HAPPY SUMMER + REVIEW: RUIN & RISING

Happy summer! After the end of the school year (for most of you teachers, students, and parents!) and a much needed break, we are returning with some great books and summer literacy tips over the coming weeks. However, just because we took a break from the internet doesn't mean we took a break from reading--let's be honest, that will probably never happen! So we ran into a bit of a problem, considering the long list of books read in the last month and a half and choosing which ones to post reviews on. We've picked a few of the best to share, starting with Ruin and Rising (a much anticipated trilogy conclusion from author Leigh Bardugo), and as for the rest, we'll refer you to the following links to Goodreads if you want to browse the good and the bad of our summer reading so far!

Boy Snow Bird
A Snicker of Magic
Annihilation
The Winter Horses
The Glass Castle
On the Road
The Brothers Karamazov
She Is Not Invisible
An Untamed State
All Joy And No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood
It Starts With Food
We Were Liars

and now, you should really read this . . .

Ruin and Rising
by Leigh Bardugo
**** 4 of 5 stars

Henry Holt & Co.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Pages: 417
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne. Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. 

 Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives. Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. 

But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

I love to love the villain. That is where the power in this book--and the series--lies. He was complex and so easily evoked sympathy and interest--you can't help it. This also opened the door for the story to examine issues such as good and evil in individual people. Really, I was hoping that there would be even more scenes with the Darkling, but what there was ended up being pretty satisfying. And if he's not your flavor, there's plenty of other attractive guys to take your pick from.

Some significant details in the ending were surprising, but overall it followed a fairly predictable path. Still, because the characters were so well done--including a great cast of secondary characters--the ending to this series was on point. Because it was easy to read and imagine, I think I'll have a lot of success recommending this book/series.

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REVIEW: THE WINNER'S CURSE

The Winner's Curse
by Marie Rutkoski
**** 4 of 5 stars

Farrar Straus Giroux
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance
Pages: 355
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
Winning what you want may cost you everything you love. 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

The pensive tone drew me in, and the clever world-building kept me fascinated.  That familiar but foreign setting (I loved the Greco-Roman influences) as well as the political plot were well crafted--with interesting warfare dynamics--conquerer and conquered and all of that. Of course, along with the political plot is the strong romantic plot. In fact, it could have been a little better if it was a somewhat lighter on the romance and stronger on the fantasy-world-building aspect, although the slow building of the romance makes it seem more real than a lot of the other YA relationships.

I appreciated that it was thoughtful and direct in approaching certain issues--class equality, power, etc.... but at times maybe a little too obvious about it for a more sophisticated reader. I also have to mention how softly and brilliantly the music was woven into the book--it provided an extra layer of the characters that they needed. 

I have a feeling that this is going to be a great series! It has all the right components--a complex but not confusing fantasy world, political dynamics, and romance. Readers of Shadow & Bone (The Grisha trilogy), Legend by Marie Lu, and Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge would love this.

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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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REVIEW: CRESS

Cress
Third book in The Lunar Chronicles
by Marissa Meyer
**** 4 of 5 stars

Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Science fiction
Pages: 550
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

This is the third book in the series, and I have to say that I still love the strong female characters who do things like fly ships and hack computers, but also how cleverly Meyer weaves together the fairy tales into her plot, staying true to the important details.

And there are a lot of characters, kind of a cumulative build-up of everyone along the way. They're very interesting, but when they're all separated the individual plot threads in alternating points of view make it seem like there's a lot going on.

My excitement and enthusiasm for this series has not dulled, despite how large the story and character pool has grown. The characters don't blend together--they all have their own individual voice. These individual stories (& love interests) as well as their combined story has that have-to-read-more quality. This is a great series--great for YA readers who are more into sci-fi and fantasy, or those readers who rarely venture outside the manga realm--they'll like this one! While this one isn't my favorite of the series, I'm definitely interested in the last book Winter, to see how things turn out!

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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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REVIEW: SCARLET

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An outstandingly futuristic and fast-paced sequel that dives back into the action with a hot-headed Scarlet trying to find her missing grandmother with the help of "Wolf", and Cinder--an escaped prisoner, a cyborg, a princess.

