the most exciting part of this ordeal is J. K. Rowling's teasing remark that she will be contributing "information [she has] been hoarding for years about the Harry Potter world".

POTTERMORE!

Possession by Elana Johnson

2011-06-18T06:24:00.000-05:00

Grade: High A

Synopsis:

Vi knows the rule" Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Rating:

Character Development: 6/10
Originality: 8/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 6/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Setting: 8/10
Total Score: 53/70

Obtained: Purchased from the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, Vermont (an adorable place that you should visit if you're in Vermont)!

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Limited.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Umm...no.
Sexual Content: Very mild.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Nothing too bad. Some violence and murder, but it's never uncomfortably graphic.

Review:

Possession made me very, very excited. There were a lot of things about it that were perhaps a bit mediocre or sub-par. It isn't the best of it's kind for sure--but where it shined, boy, did it shine! It definitely stood out from the crowd and made me quite happy. An excellent, worthwhile read that was easy to forgive for its shortcomings.

Let me explain. It's biggest shortcoming was lack of clarity/believability/consistency in plot, narrative, and character relationships and development. Sometimes I was confused by what was happening or had just happened (but honestly, maybe that was just me) and the narrative often jumped around oddly. And character relationships... At the start, the romance was progressing at a natural speed, meaning it was going slow. Then, suddenly, they were like an old couple, completely spontaneously smitten and all over each other in love. It was cute and fun, but truly unbelievable. And finally, the "magic" (that really isn't magic at all, but I have nothing better to call it) wasn't ever really explained fully. It just suddenly existed. Poof! and she was a master. It was a bit odd and unsettling.

Now, all of that was minor in comparison to the main excellent thing about this book--the ass-kicking, real-life, strong-as-a-god heroine, Vi. The synopsis kinda makes her sound like a waffling girl-child, but really, she was great. Unlike so many (especially sci-fi) heroines--even ass-kicking ones--she was not overly, annoyingly emotional. I loved how she took everything in stride, didn't spend the entirety of the narration moaning about boys and feelings and instead just survived. And though she had emotions and internal struggles and all that, it wasn't overwhelming, it wasn't angsty the way so many YA girl-narrations are. She was tough the way she seemed. She was awesome. And she made the book very much worth reading (though the boy was certainly kinda fantastic too ;-)).

LINKS:

Elana Johnson
Elana Johnson - Blog

Pottermore

2011-06-16T17:23:00.002-05:00

"Following the completion of the seven Harry Potter books and eight films, J.K. Rowling has something new to announce. Even though this is not a new book, we have been informed it is something equally exciting." -Mugglenet

So what is it? Well... no one really knows. But! We're gonna find out soon!

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/

https://twitter.com/#!/pottermore

http://www.pottermore.com/

http://www.mugglenet.com/

Do any of you wonderful readers have an inkling to what's happening on the wizarding front? Share your thoughts!

Miss Peregrine's Trailer

2011-06-09T06:56:00.000-05:00

From Amazon:

As a kid, Jacob formed a special bond with his grandfather over his bizarre tales and photos of levitating girls and invisible boys. Now at 16, he is reeling from the old man's unexpected death. Then Jacob is given a mysterious letter that propels him on a journey to the remote Welsh island where his grandfather grew up. There, he finds the children from the photographs--alive and well--despite the islanders’ assertion that all were killed decades ago. As Jacob begins to unravel more about his grandfather’s childhood, he suspects he is being trailed by a monster only he can see. A haunting and out-of-the-ordinary read, debut author Ransom Rigg’s first-person narration is convincing and absorbing, and every detail he draws our eye to is deftly woven into an unforgettable whole. Interspersed with photos throughout,

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

is a truly atmospheric novel with plot twists, turns, and surprises that will delight readers of any age.

Find out more!

Also, check out this behind-the-scenes video from the trip the author took to make the above trailer:

New STUFF!

2011-06-07T15:53:00.000-05:00

On Facebook?

LIKE our new page!

On Twitter?

What are YOU reading this summer?

Got any great suggestions?

Want to see us do something AWESOME?

Head on over to our new Suggestions & Feedback page and give us your ideas!

Ruby Red GIVEAWAY!

2011-06-06T20:42:00.001-05:00

We are GIVING AWAY ONE COPY of

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Listen to an excerpt here!

TO ENTER:

Fill out the form below. Entrants must reside in the US/Canada. CONTEST ENDS JUNE 15th!

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Everlasting GIVEAWAY!

2011-06-03T22:36:00.001-05:00

We are GIVING AWAY ONE COPY of

The sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Visit Alyson Noel's site to learn more!

TO ENTER:

Fill out the form below. Entrants must reside in the US/Canada.

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

2011-05-29T20:19:00.001-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

When Eddie Reeve's father commits suicide, her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he say? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anything else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father's and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie's vulnerability has weakened her, and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality 9/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 7/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 61/70

Obtained: Gift from a friend. :)

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Yeah.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Teenage drinking, drunkenness, and drug use.
Sexual Content: No scenes, but references and some discussion.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Suicide is a major theme.

Review:

Like Courtney Summers' Some Girls Are, this novel is powerful. Though less intense than Some Girls Are, Fall for Anything is still very moving, eye-opening, and captivating. Summers has a definite gift for evoking empathy from the reader, for getting inside the head of the grief-stricken and those who face a life of terrible burdens alone. Her writing is beautiful, real, and though there are a ton of books that touch on similar subjects--suicide, new and old romances, grief-- Summers does it with a fresh twist, a new, startling insight into this girl's mind.

This book does not exist to give the reader what they want. It is not sympathetic to the reader's desires, but instead tells only what needs to be told, however unpleasant or shocking that might be. The ending especially may be quite unsatisfying to certain readers, but I found it refreshingly realistic.

Fall for Anything is a book that will astonish, surprise, and move. It stands out among its fellows as a very worthy read.

PS - Plus ten points for the beautiful cover!

LINKS:

Some Girls Are review
Courtney Summers

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

2011-05-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Louisa Cosgrove is Louisa Cosgrove--not Lucy Childs. Or, is she?

A horse-drawn carriage takes her to the wrong place: Wildthorn Hall, an asylum for the insane.

This must be a great misunderstanding. They strip her naked, of everything--undo her whalebone corset hook by hook. They take her identity. But she is still seventeen--still Louisa Cosgrove--isn't she?
To untangle the mysterious, wretched present, she remembers the past.

I wished I were a boy.

Locked away in the dingy bowels of the hall, she feels a fire burn inside her. She remembers her cousin. She remembers Papa.

I want to be a doctor.

She is determined to escape--and only love will set her free.

Rating:

Character Development: 8/10
Originality: 9/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 10/10!
Voice: 7/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 61/70

Obtained: Bought second-hand.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Some, perhaps, but it's Victorian-style, so...
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: References to opium and alcoholism.
Sexual Content: Limited to one scene.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Gross abuse of patients, insanity, tales of rape, familial abuse and neglect.

Review:

Though it started off kind of slow, this book became a fascinating and wild ride through the Victorian era in the eyes of a high-society rebel. I doubted how much I would like Louisa at the start of the book, as her voice seemed at first to be kind of whiny and childish, but by the end I adored her spunk and determination. There is a big twist in her character that I felt was better executed here than most books, and I was slightly surprised to find that I loved the book all the more for it!

The one thing I wished was more developed in this book was the confusion of the heroine's identity. I wished she struggled with it more, perhaps questioned her sanity more, instead of struggling so completely against what they tell her. While yes, it is a testament to her character, I felt this would have added another layer of intrigue to this already intrigue-ridden book.

Still, the setting was fascinating, her choices as a character very well-made, and the plot exciting and infuriating. It's easy to believe that this has happened, perhaps hundreds of times, to unfortunate women in the Victorian era. And then the ending--so satisfying, so perfect. Just the right mix of reaching a resolution and compromise. Definitely a surprising, beautiful read. I recommend it.

LINKS:

Jane Eagland

OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

2011-05-11T21:20:00.000-05:00

Grade: C

Synopsis:

Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. After all, she's been arguing with her Zeydah (grandfather in Yiddish) since she could talk. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she's sure that if she wins the final tournament, it'll be her ticket to a scholarship to the best speech school in the country. Unfortunately, the competition at CSSPA is hot--literally. His name is Devon and whether Ellie likes it or not, being near him makes her sizzle. Luckily she's headstrong and confident enough to take on the challenge--until she begins to suspect that the private scholarship's benefactor has negative feelings toward Jews. Will hiding her true identity and heritage be worth a shot at her dreams?

Ratings:

Character Development: 6/10
Originality: 8/10
Overall Enjoyment: 5/10
Ending: 6/10
Voice: 6/10
Plot: 4/10
Setting: 6/10
Total Score: 41/70

Obtained: Free ARC provided by publisher.

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Limited.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: None really.
Sexual Content: None.
Disturbing Images/Violence: None.

Review:

I am unimpressed by this book. I mean, sure, identity and religious conflict, especially among young adults, is a topic generally unexplored by YA authors. But still. Once you get past the main conflict (I'm Jewish pretending to be Christian in love with this hot jerk who totally likes me!) it's pretty predictable. The stakes aren't very high, the characters are annoying, and the message is clear from basically the first page. Heck, even the synopsis makes it clear--be true to yourself and all that jazz.

Honestly, the story is kind of boring. Every conflict that arises is resolved with little to no build up. Important scenes are skipped over, while unimportant anecdotes are dragged out. The main character is annoying and self-centered, and the whole speech-debate-oratory element just added unnecessary cheese and fluff. Sometimes the speeches they gave were okay, but most of the time it seemed like they were either unbearably cheesy or you were just supposed to assume they were awesome because the author didn't want to actually write them.

Overall, an unremarkable book. Maybe better for a younger audience (middle school age, perhaps) or students that particularly struggle with religion and identity. But really, then it might just make you mad because of all the obviously stupid decisions Ellie makes. Even the romance made me kind of queasy, because Devon is just the perfect mix of "perfect" and total waste of time, yet Ellie falls so perfectly and completely in love with him and it's just ick!

I guess it's kind of a cute, original story, but OyMG just did not sit well with me.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

2011-05-03T06:46:00.000-05:00

Grade: High A

Synopsis:

In Deuce's world, an enclave deep underground, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed "brat" has trained to join one of three groups--Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear--to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading the ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She's worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing's going to stop her, not even a brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce's troubles are just beginning.

Fade doesn't like following orders. Deuce has never known a boy like him before, someone as likely to touch her gently as use his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce's perception shifts, so does the balance in the battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat due to their sheer numbers, now show signs of cunning and even strategy...but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. No matter how hard she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carried her far from the only world she's ever known.

Ratings:

Character Development: 8/10
Originality: 8/10
Overall Enjoyment: 7/10
Ending: 6/10
Voice: 3/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 51/70

Obtained: Free finished copy provided by publisher (Feiwell and Friends)

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: None?
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: None.
Sexual Content: Blatant references to rape and forced breeding.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Murder, rape, graphic violence, lots of gore and blood, apocalypse, child abuse, child neglect, starvation, poverty, etc...

Review:

A fascinating novel for sure, though I would recommend it more to fans of Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth than The Hunger Games as the cover claims. But hey, if you love post-apocalyptic novels of any sort, give it a try. I very much enjoyed Enclave and came to love the characters, even if Deuce could be a bit dense. She was tough, though, and it paid off.

The plot drives this novel for sure. Full of intense, unpredictable twists, it's quite an exciting read. My only complaint is that the narration, the voice, lacks something. Maybe the stakes weren't high enough, or Deuce just never had enough personality. But whatever it is, the voice is often dull and two-dimensional, and because of this any change of events can take the reader by surprise and one can end up quite befuddled. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly it is that is so off-kilter about the writing, but especially at the beginning, it was a slight turn-off. It improves as the story progresses, however, and the book was certainly worth the read!

It has all the elements of a good story--the array of characters, the badass heroine, the dangerous landscape, the unpredictable future, and that little touch of romance that I hope will blossom into something I want to read about--and I hope the second installment picks up with the momentum the story ended with. Honestly, the end was a bit abrupt for me, but the knowledge that a sequel is in the making is reassuring, though the story does not necessarily need it to be fairly satisfying.

LINKS:

Ann Aguirre

NOTE: Outland, sequel to Enclave in the Razorland Series, projected to be released in Fall 2012.

Flawless by Lara Chapman

2011-05-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

Grade: B-

Synopsis:

Sarah Burke is just about perfect. She's got killer blue eyes, gorgeous blond hair, and impeccable grades. There's just one tiny--alright, enormous--flaw. Her nose. But even comparisons to a beak don't bother her much. Sarah's got the best best friend and big goals for print journalism fame.

But on the first day of senior year, Rock Conway walks into her journalism class and, well, rocks her world. Problem is, her best friend Kristen falls for him too. And when Rock and Kristen stand together it's like Barbie and Ken come to life. So when Kristen begs Sarah to help her nab Rock, Sarah does the only thing a best friend can do. She agrees. For someone so smart, what was she thinking?

Ratings:

Character Development: 6/10
Originality: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Voice: 7/10
Plot: 6/10
Setting: 4/10
Total Score: 39/70

Obtained: Free ARC provided by publisher.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Maybe a little.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: References to and scenes of teen drinking.
Sexual Content: Vague references only.
Disturbing Images/Violence: None.

Review:

Though charming, there was something a bit off about this book. I appreciated the very well reinforced message about beauty and self-image, and I probably even like the main character. Or would, if I understood anything about her. I feel like her character is developed solely through her relationship with other characters. For instance, I know a lot about her relationship with her mother, with her best friend, and with Rock (the boy), but when I think about it, I can't come up with an image of her, an understanding of her character, a feeling that I know her. Maybe I'm just being picky, but it's kind of unsettling, not being able to form any sort of opinion about the narrator and hero I spent 240 pages listening to.

