Book Nook Club: Young Adult Lit

Showing posts with label Young Adult Lit. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Young Adult Lit. Show all posts

July 4, 2012

Echoes From the Academy by Jeffrey Mann

Sid is sitting in his car with a bottle of vodka between his thighs and a pistol in his hand. As he looks back at the last year of his life, he can't believe how he had gotten there. How had he strayed so far? His life was alright... but now, it was a complete disaster. There's only one way out.

Sid is a good kid. He's sometimes misunderstood and misrepresented but all in all, he's a decent teenaged boy. He comes from a great family... a father that's a provider and loves his family, a mother who loves God and always listens to her children and a sister who is wicked cool and even hooks him up with her pretty friends. Life was good. But his life takes a turn when he gets kicked out of school for allegedly selling drugs... a complete misunderstanding. With few options remaining, he decided he wanted to try military school. He was ready and eager to become a man.

His father reluctantly agreed, under the condition that he would attend for an entire year, no matter what. Even if it got hard, he would have to stay for a full school year. Sid accepted under those turns and was ready to start a new chapter. But when Sid got to military school, it wasn't quite what he expected. And it wasn't the strict discipline that brought him down, but he was actually fearful for his life! The events that took place within those walls were more frightening than his worse nightmares. The only thing that brought him through that tortuous year were two best friends that he made there. But even they could only help so much...

As he finds himself in that car, sorting through the details of the life he once had and the life he now had, he thinks there's only one choice now. As he remembers the pain and abuse from the past year, he thinks there's a sure way to forever forget. What will Sid choose? How will he ever get out of this mess?

Surprisingly, this is a 100% true story... not "based on a true story", but actually true. Some of the events seem so extraordinary or extreme and that's why it's so surprising and exciting to hear that it's all true! The book offers a great deal of hope for any young person coping with depression or struggling with their identity. The writing is easy flowing and fast moving... great for a YA crowd. Beware of some violent content, so lean towards the more mature side of YA.

4 Stars

Now available on Amazon!

I received a complementary copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion.

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May 21, 2012

Prison Nation by Jenni Merritt

Millie 942B has been in prison her entire life. Born to Lifers, she knows nothing of the outside world... only what the prison school has taught her. She lives in Nation, formerly known as The United States in the 2020's.

The Nation has strict laws that are harshly enforced in order to keep the outside safe and structured. As a result, the country had to build four mega prisons on each corner of the country to hold everyone. There are more people in than out.

But prison life is all Millie has ever known. As she approaches her 18th birthday, she has to face the reality of leaving her parents and the only life she understands. She has to prove herself a good citizen in front of a panel which includes a judge, the warden, her psychiatrist, a guard and her future employer... they must all come to a consensus that she'll be "the good... the strong" and an asset to Nation.

But what she finds upon her release is not quite what she expected. Life is not as just as she thought. Lies are covered and corruption is king. Seems like whether in or out, you're always in a prison. Will Millie find safety and finally be free?

This book was a lot like 1984. It was a quick read and really good for YA... high-schoolers would eat this up! I enjoyed this book very much, but sometimes the writing was a little repetative and the story became a little tooooo coincidental... it all tied up nicely, but that would never happen in real life. Overall, if you enjoy dystopian fiction, pick it up! It wont disappoint!

3.5 stars
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February 10, 2012

Telesa- The Covenant Keeper, by Lani Wendt Young

I'm sure you've read Twilight, so let's slip back into that world for a moment. Back to the first time you read it, before the very word "vampire" made you roll your eyes and sigh. Oh, it doesn't do that to you? Well it does to me, especially as I follow Pixel of Ink, where every other book is either paranormal YA or features simpering Amish maidens.

Now imagine that it wasn't Edward with the special powers, but Bella. And Bella isn't as annoying, doesn't snarl as often or stick her nose up at everything and everyone around her. And instead of a dark forest in the Pacific Northwest, they're in the tropical paradise of Samoa, with muscular tattooed rugby players and exotic beauties and a conflicting mixture of devout religious observation and violence.

