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 02: MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS FOR RELUCTANT READERS

I've been meaning to share this for a while, and a couple of requests made me hurry to finish up this short list of a few good middle-grade books for reluctant readers! 

    

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
A HUGE hit!                                

2. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The beautiful artwork in this book seems to really capture kids' attention.

3. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

A great fantasy series that has a lot of appeal to imaginative middle-grade readers. 

4. Graphic novels

There's more and more good ones out there; Percy Jackson is one that has been very popular among my students. Which leads me to . . .

5. Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan has been very prolific lately, and other series by him are big hits too; I would recommend to start with Percy though. 

6. Stories from Guys Write for Guys Read by Jon Scieszka & various authors

Part of a wonderful series edited by Jon Scieszka . . . so fuuny! Great to read out loud or to pass along to kids. They'll like some better than others. 

7. Sports memoirs/biographies

I can't really recommend a specific one, but for the majority of my middle grade reluctant reader male crowd, short nonfiction texts about their favorite sports stars are absolutely necessary. 

. . . And some favorites of mine--great middle grade books but not necessarily the top of the list for reluctant readers (although they have been successful):

8. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

A perspective changing story.

9. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Hilarious and heart warming. 

Any suggestions for other middle-grade reluctant reader winners?

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REVIEW: CHAMPION

Champion by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The conclusion of Champion convinced me of one thing: that this series is one of the stand-out dystopian trilogies out there. And the end is so wonderfully satisfying.

Part of what makes it stand out is that Champion gives a slightly different timeline than other dystopian books--rather than simply the overthrow of an oppressive government, triumphant young characters fighting for what they know is right--it focuses more on what happens when those idealistic young characters have taken over that oppressive government, turning into leaders that have to defend their beliefs and humanity against other crushing superpowers--fighting to keep a grip on things so they can continue to change and make a difference. Those characters that just seemed like hormonal teenagers have developed naturally into impressive and powerful people capable of pulling off what they did.

I was worried that I wouldn't remember the plot lines or characters very well, having read Prodigy a year or so ago, but a few pages in, I realized that wouldn't be a problem because the plot is easy to get a grip on. The world of the Republic is one caught in war, power struggles, and societal inequality and so full of action . . . just how you would imagine a country at war--one thing after another, and the stakes are high. The pace is quick and it finishes at such a breakneck speed that you'll have to finish the last chapters in one sitting.

I did feel like a plot thread was left hanging when June stepped in at the end to solve a certain hopeless situation with little consequence or thought to why she had the ability to do so, and I also think I would have enjoyed the epilogue better from a third person perspective. Even considering those two things, this series ending was excellent. I'm recommending it like crazy to everyone, especially fans of Hunger Games series, Divergent series, and other similar books.

Before the year is over Enjoy A Book will be presenting our top-rated books of 2013! We used a combination of reader feedback + our own ratings . . . check back in a few days to see which ones made the list! 

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REVIEW: UNSOULED

UnSouled by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unsouled, the third book in the Unwind dystology, takes things a step further by really emphasizing the commercial and cultural acceptance/promotion of unwinding. While this book didn't have significant plot resolution or action (although there are plenty of breathtaking action scenes), the significance of this book was in the exploration of the cultural consequences of unwinding. Consequences that seemed so real and natural make this book, like the others, unsettling at times. It seems that society could so easily slip into such a cultural acceptance of such a horrible thing; it's almost a wake-up call, an eye opening experience, making you wonder what horrifying things our culture and society today have accepted?

Shusterman's writing continues to have satisfyingly depth and description without sacrificing action or surprise. His characters are fabulous, including the introduction of secondary characters that include Grace, a much needed balance to the chaos and turmoil that many of the other characters are experiencing. Plus she's really funny--good for a well-timed comment that will have you laughing.

There's quite the cliffhanger as well, leaving you with enough that you can't help but make up situations or scenes that you think will happen next. And I am looking forward to what happens next. I've followed this series from the beginning, and was fortunate enough to teach Unwind in school--solidifying my belief that this dystology is one of those with a prominent place in the can't miss category.

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SHORT REVIEWS: THE DREAM THIEVES & MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH EATING

 Two books--two very different genres! A little something for everyone, right?