Flawless is a retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. I love the tale and have never encountered another retelling, so I was excited to see how this was done. It was done well, I guess. But I felt that instead of strengthening or expanding on the story, the Cyrano connection just made it predictable. Despite being based on one of the most famous love stories of all time and being a high-school book, Flawless was incredibly un-dramatic. I mean, stuff happens--important stuff, plot-altering stuff, serious stuff--but it's either dealt with in twenty pages or just accepted (however grudgingly) by the narrator and the story moves on. This continues until the resolution, which is equally anticlimactic, when all the problems just kind of...end.

What irked me by far the most, though, was the weird lack of description. Sure, there was the frequent "She was beautiful, with her long blond hair and blue eyes" or "his muscles stretched taut under his shirt", but honestly, there were no distinguishing features between any of the girls or any of the guys of this story. Also, it was set in "Houston". I am well acquainted with Houston, and half the time the setting I was imagining could have easily been in Oregon or North Carolina or basically anywhere but Houston. Despite references to Houston locations, there was no mention of the terrible humidity or the density of the city or the sounds of traffic. It could have been suburbia, which, if you know Houston, is a ridiculous statement.

However, in spite of my criticisms, the book was fairly enjoyable and satisfying. Though two-dimensional, it did have a good message I thought was conveyed pretty well. Give it a try if it sounds good, but don't expect a life-altering piece of work.

LINKS:

Lara Chapman

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

2011-04-30T06:45:00.000-05:00

Grade: C

Synopsis:

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like your best

friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

Ratings:

Character Development: 5/10

Originality: 2/10

Overall Enjoyment: 5/10

Ending: 6/10

Voice: 7/10

Plot: 6/10

Setting: 8/10

Total Score: 39/70

Obtained: Borrowed from a friend.

Age Appropriate? PG-13ish

Cursing: Some, not very much, but a few f-bombs.

Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Maybe a few vague references to teen drinking...?

Sexual Content: Vague references, one almost-scene.

Disturbing Images/Violence: Child neglect.

Review:

Maybe it was the fact that this book has the exact same plot as Flawless (down to the main character's name), maybe it was that I've seen Elizabeth Scott do so much better (see Grace, below). Or maybe it's just that something about the whole I'm-in-love-with-my-best-friend's-boyfriend-but-I'm-too-"nice"-of-a-friend-to-do-anything-about-it thing that peeves me. Either way, this book was a letdown.

Through the whole thing, through every single page of miserable, self-pitying rants about how beautiful and awesome Ryan is and how horrible the narrator is for loving this boy and how awful her best friend is to her (boo hoo!), I was wondering why the heck nothing was happening. Just rants. For pages and pages. And then--oh, was that--? Could it be...plot development?! ...Oh, wait, no. False alarm. back to the rants. And the whole time this girl is pining for Ryan (Ryan this and Ryan that), the idiot boy is leading on two girls at once and neither of them notices or cares. What?

I shouldn't be so harsh. My friend loved the book, and she's a reasonable, good reader. I'm sure it has redeeming qualities. My problem was that I read the same book with a different cover a week ago and it wasn't fantastic then. So...I don't recommend it. But if you absolutely love Elizabeth Scott and stories like this...I guess give it a try.

LINKS:

Elizabeth Scott

Grace by Elizabeth Scott (RRReview)

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott (RRReview)

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

2011-04-27T19:17:00.001-05:00

Grade: A+!

Synopsis:

In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--an hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life...

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 10/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Voice: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 66/70

Obtained: Library

Age Appropriate? R

Cursing: Quite a bit.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Frequent references to and scenes of severe drug and alcohol addiction, drug and alcohol-induced violence, drunkenness, child drinking/drug use, abuse of dangerous substances, etc.
Sexual Content: Frequent references to prostitution, rape, etc.
Disturbing Images/Violence: A lot of blood, fights, graphic murder, child abuse, slavery, etc.

Review:

My God, what a ride! To be honest, this book blew away my expectations. I've been hearing some good things about Ship Breaker, and something about the synopsis drew me to the book from the start. (Have I mentioned that this book has one hell of a good synopsis? Just the right amount of plot hints without giving anything important away, and it's short and to the point--but that's a topic for another post.) The point is, this book is good. The very peak of dystopian/sci-fi/post-apocalyptic YA.

One of the most fascinating things about this book, though, is that it's borderline not dystopian or sci-fi. It's almost just an adventure book about the near future. And while Nailer's world is post-apocalyptic, the "apocalypse" these people have survived is not some huge catastrophe, it's the evolution of our own world, a direct result of the way we live now. Yet the point is not only to provide some sort of wake-up call to readers--no, this book is a story. A really good story, too.

It has everything! A plot that will never--hear me, never--give you time to breathe, characters that are so conflicted and real and heartbreakingly honest yet strong at their cores, circumstances that are shocking but so close to reality, and of course, just a touch of romance to carry you through the rest of it. Beautifully done, and probably one of the few young adult books that truly caters to both male and female audiences without fail. Seriously, guys and girls alike will get caught up in the rawness, the sheer intensity, of this awe-inspiring story. I've heard rumors of a sequel. Ah, I hope it's true! This is a world (a downtrodden, miserable world that creepily resembles our own...) that I don't want to see the end of.

Update: There IS in fact a sequel, coming this year, called The Drowned Cities. Yay! :)

LINKS:

Interview with Paolo Bacigalupi about another of his novels, The Windup Girl

Enclave Trailer!

2011-04-12T17:28:00.001-05:00

Ann Aguirre, author of the Corine Solomon Series & the Sirantha Jax Series, releases her first -ever Young Adult dystopian novel

ENCLAVE

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

READ THE FIRST CHAPTER!

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

2011-04-08T20:38:00.000-05:00

Grade: A+!

Synopsis:

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister’s face when she and Elias left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the horde as they found their way to the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.

Annah’s world stopped that day and she’s been waiting for him to come home ever since. Without him, her life doesn’t feel much different from that of the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Then she meets Catcher and everything feels alive again.

Except, Catcher has his own secrets—dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah’s longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it’s up to Annah—can she continue to live in a world drenched in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return’s destruction?

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 7/10
Overall Enjoyment: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Voice: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 67/70

Obtained: Borrowed from a friend. :)

Age Appropriate? R

Cursing: Not really. Maybe a little.
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Some references, but few.
Sexual Content: None really...
Disturbing Images/Violence: A warning to the squeamish--approach this book with caution. Filled to the brim with gruesome images of zombie-hacking, murder, violence, desperation, starvation, hopelessness, misery...I could continue.

Review:

Wow. I just...wow. Never before--never before--have I read a book that was quite this...impactful. I still can't quite let go of the enormity of this book, not in that it is so very life changing, but that the scope is so much larger than before, so much more universal than I could have expected from a book about the zombie apocalypse. I mean, it's been done before, right? How much different can this book possibly be?

That statement couldn't be more wrong.

If you thought the last book was stressful, hold onto your seats. The Dark and Hollow Places isn't exactly as nerve-racking as its prequel--no, this book is simply earthshattering. Heartbreaking. The misery, the sheer and utter hopelessness of it is almost too much to bear, but...you have to. You have to because the characters are so important. They become everything. And the absolute desolation that is their world only makes the rare moments of bliss all the more sharply poignant.

Carrie Ryan has several talents. One is using a changing perspective to her advantage. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is narrated by Mary, Dead-Tossed Waves by Gabry, and finally, The Dark and Hollow Places by Annah--three very distinct, very strong young women whose trials are all very different yet fundamentally the same: the fierce battle of survival, the fight against the endless onslaught of death. Never, at any point in the series, did the styles of narration overlap, and each of the characters gains depth by the new perspective. It's interesting how Ryan can manipulate my feelings based on the narrator and reveal so much more about the outside characters. For instance, in the last book, I definitely favored Elias because Gabry found the good in him and saw the bad in Catcher, but in this book, I lean heavily toward Catcher, because Annah sees him from a different light.

All in all, a powerful read. Huge. Hopeless. Miserable. But totally worth it, every page, every impossible obstacle, every tense moment, every undead-head-slashing and horror that came their way--it was worth it. Because ultimately, though it is drenched in death, it is a book that celebrates life, celebrates love, celebrates happiness--perhaps louder and more triumphantly than any other book I've read. Success.

LINKS:

Carrie Ryan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Dead-Tossed Waves

Stay by Deb Caletti

2011-04-05T07:50:00.001-05:00

Grade: A+!

Synopsis:

Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is--and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10

Originality: 9/10

Overall Enjoyment: 10/10

Ending: 9/10

Voice: 10/10

Plot: 10/10

Setting: 10/10

Total Score: 68/70

Obtained: Borrowed from Jill at Reading is Bliss

Age Appropriate? PG13

Cursing: Yep.

Drugs, Alcohol, etc.: Mentioned, I believe.

Sexual Content: References

Disturbing Images/ Violence: Obsessive Relationship (leads to some violence)

Review:

A story of truth, a story of love, of fear, of change, of growth. A story that does not disappoint. Absolutely astounding.

Deb Caletti incorporates the rawest of emotions, the wittiest of dialogue, and the truest of characters in Stay. Everything in this book is real. Clara is a strong, likable character, and her narration is perfect: interesting, easy to follow, and still intensely true and relate-able.

The strong use of figurative language isn't overwhelming or over-used. Every sentence, metaphor, allusion, is absolutely necessary to understanding the beauty of this story. Each contribution adds to the reader's interpretation of the entire mosaic of the characters, setting, and whole dynamic of the story. But it does it in such a way that the understanding slips into the reader; and a deep care for these characters is implanted; then soon the emotion and turbulence of the story takes hold and does not release its grip.

Once again... absolutely astounding. Raw and true. Pick it up, read it, and you will not be disappointed.

LINKS:

Deb Caletti

Wild Roses Review

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye Review

The Nature of Jade Review

Wild Roses by Deb Caletti

2011-03-30T07:56:00.000-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Cassie Morgan has a secret: she’s living with a time bomb (A.K.A., her stepfather, Dino Cavalli). To the public, Dino is a world-renowned violin player and composer. To Cassie, he’s an erratic, self-centered bully. Dino has always been difficult, but as he prepares for his comeback concert, something in him begins to shift. He seems more high-strung than ever, set off by any little thing. He stops sleeping, starts chain-smoking. And he grows increasingly paranoid, saying things that Cassie is desperate to make sense of, but can’t. So she does what she thinks she must: she tries to hide his behavior from the outside world. Before, she was angry. Now, she is afraid.

Enter Ian Waters: A brilliant young violinist, and Dino’s first-ever student. The minute Cassie lays eyes on Ian she knows she’s doomed. She tries everything to keep away from him, but is drawn to him in a way she’s never felt before. It should be easy. It should be beautiful. It is not. Cassie thought she understood that love could bring pain. But this union will have consequences she could not have imagined.

As the novel crashes through two irreparable events and speeds toward its powerful end, one thing becomes clear: in the world of insanity, nothing is sacred. Not talent, not spirit, not love.

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 9/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 7/10
Voice: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 9/10
Total Score: 63/70

Obtained: Library.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Yes, quite a bit.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Some drinking/drunkenness, chain smoking (though not illegal, definitely disgusting and I guess worth mentioning)
Sexual Content: Very vague references, but it's there.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Insanity/infirmity of the mind?

Review:

Deb Caletti certainly displays her talent for creating stories that are at once painful and beautiful in Wild Roses. If you like The Nature of Jade (which I did), you'll love this. Infused with fascinating facts about artists throughout history, the book really does make a statement about the devastating side of genius even as it builds a strong theme of the endurance of family and love despite all odds.

The characters--wow. Dino Cavalli is masterfully created as a character, so that you alternately hate him and admire him and pity him and love him, and then finally hate him all the more for that. He is a force, a human force, the incarnation of genius, and Caletti manages to translate all of that into her clever narration and dialogue and plot. Wow.

However, my favorite part of Caletti's writing, especially in Wild Roses, is how she seamlessly manages to incorporate all of this philosophy into her narrative without distracting from the plot or the characters--in fact, while adding to it. She somehow subtly integrates all of these deep, expressive ideas into Cassie's thoughts, but does it in a way that seems natural for the contemplative person that she is. Caletti is able to get so much meaning into her writing and widen the very specific plot complications--things that are certainly not everyday problems for the average reader--and make them universal, all-encompassing, and inescapable. A breathtaking read.

LINKS:

Deb Caletti
The Essay: What the Author Says about the Book
Wild Roses Excerpt

Wild Roses by Vincent Van Gogh (referenced in the book)

Some Trailers and Exciting news!

2011-03-28T06:32:00.000-05:00

INVINCIBLE (2nd book in the Chronicles of Nick) by Sherrilyn Kenyon will be released MARCH 22!

http://www.youtube.com/&amp;amp;lt;wbr&amp;amp;gt;embed/C0k71_UBFeA?rel=0&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen&amp;amp;gt;

Read on excerpt here!

SHIMMER by Alyson Noel will be released soon!

http://www.youtube.com/&amp;amp;lt;wbr&amp;amp;gt;embed/FZqW7rJyvDU?rel=0&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen&amp;amp;gt;

Find out more about the book here!

AND FINALLY, SOME EXCITING NEWS....

To help tide you over during 2011 – the first year since her debut that there is not a new Shannon Hale book – BLOOMSBURY has a special offer for you! THE GOOSE GIRL, the award-winning debut by Shannon Hale, is available wherever eBooks are sold as a $1.99 eBook download now through March 31 ONLY!!

Get it while it lasts! Tell you friends! Enjoy!

And keep an eye out for the Forest Born Special Edition hardcover with Alison Jay jacket art coming in October!

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life listening to her aunt's stories and learning the language of the birds, especially the swans. As she grows up Ani develops the skills of animal speech, but is never comfortable speaking with people, so when her silver-tongued lady in waiting leads a mutiny during Ani's journey to be married in a foreign land, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to help her. She becomes a goose girl and must use her own special, nearly magical powers to find her way to her true destiny.

From the Grimm's fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible and original tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can lead the people she has made her own.