Leila is the daughter of an American Peace Corps volunteer and a beautiful Samoan native. But after her mother is reportedly killed in a hurricane, her father brings her to live with his wealthy mother on the East coast. As a biracial teen Leila has a hard time fitting in, especially in the posh all-girl schools her grandmother insists upon. When her father dies suddenly, his last wish is that Leila will never attempt to return to Samoa. This request seems so nonsensical and mysterious that Leila becomes even more curious about her Samoan heritage and decides to visit.

Upon reaching the land of her birth, Leila is surprised by the cold welcome she receives from her remaining family there, but is determined to prove that not all American teenagers are wild, and also to find out about her mother. She enrolls in school and is unfailingly obedient and mannerly. One day a frighteningly beautiful woman arrives claiming to be Leila's mother. Leila's aunt tells her the woman is "Telesa," a sort of elemental goddess of Polynesian lore. It sounds crazy, but when kissing a local rugby star causes her to burst into flame, Leila must face the idea that there's more to the myths -and to her mother- than most people realize.

What makes this book stand out is the Polynesian element. The islands of the Pacific have long held a romantic appeal for millions. This book takes the reader away from the chain hotels and tourist traps into the real Samoa, a proud and beautiful culture. The author is herself from Samoa, and teaches there, and has seen how little is out there in pop culture that Polynesian youth can relate to. She did an outstanding job. In any other setting this book would be just another of hundreds of Twilight fan fiction novels, but Young made it her own. Her love for the people and culture of Samoa really shines through.

According to this review / interview, Young has been in touch with people in the film industry. If they do translate this book into film, I hope Samoa is prepared for the influx of rabid women that will descend upon it!

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February 9, 2012

Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to earth to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

The setting switches back and forth between a heavenly scene and earth with Matt and Emily going back and forth between the two. The catch, Matt and Emily are only Matt and Emily in the heavenly setting, they are placed in the lives of other humans on earth, trying to remember who they are and what they are there for. While many young adult novels have one-dimensional characters, Amy Lignor's characters are anything but and I loved both the main characters but also the supporting cast. And I really felt the love and confusion that Emily felt as she tried to remember her true purpose, a feeling I think we can all relate to as we try to decide what we think we should do and what we feel.

Until Next Time surprised me. While I was expecting fantasy, I was surprised by how many parts of it actually rang very true on a deeper level to me, which made this story much more than just your typical young adult novel. Things like Emily and Matt learning and training in heaven to prepare them for their time on the earth. And that when they are sent to earth their knowledge being taken away so that they can be tested and learn during their earthly experiences. Other small insights throughout the novel give this story and the characters in it more depth and meaning to me and I loved it. This is Book 1 in the Angel Chronicles and I will definitely be reading the next one to see where Emily and Matt's partnership takes them next. 5 stars.
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January 26, 2012

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab: by Fiona Ingram

Whisked away on a short vacation with their aunt, cousins Justin and Adam find themselves on a tour in the middle of the Egyptian desert. Both cousins admire Mr. Kinnaird, an English archeologist, who suddenly went missing on a dig while investigating the ancient legend of the Scarab King. Fueled by these accounts, Adam convinces himself, along with his cousin, that there is adventure to be found in Egypt and treasure that is just waiting to be uncovered. While following their beautiful tour guide, Laila, the boys are approached by an unusual peddler outside the museum in Memphis. This odd looking man gives them three wooden scarabs in exchange for no money and utters odd words like “son of fire and light”, catapulting the boys suddenly into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure movie.

