REVIEW: MIDWINTERBLOOD

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not too often do you read books with this kind of intensity and depth, or with the kind of beautiful, descriptive writing, or that have such barely constrained passion bursting through the story. Marcus Sedgwick is truly one of my favorite authors (see Revolver and White Crow), because each one of his books, this one being no exception, stand out from the crowd of other YA literature. I loved this one because you can feel the history and weight of time behind the story, and the resolution is surprising and memorable. 

I say story, but really Midwinterblood is comprised of seven stories with common threads woven throughout, and as you get farther in you start to see how everything connects and the true storyline that transcends time. The enchanting, mysterious setting contributes a lot to the atmosphere of the book. It's a place where things aren't what you think they are, and secrets and traditions reveal the dark, sometimes violent side of the picturesque, remote Blessed Island.

I just can't get over this book. It's haunting and memorable, and the meaning builds and builds and the writing is simply masterful. I read it through twice and couldn't get enough. It's fairly short, and would definitely appeal to readers who enjoyed books like Tiger Lily, Monstrous Beauty, The Raven Boys, Cloud Atlas, or possibly even The Night Circus. 

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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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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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Hot Book of 2012: The Fault in Our Stars

If you haven't been totally asleep to the book world recently, you'll have noticed that The Fault in Our Stars is EVERYWHERE on the 2012 versions of the Best of the Year and Must Read and Give To People That You Know And Love for Christmas book lists. 

So.... Have you read it yet? Because if you haven't, I'm going to join my voice with the crowd of others and tell you that you SHOULD! Because a book wouldn't make it on all of these lists for no reason, right? (Unless the book is titled The Casual Vacancy, but that's a different story.) 

In short, it's about two kids who have/had cancer... Hazel (miraculously in remission for the time being) and Augustus (also called Gus, charming, handsome, and into Hazel) meet at cancer kids support group. Their surprising relationship is an adventure full of what would be normal experiences for others, but are new and exciting for them. Through their eyes, it feels new and exciting to the reader too... With major moments of discovering how the way you take on life and sickness defines you and the people who knew you. 

Here's a quick repost of my review: 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderfully witty despite the deep topic. This will definitely be an emotional read for those who have had cancer touch their lives in one way or another. Green has a special talent for creating characters that you can't help caring about--these ones are charming and funny and youthfully optimistic about their situation. I just really cared about them! So much that I found myself crying and feeling right along with them.

Not giving anything away here, but the twist near the end threw me for a loop- and I felt like that reversal in situation was the best part of the book. And even though some parts and characters felt vaguely familiar to those who have read John Green before, it was a wonderful read. A very satisfying book to spend some time with.

Those of you who have read it, here's some fun stuff:

The book trailer:

An amazing interview with John Green on Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/TSJIal

And.... I recommend following John Green on Twitter @realjohngreen. He's hilarious.

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Finding Comfort in Books (Love for Newtown, CT)

I don't know about you, but the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut is still raw and present, and on my mind a lot. I can't imagine what it would be like for those families to lose such precious little ones. I can't imagine what it would feel like to have such a hole in your heart that could never be filled in the same way again. When I think of what my life would be like without my loved ones, I think of being terribly empty and suffering a broken heart at almost every moment. It's hard to even talk about this indescribable loss in Newtown.

I've found that in moments of sorrow, suffering, or a broken heart, I can find some small measure of comfort and solace in a book. Have you ever felt that way? To be able to escape into a book in times when you can't stand to exist in the consciousness of what happened is so welcome. Often when this happens, it is my old, worn copies of my favorite books that I turn to. There is just something comforting about those familiar stories and worlds, places and characters that I can melt into for a short space of time, feeling what they feel instead of the ache that I feel. Books are so wonderful this way.

What are some of your favorite comfort books? Below are a few of mine that I've revisited when times are hard. May you find some peace and hope in your favorite words.

Top to Bottom: The Book Thief, These Is My Words, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Billy Collins' Sailing Alone Around the Room (poetry), Ella Enchanted (from when I was younger), Shiloh (also from childhood), Jane Eyre, and The Help. 

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favorite?

Has anyone ever asked you the question, "what's your favorite book?" I don't know about you, but for me this question is near impossible to answer!! Any book that I'm reading at any given moment could be my favorite!





Alright, I do understand what that question is getting at. So I think I'll share a book that has made my all time favorites list. Let's say this one is somewhere around top 5.

My Antonia by Willa Cather

I'll admit though, that it wasn't one of my favorites when I first read it in high school. But when I read it after high school, the scenic landscapes that she describes so beautifully captured my imagination. I could just picture myself running in the great fields that she describes with the wind blowing in my hair, or looking out upon a cornfield at sunset. . . . "The road ran about like a wild think, avoiding the deep draws, crossing them where they were wide and shallow. And all along it, wherever it looped or ran, the sunflowers grew; some of them were as big as little trees, with great rough leaves and many branches which bore dozens of blossoms. They made a gold ribbon across the prarie . . . " Cather's characters are also so real to life. I can relate to and care for each of them.

So if you want to read a good book-- I would recommend this one. It's one of my favorites ;)

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Laugh Out Loud

So every so often when I read something that is funny, I have no self restraint that keeps me from laughing out loud. Sometimes, VERY loud. And yes, I do get funny looks. But I'm not embarrassed--if someone hears me laughing, they might ask "what are you reading?" which is a wonderful way for me to share a funny moment and a book with them.

So here are a few that made me laugh out loud, that I think a lot of people will enjoy.

Marley & Me by John Grogan. Such a sweet story! makes me want to get a dog . . but also was great at telling about the lives of young married couples and how having a pet can be such a rewarding experience (on the whole . . .!) This book is so funny--especially some of the things that Marley the dog does, and you can't help but laugh out loud and fall in love with him a little bit more.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I laughed my head off! I love this book not only for its humor, but also because I felt like it was a real portrait of a real boy and real feelings. Mild content issues, but nothing major that should be worried about. This book honestly dealt with the way people feel. Life is funny sometimes, as well as sad, and so was this book! Loved it!

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Simply Amazing

Since beginning this blog I have realized how impossible it is to talk about all of the wonderful books out there! But I still feel strongly about sharing the books that have touched my life, and books that I think would touch the lives of others. Here are a few that I have read recently that are simply amazing and eye-opening:

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. This book blew me away. I learned about and came to love these Mirabal sisters for who they are and what they have done. An amazing and moving story that also made me grateful for the freedoms I have in this country. This is the story of the Mirabal sisters, real people who lived in the Dominican Republic. Together they were a large part of the rebellion which brought the horrible dictatorship of Trujillo to an end. They are brave, strong, and beautiful, and just like all of us, scared sometimes, and love their families.

Amazing Grace by Jonathon Kozol. This is an absolutely incredible look at a place so different from mine- the ghettos of the Bronx. It was incredibly enlightening. It was hard to find hope in their situation, except for in the futures of the children. Shocking in the way that life is in the Bronx, and the realities that these children and people have to deal with. VERY powerful.

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