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

2011-03-27T13:55:00.000-05:00

Grade: High A

Synopsis:

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this--she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can re-experience--and sometimes even change--moments from her life.

Her first kiss.

A trip to Disney World.

Her sister's wedding.

A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life--and death.

Rating:

Character Development: 8/10

Originality: 8/10

Overall Enjoyment: 8/10

Ending: 9/10

Voice: 7/10

Plot: 8/10

Setting: 10/10

Total Score: 58/70

Obtained: Borrowed from a friend. :)

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Yup.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Some references to teen drug use, etc.
Sexual Content: Vague references.
Disturbing Images: Murder, psychotic people, death (?)

Review:

As my dear friend who lent me this book said, "It's a diamond in the rough." She's right. The Everafter is a surprising, charming read with a misleading premise. I mean, the afterlife has been done before (again and again and again...), but this is something new. For one, the afterlife world Huntley creates is at once fascinating and chilling (appropriately so), but beyond that she has created a combination of mystery and love-story pieced together through visited memories of the hero's life. Each memory is relevant to the story but also very separate and unique, like our memories tend to be. Masterfully woven.

Though it was a love story (and a great one at that), I thought the most wonderfully true thing about it was that the pursuit of romance was not the focus--instead, it was the development and endurance of their relationship, even beyond death, that took center stage. This book is evidence, I feel, of the existence of true, mature high school relationships, more than the frivolous infatuations a lot of books/movies/stories about teenagers are based on.

Definitely a book worth reading. A short read, but packed with emotion, deep thought, philosophical ideas, and love of all kinds. With a shocking ending you cannot predict, The Everafter will not disappoint.

LINKS:

Amy Huntley
Blog

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

2011-03-24T19:55:00.000-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Frankie Landau-Banks at age 14:
Debate Club.
Her father’s “bunny rabbit.”
A mildly geeky girl attending a highly competitive boarding school.

Frankie Landau-Banks at age 15:
A knockout figure.
A sharp tongue.
A chip on her shoulder.
And a gorgeous new senior boyfriend: the supremely goofy, word-obsessed Matthew Livingston.

Frankie Laundau-Banks.
No longer the kind of girl to take “no” for an answer.
Especially when “no” means she’s excluded from her boyfriend’s all-male secret society.
Not when her ex boyfriend shows up in the strangest of places.
Not when she knows she’s smarter than any of them.
When she knows Matthew’s lying to her.
And when there are so many, many pranks to be done.

Frankie Landau-Banks, at age 16:
Possibly a criminal mastermind.

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 10/10!
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Voice: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 9/10
Total Score: 64/70

Obtained: Library.

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Very limited, if at all.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Teen drinking, references to teen drug use.
Sexual Content: Mild and vague references, nothing more.
Disturbing Images/Violence: None.

Review:

Wow. This book took me by surprise! I have never in my life read a book that was so witty, so charming, so unique! Seriously. I can't tell you how freaking different this was from anything I've ever picked up. The third-person narrative shifted wonderfully between the analytical, academic, slightly ironic tone of a good mystery novel to the human, emotional, teenagery tone of a real high school girl. There were so many fascinating and adorable little anecdotes that added so much to the story and the character of Frankie--who, by the way, is the perfect example of a modern-day ass-kicking heroine.

The Disreputable History is dripping with feminism and social commentary, but in a sense it reminds me of Anna and the French Kiss, in that it is just a regular ol' high school story (that happens to be set in a boarding school) and involves all the hi-jinks that ensue--friends, romance, breaking rules, etc. Only in Disreputable History, Frankie is the mastermind, Frankie is the genius, Frankie is the diamond in the rough that is constantly underestimated by everyone around her. She is alone in her creativity, but it had a sort of Agent Cody Banks excitement to it that was entirely new and fresh and wonderful, and Frankie was a lovely change from your typical bookish girl character. She was awesome. She did things. She had boys and friends and all that, sure, but to her, that was trivial. She wanted the world.

And even though the book ends on a...well, not entirely positive note, it ended right. It ended with power, with a statement. That statement was this: Show them what you're really made of. No matter what it takes.

WOOOH!

LINKS:

E. Lockhart

Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

2011-03-19T06:22:00.000-05:00

Grade: A+ (naturally)

Synopsis:

Me? A Leader? Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion--between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again--while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside.

And something from Outside wants in.

Rating:

Character Development: 9/10
Originality: 10/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 65/70

Obtained: Borrowed from a friend.

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Very little if any.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Nothing too bad as far as I remember.
Sexual Content: Vague mentionings...But really, no.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Some rather graphic torture scenes.

Review:

Another wonderful read from the great Maria V. Snyder! Definitely lived up to--even exceeded--my expectations! Great characters, fast plot, and new twists that added excitement and danger and built wonderfully on the prequel. Fun, fast, and engrossing. Perfect.

Trella started off a bit annoyingly stubborn in this one, but she's just so badass it hardly mattered, and in the end, she did not disappoint. There were a few surprising twists in romance, but as always, Maria is spot-on in that regard--just enough to keep it interesting while staying within the realms of reality.

The concept of this book is strange--stranger than the last one. But at the same time it resounded with a certain truth. Weird as it may seem, I couldn't help thinking as I was reading it that this whole situation was entirely plausible in the far distant future of humanity. The world of Inside (and Outside) is so detailed, and those details (down to the very thickness of the air) made it seem eerily within reach.

LINKS:

Maria V. Snyder
Inside Out - our review
First Chapter of Inside Out
Interview with Maria!

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

2011-03-17T12:20:00.000-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Climbing to the top of the school ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Five, an all-girl clique feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High...that is, until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend started going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past whom she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for the onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend...if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 8/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 9/10
Total Score: 64/70

Obtained: Borrowed from a friend (thanks) :)

Age Appropriate? R

Cursing: Quite a bit.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Many, many references to and scenes of teen drinking, drunkenness, and heavy drug use.
Sexual Content: Yes. Lots of it in conversation as well as some scenes.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Near-rape scenarios, extreme teenage cruelty and bullying, eating disorders, depression

Review:

Intense. That's how I would describe this book. Just that -- intense. It wasn't really what I expected, and by the synopsis I would have imagined something gooey with high school cliches and a predictable plot, followed by miraculous self-discovery and healing through love and forgiveness. Ha. But no. This book defies all stereotypes, removes girls from that Mean Girls setting and into something a lot darker, a lot more evil, a lot more realistic.

It was hard to read. The whole thing, from beginning to end, has a certain painful tone to it that is slightly sickening, but so fascinating. From the beginning, every page brings a new horror, another added complication that makes you go, Oh my god, how can this ever be solved? Until the very final page, the whole book is building and building and building into a frenzy of a climax and a cathartic, simple, un-fairy-tale resolution(ish). It was a perfect end.

The characters are perfect -- they're cruel, they're sick, they're a product of their environment. They're high school kids who want more. The thing is, these things exist. They happen, no matter how twisted they are. But beyond being a statement about how animal and cruel girls can be to each other, how messed up high school can be, this is a book about people creating and overcoming problems that seem larger than life, and learning to heal and forgive along the way.

LINKS:

Courtney Summers

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

2011-03-07T19:40:00.000-06:00

Grade: Low A

Synopsis:

Payton Gritas needs a focus object--something to focus her emotions on after discovering her father's been hiding multiple sclerosis. Her guidance counselor suggested something inanimate but Payton chooses the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas, it's an alphabetical order thing) but she's never really noticed him before.

Payton starts stalking--er, focusing on--Sean's big blond head, and her research quickly grows into something a little less scientific and a lot more crush-like. As Payton gets inside Sean's head, Sean finds a way into her guarded heart. But obsessing over Sean won't fix Payton's fear of her dad's illness. For that, she'll have to focus on herself.

Rating:

Character Development: 7/10
Originality: 9/10
Overall Enjoyment: 7/10
Ending: 10/10
Voice: 6/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 8/10
Total Score: 56/70

Obtained: Free ARC provided by publisher (Bloomsbury) for blog tour! :)

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Limited, if any.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Mild and vague references to drug use
Sexual Content: None.
Disturbing Images/Violence: None.

Review:

A charming book, Sean Griswold's Head is definitely a new approach to the old topic of high school love. Leavitt captures flawlessly the agony, ugliness, and ultimately sweetness behind high school/middle school crushes. That this relationship develops into something real only adds to the satisfying element of the novel.

However, Payton was extremely immature. I liked her quite a bit most of the time, but it was hard to sympathize with her as she overreacted (like many teenagers do...) to the smallest things. Granted, she was dealing with the enormity of MS in her family, and this element was a great plot device as well as a push for Payton to grow up. Tough as it was to like her, I was eventually very happy to see her mature and discover herself, as well as those that loved her. The ending is satisfying, sweet, and touching on many levels.

Though not remarkable, Sean Griswold's Head was very honest and multi-dimensional--cute where appropriate, serious when necessary, and often humorous and tender. A worthy read.

LINKS:

Lindsey Leavitt
Lindey Leavitt - Blog

2011 Debut Author Challenge

2011-03-01T17:11:00.004-06:00

Yes, I have officially decided to join the 2011 Debut Author Challenge, hosted by the ever wonderful Story Siren. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty stoked. Debut authors deserve a chance and a shout out. Making it in the literature business is hard enough, so we humble bloggers must do what we can to help 'em out. This is the first challenge I've participated in, and I think it's an awesome way of showing new authors we support them. Because we do. We want authors to keep writing, because we want to keep reading. So flippideedoo!

This year, at this point in my life, I'm hoping to read...

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

I have already reviewed:
The False Princess by Ellis O'Neal

So yeah, so far this is a pretty small list. But never fear! It's mostly just because I haven't had the time to research other books. These are ones that I've heard a lot about or have stood out to me. Yesh. Exciting stuff... exciting stuff indeed.

Anyhow, I will stop blabbing on and on (as I tend to do). BUT, I will, once again, say...

Happy Tuesday!

2011-02-28T22:10:00.002-06:00

Sometimes, the drab routine of day to day life just gets ever so boring. Predictable. No one ever says "Happy Tuesday!"... because what's so happy about it anyway? It's just like every other Tuesday.

Well, today, I'm here with an absolutely non-book related post (you see the break in routine thing I'm doing here?) to tell you...

HAPPY TUESDAY!

And what better way to celebrate this Tuesday then with some good-ol' Singing in the Rain. So jump up and click your heels today. Grin stupidly and sing at people. Yes, sing at them. (They may look at you like they think it's annoying, but really, you just made their day.)

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June by Robin Benway

2011-02-28T21:14:00.005-06:00

Grade: A

Synopsis:
Three sisters share a magical, unshakable bond in this witty high-concept novel from the critically acclaimed author of Audrey, Wait! Around the time of their parents’ divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose?

April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone’s but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they’ll always have each other.

Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.

Rating:

Character Development: 7/10

Originality: 8/10

Overall Enjoyment: 10/10

Ending: 10/10

Voice: 10/10

Plot: 6/10

Setting: 6/10

Total Score: 57/70

Obtained: Borrowed from Jill at Reading is Bliss

Age Appropriate? PG13
Cussing: Yep

Alcohol, Drugs, etc.: Yep, big party scene

Sexual Content: Mentioned

Disturbing Images/ Violence: Not much.

Review:

Well, I kind of loved this book a lot. Not only is it fun and entertaining, but it's genuinely heartfelt as well. The sibling relationships are totally believable. These girls annoy each other. Duh. They're sisters. That's what sisters do best... annoy each other. But each one of them would without a doubt jump in front of a bus for the other at any moment of any day.

There's also the conflict with the parents' recent divorce, and, of course, April, May, and Junes' newfound powers. Mostly, though, this book is about a family growing apart and coming back together again. The ups and downs of that sort of love. The parents make good appearances too, showing the strains and the worries of the divorce, but the underlying love that holds them all together.

April, May, and June were all unique characters. Their voices were differing as well, making for easy reading. Hooray for awesome writing skills! The dynamic between the three was so great. Realistic in a way that brought out my empathy, making me ache with sadness, but also smile and laugh out loud. Yes, laugh out loud. It's always awkward when you laugh out loud while reading. Ha. And the very fact that I'm laughing while reading makes me laugh even harder. Oh, the joys of literature...

The plot wasn't too intense, but it was always interesting. The little romances were absolutely adorable, as well. Basically, this book is a quirky outlook on the craziness of high school life and (if I haven't said it enough times already) of sisterhood.

LINKS:

Goodreads

Excerpt

Robin Benway

The Clearing by Heather Davis

2011-02-23T17:14:00.002-06:00

Grade: A

Synopsis:

Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery—Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

Rating:

Character Development: 8/10

Originality: 7/10

Overall Enjoyment: 9/10

Ending: 6/10

Voice: 10/10

Plot: 6/10

Setting: 10/10

Total Score: 56/70

Obtained: Library

Age Appropriate? PG13
Cussing: Some

Alcohol, Drugs, etc.: Yes, at a party. Main character doesn't take part, though.

Sexual Content: Discussed, but no explicit details

Disturbing Images/ Violence: Mentions of abuse

Review:

The Clearing isn't just a silly little teenage romance book. It's about growing up, learning how to love, and learning how to be strong even when it's the difficult thing to do. (Did I make that sound cheesy?) Because really, I appreciate the fact that the story has so many layers.

The imagery is so absolutely vivid it is impossible not to feel a part of this story. I can just taste buttery biscuits, feel the hot sun on my face, and hear the windy rain. And it's not the over-descriptive kind of detail that drags on for ages, either. The voice contributed heavily to that. The easy-going, unique and fresh voice carries the tale along beautifully.

My only two complaints are that 1) It seemed that Amy and Henry don't know much about each other. They knew some, yes, but more would be nice, just to make the reader love them that much more. And 2) The ending is terribly vague. Terribly. I felt like there's still so much that needs explaining.

In a nutshell, though, The Clearing is a beautifully written, quick and lovely read. The setting is a wonderful back drop to the story, and the juxtaposition of Henry's time and Amy's is exponentially intriguing. Anywho, if you get a chance, pick this book up and give it a whirl. You won't regret it.