The book continues to pick up the pace as Adam and Justin begin to find clues connecting these plain looking scarabs with Mr. Kinnaird’s mission and the tomb of the Scarab King. Being chased by men dressed in dark robes, uncovering secrets of the dark Dr. Khalid, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Department, and inching closer to the location of the Scarab King’s tomb are just some of the details that continue to pour out of the pages of “The Secret of the Sacred Scarab” and will leave young readers mesmerized. As danger becomes a reality for both boys, their aunt and feisty grandmother begin to worry and slowly connect the dots, aiding these youngsters on the quest of their life.

Fiona Ingram creates the first book in the Chronicles of the Stone and “The Secret of the Sacred Scarab” does not disappoint. While adding in facts about Egyptian culture and history, I did not even notice that this book was a learning tool until after the last page. Laila, the tour guide, provides factual information about hieroglyphics, ancient culture, and the practices of the pharaohs and their priests. Stemming from Ingram’s trip to Egypt as a child, this novel imbeds history into the core of the adventure. Although simple in language and obvious plot details foreshadowing future action, this book is perfect for young readers, male and female alike. Adam and Justin are typical boys, and filled with imagination and a spirit thriving for adventure they invite other young readers on their remarkable escapade. Ingram excels at combining a foreign culture with an interesting plot and details that will jumpstart any child’s imagination.

4 stars

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December 29, 2011

Ravenstoke by Augusta Blythe

Ravenstoke is the second book in a series called Universe Unbound by Augusta Blythe.

I read and reviewed her first book, Winterborne, at the start of the year, and you can find that review here.

Ravenstoke continues to follow Loie and Mia as they learn more about who they really are and the secrets that tie them together. Loie is coming into her own as a Universal and learning that she is way more powerful than she ever imagined. Andreas is still around, helping Loie train by day and smooching with Mia by night.

When Andreas is pulled into a secret mission in England, Loie is left on her own to train... until the replacement shows up. Gorgeous and sly, Cian. Cian decides to try and push Loie as far as she can go to really test out her limits. And they both realize that she's quite amazing.

I can't really go into any more detail than that or I risk giving away some of the goodies... the twists, turns and surprises that makes this book great. This book works really hard at developing characters and relationships, especially Loie's, and it pays off in the end. You also get to meet the illusive Mr. Winterborne... finally! And Cian... swoooooon.

This book is absolutely transitional... not as action packed as the first, but definitely leading up so some good drama... I can feel it.

You'd definitely want to read these in order, or you'll be lost. Loie is a Universal, not a witch or a magical creature. You need some backstory to grasp the details.

Read them... you'll like it! I can't wait for the next one!

4 Stars

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book for the purpose of this review. These are my honest opinions.
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December 14, 2011

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Ashfall is a young adult dystopian novel. The premise is that a "super volcano" in Yellowstone National Park erupts, shrouding the entire United States in ash in a natural disaster of epic porportion. The main character is Alex, a fifteen year old boy who takes to the road to rejoin his parents. He travels through a transformed world, where violence in the norm and everyone is desperate for food and clean water.

There is a lot of action in this book, and Mullin doesn't shy away from more of the gritty details of a natural disaster. I like the romance in it too--it's portrayed in a gradual, natural manner and the female protaganist is both tough and smart.

There were stretches of the book that went very, very slowly. There were parts that didn't seem very realistic--for example, Alex's Taekwondo training actually comes in handy (does that ever really happen?). The ending is a bit unsatisfying to me and hints at a sequel. All in all, I could see this being a popular book for both teenage boys and girls, and it's definitely worth the read if you enjoy the genre.

Three stars
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December 8, 2011

Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

I was skeptical about Farsighted before I began reading it. The main character, Alex, is blind. The MAIN character is BLIND! Imagine all the scenery and setting and sensory images you gain from a character's sight while reading! It concerned me. But I was sorely mistaken! Farsighted gains depth and dimension from Alex's blindness. Alex gives us sensory experience through smell, touch, and hearing that are so deep and so real I honestly even forgot he was blind for quite a while.