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A sequel that really picks up steam about halfway through. Even though it doesn't feel like a whole lot of progress is made toward the conclusion of the quest, it's still incredibly fascinating to read. The depth of imagination and storytelling is well layered and the writing is so wonderfully descriptive.












Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris by Ann Mah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love reading about food, and this book has some tantalizing passages about food. Exploring the inseparably connected region and landscape in France, the origin, and the ingredients of each dish was fascinating and conveyed expertly. This book felt like a good meal and a bit of wanderlust wrapped up together. I skimmed over some of the more historical parts--I was more interested in the food.

I also really appreciated the way that she perfectly conveyed what it feels like to be a spouse in a foreign place, following after their husband/wife's dreams/career, and the lonely but incredibly valuable, adventurous, and self-defining experience that it is. Having had a somewhat similar experience, I was able to relate to the spot-on way she conveyed the feelings of those times. While this was well done, at times her exploration of these feelings was too repetitious, and in comparing herself to Julia Child and Abigail Adams, the tone became a little flat and complaining. With that exception, the blend of food and memoir was a success.

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REVIEW: PROXY

Proxy by Alex London
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Proxy, the best kind of entertainment doesn't sacrifice action or thrills to world building or a YA-typical romance plot. It jumps right into the action from the beginning, and keeps it coming.

Characters were real and diverse. Refreshingly free from stereotypes. Friendships between the characters, and even the characters themselves, develop so naturally that it redefines what I've always thought of the genre. YA that reaches beyond--with writing quality and layering that shouldn't be thought of as being among the torrent of other recycled YA stories out there. Amazing character development will have you thinking one thing about the character at the beginning, and something completely different at the end. This happened with such finesse in Proxy, that you can't help but admire how smoothly the author changed the game.

While this book is excellently multi-layered, at times the social commentary and overtones overshadow the plot. Amid all the action and twists, there is a lot of questioning and issues being addressed. The characters are constantly grappling with these huge social constructs, and sometimes it feels a little overwhelming. However, this book has an introspective quality that is rare in Young Adult literature. Self examination and character development usually gets lost in the fast paced action or the romance aspects, but in Proxy it shines gloriously through. Here's some gems that really showcase that quality:

"Sarcasm was the easy expression of an empty mind. It carried no information, nothing he could learn except that Knox was an a--, which he knew already. The knowledge wasn't useful."

"This girl contained that girl. Whoever she was was also whoever she had been. The same was true for him, he guessed. He wondered if anyone really ever changed, or if stuff just piled on and on, covering up, but never erasing all the different parts. How deep would you have to dig to find who you started out as?"

This series-starter has both the entertainment and thought-provoking factors . . . I'm excited to see if the author can keep it up for the rest of the series.

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SHORT LIST 02: LATE SPRING READS

A few new & can't miss books for this lovely late spring season:

YA

 The 5th Wave 
by Rick Yancey

Alien invasion, but not as you've seen it before. Post-apocalyptic world, but not as it has been written before. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, you'll probably like this one. Cassie is running from Them, looking for her brother and trusting no one--there is no one to trust. Evan Walker might be able to help find her brother, but trust is still an issue, and so are a lot of other things, like not being found by Them--who look just like everyone else.

Read the first 70 pages here. You'll like it. (Review coming soon!)

Eleanor & Park 
by Rainbow Rowell

This is a great spring pick because it has all of the light-heartedness and humor of a new relationship and unique characters, but also has a serious, though-provoking side. Set in 1986, Eleanor and Park are an unlikely pair who met on a bus ride to school. She's the quirky new girl, and he's some kind of incredibly sweet secret ninja kind of guy.
This is perfect for fans of The Fault in Our Stars, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or Stargirl. 

See my review here.





Fiction

TransAtlantic 
by Colum McCann

If you liked his earlier, award winning Let The Great World Spin, then you are sure to love this. Once again, the writing will carry you away--this time through a series of stories from 1845, 1919, and 1998 that blend real events and people with fiction. The stories are all connected through time and different places in the world, and told beautifully. There's a lot to look forward to with Colum McCann--his writing and masterful storytelling make the world seem small and big at the same time. This is exactly what I want to be reading right now!