LINKS:

Heather Davis

Goodreads

Amazon

The VAGINA MONOLOGUES by Eve Ensler

2011-02-23T10:45:00.000-06:00

Grade: A+

Obtained: Borrowed from a friend.

Age Appropriate? YES.

Review:

I love this book. I love the cover--so simple, so bold, like the play itself, and so satisfying to carry around and watch people do double-takes when they see that giant, shameless taboo word that graces the cover: VAGINA. Because that's ultimately what the book is about: Shamelessness. Empowerment. Acceptance. Self-discovery. Beauty.Womanhood. Humanity.

In these pages, Eve Ensler looks at vaginas as no one has before, in a way that exposes the joys of us all as well as the horrors too many women face while keeping up a witty, true dialogue that will make you laugh and cry and gasp and moan. There is so much power here, in the voices of all these women, and that power manifests itself in a worldwide movement--V-Day, a celebration of women, vaginas, and the Monologues that benefits women's organizations all over the world. Now, that is something--this is a book that is not only earth-shaking in its own right, but has turned into a physical force in our world. Wow.

I mean it when I say everyone should read this book. I read it. I'm going to make all of the women in my life read it. I will ask my boyfriend read it. And I'm going to ask you to read it, if you haven't already, or see it performed, or be in it. You will not come back from that experience unaffected.

Oh, and also, VAGINA!

LINKS:

V-Day
Become involved in V-Day in your community!
Eve Ensler

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

2011-02-22T16:41:00.005-06:00

Grade: B+

Synopsis:

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood. But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

Rating:

Character Development: 6/10

Originality: 9/10

Overall Enjoyment: 7/10

Ending: 7/10

Voice: 6/10

Plot: 8/10

Setting: 6/10

Total Score: 49/ 70

Obtained: Library

Age Appropriate: PG

Cussing: None, I don't think.

Alcohol, Drugs, etc.: Brief mentions of wine

Sexual Content: Ambiguously mentioned in conversation.

Disturbing Images/ Violence: Murder, death, magic, blood and gore, etc.

Review:

At first, I really didn't think I would like this book. The voice for a majority of the story was so... animal-like. It kind of reminded me of those dogs with the voice boxes from the movie Up. Half the time I expected Isabel to turn her head, perk up her ears, and excitedly yelp "Squirrel!". Of course, it was understandable that the voice was somewhat animal-like, Isabel being a Shifter and all. But it just made it difficult for me to connect and relate to her.

It got better though, and soon I was too immersed in the plot to put the book down. There were some glorious plot twists that were completely unexpected. But Isabel's reaction to the surprising discoveries was somewhat distant and vague. Again, difficult for me to get into her character.

The castle intrigue, tricks, and deception was always interesting. The folklore aspect of the story was unique, and the whole concept of the Shifter was pretty different. Overall, this book was very original and kind of fresh because of it. However, it somehow didn't stick out to me. It isn't a book I was crazy about. I would still recommend you give it a try, though. You might really enjoy it!

LINKS:

Leah Cypess

Goodreads

MAD LOVE contest winner!

2011-02-20T18:59:00.000-06:00

Congrats to RUTHIE, lucky winner of Suzanne Selfors' Mad Love and Coffeehouse Angel!

Thanks to everyone for participating!

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

2011-02-18T05:06:00.001-06:00

Grade: High B

Synopsis:

As the daughter of the best-selling Queen of Romance, life for sixteen-year-old Alice Amorous has been pretty good. But ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness, Alice has been forced to maintain a brave front, answering fan letters, forging her mother's signature, telling the publisher that all is well. Now time is running out. The next book is overdue and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother--and she needs one now.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid. He insists that Alice must write about the greatest love story in history, his tragic relationship with Psyche. Only Alice doesn't believe in Cupid, and she really wants to focus on her own love life and her new boyfriend, Tony. But when she begins to hear Errol's voice in her head, and sees things she can't explain, Alice must face the truth--that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or that Errol really is the god of love.

Rating:

Character Development: 6/10
Originality: 8/10
Overall Enjoyment: 7/10
Ending: 9/10
Voice: 6/10
Plot: 6/10
Setting: 9/10
Total Score: 53/70

Obtained? Free ARC provided by publisher (Walker Press)

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Some mild.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Eh, not really. Maybe a few veiled references.
Sexual Content: None, though it does not hide from sex.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Severe mental illness/depression/bipolar disorder, child abandonment

Review:

This is definitely my least favorite Suzanne Selfors book. Usually, Selfors manages to take a weird, slightly cheesy chick-lit-mixed-with-a-touch-of-magic storyline that under most circumstances would be hard to read and make it witty, funny, and bright. Mad Love, while certainly cute at some points and by the end poignant and sweet, actually did end up being slightly hard to get into.

My biggest problem was the heroine, Alice. Most of her narration is laced with alternating bouts of self-pity and self-congratulation mixed into the disjointed plot. The book didn't flow very well, with ideas being mentioned and forgotten, details being overlooked, and characters fading in and out of importance. The Cupid element (though the story of Cupid and Psyche is a cool one integrated very well throughout the book) threw me off a bit and was at times quite stomach-turning (such as every time someone got shot with Cupid's invisible arrows of drooly, panting, possessing "love"), which, while the effect is intended, I felt like it was a bit drawn out and overdone.

But once you get past a certain point, the book definitely picks up. Alice becomes more human and reasonable, the other characters solidify and develop, and things start to come together. By the end, the reader has developed genuine sympathy for them that makes the final scenes touching and tender.

LINKS:

Suzanne Selfors
Coffeehouse Angel
Saving Juliet

Book Showcase: The Gardener

2011-02-17T08:48:00.001-06:00

This is a book that I've had in my reading pile for a long while now and, unfortunately, haven't gotten around to reading. I'm really very sad that I've abandoned it to collect dust on my shelf. At some point, I will actually read it!

However, to give you an idea, a book showcase for The Gardener by S. A. Bodeen:

Brief Synopsis:

15-year-old Mason stumbles on an evil experiment that render teens into autotrophs, and is soon on the run with one of them, a beautiful girl whose fate is controlled by the Gardener.

Note: I have read several different declarations that if you read this book, you shouldn't read the synopsis on the back cover. It will reveal too much.

Things I'm reading about The Gardener:

"The Gardener offers a quick paced, thrill ride of emotion. With an amazing protagonist, whom you can't not care about and a subject that leaves you thinking..." -Book Crazy

"compelling" and "extremely shocking" -Loony-Reads

"The overall premise may intrigue you, but I fear that the amount of actual science fiction / futuristic elements may disappoint." -Kate (on Goodreads)

"engrossing thriller mixed with scientific ethics" -Tara SG (on Goodreads)

Some Links for you to learn more:

S. A. Bodeen Facebook

Goodreads (for a collection of reviews and such)

The Story Siren Author Interview with Bodeen

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

2011-02-14T18:00:00.006-06:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.
Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Rating:

Character Development: 8/10

Originality: 9/10

Overall Enjoyment: 10/ 10

Ending: 8/10

Voice: 9/10

Plot: 9/10

Setting: 10/10

Total Score: 63/ 70

Obtained: Bought

Age Appropriate? PG13

Language: Some cursing

Drugs, Alcohol, Etc.: None

Sexual Content: None

Disturbing Images/ Violence: Just typical crazy fairy fighting, blood, psycho power-seeking people, and boogie monsters. :)

Review:

I am officially thoroughly excited about this series. It has progressed so much since the last one. The characters (who were awesome in the first book) are even more amazing now. The world, so absolutely imaginative, seems to pluck me right out of my day to day life and toss me into the whirlwind of Faery.

The Iron Daughter has all the same fantastic elements as The Iron King, but with a lot more drama thrown in, keeping things interesting and tense. Meghan's romance troubles are as abundant as always, the love triangle getting even more tightly wound. The enmity between the Summer and Winter courts reaches its breaking point and the Fey world is upended. And then there' the brooding Winter Prince's whacked up familial issues... Seriously messed up, dude.

Let's talk about Meghan. She's a heroine in the best of ways. She's brave, loyal, and has some spunk, but she's also emotional (as, let's face it... girls tend to be). She cries when she feels heartbroken, she weeps over the loss of a friend, and she follows her heart wherever it leads her. Her voice carries the story along wonderfully.

All the characters have very distinct and differing speech patterns, adding so much to the reader's understanding of their personalities. Which is a quality that I just love a lot.

Ash and Puck. Should I get into this? No, I probably shouldn't get into this. It is what it is. So... Ash and Puck... make of that what you will.

There are still debts to be paid and duels to be fought in this whizzing fantasy. I am so looking forward to the next installment!

LINKS:

The Iron King Review

Julie Kagawa

Goodreads

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

2011-02-12T15:28:00.002-06:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Life has been nothing but unfair to Grace Parkes and her sister. Penniless, the two orphans manage to stay alive--but only barely, like so many on the streets of Victorian London. And Grace must bear a greater heartbreak, having become pregnant from terrible circumstances and then given birth to a stillborn baby. But the infant's death sets Grace on a new path, bringing her into contact with people who hold both riches and power. A great fraud has been perpetrated on Grace and her sister, and they are the secret recipients of a most unusual legacy--if only they can find the means to claim it.

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality:8/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 6/10
Voice: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 61/70

Obtained: Free ARC provided by publisher.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Limited and mild.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Some drinking/drunkenness, some vague references to drug use.
Sexual Content: Blatant references to rape, prostitution
Disturbing Images/Violence: Rape, poverty, child labor and abuse

Review:

A lovely adventure into real-life Victorian London. Grace and Lily were both strong, beautiful characters with a great story full of interesting characters. There was never a dull moment, but the book wasn't overly-consuming. The setting was impeccably crafted, even the squalor and poverty of the London slums. Fascinating and enthralling.

I loved the refreshing take on Victorian London--no magic, little politics, yet still intriguing. I've never read much about the Victorian funeral trade, but it provided a grim background to this grim tale. Hooper does not romanticize the era, but she treats it with the respect of a historian. Well done!

My only complaint about this book is the rather abrupt ending. I do not think there will be a sequel (though I could be wrong) but it seemed to me that, though all the problems were resolved and all the mysteries revealed, we never see Grace's reaction to any of it. We never learn what she decides to do, what her life becomes. And while, yes, the resolution was complete, I cared about her and her sister enough to crave seeing their happiness after so many pages of trial and suffering. As the book was rather short for the breadth of the story it told, I think Hooper could have continued just a bit further.

LINKS:

Mary Hooper

For you aspiring writers out there...

2011-02-12T08:11:00.001-06:00

“No one can tell your unique story but you, and you will be amazed at how your voice can not only change your future, but will inspire people, near and far, to change our world for the better.”

Concern's Global Writing Competition challenges students and adults from all walks of life to enter and submit an article in which they write about a global issue in the role of a seasoned journalist. Winning articles and selected entries will be published online and in a 2011 book published by Concern and winners will "be among an outstanding community of activists, students, writers and everyday heroes whose words empower and echo around the world".

Purty cool opportunity, people!

Prizes include: a laptop computer, a Kindle e-reader and an MP3 player. Winning essays and selected entries will be published in the Concern Creative Writing Competition book, as well as be featured on Concern’s website and blog.

To find out the details and enter the contest, visit www.concern.net/writingcompetition.

Check it out!

Un-Review of Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

2011-02-10T23:01:00.006-06:00

Sometimes I read a book that is absolutely useless to me. I don't enjoy it. I don't care about it. I don't want to finish it. So I don't. Being unable to review a book I didn't actually finish (wouldn't be fair), I give you my UN-Review of Halo by Alexandra Adornetto.

Synopsis:
Three angels- Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human- are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They must work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

Completed: 252 pages out of 484

IMPRESSIONS:

Within twenty pages of this book, I knew it wasn't going to be amazing. Beth's narration is shallow, naive, and quite annoying. Reading this book is kind of like watching a bad Lifetime movie. You know it's going to be mediocre and you expect it to be, you start watching it, see that it's not good, but for some strange reason, continue to watch it anyway. So that's how I made it through 252 pages. I was entertained to say the least.

But by 252, even the entertainment factor had worn out. The plot development is slower than 6 o'clock traffic. The characters are flat and, to me, not in the least bit likable. The heavenly mission factor (that should be leading the plot along) is shoved completely into the background as Beth's relationship with Xavier takes center stage. When Beth isn't with Xavier, her every pea-brained thought is about him. When she is with him, their grossly cheesy dialogue and unnecessary PDA is just... ew.

The cover, though, is absolutely beautiful! Unfortunately, the book really disappointed me. Of course, I didn't finish it... so maybe it pulled itself together in the end. I encourage you to still give it a shot if it sounds like your type!

LINKS:

Alexandra Adornetto at Macmillan

Halo Book Trailer

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

2011-02-09T19:17:00.006-06:00

Grade: A

Synopsis:

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia has led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when she learns, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city, her best friend, Kiernan, and the only life she’s ever known.
Sent to live with her only surviving relative, a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. Then she discovers that magic runs through her veins – long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control – and she realizes that she will never learn to be just a simple village girl.
Sinda returns to the city to seek answers. Instead, she rediscovers the boy who refused to forsake her, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor’s history, forever.

Rating:

Character Development: 6/10

Originality: 8/10

Overall Enjoyment: 9/10

Ending: 8/10

Voice: 7/10

Plot: 7/10

Setting: 9/10

Total Score: 54/70

Obtained: ARC from Egmont

Age Appropriate? G

Language: Not much cursing

Drugs, Alcohol, etc: None

Sexual Content: None

Disturbing Images/ Violence: Nothing too bad, just some blood and bruises

Review:

Fairytale princess stories... you gotta love 'em! With magic, conspiracy, love, and adventure, this fantasy is bright and unique, but familiar enough to be a good friend.