What makes Alex even more special is that he can see the future. And what makes Alex completley normal and totally relatable? He's bullied. He's bullied without mercy. His parents are openly flawed. The adults around him are odd. He is an average teen with an extrodinary talent. I really appreciated the realness that permeates the story, even through the supernatural 'farsight'.

When Alex sees a bad premonition of his friend Simmi, he is determined to stop it, and so begins the mystery part of the book. And I will openly admit, I was floored by the outcome - I totally guessed wrong and was shocked (in a good way) by where Alex's story ends up and I can't wait to read more!

This is one of the best YA books I have read in a very long time. I was hooked. I was enthralled. I was so engrossed I am still thinking about it everyday! Read this. You won't be dissapointed.

5 Stars! Recommended for teens and adults.
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December 4, 2011

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

17 year old Anna has a decent life in Atlanta. She's got wonderful friends, a sweet 7 year old brother and a mom who just "gets her". She's got a great job at the movie theatre, where she gets to watch all the movies she wants for free (her favorite thing ever) and work alongside the lead singer/guitar player of her dreams- Toph. But her life quickly changes when her father, writer of cheesy sappy romance novels, makes it big and decides his daughter needs a better education. He ships her off to the School of Americans in Paris (or SOAP) to finish off her Senior year.

But don't feel sorry for Anna yet because SOAP is pretty awesome. Yes, the school is rigorous, but also freeing. Students live in dorms, eat meals in a restaurant type cafe and are allowed to party on weekends. Oh, and the drinking age in France? 16. Yeah, pretty awesome.

Anna becomes friends with a group of veterans at the school. They've been there since freshman year, know fluent French and show Anna the ropes. There's Meredith, the sporty one- Josh and Rashimi, who are always making out... and then... Ettiene St. Clair. St. Clair is "the boy". You know the one everyone likes. He's charming, sweet, funny, and French/British/American. Anna immediately falls for him, but there's just one problem- he's had a girlfriend for over a year. Will these two ever get together?

I think the answer is obvious.

I liked this book. It was fun, silly and sweet. But... it was whipped cream. Tasty, sweet, light and breezy. Everyone likes whipped cream. But does it fill you up? Is it substantial? No. Not at all. It's incredibly obvious. You know what the ending is before even cracking the spine. No surprises.

But that's not to say it's not a good book, because it is. If that's the sort of thing you're looking for. If you need a break from the heart wrenching or the nail biting, this is your pick. I think anyone in high school would adore this book... and it's also safe for them because they keep the PDA to a minimum and there's no sex... there's the mention of people having sex, but no details.

Perkins writing is great too. She has a fun tone throughout and she captures you from page one.

3 Stars.

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November 28, 2011

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner is a young adult fantasy novel that won a Newberry award in 1997. It popped up as suggested in my Goodreads feed and was highly rated, so I thought I would give it a try. It tells the story of a thief named Gen, recruited out of prison to help the king’s scholar steal a mythical treasure.

I enjoyed a lot of the elements of the novel—I like the fantasy genre, trickster-style characters, and a dash of adventure. But I just found this book incredibly slow. At least 75% of the novel describes their journey to get the treasure. I’m not talking about adventure-filled, action-packed travels where they fight evil and meet interesting side characters, I’m talking about a trudging, slow moving, character-development-through-long conversation type of trip.

I wasn’t a fan of the mythology in the book. I couldn’t picture a similar time period in my head, it varied from Biblical times, to feudal society, to ancient Greece. Oh, and then there were guns. I understand that fantasy writers pick and choose the elements of their world, but the use of very specific historic words from different time periods (like magus and megaron and dukes juxtaposed with guns) made it feel cobbled together to me.

On the plus side, I do find Turner to be a talented writer, even if I don’t like the way the story unfolded. And the last few chapters are great. Seriously, that’s what I wanted to entire book to be like. But it was just too little too late for me.