Nonfiction 

Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work
by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Another selection that I'm excited for based on the author's previous books. Made to Stick and Switch are must-reads, so here's hoping that this one turns out great as well!

It turns out that making a decision isn't a simple thing--there are a lot of factors that influence our decisions--some of which enhance or take away from the effectiveness of the decision and outcome. Decisive looks at these factors, as well as current research on the matter, and offers ways to make the making of decisions more effective.

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REVIEW: REQUIEM (DELERIUM #3)

Requiem by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Absolutely, whole-heartedly, I love her writing. So poetic. I'm pretty sure I've read this whole series just for that, and everything else was just something on the side.

I really didn't feel so strongly about the plot and characters as I did the writing, though--something I've been feeling the whole series. It felt the same as a lot of other dystopian books, and wasn't anything incredibly exciting. These characters (as is somewhat typical in dystopian YA) often have severe communication issues, and if they just took a second to talk to each other, then the book would be shorter by half. But they don't, so we get to live through their angsty, broken-hearted drama.

But I'm ok with that, because I love her writing. Did I mention how great it is? It's a dream to read, and I often found myself enchanted by the metaphors and flow . . . so enchanted that the rather sudden, open ending didn't sting quite so much. Other things that I didn't notice or mind so much were how it seemed a little too long--building up to something that didn't quite happen, or the unresolved feeling you're left with. It was entertaining, and had some thoughtful ideas on love and freedom that probably could have been explored more, especially with Hana coming back into the story.

I'd recommend this for readers who are into dystopian romances with some action parts, like those who enjoyed the Under the Never Sky books, the Mara Dyer series by Michelle Hodkin, and the Across The Universe series by Beth Revis.

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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: PRODIGY

Prodigy by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This action-packed sequel comes at you with not only a thrilling, stumbling romance set in an intense and foreboding future America, but also questions about the differences between right and wrong, oppressors and the oppressed.This book--even more so than the first one--brings it. If you were ever lukewarm about Legend, well then, I bet Prodigy will change your mind about this series!

Oh, June & Day. Good distinction between the two voices. We really went deeper into the characters this time. June stayed true to her militaristic self, sharp and logical, and so she understandingly bumbles around in her relationship with Day, who also struggles in the communication department. Not to worry though! There are plenty of sparks between them. And other characters. What?! Let's call this a love square. And I'm on team Anden, who blazes into this book along with a more fully developed cast of secondary characters, including the lovely, grown-up Tess and perceptive, I'm-in-it-for-me Kaede. Cheers for Kaede!

Lu doesn't hold back when she dishes out further context of this futuristic (more or less united) States of America. The wider perspective and placement of their world post-climate change was realistic, startling, and well done. Definitely a little foreboding, as well . . .

Prodigy wasn't afraid to ask questions this time--questions that maybe the reader was having all along. Like, was it really ok for June to do all that stuff to Day's family, and he still likes her? Hmm. Who/what is right/wrong? I love that this book questions right and wrong things about the characters, the Republic and the Colonies, and loyalty. It didn't miss on talking about class differences either--there is definite tension between the haves and the have-nots in this book.

And wow. Great ending. Enough closure but also enough that I am imagining all sorts of thrilling endings for the next one, which I can't wait for.

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REVIEW: SHADES OF EARTH

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a way to finish! I have to admit that I was a little nervous for how this third book was going to go, but it didn't disappoint! Revis picks right up where the last book left off--which I kind of like--no need to rehash everything. Shades of Earth is about Amy and Elder as they land and begin to settle on the new planet. And if dealing with life on an unknown planet isn't enough, they also have to deal with the rift between shipborns and Earthborns, surviving, and oh, facing hostile "alien" life that is trying to kill everyone.

I was a little wary of the whole landing on a new planet/alien thing, and thought, oh great--this could be weird and just awful . . . but it wasn't! It has both familiar and otherworldly elements, which gives it an overall realistic feel, with still some of the fear and mystery of the unknown . . .

Secrets, secrets, secrets. This book is full of secrets. The clues are there if you look for them, but even if you do pick up on a few things, you will still be surprised when all of these secrets come to light, and you are totally blown away (or at least far enough away that you can get a look at it all) and think, wow, I didn't see that coming. Also, there are character fatalities. Like, a lot. I don't know how she could have realistically told this story without some death (they are going from space to a world of unknown danger, after all) but Revis sure isn't scared of letting her characters die.