Bookish, determined Sinda is definitely a likable character, but her narration sometimes goes in loops or seems annoyingly childish. Kiernan, the good and dependable goofy best friend is always entertaining (and his whole "I'm totally in love but she's totally oblivious" thing is super cutesie). Philanthra, the kooky and frail witch is a lovable hoot. But all these faces lack more depth, which sometimes really bothered me. However! The story is very fairytale-esque, so the characters (more colorful than real), fit in with the style perfectly. Basically, I'm just being a whiner.

The plot and the setting are just as colorful as the characters. Secret doors, cryptic prophecies, unsolved mysteries... yay yay yay! The False Princess is a wonderfully enjoyable read.

LINKS:

Eilis O'Neal's Site

Egmont USA

The 2011 Book Drum Tournament

2011-02-02T14:30:00.004-06:00

www.bookdrum.com

Book Drum is a cool site dedicated to bringing books to life with pictures, videos, maps, and music. If you haven't checked it out yet, you definitely should.

It is now time for their 2011 Tournament.

If you are 18 or older, you have a chance to win £1,000 by making a profile for a book.

Profiles include:

Bookmarks: page-by-page commentary and illustration of the text

Setting: description and illustration of the main places or themes of the book

Glossary: foreign, invented and tricky words deciphered

Summary: objective synopsis of the book

Review: subjective analysis and evaluation of the book

Author: biographical information, interview videos, links and photos

Pretty nifty! More information for the tournament can be found here.

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

2011-02-01T07:06:00.057-06:00

This book will be available on February 1st.

Grade: B-

Fans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers--known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. The only problem? Their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. But even when cameras stop rolling, the show must o on, and on, and on...

Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until their far away from the Hollywood circuit that they realize there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.

Rating:

Character Development: 7/10
Originality: 6/10
Overall Enjoyment: 7/10
Ending: 8/10
Voice: 6/10
Plot: 5/10
Setting: 6/10
Total Score: 45/70

Obtained: Free ARC provided by publisher.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Some, but nothing too explicit.
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: References to illegal drug smoking and drunkenness.
Sexual Content: Some lewd humor and references, but no actual scenes.
Disturbing Images/Violence: None.

Review:

The first thing I must say about this book is that it was not nearly as stupid as I thought it would be. Based on the cover and the synopsis, I expected a gag-worthy read with no real substance. But...I was surprised. While not an earth-shakingly profound story, Jenna and Jonah's was intelligent and honest, without all that sappy stuff many "romance" books provide.

Honestly, if you're looking for romance, I would not suggest this book. It is about Charlie and Fielding's developing relationship, it's true, but there was not an excess of sexy scenes or too much romantic tension. For me, this was an enormous plus. Somehow, this book managed to be not cheesy, with the storyline progressing in perfect harmony with their relationship. Though sometimes the two characters seemed a bit out of sync (a product, I think, of the dual authorship of the novel), they were both fairly likable, mostly normal, and human. And the product was a very, very sweet story.

Now, if you're worried about the whole "Hollywood" aspect of the story, don't. Franklin and Halpin certainly don't paint the world of teen stars and television in an overdramaticized or romantic light. And while I know very little about that industry, it seemed to me to be more realistic than many interpretations. Still, it was a bit difficult for me at first to empathize with two people who were rich, famous, beautiful, and eventually, in love, but after a while it became clear that this life has its own kind of trials and tribulations.Though predictable in some sense and very nonthreatening, Jenna and Jonah's played out nicely, and it was certainly not a waste of time. Will I read it again? Probably not, but the book definitely has its place, and is a very worthy contribution to its genre.

LINKS:

Emily Franklin
Brendan Halpin

SUZANNE SELFORS CONTEST!

2011-01-27T21:21:00.005-06:00

In honor of the recent release of Suzanne Selfors' book

(in association with Walker Books/Bloomsbury)

MAD LOVE

Reading Rocks is hosting a contest!

A winner will receive a copy of both of these books!

Click here for our Coffeehouse Angel review!

(click the pics to go to Suzanne's site for more info)

Fill out the form below to enter.

US Residents only please.

The winner will be announced

FEBRUARY 18th

along with our review of Mad Love!

Interview with Pam Bachorz

2011-01-18T10:21:00.001-06:00

Pam Bachorz

is the author of Candor and Drought (coming Jan 25 2011!), both stories about "worlds just one twist away from ours".

Click on the covers to see our reviews.

How do you classify the novels you write? Why do you choose to write novels like these?

I like writing books about worlds just one twist away from ours... things that maybe are out there, if we squint and really look for them. I like writing books like these because my favorite stories are ones that just MIGHT happen... but are still fascinating in a way that our everyday world is not.

What do you consider the most important aspect of a good story?

For me, good writing is where a good story starts. I'll go anywhere a great author wants to take me with their story. I love when I read something completely outside of my typical reading genres, and be completely sucked in simply because the writing was stellar.

Is there a specific event/idea/thing that inspired you to write DROUGHT?

DROUGHT has several inspirations. The first was literally a flash of a vision. I was driving down a country road in upstate NY, and passed by an old red barn. For just a moment, I imagined a table inside, with a cloudy glass of water on it. A drop of blood fell in the water. So I played with that. The other inspiration is the setting: DROUGHT is set in the woods of upstate NY, where I spent my summers as a child.

What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

I hope, first and foremost, that they are entertained. Second, I hope the story perhaps gives readers the determination to do what they know is right, and to follow their own hearts.

How do you think the issues and themes in DROUGHT are most relevant to young adult readers?

I think young adult readers will identify with Ruby's dilemma of wanting to please her "family" while also needing to grow into an adult and follow her own dreams... Ruby has to make some tough choices that could mean angering or even losing her family. I also think young adult readers will identify with, at some level, Ruby's survival and fight against brutality. While most of us don't face a man with a whipping chain every day (thank goodness), we all have bullies in our lives.

PAM BACHORZ was interviewed by READING ROCKS on JANUARY 11, 2011.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2011-01-09T19:20:00.001-06:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.
But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 8/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 64/70

Obtained: Borrowed from our dear friend, StoryLove. :)

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: You know, usual modern-day teenage stuff. So, yes.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: A few scenes of teen drinking and severe drunkenness (all within the law, however, as it is France....) and a few references to drug use, I think...
Sexual Content: Several direct references to sex, but no actual scenes.
Disturbing Images/Violence: None.

Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect when picking up this book. I had heard rave reviews from friends, but the synopsis suggested the type of book I was, frankly, quite bored of reading over and over and over in every YA chick lit novel. To be honest, I was only convinced to pick this up when it was promoted by John Green in this Vlogbrother's video.

Needless to say, I am very impressed by Stephanie Perkins' story. It is above and beyond the average of this kind of story, and that's what makes it not only bearable, but flat-out remarkable. Unlike it's peers, this novel is very realistic, and written with an intelligent and humble voice. All of the characters (despite living alone in Paris) are very real American teenagers, and their drama, likewise, is incredibly accurate to that of real-life teens. It isn't too underplayed or overplayed, and it didn't portray the teens as fickle or extra mature. They are just themselves, unapologetic human adolescents.

Perhaps the most successful aspect of this book (predictably) is the wonderful Etienne St. Clair. Unlike most chick lit pretty boys, he has flaws. Massive, all-consuming, story-altering, awful little flaws that make you hate him a little bit even as you're falling in love with him. His character, his weaknesses, are what set him apart and make him all the more dazzling, and the patient pacing of his relationship with Anna, the edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense, the doubts and confusion and hopes and wishes--these are things that
make this book worth reading. This is how real romance actually happens; it's messy, confusing, painful, but ultimately worth it. And while, yeah, this may be Paris and it may be a boy named Etienne St Clair, and maybe most of us will never get shipped off to the School of America in Paris, this is still real. This is still true. And definitely worth the read.

LINKS:

Stephanie Perkins

Awakened Contest!

2011-01-04T18:15:00.000-06:00

To celebrate today's new book trailer and the release of 'AWAKENED', P.C and Kristin Cast's latest novel in the House of Night series, St. Martin's Press is offering a fantastic once in a lifetime chance for a fan and their guest to fly to Tulsa to tour the sites from the books and have lunch with the authors!

The lucky winner will receive a 3-day, 2-night trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma for two people which includes airfare, hotel accommodations, a tour of Tulsa and lunch on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at the Chalkboard Restaurant with the authors. In order to enter the promo, they must answer three questions about the series.

More about the contest here.

Contest rules

Also, St. Martin's is also holding a contest via the House of Night Facebook fan page. Fans can enter for a chance to win 1 of 30 complete sets of House of Night books. Click here for more info!

The New York Times-bestselling mother-daughter writing team of P.C. and Kristin Cast again prove why they have become a major force in teen fiction. With over 3 million copies of their books in print, a well-publicized film option, an updated interactive website and a daily-growing fan base, the Cast duo will command your attention with every page turn.

Grace by Elizabeht Scott

2011-01-03T06:36:00.000-06:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Grace was brought up to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom.

Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr in search of a border they may never reach, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

Ratings:

Character Development: 9/10
Originality: 10/10!
Ending: 9/10
Voice: 10/10
Plot: 8/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 66/70

Obtained: Bought secondhand.

Age Appropriate? R

Cursing: None that I recall
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Some reference to alcoholism
Sexual Content: Several references to sex
Disturbing Images/Violence: Suicide bombing, hangings, murders, child violence, graphic violence

Review:

Though a short novel told with sparing prose, Grace was incredibly powerful and told a message larger and possibly more important than any other. Set in a vivid conflicting world ruled by a violent dictator and his opposition who campaign for "peace", Scott creates a setting where good mirrors evil in many frightening ways. This book explores the true worth of life, the worth of self, in a world where self and life mean nothing in the face of sacrifice and death.

This book was simple and honest, yet it revealed more about Grace's character and world in a few words than most novels accomplish in chapters. Scott did not overplay or underplay anything--not the violence, not the sex, not the people, not the good or bad of each, and not her characters' strengths and flaws. The hero's choices were not always heroic or dramatic or poetic; often they were selfish, small, and arguably wrong -- but they were human choices. It is about the most selfish of all choices--the choice to live for yourself, unheroic, unmemorable, but alive. And this book is quietly shouting that this choice is not wrong. Extraordinary.

LINKS:

Elizabeth Scott
Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott (our review)

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

2011-01-02T08:24:00.001-06:00

Grade: A+

Ratings:
Character Development: 8/10
Originality: 9/10

Overall Enjoyment: 10/10
Ending: 7/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 9/10
Total Score: 61/70

Obtained: Birthday Gift!

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Some
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Many mentions of drunkenness and opium
Sexual Content: Referenced
Disturbing Images/Violence: Demon killing, murder

REVIEW:

Cassandra Clare has done it again! A vivid world and a twisted, exciting plot. Demons, warlocks, shadow hunters, clockwork creatures, evil, bravery... Clockwork Angel is an absolutely engrossing, epic read.

The characters in Clockwork Angel seemed far more developed than those in the Mortal Instruments series. Tessa was a good balance of spunk, courage, and wit, making her a much more valued heroine than Clary was to me. Will, while at first I was afraid would be too much like Jace, surprised me. I never connected the two in my mind. And Jem is, of course, an absolute gem!

Truthfully, sometimes I felt like certain things didn't really fit in with the time period. I think the writing seemed very modern, so whenever the characters spoke more formally and Victorian-like, it was almost stilted, and threw me off. A minor complaint, though.

I still feel jittery thinking about this wonderful read, those awesome characters, and that gripping story. Basically, I just need the second installment to be in stores. Now. But alas... I must wait to discover what the mysterious cliff hanger ending will result in. Sigh...

Sorry for the fan-girl review. I should work on that.

LINKS:

Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices

City of Bones Review

City of Ashes and City of Glass Review

Interview with Cassandra at RR

Geocaching: A North of Beautiful Experience

2010-12-30T20:28:00.015-06:00

We have decided to go on a series of bookish adventures in order to both promote these things and make the best of our free time. And where best to find adventures than in books? :) So, inspired by Justine Chen Headly's North of Beautiful, today SM and I went geocaching!

What is Geocaching?

(from geocaching.com)

Our Tools:

Two SmartPhones with GPS apps (we used the free iPhone app GPSLite Motion X -- seemed fairly accurate, if finicky at times)
Boots, jackets, gloves
A pen
A trinket to exchange

Our Experience:

It was a cool winter day when we went to the park with some coordinates plugged into our phones. We found the site without trouble in a copse of trees just off the trail, but locating the actual cache, said to be a glass jar, was far more difficult than we had anticipated.

The brush was thick, the ground was covered with a thick blanket of leaves, and there were brambles like you wouldn't believe. After an hour of searching and poking and digging and being attacked by angry thorns...

We gave up on the copse of trees and searched for a different cache. This one was supposed to be a 1.5-star (one is the easiest), located on the rocky underside of a bridge.

However simple it seemed, we could not find it, and, on the verge of giving up, we decided to go urban and find one located not far away in a parking lot, which was probably the easiest geocache in the world, but we are novices. :) So, after much frustration, we finally located an active cache behind a bush.

We took a Parasite Pal...

And left a monkey...

And the owners of the business near it, just recently introduced to geocaching, heard us whooping and celebrating, and came out to congratulate us. Absolutely adorable!

What We Learned/Tips for You:

Get a geocaching.com account.
Bring friends!
Make sure you go in full trekking gear, and be prepared to bushwhack and dig. BEWARE OF THORNS!
Bring a trinket that is small enough to fit in a pill bottle, yet cool enough to be desirable to other geocachers.
If you live in a place that has lots of trees, beware that fallen leaves may make it more difficult to spot a cache in the fall and wintertime.
Don't be discouraged -- start off easy your first time, and try several caches before giving up. There are caches for all levels of adventurousness.
Beware of Muggles (non-geocachers) ;)

LINKS:

geocaching.com - official site for the worldwide treasure hunt!

Our North of Beautiful review

Justina Chen Headly

Giveaway- I Don't Want to Kill You

2010-12-28T15:54:00.003-06:00

My name is JOHN CLEAVER and I've killed two people.

