SHORT REVIEWS: AVALON, THE SCAR BOYS, & DARK EDEN

Avalon
by Mindee Arnott
****4 of 5 stars

Balzer & Bray
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Genre: YA, Science fiction, Fantasy, Space
Pages: 432
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett. 

 Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light. 

 Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long. Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.

Plenty of action scenes, space, and a gang of teenage mercenaries make this book entertaining and fun. The plot twists in the second half of the book, along with a bit of romance thrown in (sometimes a bit obviously) keeps things interesting. Because it's told in third person mainly from the perspective of Jeth, you can see that the other characters have secrets and hidden motives, which creates some great suspense throughout the story. 

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. 

The Scar Boys
by Len Vlahos
****4 of 5 stars

Edgmont USA
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Genre: YA, Music, Realistic fiction
Pages: 256
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
A severely burned teenager. A guitar. Punk rock. The chords of a rock 'n' roll road trip in a coming-of-age novel that is a must-read story about finding your place in the world...even if you carry scars inside and out. 

The first defining moment: the day the neighborhood goons tied him to a tree during a lightning storm when he was 8 years old, and the tree was struck and caught fire. Harry was badly burned and has had to live with the physical and emotional scars, reactions from strangers, bullying, and loneliness that instantly became his everyday reality. 

The second defining moment: the day in 8th grade when the handsome, charismatic Johnny rescued him from the bullies and then made the startling suggestion that they start a band together. Harry discovered that playing music transported him out of his nightmare of a world, and he finally had something that compelled people to look beyond his physical appearance. Harry's description of his life in his essay is both humorous and heart-wrenching. He had a steeper road to climb than the average kid, but he ends up learning something about personal power, friendship, first love, and how to fit in the world. While he's looking back at the moments that have shaped his life, most of this story takes place while Harry is in high school and the summer after he graduates.

Anyone who is into bands or music will really be able to connect with this book. Also well done is how the main character Harry becomes aware of himself and his self-pitying tendencies, and tries to work it out. He's got kind of a rough deal but the people in his life--the friends, the Obi-Wan Kenobi-like mentors, as well as the cathartic, empowering presence of music help him through those rough things and that is what makes this story work.

Sure, it's insightful as it examines feelings toward self and bullying, but really the best parts are how it gives you a taste of rock-band life, and how anyone who has ever felt like a song (or music in general) just spoke to them at a certain time in their life will get that from this book.



Dark Eden
by Chris Beckett
***3 of 5 stars

Broadway Books
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy, Dystopia
Pages: 448
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
On the alien, sunless planet they call Eden, the 532 members of the Family shelter beneath the light and warmth of the Forest’s lantern trees. Beyond the Forest lie the mountains of the Snowy Dark and a cold so bitter and a night so profound that no man has ever crossed it. 

 The Oldest among the Family recount legends of a world where light came from the sky, where men and women made boats that could cross the stars. These ships brought us here, the Oldest say—and the Family must only wait for the travelers to return. But young John Redlantern will break the laws of Eden, shatter the Family and change history. He will abandon the old ways, venture into the Dark…and discover the truth about their world. 

 Already remarkably acclaimed in the UK, Dark Eden is science fiction as literature; part parable, part powerful coming-of-age story, set in a truly original alien world of dark, sinister beauty--rendered in prose that is at once strikingly simple and stunningly inventive.

On a sci-fi and kind of Avatar mixed with Lord of the Flies level it worked really well: how free &; critical thinking change things, and how stories shape and change society. Those were the most interesting parts, and the times when the plot had the most action and excitement. The big moment at the end is revelatory, but doesn't solve every little thing--which was surprisingly not disappointing at all but rather an organic conclusion of the story.

But, it felt like it was mis-marketed. It seemed to be a YA book, but after getting not that far into it I started feeling like all the content (relationship and some language), while showing an interesting picture of a somewhat primitive society, was taking away from the story and would not fit for younger YA audiences. The continual and heavy-handed emphasis that the author put on the primitive society's promiscuous approach made this book seem better put in a more mature category. I was left with too uncomfortable of a feeling at some parts to enjoy it much, but some readers might not care. Overall it was a fascinating story.

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review.


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Other new books with a male POV that sound interesting (that I haven't read):

Phoenix Island
by John Dixon
This one sounds like a mix of X-Men and Percy Jackson. Got you interested? Just the first part of the book blurb had me curious: A champion boxer with a sharp hook and a short temper, sixteen-year-old Carl Freeman has been shuffled from foster home to foster home. He can't seem to stay out of trouble, using his fists to defend weaker classmates from bullies. His latest incident sends his opponent to the emergency room, and now the court is sending Carl to the worst place on earth: Phoenix Island. 

Zom-B Gladiators
by Darren Shan
Part of the Zom-B series by Darren Shan, this thrilling and gory sounding book is supposed to be one of the best in the series . . . if action and zombies are your thing--I can see some readers loving this stuff.