At first I did not like Scarlet's character . . . it took me a while to come to terms with it. Really, how can you be that blind and naive? And so angry all the time? Her temper flares up in less than a second. She's hot-headed. (Ha ha.) But doesn't that fit the traditional rendering of Little Red Riding Hood? Once I realized that, I liked her more. She's strong because she knows what she wants, she's loyal, she sticks to her guns and fights for what she wants. A strong character. And the tension between her and Wolf is strong and promising, helped a lot by Wolf's mysterious character that will have you believing one thing and changing your mind the next moment. Their fast and hot relationship is the opposite of the slower, sweet, one between Cinder & Kai. Definitely a good balance.

Cinder's in a serious situation in this book. She's pulled in a lot of different directions--her true identity, the smoking hot and somewhat desperate Kai, her wanted fugitive status, and her deep desire for freedom. So it's really helpful to have a certain Captain Thorne to run around with. His character will make you laugh and also balance out Cinder's seriousness with his fabulous one-liners.

Part of what made this a good sequel was the well integrated plot review from book one. I really don't like it when a sequel wastes time recapping, but in Scarlet you get enough of a review through Cinder's painful reliving of past events through the newsreels as she is escaping. Lots of action makes this remix hit the mark.

Another reason I'll be sticking with this series is because I love the way the stories were combined and the way she pulled off 2 main characters, both girls, with love interests, but totally different personalities. The stories developed well and then were woven together beautifully. And I'm totally impressed by the remix of the age-old stories, apparent in small story and character details, and this crazy fast plot of power and destruction between Lunar & Earth. Am I gushing a little bit? I hope so.

See my review of Cinder here.

Also, check out the short story about Wolf before we meet him in Scarlet. If Wolf was your fave, or even if he wasn't, this is great. It will only sort of fill up the empty hole you'll have in your life waiting until 2014!!! for the next book, Cress, to come out. And after that, Winter, in 2015.

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REVIEW: SERAPHINA

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a complex and compelling fantasy about a world where dragons are intelligent, calculating beings that can take the form of humans. Seraphina is half dragon half human, which is such a terrible abomination that she must keep it secret. So she lies about what she really is, while pursuing her talent in music by being a musician in the court of Queen Lavonda. But soon she gets involved in trying to stop a plot to ruin the peace treaty between humans and dragons, and everything changes--her thoughts about herself, her family, and love.

Seraphina is a strong heroine who underestimates herself sometimes, and gives great presence to her fears. That makes her even more great when she overcomes them to finally accept who she is and that she can have things that she never thought possible-- like love, or living in the absence of some of those fears. (The latter is what makes the ending scene so powerful . . . when it all comes full circle.)

I found the first part (maybe first 50 pages or so) a little slower to get through than the rest of the book. Maybe that's because this wasn't my particular brand of fantasy . . . sometimes I feel a little nerdy and weird when reading all the "mind garden" stuff . . . but that changed when I found out what they really are (trying not to give anything away here!!). I also thought that occasionally the names and terms for things got to be a bit much-- things could have been a little simpler or she didn't have to invent new names for things that already exist. I feel like that might challenge some readers or maybe muddle them up a bit--but it did some good for the world building and won't be a bother to most readers.

And . . . wonderful dragons! The morphing-into-humans things was great, and really the whole concept of dragons as intelligent, emotion-less, calculating creatures was excellent. Dragon characters in this book did not disappoint! Secondary characters like Orma, Glisselda, Dame Okra and Lars were also stunningly well done- not too one sided but very interesting at the same time. Plus, I'm SO happy to say, it didn't end with too much of an annoying cliffhanger. Yes, there were some major threads left hanging, but there was enough closure that I wasn't bugged by the promise of the next book.

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Across the Universe

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


One of the standout dystopian novels I've read recently. Very believable with the science aspect of it, and space as a setting added a little something. Characters were well developed, especially the dilemmas they faced individually. I love how the dilemmas had you convinced that one thing was ethical and moral, and the next moment you were able to consider just the opposite; an accurate reflection of the struggles the characters were going through. Ending was fantastic.



View all my reviews

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for all of the fantasy readers out there . . . somewhere . . .

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this book- not necessarily the kind of book that I gravitate towards, but enjoyable all the same. This is the 3rd book in the "Inheritance Cycle"- a series of 4 books written by Christopher Paolini- (an author whose young age is impressive)and are about a young boy from humble and rather unknown origins, but who rises to be a leader the moment he is becomes connected with a newborn dragon and joins the ranks of the noble Dragon Riders. This book is full of magic, adventures, but also thoughtful moments. I felt that there were a lot of great descriptions and vivid wording, but sometimes I felt that it dragged on just a bit too long. Overall though, the story in this series is captivating, and this book is a fun read, if a long one.


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