But I don't want to KILL you.

Honest.

The men I killed were DEMONS: actual, physical MONSTERS, who survive by taking the bodies, identities, and lives of innocent people. They are PREDATORS, and we are their PREY, and I'm the only one who can stop them because I'm a predator too. One by one, I'll kill every KILLER in the world.

My name is John Cleaver, and I don't want to KILL you. But I will if I have to.

LINKS:

Dan Wells

Headline Fiction

Contest Information:

-Entrants must be 13 years or older

-US residents only

-Contest deadline is January 15

-Fill out a form below!

Sucking the Marrow Out of Life

2010-12-26T18:24:00.004-06:00

I've been pondering lately the little joys of life-- well, of my life anyway-- reading, of course, being one of them. Constantly, my thoughts have brought me back to my childhood.

Childhood is a time of life in which the person is not burdened with responsibility, obligation, work, or worry. It's a time where taking naps is dreaded, for in those couple hours, so much of the day can be missed. Childhood, simply put, is a time of living.

My memories of childhood are so vibrant and bright. I grew up constantly reading books, writing stories, and playing imaginary games with my siblings and friends. When I remember those stories, I don’t remember pages or words; I remember interesting characters, far off places, and daring adventures. When I remember playing imaginary games, I don’t see my backyard or living room; I see a time machine, a pirate ship, my high tech spy gear. I remember the exhilaration of travelling to different places, of becoming a different person, figuring that person out, and of not limiting myself in any way, shape, or form. In my imaginary worlds, anything was possible. I lost this freedom when, like most children, I became too old and grew out of imaginary games.

But I still have reading. I still have writing. I have theatre; I have photography; I have all the other little things that just make me happy. That inspire me to live.

So often I'm swept up in responsibility, in work, in things I'm obligated to do, but don't want to. I get so caught up, so busy, I forget to look at life through the eyes of a child. I forget to see the world colorfully. I can't even allow my swamped mind to escape, just briefly, into a book. I cherish taking naps. My life becomes... boring, stressful, unsatisfying. Days flash by quickly, and nothing truly memorable affects them. Routine. Routine. Routine.

Routine is exactly how I do not want to live. Good old Thoreau will sum up my outlook on this matter perfectly: I want to always "live deep and suck all the marrow out of life".

So for this new year, I will live. I will read more. I will write more. I will create. I will go on spontaneous adventures. I will do whatever the hell I feel like doing! And it will be grand. :)

Speaking of grand... improv everywhere is almost too awesome for me to handle. Observe:

Happy reading, everyone! :)

Drought by Pam Bachorz

2010-12-21T13:25:00.008-06:00

Available this January

GRADE: A

Synopsis:

Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation. Escape from slaver Darwin West and his cruel Overseers. Escape from the backbreaking work of gathering Water. Escape from living as if it is still 1812, the year they were all enslaved.

When Ruby meets Ford--an irresistible, kind, forbidden new Overseer--she longs to run away with him to the modern world, where she could live a normal teenage live. Escape with Ford would be so simple.

But if Ruby leaves, her community is condemned to certain death. She, alone, possess the secret ingredient that makes the Water so special--her blood--and it's the one thing that the Congregation cannot live without.

Drought is the haunting story of one community’s thirst for life, and the dangerous struggle of the only girl who can grant it.

Ratings:

Character Development: 7/10
Originality: 7/10

Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 5/10
Voice: 10/10
Plot: 8/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 56/70

Obtained: From Publisher (Egmont USA)

Age Appropriate? R

Cursing: Some
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: None
Sexual Content: Referenced
Disturbing Images/Violence: Murder, whipping, death, slavery

Review:

Pam Bachorz has a very eloquent, yet gripping writing style and a strong voice. Though the novel was set in a small strip of land, the simple little places in that perimeter were so vividly described and intriguing that the setting became one of the most powerful aspects of the book. Drought was a thought provoking novel about faith, love versus loyalty, and desperation.

The ending, however, left me feeling somewhat... incomplete. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it seemed too anti-climactic compared to the building tension. Maybe it seemed like Ruby was acting out of character. Maybe it seemed like so much was still unresolved, unanswered; like the solution Ruby chose was just too simple. Most likely, it was a mix of all of those things. Or maybe I just missed something and need to reread this particular book to somehow figure it out.

Drought was most definitely worth the read, though. The concept is intriguing, the writing is lovely, and the story, so filled with hope, yet so devastatingly brutal, demands the reader's attention.

LINKS:

Pam Bachorz

Egmont USA

Un-Reviews

2010-12-20T10:30:00.000-06:00

Recently, for some reason, there have been a few books I have encountered that I have been unable to finish for one reason or another. I don't want to review a book I haven't completed, that seems unfair, so for these three books I'm giving "un-reviews", just my initial impressions and why I could not finish them. Enjoy!

Symir: The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
Completed: 173 of 351 pages

Symir -- the Drowning City. Home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government. For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers -- even the dead are plotting. As the waters rise and the dams crack, Isyllt must choose between her mission and the city she came to save.

IMPRESSIONS: This book was fast-paced and written well, but the story and the world were just so complicated, it took a lot of mental effort to figure out what was going on. One day, I hope to return to this book, because it was quality fantasy, but that would require me to be able to focus entirely on this book and nothing else. I would still recommend this, though, to people who enjoy intense, all-consuming reads.

Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst
Completed: 107 out of 309 pages

What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!

Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.

When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future.

IMPRESSIONS: I adored Sarah Beth Durst's earlier book Ice, and I expected the same kind of story here. Unfortunately, that was not the case. While I give kudos to Durst for variety, I could not stay hooked on Lily's story. The writing itself was as sturdy as ever, but the world (a magical parallel world at Princeton) and the characters did not appeal to me. It was too typical, very modern-fantasy/paranormal/girl discovers she is the key to everything. That sort of thing. And while really this would be an excellent read for a lot of YA readers, it wasn't for me.

Logic of Demons: The Quest for Nadine's Soul by H. A. Goodman
Completed: 118 out of 262 pages

What would you do if the love of your life was murdered by a deranged killer? Would you become a vigilante and seek retribution? And would this revenge affect those you care for in the afterlife? Logic of Demons: The Quest for Nadine's Soul takes you on a journey inside the psyches of men and women forced to deal with the spiritual consequences of their decisions. Through the lives of a demon, two Angels, and a mysterious teenage girl, a plethora of politically and socially relevant issues ranging from the roots of genocide and sex trafficking to child conscription and religious fundamentalism are addressed in this fantasy thriller. Life as well as the afterlife converge in this novel to explain certain peculiarities of the human condition.

IMPRESSIONS: The concept of this book is interesting. It seems original and unique, and it is. The plot and the premise are not the problems with this book. For me, it was the pace and the writing style. This is a slow book, very in the characters' minds as they make decisions and such, which is, I suppose, the whole point. But I didn't like it. The writing had its moments, definitely, and was at times quite impressive, but it wasn't very consistent and I felt like it was sometimes trying too hard to connect with the reader.

Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody

2010-12-12T18:25:00.000-06:00

Grade: High A/Low A+

Synopsis:

In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh. And for Elspeth Gordie, it is also dangerous. That's because Elspeth has a secret: she is a Misfit with mysterious mental abilities that she must keep secret under threat of death. Burdened by her mutation, she leads the fearful, isolated life of an orphan. And her fears only multiply when she is exiled to the mountain compound known as Obernewtyn, where--for all her talents--Elspeth may finally and truly be out of her depth. For she's not the only one concealing secrets at Obernewtyn. And someone within its walls seeks the most dangerous secret of them all--one that may revive the very forces that nearly destroyed the world.

Ratings:

Character Development: 8/10
Originality: 8/10
Ending: 7/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 60/70

Obtained: Library.

Age Appropriate? PG

Cursing: Limited, if any
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Medical drugs (misuse of...), some reference to alcohol consumption, I think
Sexual Content: None.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Murder, abuse of children, some graphic violence.

Review:

This was an incredibly gripping read from the very beginning. A typical fantasy, Obernewtyn was nonetheless riddled with surprising turns, exciting plot development, and intrigue. The society Carmody has created in these Chronicles is quite impressive and fascinating, along with a captivating cast of mysterious characters that I long to know more about. Like many books of this sort, it is very plot-driven, and therefore very fast-paced and thorough. With such dramatic settings, dark themes, and exciting action, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment. A wonderful read for lovers of fantasy and adventure.

LINKS:

Obernewtyn.net

Shake it Up!

2010-12-08T21:21:00.001-06:00

This song is so precious! Yes, it's completely un-book-related, but that don't matter! We're shakin' it up. :)

There's a Story I was told,

and I want to tell the world before I get too old.

Once upon a time in a town like this
A little girl made a great big wish
To fill the world full of happiness
And be on Santa's magic list

At the same time miles away
A little boy made a wish that day
That the world would be okay
And Santa Claus would hear him say
I got dreams and I got love
I got my feet on the ground
And family above
Can you send some happiness?
With my best to the rest
Of the people of the East and the West And
Maybe every once in a while you
Get my grandma a reason to smile
Tis the season of smile
It's cold but we'll be freezing in style
Let me meet a girl one day that
Wants to spread some love this way
We can let our souls run free and
She can open some happiness with me

-Train, Shake up Christmas

Got Holiday Spirit?

Send some happiness into the world.

Smile.

Love.

Shake up some happiness!

And, as always,

Happy Reading!

Star Crossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

2010-12-07T14:26:00.004-06:00

Grade: High A

Synopsis:

Digger thrives as a spy and sneak-thief among the feuding religious factions of Gerse, dodging the Greenmen who have banned all magic. But when a routine job goes horribly wrong and her partner and lover Tegen is killed, she has to get out of the city, fast, and hides herself in a merry group of nobles to do so. Accepted as a lady's maid to shy young Merista Nemair, Digger finds new peace and friendship at the Nemair stronghold--as well as plenty of jewels for the taking. But after the devious Lord Daul catches her in the act of thievery, he blackmails her into becoming his personal spy in the castle, and Digger soon realizes that her noble hosts aren't as apolitical as she thought... that indeed, she may be at the heart of a magical rebellion.

Rating:
Character Development: 9/10
Originality: 7/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Setting: 9/10
Total Score: 57/70

Obtained: Publisher

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Some
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Drinking
Sexual Content: None
Disturbing Images/Violence: Gruesome injury and death

Review:

Elizabeth C. Bunce creates a vivid and intriguing setting. It is easy to be swept up into the commotion of Digger's life, and difficult to pull yourself out again. Fantasy, mystery, action, magic... Star Crossed is a mixture of them all, combined to create an exponentially enthralling read.

The characters all have secrets.

The plot is beautifully woven.

The protagonist is an absolute bad ass.

Star Crossed is a great read and I can't wait to immerse myself in Digger's world again in Liar's Moon.

LINKS:

Elizabeth's Site

Article: Author Shanice Williams on her Journey to Publishing

2010-12-02T06:01:00.001-06:00

My Journey: Wattpad Author Shanice Williams on Her Journey to Publishing

An interesting article about the publishing process in the YA field.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

2010-11-30T20:42:00.000-06:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

It's not that far from Evanston to Naperville, but Chicago suburbanites Will Grayson and Will Grayson might as well live on different planets. When fate delivers them both to the same surprising crossroads, the WIll Graysons find their lives overlapping and hurtling in new and unexpected directions. With a push from friends new and old--including the massive, and massively fabulous, Tiny Cooper, offensive lineman and musical theater auteur extraordinaire--Will and Will begin building toward respective romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history's most awesome high school musical.

Rating:

Character Development: 9/10
Originality: 10/10!
Overall Enjoyment: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Setting: 7/10
Total Score: 62/70

Obtained: Library

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Frequently and without shame.
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Some teen drinking (and false ID use) and drunkenness, as well as references to drugs.
Sexual Content: Much reference to sex, sodomy, porn, etc, etc.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Nothing really...

Review:

This book contains a surprising number of strange and wonderful things, but one thing that is consistently wonderful is the brilliant, if off-color, wit of this god-like writing team. John Green and David Levithan, two of the most intelligent and imaginative of today's YA fiction authors, paired up to create this massively original masterpiece of two normal-ish boys and their trials and errors as they navigate teenage life.

That is one thing that I feel Green and Levithan have captured perfectly in this book--teenagerdom. And though, yes, not every teenager is like this, they treat their characters respectfully, as kids with a full range of human emotion and a properly functioning brain (i.e. defying all stereotypes), something I think many YA authors, regardless of age, overlook. Green and Levithan create three-dimensional characters with three(or four, or five)-dimensional problems that have no easy solution. And though their lives may be odd and unconventional, they still seem to reflect the demographic they represent. Yes, emotional, rash, sometimes petty, sometimes selfish, sometimes cruel, but essentially good, essentially true, and always searching for their perfect place and peace of mind.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a book that is tight with pent-up emotion, full of tangled messes, and, at times, flamboyantly gay. But it is humorous in a way that will make you laugh out loud, touching in a way that will make you cry, and beautiful in a way that will make you think. A fantastic read.

LINKS:

John Green
David Levithan
Will Grayson FAQ
Interesting ShelfLife.com interview with both authors
Looking For Alaska by John Green review
Paper Towns by John Green review
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Stay with Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr

2010-11-22T12:23:00.001-06:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Stay With Me
is about how
impossible
and
important
love
is.

Ratings:

Character Development: 10/10!
Originality: 10/10
Overall Enjoyment: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Voice: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 69/70

Obtained: Library.

Age Appropriate? R

Cursing: Yes, but limited.
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Some adult drinking, references to using pills illegally (forged prescription)
Sexual Content: Much. Several actual scenes that are kind of graphic, in a sense. A lot of discussion. Also, illegal relationships/sexual activity because of age.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Suicide is a major theme. References to the 9/11 attack on New York.

Review:

Stay With Me is a true masterpiece of character development, as well as being one of the most touching books I've read in a long time.The story was challenging, strange, intelligent. It expected the patience and awareness of its reader, and was unapologetically true. It did not try to be spectacular or extraordinary or stand out--and yet it did all these things, quietly to itself.