Two stars.
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November 22, 2011

Land of Mountains by Jinx Schwartz

Land of Mountains by Jinx Schwartz is a young adult novel that chronicles the adventures of Texas born ten-year old Lizbuthann (i.e. Elizabeth Anne) after she and her family move to Haiti. She's a rough and tumble sort of child, always interested in snooping and getting into mischief. The story follows her as she struggles with disease, political unrest, and the occasional zombie.

Unfortunately, the first thing that stands out about this book are the formatting mistakes. Perhaps it is only the Kindle edition but there were copious editing errors--sentences cut off in the middle and starting in the next paragraph, dialogue sometimes having a new paragraph for each speaker and sometimes not, missing quotation marks, and sentences lacking periods. Every time that I as a reader encountered one of these mistakes it took me out of the magic of the story.

I like the main protaganist. She's smart, she's sassy and funny, she's a little too curious for her own good, and she loves adventure. Young adult novels could use more Lizbuthann-style main characters. While this story is billed as a mystery, I feel that it falls more into the historical adventure genre.

Unfortunately, the episodic nature of Lizbuthann's adventures slows the story down. Lizbuthann gets polio--and we hear about it for three pages, and it never really comes up again. There are several interesting elements like that I would have loved to hear more about but are merely mentioned once and dropped.

While I enjoyed the idea of the setting as the lush forests of Haiti, the story was sadly lacking in locale description or setting description in general. While we are treated to step-by-step descriptions of what the heroine actually does, it lacks any sort grounding in the wider surroundings. It makes for a much weaker action scene when Lizbuthann is, for example, fording the river in small dam-building machinery, when I can't picture what the dam looks like, what the machinery looks like or even have a clear idea of what the machinery does.

2 stars (3 without the formatting issues)

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon

Have you ever read a book you want to love but just can't? Blaze of Glory is one of those books for me.

Tea is seventeen and on her way to a promising career in horse jumping (not sure that's the right term). Her life revolves around her family, friends, and horses until one day she gets into an accident and her career is put on hold as she struggles to find her way back. While she's struggling, her hot, 23-year old, polo playing cousin Jaden steps in to play her protector from the bad choices she makes in her life. And through their experiences together, they develop a very strong bond, platonic at first and then more than platonic in Tea's mind. The first half of the book is centered around Tea's love for horses and the second is centered around Tea's love for Jaden.

This review is hard to write because I really liked the story and I loved the characters, but throughout the book I was pretending and creating a plot of my own to get over some fundamental flaws I had with the book, which is why I think I enjoyed it so much. But there are a few things that I just can't get over personally, which also means I can't recommend this book to anyone.

First, this book is written for a young adult audience. The main character is a 17-year old girl, meaning the ideal audience for this would probably be teenage girls. The last quarter of the book is about Tea and her sexual relationship with a 23-year old man. The author, through Tea, treated sex like it wasn't a big deal and was just something that other people were doing so she should too. I completely disagree with this and wouldn't want my teenage daughter to read it. If this book were written for an adult audience and dealt with an adult relationship, I would be much more lenient on the author. And I know sex is everywhere right now and teens are out there having sex, but it doesn't mean that we need to write or read more books where it's just something that you do.

And second, I had a huge problem with the Tea and Jaden having a relationship when they are actual first cousins. I tried over and over again to convince myself that it didn't matter because they weren't related by blood, but they were related by adoption making them legal 1st cousins. It does matter and completely jaded my opinion of the storyline. I'm not sure why Jaden couldn't have been just like a cousin or just like a brother (someone's best friend, etc.), not an actual relative.

If you can get over those two fundamental flaws, this book may for you. Like I said, when I imagined Tea and Jaden as just a man and a woman (not a teenage girl and her cousin), I loved this story and found it hard to put down. I also loved the characters and the way they were so well-developed. But for me, the two things above ruined the book for me and I really can't recommend it. I will probably read something by M. Garzon in the future because I enjoyed the writing, but only if the storyline is one I can get behind.3 stars

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November 15, 2011

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children follows the story of 16 year old Jacob. Jacob grew up dreaming of adventure and listening to his grandfather tell tales of a magical safe haven, levitating and invisible children, and of fighting evil monsters. Although the teenage Jacob no longer believes in such stories, he finds himself questioning everything he thinks he knows after his grandfather's sudden violent death. He embarks on a journey to the remote Welsh island where his grandfather grew up in hopes of finding answers.