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READ, WHITE, & BLUE

A few patriotic picks for your 4th of July holiday:

Bunker Hill

by Nathaniel Philbrick

Like the blurb says, this book is about the " . . . Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution." Really, though, I can't wait to get this one because Philbrick is one amazing storyteller. I first became a fan after In the Heart of the Sea, and Bunker Hill is really being talked about. The detail and suspense that Philbrick endows these moments of history with are not to be missed. (Nonfiction)

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10. 
by Marcus Luttrell

I listened to this on audio book and it was such an incredible, intense experience. Intense. He talks about how SEAL team members are selected and trained, and takes you through the play-by-play experience of Operation Redwing--the goal of which was to take out an al Qaeda leader in Taliban territory. This made me feel pride in our troops like never before. Plus, this book has really been a hit with reluctant readers of all ages--lots of teen readers, mostly boys, really find this book to be thrilling. Which, really, it is for any level of reader. (Nonfiction)

Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell

This one might not be as directly patriotic as the others, but I thought of it because it really provides a fun, interesting snapshot of America in a certain special decade (the 80s). It's just fun to read books that give you nostalgia for a decade, or if you weren't alive in that decade (I barely was)--you can laugh and learn about all the crazy things that American teenagers loved (Walkmans! Mix tapes! etc.) The story is about an unlikely couple--quirky Eleanor and quiet but strong Park. See my review here. (YA)

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REVIEW: CRASH AND BURN

Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I stayed up kind of late to finish this book, because I had to finish it fast. It was heavy. Obviously, I mean it deals with an almost school shooting incident, as well as a lot of other issues that, as a kid in today's world you would encounter. I was impressed with the narrative style--brilliant writing, perfectly capturing the ADHD nature of Crash and his world. I appreciated how the writing totally opened a window on kids dealing with ADD/ADHD--and not that I have it myself, but I've worked with kids that do--and I feel he portrayed it pretty accurately, and because of that it's revelatory and eye-opening. Everything from the paranoia, anxiety, difficulty learning or focusing to the need to move physically is spot on. Also, switching back and forth between present and past was also a narrative move that worked well.

I skipped some parts, because the content was a little much for me. I liked the parts where he talks about things other than than just smoking and drinking and getting with girls--those other parts (mostly with Burn) were more formative and definitive for his character and the story, I think. Really, if some of those partying scenes were cut out, I think the book would be shorter and better. It was definitely on the long side--but I feel like some of that length was needed in order to build up the characters and the story so you would understand, and really feel, the moment in the school between Burn and Crash that everything leads up to. I just think a few less (filler) scenes of him smoking/drinking/getting with girls would have been nice and wouldn't have taken away from the story.

And wow, this book is intense. Not just because of the culminating moment, but really a lot of other moments that lead up to it, and that make your heart hurt for some of these characters. Certain scenes are just wonderfully plotted and achingly intense. The male point of view is also perfectly done--I haven't seen a book from the boy's POV done so well in a long time. So I go back and forth--it's such a long book with some content that I would have a hard time recommending to some audiences, but on the other hand, it's a perfect picture of today's teenage boy. The issues it addresses (mental health, 9/11, school shootings, education, etc) are so incredibly present. It's got a lot of appeal because of the narrator, and I really enjoyed getting into those issues with Crash. Plus, it's got some pretty great nineties nostalgia going on. So really, I don't think this is a book to be missed--for the YA audience or for adults.

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SHORT LIST 01 FOR RELUCTANT READERS

Presenting the first Short List! Check out some of these books that I hand picked for reluctant readers. Not a reluctant reader? You'll enjoy them anyway!

And remember, when finding a book for the reluctant reader it's best to go for a book on their reading level that will deliver a powerful reading experience. That's what we're going for here-- the experience of reading! You know-- that I'm hooked and can't put it down, just finished and still thinking about it, now I want another--kind of reading experience. If you're going to attain that, a book has to be fairly close to the target reader's reading level. If it's too hard (even if it delivers a whopper of a reading experience) than the reluctant reader won't get into enough to enjoy it. So build up the positive reading experiences with books close to their level, then as their reading muscles get stronger you can give them a greater variety of books.

You wouldn't go weightlifting as a beginner and start with lots of weight, would you? Nope. Hopefully some of these books fit the reading level of your intended reluctant reader, and if not, I always take requests! With that being said, here's Short List 01 for The Reluctant Reader:

You by Charles Benoit
This is a fairly short, direct novel that will greatly appeal to boys. The main character, Kyle, tells the story of how he ended up in a rather terrible spot: somewhere he shouldn't be at a times he shouldn't be there, surrounded by shattered glass and blood. Told expertly in 2nd person, Kyle's story really gets you in his head, and to the point that you are understanding and sympathetic to his choices and his fate. Like I said, this would have great success with a boy audience, but I wouldn't hesitate giving it to girls either. (910 Lexile)

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This book will provide a powerful reading experience--it's emotion packed and the action gets deeper and deeper the more you read, and you'll be sucked in, guaranteed. Definitely better for a girl audience, it's about a girl who leaves 13 tapes behind . . . 13 tapes for 13 people with 13 reasons why she couldn't stand living anymore. It's really a thought-provoking book with everyday drama that people can relate to-- even as it escalates. (550 Lexile)








Cinder by Marissa Meyer 
Click here for my review.
At a 790 Lexile level, this book will do great with lower level readers looking for a good time. It's a retelling of Cinderella, but there's much more that involves cyborgs as well as lots of juicy secrets and volatile diplomatic dynamics between a futuristic China and Lunar (a Moon kingdom). Perfect for readers who like manga/anime type stuff, or for readers who like fantasy. But I'm neither of those, and I still really liked this book. Bonus: it's a series so if that reluctant reader likes this one, they'll probably get hooked on the rest of them! 

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The Prisoner of Cell 25

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A new element of "electricity" in the teen superhero genre. That was a nice twist. Overall, the characters felt a bit worn, with the exception of some aspects of the Michael's character. Dealing with Tourette's--or any disability, for that matter-- in middle school is such a hard thing, and I like how the author dealt with that aspect. Definitely a boy book (that girls would also love). I am recommending this to many of my students this year. Lots of action, a little romance to spice things up. Overall a nice read, but nothing that made me think that this one is a complete standout in this genre, or that left me thinking about it for days after. Some interesting vocabulary was great though. Also, if you're from UT, you'll probably notice some familiar places/things . . .



View all my reviews

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