This deals with all sorts of difficult subjects--divorce, independence, suicide, sex, love, broken families, dyslexia. But the narrator, a teenage girl working through all these issues by herself, is such a strong, beautiful character, and just so real, that it makes these things relatively minor. It isn't about the struggles, or how hard life is--it is about Leila, her emotional growth, and learning to live. Her narration is like a transcript straight out of her heart, and, though she has problems I have never dealt with, they resonate universally, because they are not normal. How many of us actually deal with problems we think of as "normal"? Leila's life--and the book itself--is the opposite of normal. Or maybe it's unusually normal. But her analytical, self-doubting, good-hearted nature complements her story so well, you cannot help but hurt and heal along with her.

LINKS:

Garret Freyman-Weyr

50 Books Every Woman Should Read

2010-11-15T07:19:00.000-06:00

Associatedegrees.com has compiled a list of 50 books every young woman should read, divided into Classics, Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Coming of Age, Young Adult and Children's Lit, Female Relationships, Nonfiction, and Stories, Poetry, and Plays.

I most want to read Ariel by Sylvia Plath, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortinson and Oliver Relin, and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Attwood.

Check out the list here!

Night Star Trailer

2010-11-14T22:26:00.002-06:00

Alyson Noël's newest addition to the "Immortals" series, NIGHT STAR, will be available November 16.

"Night Star continues the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. In this installment, Ever and Damen face down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Night Star is guaranteed to mesmerize fans and leave them breathlessly awaiting the sixth and final book!"

LINKS:

Immortals Series Website:
ttp://www.ImmortalsSeries.com

Immortals Series Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/ImmortalsSeries?v=app_6009294086

Interview with Jonathon Maberry and EXCERPT from Rot & Ruin

2010-11-13T07:11:00.000-06:00

JONATHAN MABERRY

is a New York Times best-selling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing teacher/lecturer. His books have been sold to more than a dozen countries. His novels include the Pine Deep Trilogy: GHOST ROAD BLUES (winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel), DEAD MAN’S SONG, and BAD MOON RISING; the Joe Ledger series of action thrillers from St. Martin’s Griffin: PATIENT ZERO (winner of the Black Glove Award for Best Zombie Novel of the Year, and in development for TV), THE DRAGON FACTORY, THE KING OF PLAGUES; THE WOLFMAN; the Benny Imura series of Young Adult dystopian zombie thrillers from Simon & Schuster: ROT & RUIN and DUST & DECAY; and the forthcoming standalone zombie thriller DEAD OF NIGHT. His nonfiction works include: VAMPIRE UNIVERSE, THE CRYPTOPEDIA (winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction; co-authored by David F. Kramer), ZOMBIE CSU: The Forensics of the Living Dead (Winner of the Hinzman and Black Quill Awards and nominated for a Stoker Award), THEY BITE! (with David F. Kramer), and WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE (with Janice Gable Bashman). His work for Marvel includes BLACK PANTHER: POWER, KLAWS OF THE PANTHER, CAPTAIN AMERICA: HAIL HYDRA, DOOMWAR and MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN. Jonathan has been a popular writing teacher and career counselor for writers for the last two decades. He teaches a highly regard series of classes and workshops including Write Your Novel in Nine Months, Revise & Sell, Experimental Writing for Teens, and others. Many of his students have gone on to publish in short and novel-length fiction, magazine feature writing, nonfiction books, TV, film, and comics. In 2004 Jonathan was inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame largely because of his extensive writings in that field. Visit his website at www.jonathanmaberry.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, GoodReads, Library Thing, Shefari and Plaxo.

And now for the interview...

Why did you decide to write about zombies in Rot and Ruin?

I’ve always loved zombie stories, ever since I was ten and saw NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD for the first time. And I’ve loved post-apocalyptic stories ever since I first read I AM LEGEND, which author Richard Matheson gave me a copy of when I was fourteen.

Last year I was approached by editor Christopher Golden to write a novella for a zombie anthology, THE NEW DEAD. Golden wanted each writer on the project to do something different. All of my novels up to that point had been about adults in crisis, so I decided to explore the experience of a teenager dealing with something vastly beyond his control. During the writing of the novella I fell in love with the characters and the world of the Rot & Ruin (which is what everything is called that’s beyond the fenceline of the small town in which the characters live).

Then, after the story was delivered, my agent asked if that story could be expanded into a novel. I said that it would be easy to do because there was so much more about that world that I wanted to tell. She sold the rights to two novels to Simon & Schuster and I dug in to write ROT & RUIN.

This week I turned in the final draft of the second book, DUST & DECAY; and there’s a possibility of more books. There are a whole lot of stories about this world that I want to tell.

What is experimental writing and why did you choose to teach it to teens?

By the time most writers hit their twenties they know –or they think they know—what kind of writing they want to do. They often become fixated on being a poet, a short story writer, a novelist. And more than they, they confined themselves to specific sub-genre. They don’t just want to write a novel, they want to specifically write a paranormal romance, or a literary novel, or a military science fiction, or whatever. The problem is that they lock themselves into one vision of what their writing could be, and that isn’t necessarily the kind of writing they can do best. But they never try anything else.

In my teen class, I expose the students to as many different kinds of writing as possible and encourage them to try it. We’ll do some sessions on epic poetry, then move to narrative nonfiction, then onto crime fiction, then onto something else. The students get to work on short stories, novels, articles, poetry, spoken word, then onto something else.

We also cover the aspects of style. Descriptive and figurative language, scene building, pace, voice, point of view…just about everything.

The students do two or three writing exercises per session and everyone reads their writing aloud. Everyone participates in a discussion.

The upshot is that the students try everything, so that when they decide to write something for submission, they’ve tried their hand at so many genres, they’ll know which one is really right for them. Or, more often, they learn that they can write anything.

Recently one of my students got picked up by a major New York agent for a novel she wrote in class.

Why should we read Rot and Ruin, or any of your other books?

MABERRY: Like all good horror stories, ROT & RUIN isn’t about the monsters. It’s about how people confront a shared catastrophe. Ever since NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD zombies have been ‘stand ins’ for things we’re afraid of. In the Living Dead movies zombies have symbolized racism, rampant consumerism, sexism, loss of identity. In more modern zombie stories –including my forthcoming novel, DEAD OF NIGHT (St. Martins Griffin, Summer 2011) zombies symbolize our fear of a global disaster, such as a pandemic.

When I wrote ROT & RUIN, I wasn’t writing about people fighting zombies. I was writing about how a teenager tries to understand the world in which he lives. During our teen years, our worldview changes from what we know in our neighborhood to what we know about the whole world. We see our place in the scheme of things and that is often at odds with how we THOUGHT the world was.

Benny Imura, the fifteen year old hero of the tale, learns a lot about the value of human life, the nature of his own assumptions, and the level of his own courage.

ROT & RUIN is fun, fast-paced, filled with wild characters, and has tons of action. It also has characters you will like and who you can believe in.

What do you think is most unique about your writing?

Everything I do has a sense of humor. Even my most intense thrillers and my scariest horror have humor. That’s a reflection of my personality. Humor is so powerful. It uplifts you. It peels back the darkness. I had a lot of darkness in my life, some pretty rough patches. Humor was one of the things that helped me maintain my optimism no matter how bad things got.

Nowadays I infuse my writing with it because it’s such a part of real life.

Plus, these days I’m a very happy guy living a great life. So, I laugh a lot, and so do my characters.

Read the first 13 pages of Rot & Ruin now!

JONATHON MABERRY was interviewed on NOVEMBER 6, 2010 by READING ROCKS.

Interview with Jenny Davidson

2010-11-11T19:08:00.001-06:00

Jenny Davidson, author of The Explosionist and the upcoming novel Invisible things joins us today for an interview.

About the book...

Invisible Things will be available on November 23rd!

Sixteen-year-old Sophie knows there is more to the story of her parents' death. And she's on a mission to find the truth. To aid her in solving the decades-old mystery, Sophie has enlisted her best friend, Mikael, whose friendship has turned into something more. It's soon clear that Sophie's future is very much wrapped up in the details of her family's past, and the key lies with information only one man can provide: her parents' former employer, the elusive billionaire Alfred Nobel.
As the threat of war looms in Europe, dangers to Sophie and her loved ones grow. While her determination to solve the mystery doesn't waver, forces beyond her control conspire to keep her from her purpose. Then, news of her great-aunt Tabitha's death sets off a chain of events that leaves Sophie questioning everything.
The more Sophie learns, the more she realizes that nothing—and no one—in her life is what it seems. And coming to terms with the dark secrets she uncovers means imagining a truth that she never dreamed possible. Full of gorgeous settings, thrilling adventure, and romance, invisible things is a novel that dares to ask, what if?

And now for the interview...

Where is your favorite place in the world?

I have lots of different answers to this. The library - the water - New York City - wherever my boyfriend is. I do feel, though, that I am most myself in the stacks of a huge library with a list of interesting things I'm looking for.

Why did you choose to set your novel, THE EXPLOSIONIST, in an alternate version of 1930s Edinburgh? What does "alternate version" mean exactly?

In this world, Napoleon beat Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo in the early nineteenth century (in our world, it was the other way around), and the entire configuration of the world looks quite different politically. Of course, it is also true in this alternate world that some people can build radios to talk to dead people, and spiritualism is a real scientific phenomenon rather than a crypto-science...

How has teaching impacted your writing?

I would find it difficult, I think, to be a full-time writer. I love solitude but it can be very demoralizing working so very much on your own. I enjoy the lively and stimulating students I have at Columbia, and I find that a spell of teaching alternates very well with a spell of writing: each one makes me eager to experience the other, and very much able to appreciate its advantages!

Did you have someone who mentored you in your writing or was it independent?

I've had lots of people over the years who've helped me in one way or another - my first editor at HarperTeen, Ruth Katcher, taught me a great deal about writing. But in the end you have to learn this stuff on your own by way of a lot of drafting and revising and re-drafting and revising yet again, long past the point where you are totally sick of your manuscript!

You've written a few historical nonfiction books. Why did you choose to write YA?

On the whole, I would say that I've written two different kinds of books so far: books of literary criticism/nonfiction that are connected to my work as an English professor teaching eighteenth-century literature and novels. My first novel was not a YA book; I didn't write The Explosionist as YA originally, but those were the editors who were most excited about it, so that's where we went. To me there's not that clear a division between the two kinds of books: a lot of the "adult" novels that I like most have teenage protagonists, and I wrote these books in that sort of spirit. (I'm thinking of Rebecca West's The Fountain Overflows in particular, but there are countless others: Dickens' David Copperfield would be another good example.)

Do you prefer nonfiction or YA?

I am a die-hard novel reader! But from a writerly standpoint, I definitely find novels harder to write than nonfiction - I love doing historical research and finding out interesting things and incorporating it into description, but I find that really engaging story-telling is something that comes a little less easily to me. I am full of envy for a writer like Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratchett who is truly an absolutely natural storyteller - other favorites of mine in the YA realm include Eva Ibbotson, Diana Wynne Jones and Robin McKinley.

What is your favorite aspect of writing?

I like the steady pull forward to produce a first draft - I usually have a system whereby I sit down every morning (not every day of my life, just the times when I'm actually working on a project!) and have to stay there till I produce that day's quota, which is usually about 1500 words. I write with pen and paper for the first draft, as I find it makes things go more steadily forward if I can't linger over a paragraph and tinker with it. But I do enjoy polishing prose and turning a rough and unwieldy first draft into something more polished.

JENNY DAVIDSON was interviewed on MAY 3, 2010 by READING ROCKS.

Class of 2K11!

2010-11-11T07:51:00.001-06:00

Keep up with Debut YA/MG Authors in 2011 (and their books!) at the new site that launches today

CLASS OF 2K11!

dedicated entirely to these great authors:

Julia Karr

Bettina Restrepo

Amy Holder

Carole Estby Dagg

Angie Smibert

K. Ryer Breese

Gae H. Polisner

Christina Mandelski

Sheila O’Connor

Alissa Grosso

Tara Hudson

Geoff Herbach

Carrie Harris

Amy Fellner Dominy

Caroline Starr Rose

Tess Hilmo

Megan Bostic

Trinity Faegen

Kiki Hamilton

The Haunted by Jessica Verday

2010-11-06T14:46:00.001-05:00

Grade: High A

Synopsis:

After months spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with--the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead--Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, ready to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, her perfume making, and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, her just might be her ticket to getting over Caspian once and for ll.

But Abbey can never get over Caspian, and Csapian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny. They are tied to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow and the famous legend that binds their fates--a legend whose dark truths they are only beginning to guess...

Ratings:

Character Development: 7/10
Originality: 7/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 10/10
Voice: 9/10
Plot: 8/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 59/70

Obtained: Free finished copy provided by author.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: Some, but not much.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: Some references to drugs I believe, some adult drinking and drunkenness.
Sexual Content: Some short conversations, no real scenes
Disturbing Images/Violence: Some violence and some death; some references to abusive relationships.

Review:

I didn't really know what to expect from this book. Its prequel, The Hollow, was good enough to make me want to read this installment. I remember it as being exciting, fast-paced, and involved. The Haunted certainly lived up to these standards, and there isn't much to criticize.

Note: Read The Hollow before starting. The Hollow had an incredibly complex plot that I am sorry to say has mostly fled my memory in the year since I've read it, and The Haunted, of course, builds off of that. While it didn't necessarily detract from the overall experience, I was slightly distracted and confused at some points. This may also be a product of the relative slow-ness of this installment; The Haunted had fewer plot-twists, fewer action scenes, and a lot more emotional and intellectual stuff. I didn't mind this; in face, I kind of preferred it. But it made these 500 pages seem a lot longer than the last.