The book starts off strong. The first person narration is compelling and fast-paced. The first half of the book does a wonderful job with letting the story unfold in such a way that keeps you wanting more.

What makes this book so extraordinary are the creepy vintage photographs. Whenever the narrator describes a photograph (or occasionally a letter or handwritten note), it is included on the next page. I frequently caught myself peeking ahead in the book, hoping for another photo.

I wasn't quite as impressed with the second half of the book. There was a lot of flat-out of telling the mythology behind the action, rather than building it up organically. The character of Emma was disappointingly two-dimensional. Indeed, most of the Peculiar Children weren't fleshed out enough, both in terms of their personality and their back stories. (There is a particularly eerie photo of two "snacking ballerinas" that could easily give you nightmares--but their characters are never even addressed.)

Despite the creepy photographs, this novel is closer to a fantasy novel than a horror story.

Four stars

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November 14, 2011

Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade

Tessa is your average high school senior. She gets good grades, has good friends and is a good girl. She has a kid sister that she absolutely adores, and takes most of the responsibility for, since her parents have sort of checked out. While they're there to pay the bills and keep the fridge stocked, they aren't there for much of anything else.

One day Tessa gets called into the principals office to be informed that she's in danger. The principal assigns the rudest and biggest player and straight up bad boy in school to play bodyguard for Tessa... only problem is, he's insanely hot. Normally she wouldn't think twice about going for a guy like Hayden, but as they begin to hang out more, their chemistry begins to ignite.

Tessa also learns some life changing news during her visit with the principal. Turns out, she's a witch. She's got super special abilities, like reading minds, telekinesis and blocking... amongst other things. She begins working with her principal (also a sorcerer) to develop her skills and learn about her abilities. Things begin to heat up when she learns that there are two sides to every story.

She must choose between two sides... good versus evil... but which is which, she can't tell? She must decide and pledge her allegiance to the right side before her 18th birthday, but choosing wrong could cost her her life. In her journey to pick a side, she uncovers mysteries about herself, her family and Hayden that puts her life in danger... and time is running out.

I really really enjoyed this book. I mean, is there anyone that doesn't enjoy a good YA Fantasy? And, I'm not afraid to admit it... I loved Twilight... yeah, I'm that girl. What I loved about this book was that it dove straight into my emotions. When she and Hayden had a steamy scene, I felt it too. When she was getting into trouble, I was biting my nails. When she discovered truths, I gasped and even cried. It was a great emotional roller coaster... and with the fun of the fantasy stuff thrown in.

What I didn't love about the book was that there was a bit too much teenage girl doubting questioning drama... "I like him, but he's a jerk, but he's so cute, but he's gonna break my heart, but he's sometimes sweet, but..." It's like every other page Tessa would decide to either love or hate Hayden forever. I wanted to scream DECIDE ALREADY! But, that's oh so typical teenage girl behavior, isn't it? The other thing, being a Twilight fan, it's hard not to compare. There were some similarities... as I also found in Hush, Hush and Shiver. I just would LOVE to find a YA Fantasy that was waaaaay out there... with nothing, nothing, nothing to remind me of Edward and Bella's epic love story.

This book was great fun. I peeled through it. 4 Stars.

If you're interested in learning more about Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade, you can join the Veronica for an author chat on November 18 at 8pm EST. She'll be giving away a copy of her book and answering questions live via chat. Sounds like fun! I'll be there!