I'm so glad that the narrative was written in the two perspectives of Amy and Elder. Not only does it allow a lot of depth, but it allows for you to see these multiple perspectives and question whether a decision is really right or wrong. Maybe wrong from one person's perspective, but right from another. This play with ethics/morality is something that Revis did in the first book, and I love the extra dimension it adds, and how it also allows for the romance between Amy and Elder to actually seem realistic, and doesn't neglect real issues like race and prejudice.

One final note: I think that the cover change is a good thing, because it will appeal to a wider audience. The sci-fi-ness of it will attract boy readers I think, but don't let the sci-fi look of it turn you away! There is so much more to it than that! SO good!

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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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RECENT RECOMMEND SUCCESS

I've had some crazy success with book recommendations lately. I recommend books a lot-- to family, friends, friends of friends, co-workers, random strangers, etc. I'm always elated when they liked the book I suggested. Especially if it's a book in a series, then they tell me about their mad rush to get their hands on the sequel and I feel a little thrill of happiness. The books below are a few that I've recommended to people lately that have been a huge hit. If you haven't read them yet, well, I recommend that you do.

For those who like YA, some romance, and a little paranormal, or who won't mind being totally sucked into a book for a little while:

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, by Michelle Hodkin
Mara wakes up in the hospital, the only survivor of an accident that killed her friends and ex-boyfriend. She can't remember anything. Her family soon thereafter moves to Florida, where she starts in a new school and tries to remember and deal with what happened. And hello! hot boy at school with a British accent who seems to be everywhere and also interested in Mara! And whoa! crazy things start happening to Mara that she can't explain, but memories are starting to come back and with Noah's help she's starting to figure things out. Just as you think that you have it figured out, another piece of the puzzle shakes things up. And the relationship between Mara and Noah is something you will easily get caught up in. (See my review here.)

Yes the sequel is out (The Evolution of Mara Dyer), and don't scream, but the last one (The Retribution of Mara Dyer) comes out this fall.



The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
From the chilling and atmospheric beginning in a graveyard where sixteen year old Blue sees the spirit of a boy that is either her true love or that she will kill . . . all the way through the end--this book is fabulously sinister and beautifully written. Blue becomes friends with a tight knit group of boys who go to a local private school, and who are involved in solving an ancient mystery (which is a somewhat re-imagined version of a real Welsh folk tale). But as she is brought into their strange and sometimes haunting search, she is also reminded of a warning that she will bring about her true love's death with a kiss. That warning goes off in her head more and more as she feels stronger and stronger about the boys--one in particular. While the fascinating details and the complex characters might seem a little much at first, stick through the first bit and you will be thrilled with the way this turns out.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
So this one is nonfiction, but I would put it on everyone's must-read list. Seriously, I have it out on like quadruple loan and it's never sitting on my shelf for very long. So let me tell you, this guy makes it through a rather rough and delinquent childhood in which he learns to channel his energy into running, then becomes an Olympic track star/record breaking athlete, joins the Air Force in WWII, flies these ridiculously high-fatality planes, is shot down in the ocean and survives on a raft for 47 days just to get picked up by the enemy, spends the rest of the war and then some in various horrific POW camps, and eventually is able to come home. For sure this guy is some kind of Odyssean rockstar and his story is so amazingly written by the lovely Hillenbrand. (See my review here.)




So, have you read any of these? What books that you loved came your way on recommendation? I'd love to hear!

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REVIEW: Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever not read a book because of a cover? Just saw it and thought, how could that possibly be any good with a cover like that? There's no way I'll like it, the cover reminds me of (fill in the blank), and I don't like that stuff. Sad, but true. There are many, many, works of jacket art that should never have come to be. This was one of those for me. (Am I the only one who thinks those shoes are not that cute?) But lucky for me, I have a very insistent friend who is very non-judgemental.

Obviously, this is a Cinderella story. If that's not enough for you, there's more that involves cyborgs as well as lots of juicy secrets and volatile diplomatic dynamics between a futuristic China and Lunar (a Moon kingdom). This intrigue really added a great extra layer on top of the Cinderella story that makes the characters and setting more exciting. And of course, will allow the story to be extended past the total cliffhanger of an ending. Yup, good enough to read the rest of the series!