As far as characterization goes, I think that Verday has created a very teenagery character in Ben, and I was delighted to get to know him better in this book. Abbey continued to be a pretty strong heroine, though with less of her grief that was present in the last book, I think her emotions weren't quite as interesting. My only real problem lies with Caspian. While he as a character is wonderfully crafted and I loved all the exposition on him in this volume, his relationship with Abbey seemed...different, somehow. Less authentic. As they fell more and more in love and struggled against the ever-frustrating problem of being unable to touch each other, I felt less sympathy or happiness at their togetherness. From Abbey's perspective, he became more of that typical paranormal-romance kind of guy (i.e. the tortured-and-screwed-up-with-no-real-purpose-except-to-worship-his-lover kind).

Other than that, the book was great, a wonderful balance of the average, the mysterious, and the fantastical that complemented its prequel very nicely. If you enjoyed The Hollow, The Haunted is definitely worth a shot.

LINKS:

Jessica Verday
The Hollow review

Note: Also, you should visit Abbey's Hollow (part of Jessica Verday's site) and check out the perfume samples available for purchase that go hand-in-hand with the story. How awesome!

The Bad Queen by Carolyn Meyers

2010-10-30T11:26:00.000-05:00

Grade: High A

Synopsis:

Marie-Antoinette is given endless instructions before she leaves Austria at the age of fourteen to marry the dauphin of France. In her new home at the grand palace of Versailles, her every move is scrutinized by the cruel and gossipy members of the French court. Marie-Antoinette tries to adhere to their stifling rules of etiquette, but sometimes, this fun-loving young woman can't help but indulge herself with scandalous fashions, taboo recreations, elaborate parties--even a forbidden romance.

Most damaging to her reputation is that after years of marriage, Marie-Antoinette has not fulfilled the most important requirement: to produce an heir to the throne. Sadness and frustration lead the young queen to become even more recklessly extravagant in her ways, much to the outrage of the poor and suffering common people of France.

When angry revolutionaries arrive at Versailles to take her and the king the Paris, Marie-Antoinette has no idea what horrors are in store. The luxurious life she led, and the monarchy she spent her entire life serving, are about to come crashing down. Though she would be remembered by the revolutionaries as an obscene spendthrift, perhaps Marie-Antoinette had more in common with them than they thought--for she too was a rebel who lived by her own rules.

Rating:

Character Development: 6/10
Originality: 7/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 57/70

Obtained: Library. :)

Age Appropriate? R

Cursing: Some, but limited. And you must remember the time period.
Drugs, Alcohol, etc: Some drinking and drunkenness.
Sexual Content: It is a major theme of the book, but is tread around lightly considering the age.
Disturbing Images/Content: Much much MUCH violence (come on, it's Marie Antoinette, the French Revolution) and disturbing images of disembowling and beheading (ich!).

Review:

I don't usually enjoy Carolyn Meyer's Young Royals books. I find them dry and uninteresting with no real life. This one, however, was wonderfully different from its sisters. The writing was vivid and captivating, and the setting was just so colorful! Everyone's heard the story of Marie Antoinette, but I've never thought much beyond what the movie version could tell me. This version humanized her, showed the reader what her motives were, what the circumstances were, and how, really, she did not deserve her death.

My only complaint with this book is that the queen herself, though the narrator of the story, was rather inconsistent as a character. On one hand, she was very dimensional in her narration, but her personality there did not add up with her personality in action. We watch her grow up from an uncomfortable young Austrian princess and become this mighty young queen, yet her selfishness and her thoughtlessness do not grow up with her--they appear out of nowhere about halfway through the book. I felt like even though she intimated her thoughts in the narration, we as readers never got to truly know this woman or her heart.

However, I felt that Meyers took a unique approach to this tale. She did not immediately condemn Antoinette, nor did she glorify her. Her sole goal was to portray the queen in her natural habitat, as she (probably) really was, and leave judging her character up to the reader.

LINKS:

Carolyn Meyers
Marie Antoinette

Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

2010-10-22T07:26:00.061-05:00

This book will be available this month.

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Note: If I were you, I would read the book before the synopsis. This will make it far more interesting.

Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens--until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate when he sails for the settlement with supplies, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists--and Cate--increasingly turn to. Yet even as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh begin to fade and she discovers a new loe in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World...

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 9/10
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 10/10
Voice: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 65/70

Obtained: Free ARC provided by publisher.

Age Appropriate? PG-13

Cursing: None, if any.
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: None
Sexual Content: Mild references only, some infidelity in minor/background characters
Disturbing Images/Violence: Some graphic violence, starvation, and poverty.

Review:

In the typical style of the talented Lisa Klein, Cate of the Lost Colony is a highly adventurous, exciting work of historical fiction. She makes a story we all learn in American History -- the story of Roanoke, the lost colony of legend -- five times as interesting and a lot more meaningful. She effortlessly brings to life the contrast between the dramatic and luxurious English court under Queen Elizabeth I and the harsh, wild, uncivilized Americas on the brink of colonization.

This was an incredibly original tale. Though occasionally tedious, the narration was smooth and the action constant. I particularly loved the integration of historical documents like letters and diary entries that assisted in telling the tale. On a more literary note, I found it refreshing that our heroine, the spunky and passionate Lady Cate, is not part of a typical "love triangle". That is, she is not the object of two equally dashing young men's affections, but is instead a corner in a love square that is as full of confusion, doubt, and human error as any real-life relationship.

This novel really opened my eyes to the struggles of the earliest Americans in a way that no history teacher could ever accomplish, but that is really a side note to the real drama playing out: one of love, betrayal, banishment, and survival. Klein's characters are complex and human, each a delicate mixture of flaws and strengths that added infinite dimension to the story. The plot continues effortlessly, with every chapter bringing more trials and more triumphs for our heroine and her companions. Lisa Klein is a gifted writer, and this book, more than perhaps any of her others, truly embodies what a historical fiction novel can--and should--be.

LINKS:

Lisa Klein
A Picture Slideshow Relevant to the Novel
Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein (review)

Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo COMPLETE!

2010-10-20T19:23:00.001-05:00

If you haven't read Lisa Jensen's thrilling pirate adventure/romance, The Witch from the Sea, you definitely should. See our A+ review here.

And if you have read Witch, you'll be delighted to know that the sequel is now available online in full at
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com/

Read the continuing story of Jack and Tory, along with exclusive material such as illustrations, historical information, and extras that go hand-in-hand with the book. It's all quite exciting.

Thanks Lisa!

I read banned books.

2010-10-15T23:23:00.007-05:00

The wise words of author John Green:

The intriguing paintings of Dana Ellyn, a Washington D.C. artist, on book banning:

"Savior"

Inspired by Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451

For more of her paintings reflecting book banning, visit Dana Ellyn's site.

We have voices for a reason...

To be heard.

Freedom of the press is freedom of the mind.

Check back for more posts concerning banned books.

Happy reading!

Inspire

2010-10-14T21:52:00.010-05:00

I have been messing around with http://mrdoob.com/projects/harmony/. Yes that's how this wonderful creation has come to life...

And here is another one...

Because coffee is delicious and it's quite a wonderful thing to have in my hand when I'm curled up reading on a chilly fall day...

But on a more bookish (though still random) note, and for your viewing pleasure...

Luke Conard and Ryan Seiler

singing Our Town (a Ministry of Magic song)

Guest Blog With Stephen Cushman

2010-10-10T15:20:00.009-05:00

STEVE CUSHMAN's newest novel, Heart with Joy, will be out this Fall.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In Heart With Joy, fifteen year old Julian Hale’s life is turned upside down when his mother suddenly moves from North Carolina to Florida under the pretense of running her parents’ motel and finishing the novel she has been writing for years. While Julian has always been closer to his mother and wants to go with her, she tells him he has to stay with his father until the end of the school year.

Six weeks after his mother leaves, Julian’s father decides to run a marathon. Once Julian agrees to help him train, the two develop the sort of close relationship they’ve never had before. Also, with the help of an elderly neighbor, who loves to spend her days bird-watching, Julian learns that the most important thing in life is to follow your heart. And Julian’s heart leads him to a passion for cooking and a young cashier at the local grocery store even as his own parents drift apart. By the end of the novel, Julian is forced to choose between staying with his father and going to live with his mother.

Heart With Joy is an uplifting coming of age novel about the importance of following your heart and trusting that it will take you where you need to go.

How I Wrote My Novel or Why Writing Takes Patience, Faith and Hard-headedness

by Steve Cushman

My novel, Heart With Joy, was recently published, but I started writing it almost 8 years ago now. Heart With Joy is about bird watching and cooking and falling in love but it's also about finding your passion in life and pursuing it. That's what I say it is about now, but back in 2002, when I took my first stab at this story, all I knew was that I had a family where the mother ups and leaves. Her husband and son are stunned and faced with the reality that they are somehow going to have to learn to live without her. I didn't have much else to start with, but I had that kernel of a story and conflict.

Over the next six years, I tried a variety of different things--I changed the point of view of the novel from first to third to first again. I added and took out characters. I tried to insert pieces of the novel into another novel only to take them out again. It wasn't until I discovered that Julian was going to spend time with an elderly lady and help her care for the birds in her backyard that things started rolling. And then Julian and his father had to eat, so Julian started to cook and through cooking he met a young girl he liked. Then at some point along the way, Julian's father decided to run a marathon, so that gave Julian and his father something to do together. Julian would ride his bike beside his father while he trained for a marathon.

So what I'm saying here is that when I started this novel, I didn't know where it was going. I just had this father and son and this not so great relationship. But over time, and much hard work, new details emerged--some I came up with and others seemed to magically appear. For me, this willingness to put in the work and trust that something will come out of it is one of the things I like best about writing.

I believe this translates to anything you really want to do--get into college, play tennis, write poems, be a computer programmer--it all takes patience and a good bit of hardheadedness to ignore the people who tell you you can't do something.

Someone once described writing a novel as like driving down a dark street with your lights on. You can only see a little bit ahead of you, but you have to trust that if you keep driving more of the road will be revealed. I think this is a great analogy for writing, because to me writing is an act of faith--the faith that if you put the time in and you keep working good things will come, good things like being lucky enough to have your novel published. Thank You.

LINKS:

Steve Cushman

So. Amazing.

2010-10-08T00:13:00.001-05:00

My most recent internet discovery is pretty freakishly awesome and superbly nerdy in the best possible way.

I present to you...

An a Capella tribute medley to

STAR WARS

So. Amazing.

(Sorry for the delay...)

Hush by Eishes Chayil

2010-10-06T06:00:00.002-05:00

Grade: A+

Synopsis:

Inside the closed community of Borough Park, home to many Chassidic groups, the rules of life are very clear, determined to the last detail by an ancient script written thousands of years before--and abuse has never been a part of it. But when young Gittel witnesses the abuse her best friend Devory has been suffering at the hands of Devory's own family member, the adults in the community try to persuade Gittel, and themselves, that nothing happened. And even when the fallout reveals an unimaginable horror, the community continues forward as if it had never occurred. Now a teenager, Gittel's guilt over her silence forces her to question her own innocence, her memories of the pas, and everything she was raised to believe.

Rating:

Character Development: 10/10
Originality: 10/10 (it is mostly a true story...)
Overall Enjoyment: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Voice: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Total Score: 66/70

Obtained: Free ARC provided by publisher (WALKER)

Age Appropriate? R (Spoilers!)

Cursing: Very, very little (if any)
Alcohol, Drugs, etc: None, really.
Sexual Content: Yes. Vivid, if detached and unemotional,scenes, but with very little description.
Disturbing Images/Violence: Incestual rape of a child, graphic child suicide, depression. Some stuff of a sensitive religious nature (arranged marriage, radical beliefs, etc) which are integral to the story.

Review:

A great deal of the story is true. It's true, and that's what makes it so terrifying. It's a hard book to read, both powerful and disturbing, but also enlightening. This is the story of a girl whose lifestyle is so completely different from ours (or most of ours, I assume) yet she lives right in the heart of modern culture in New York City. She's so detached, so innocent, so naive, and just so lovable. Gittel captures the true essence of childhood--she's adventurous, stubborn, blindly accepts what her society feeds her, but at the same time quite the little rebel, and just so pure.

That is, until she witnesses something so horrifying, so unsettling, so uncomfortable that poor sheltered Gittel doesn't even understand. But we do. And that makes difficult to continue reading. But continue we must, because we can't just leave the story like that, can't just exit the scene at this integral, most tumultuous moment.

I wish I knew more about the Chassidic community. Even though this book taught me much about it (and not all bad, mind you) I still feel like having an understanding before delving into this story would have strengthened my understanding at the beginning, and added to the story. Eishes Chayil shows us her community as it is--no sugar-coating and without judgment on the religious customs. It's not a story about how wrong this ultra-Orthodox environment is. It makes no religious statements. It's simply a story about waking up to the faults within that environment and working to set them right, despite the risk. It's inspirational, something we can all learn from.

LINKS:

Jewish America: Chassidic Jewry
Hasidic Judaism - Wikipedia (maybe not the best source for information)

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

2010-10-05T19:16:00.005-05:00

It's October, month of the supernatural and spooky, crawling with monsters, mayhem, and magic.

And today... werewolves.

A Guest Review by NINJA READER.

Synopsis:

Her parents are dead. She can't remember what happened. And now she's in love with the most dangerous creature in the forest.

The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver-- deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can't, and there's nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together.

Then Avery meets the new boy in school-- Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she's ever experienced. Ben is a werewolf, but Avery trusts him-- at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash an inhuman silver. And she learns that she's not the only one who can't remember the night her parents died.

The Mini Review:

by Ninja Reader

Overall, this book was very entertaining. The murder mystery aspect was intriguing and surprising. The author captured the small town atmosphere very well, and the way the characters and situations meshed with the setting was great. The characters were authentic and real... but then the werewolf showed up, and the book turned into the same thing we've read millions of times. In this case, the story would have been the better without the clichéd supernatural problems distracting from a well written small town murder mystery. It's a short and sweet book, thrilling, supernatural and romantic, despite some overplayed scenarios.

LINKS:

Ivy Devlin

Low Red Moon Trailer