Click HERE to join the party!
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September 24, 2011

Evermore by Alyson Noel

I picked Evermore up for four dollars at my local Hastings simply because I have seen many people reading it and wondered what all the fuss was about. This is the first in an ongoing series and I'm pretty sure there are currently seven books in this series and a spin off series featuring one of the characters.

Where to begin? This novel is definitely YA - not that it's a bad thing but the writing is simple, the story is simple, the action sequences are simple - well you get the picture.

Sixteen-year old Ever is the only survivor of a horrible car crash that kills her family. She moves from Oregon to LA to live with an estranged aunt. She is an outcast at her new school and turns inward, ignoring everyone else. That is until, Damen shows up. He's the new, incredibly gorgeous, very mysterious guy who miraculously shows an interest in Ever. But Ever knows there is something weird about him but she can't put her finger on it. He's too beautiful, moves too fast, seems to be able to read her mind, and pulls red tulips out of thin air. As she gets to know Damen, she is thrust into a world where immortals are real and she's deeply involved - although not in the way you expect.

So here's the gist. Good story, lots of potential - especially when you get to the explanations at the end of the book - but while reading this, I seriously thought I was reading a different version of Twilight. It's so similar Stephanie Meyer could probably sue Noel and win. It's not until the end that you get a differing plot line. I have high hopes for the next books in this series but if it continues to be a Twilight doppelganger I will move on.

Overall, decent read. 3 stars. Read for a quick fantasy YA or if you love Twilight. Adults and Teens.

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September 9, 2011

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

I have read a lot of YA fantasy. A lot. Some of it is exceptional and I can't wait to get someone else to read it and others are extremely mediocre and dull. Where does The Warrior Heir fall? Somewhere in the middle. Was it OMG awesome? No. Did I read it in two sittings? Yes. Will I read more from this author and most likely finish the series? When I think about it.

The story follows Jack, a 16 year old from Ohio. He's nothing special and the only thing odd about him is that he has to take a pill everyday for a heart surgery he had as a baby. One day Jack doesn't take his medicine and he feels stronger, more aggressive, more confident, and all around better. But, he loses control and almost kills another student at soccer practice. Enter Jack's odd Aunt Linda, who bares news about Jack - he's Weirlind; part of a magical people. He's the center of The Game, the war platform for the two sects of wizards. The Game pits two Warriors against each other in a gladiator like battle - winner takes control of all the Weirlind. And guess who is the very last warrior? That's right - Jack.

Overall, this was a fun, simple read without any huge themes or difficult subject matter. It is straight YA popcorn (light, fluffy, eaten by the handful). If it sounds interesting to you, go for it! You'll enjoy it but it probably won't rock your world. It did have some interesting aspects and I think if she ever wanted to expand the story fully it could be a fantastic adult fantasy.

I would recommend this for teens and preteens. Adults - it's something fun to read that's quick, entertaining, and with little depth.

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July 20, 2011

The Screaming Stone by J.P. Osterman

The Screaming Stone is a YA adventure/mystery novel that follows main characters Marcie and her cousin Robbie as they search for truth and treasure.

It all begins when visiting the cemetery after old Uncle Charlie dies. Marcie follows Robbie around the graves and notices that he's trying to break into one! In their ancestors gravestone, they find a special gold locket and a scroll with a guide to the family's secrets, past and possibly hidden fortune. This leads the pair on an adventure through cold and creepy cellars and down long and dark caverns, with Marcie's kid brother Frankie in tow. They are fueled by mysterious Irish folktales and the desire to save their family's farm and will go to great lengths to find whatever treasures await them.

Basically, that's the straight synopsis. But, aside from that storyline, there are other themes taking place here. For one, Marcie's mom is saddened by an old loss and copes by being an irresponsible and in-compassionate mother. Her uncle, Finn, has been outcasted from the family for over 15 years due to something that happend while he was a teenager. Marcie is afraid of him, but doesn't know all the details. Her grandparents are from Ireland and are constantly telling them tales from the old country that make their imaginations run wild and give them a strong belief in mysticism and magic. Robbie has some sort of disability, and although it's never named in the book, it seems to be some sort of Autism or Asburgers.