A lot of Cinderella stories have predictable romances, but this one was well balanced because it wasn't totally instalove and way overdone . . . the relationship between Cinder and Kai seemed to progress naturally and is still full of possibilities and excitement. Punctuated with great bits of humor kept things entertaining and Cinder more endearing. Some things that had the potential to be really interesting left me with questions- like how does the whole cyborg thing work? How is the author going to continue the Cinderella story in the sequel? But I am stil excited to see more themes and storylines explored in greater depth (hopefully!) in the next books in the series.

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WEEKEND LINKS 02: LAST OF 2012!

 

Covers of a few books coming out in 2013. So excited!

Here's a few links to send you off into the new year! Thanks everyone for reading! It's been a great year, and I've got a lot of fun things in store that I'm excited to share with you next year (so . . . like in a few days). See you back here in 2013!

Why it's important to read with your children . (via Huff Post Books)

5 YA novels you'll never outgrow from a favorite author Maggie Stiefvater.

Seeing Les Mis over the holiday? What Victor Hugo was trying to convey in 'Les Misérables'.

 Shakespeare in the style of Twitter. Totally hilarious. (via Huff Post Books)

Wondering what to read in 2013? Here is a massive list of new YA books coming out next year.  (via Novel Novice)

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REVIEW: Shadow & Bone

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In a swiftly moving story, Alina Starkov must figure out who she really is in light of the discovery of a suppressed power that she alone possesses. It makes her powerful and desireable, and now she is faced with new situations and decisions that mean life or death.

Loved the setting... The cold mountains, frosty forests, and the grand castles seemed a little exotic and a perfect backdrop for the story. You've got the grandeur and the drama of the courts, but also some action on the battlefield, with some dark and complicated magic and romance thrown into the mix. I also liked how she incorporated old folktales in the story to give it that mid-19th century feel, where people still went dancing at balls, rode horses everywhere, were swept off their feet by princes, believed in superstitions, and chased after legends. Some might be bothered by the artistic licenses taken by the author, but I don't know much about Russia/Russian, so it didn't bother me much. Found some of the words/names a little hard to pronounce though.

So, this doesn't mean that I didn't like the book (I really did), but I didn't like the main character, Alina. She seemed like a character I've read many times before: plain-looking girl who rises to fame and beauty because of a talent/power/skill that she has and now she's stuck in a love triangle and then she stands up to something against all odds . . . etc. Sound familiar? But it wasn't that that made me dislike her. She just didn't seem very strong to me. She was a bit self-centered and never held strong to anything, except maybe her relationship and past with Mal, and even that she gave up at one point. Her final stand/self discovery at the end was a great moment, but I still think she has a long way to go before she becomes something great. But hey?! What about the other characters? Well, they were definitely more altruistic and strong--which made reading the book much better. Mal was great, and the Darkling character became more interesting as time went on. He's got some great secrets.

I liked the undertones in this book, which centered around mercy and self-discovery. Truly lovely and descriptive writing. Can't wait for the sequel!!

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REVIEW: Reached, by Ally Condie

Reached by Ally Condie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Standing on the shaky legs of the Rising's rebellion, Cassia, Ky, and Xander must follow who they believe to be the Pilot in order to save millions of lives as well as resolve the feelings and connections between each of them.

Although slow to start, I found myself wrapped up in the story before too long. I expected it to be more intense, but really even what I thought were the intense parts weren't hardly intense at all. Other parts were hard for me to like because I would rather experience, or figure out from hints the author leaves, what's happening in the story rather than being told through lots of rather one-sided explanatory dialogue from the characters. Also, I felt like they were all just dancing around the resolution at the end, when it seemed SO OBVIOUS. I mean, come on Cassia! Put two and two together here and speak up for the poor boy!

Writing this last book from the perspective of the three main characters was a good move. It was nice to get inside the head of each. I just didn't like how it each of their voices seemed to blend together in the narrative, so I was constantly having to check the top of the page to see which character I was reading. They weren't distinct enough.

Have to say though, it was such a lovely thing to read because Condie's writing is nothing if not poetic. It flows through every page and is just dreamy. It makes her characters more relatable and and easier to understand, especially since the way she ties Cassia, Ky, and Xander all together seems perfect, in a bit of a familiar dystopian-girl-stuck-in-a-love-triangle way. Really though, I enjoyed the way she wove their stories and actions to be so connected, and resolved in such a neat fashion. Definitely not a bad ending to the series.

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REVIEW: Rebel Heart (Dustlands #2) by Moira Young

 My review: 4 out of 5 stars ****

 It's been a long wait for this sequel! I've been very curious to see what direction Young would take the story from here, and it wasn't a disappointment. Rebel Heart did have a much different tone than Blood Red Road, so if you're a fan, be prepared for that. Also be prepared for ghosts! Hopeless loves! Secrets! Betrayals! Camels! (well, just one camel.) And of course the interesting dialect and easyflowing, descriptive, action-packed writing that I came to love from Young in the first one. Also worthy of mention: the way Young writes the character's inner dialogue with themselves is right on the mark.  

Saba was very emotional damaged at the end of BRR, so it wasn't really a surprise that this was the direction that Young took in the sequel. Let's be honest, if she had just disregarded the effects of all that carnage, we all would have been wondering a little bit. However it felt like a realistic struggle with issues that seems to actually get somewhere, and doesn't seem stagnant like a lot of other battle scarred sequels out there (not to name anyone . . .). I also loved how sometimes you were wondering if what was happening to Saba was real or not; that uncertainty really helped make her trauma real for me as a reader. Wait, what? So that wasn't real? Then how did she get so bloody?!?!?!? Have to say too, her trauma and broken-down spirit seemed to lead naturally to what happened with DeMalo. Totally made me uncomfortable, but I can see how it got there. 

Aaaaaand, get ready to meet a few new characters! Almost too many, but the majority of them are too crazy to forget. You also get to know some old characters better . . . But although we get to see Lugh quite a bit more, he still remains quite mysterious. I had to force myself to stay neutral on Lugh (even though it would be SO easy to dislike him at times) because you never really get to know what is going on with him-- what happened to him? Secrets, secrets. 

You can really feel the grit in your teeth in this book! Young continues to build on the world we come to know in BRR, and it gets even more interesting. It's pretty rad to see little bits of our technology show up in their world . . . especially when one episode of the Discovery Channel or Planet Earth or something causes some pretty big things to happen. In fact, a lot of big things happen. Despite the focus on character in this book, Young manages to throw some pretty big twists and turns in the plot which weren't at all predictable. Pretty unusual and exciting for a sequel--instead of being fed a whole lot of emotional trauma, I felt like I was just keeping up with the action-packed story line. And that cliffhanger at the end? Loved how a certain phrase was repeated, bringing things full circle. Nicely done. I'm definitely anticipating the next one. 

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Insurgent

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not much world building or setting explanations to start out with. If you haven't just finished reading Divergent, you will feel a little lost. This contributed to me not caring about many of the characters, even when they died--this book didn't give me much of a reason to care about them, even if they were big players in the last one. I hardly remembered any of them, then combine that with the fact that even more characters are introduced, and I could care less.

One part that I thought was interesting was getting into the mind of Tris. It took me a while to get past the fact that she just sounded whiny and confused all the time (like most of the book) to the point where I realized that she is dealing with a seriously traumatic event, and having a hard time with it. I would have loved something that prompted me to think that earlier, but for most of the book she just bugged me.

Mixed up in that was all the teenage romance drama with Four. So back and forth and so drama. Put that together with Tris' mental issues and somewhat self-injuring tendencies, and it smacked a little of Twilight. Because of this, I felt like there really wasn't too much action. A lot of running around from different places to other places, but I didn't feel like the plot really advanced until the last fourth of the book. This was the total opposite of Divergent, where the action and character development took center stage and the romance was a wonderful side part of the book. Switch that, and you'll have Insurgent.

A redeeming quality would be the storyline, but even that was a bit predictable at the end. And of course it's a series book, so you'd be silly not to expect a cliffhanger. I really liked Divergent, so I think I will read the next one, even though this one was a bit of a disappointment. I do want to see where the storyline goes, and overall I like her style of writing. So we'll see, right?

View all my reviews

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