In my personal opinion, I felt like their were too many themes and situations kept coming up instead of wrapping up. One second they're talking about Irish kings and the next about the Civil War and even dinosaurs. It was all just a little far fetched. Marcie is a 13 year old, but at times behaves stubbornly and childish... not in a teenager way, but more like a 10 year old. Even Frankie, who's supposed to be 8, at one point needs to go down for a nap... more like a 5 year old. The writing at times felt a little sporadic. Some things went into great detail, and then at other times she skimmed through time so fast that it didn't lead to any kind of emotional push or pull.

The book is labeled as YA, but it feels a little younger than that even... maybe more appropriate for 4-7th graders... I do not think high schoolers will enjoy this read. Although I personally enjoyed the action scenes, I felt that it was too jumpy overall.

3 stars.

This book was provided to me for the purpose of this review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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July 12, 2011

The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles Book One) by Rick Riordan

First I must admit that I have been a longtime fan of Rick Riordan and his Heroes of Olympus series is fantastic. I was excited to read his new series and had very high expectations. And Mr. Riordan - you did not disappoint!

I love Egypt and have ever since I was a kid. I think the whole civilization is fascinating and went into this book hoping I would get a healthy does of Egyptian lore and myths. Oh I did - and it was awesome.

The book follows the quest of Sadie and Carter Kane to rescue their father from a very angry Egyptian god. They have to navigate new magical abilities, commune with other gods, and fight demons of all kinds. There are twists and turns and shockers galore all cramed in with great action sequences and terrific dialouge. The only part of the book I have any negative comment on - and its not even really negative - is that the chapters switch back and forth between the two kids and in the beginning was slightly confusing. Once I got used to the characters, though, it was a lot easier to follow and I truly began enjoying the different viewpoints and sibling banter.

This is a fantasic addition to the YA genre and a great read for adventure lovers of all ages. 5 stars!

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July 6, 2011

The 39 Clues by Various Authors (Books 1-10)

I just finished reading (well listening to as they were audiobooks) numbers 1-10 of The 39 Clues series. There are more coming (book 11 - Vespers Rising - came out in April) but book 10 ends at a very good stopping point before starting the next phase of the story. The books follow the quest of the 11 year old Dan and 14 year old Amy Cahill around the world as they try to piece together the clues that form the basis of their families power. What power? Well, in the books, the Cahills are an extremely influencial family that has four branches. Famous people like Benjamin Franklin, Mozart, Shakespeare, and others are all included in the families geneology. Dan and Amy must follow clues and hints left behind througout the generations to find the ultimate prize - the power to rule the world.

These books are extremely well written. Each book features a new author - including big YA names like Riordan, Korman, and Haddix. And while that may seem like it would make the series choppy and disconnected, it doesn't. Rather, it gives an exciting and ever-changing quality to the books that fits in nicely with Dan and Amy's constant traveling and hunting. The characters are extremely well developed and I grew to care about Dan and Amy and their plight more and more with every book. The series has well thought out plot twists and the historical aspects are really engaging and highly believeable.

I must say also that the audiobooks, narrated by David Pittu, are some of the best recordings I have ever heard. He gives unique and distinctive voices to all of the characters. Check it out.

I would recommend these for all ages. 5 stars!

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July 5, 2011

Possession by Elana Johnson

If you have become obsessed with the dystopian genre (i.e. Hunger Games, Matched, The Giver, etc.) as I have, there is a new book by a debut author that you must read. Elana Johnson just released her book Possession and it is fabulous. The main characters are compelling and the story is fast paced. I personally fell in love with the main character, Vi, and can't seem to stop thinking about the book. I am now trying to figure out how to convince my husband to name a future child Jag...is that weird? Now, you are probably wondering what the book is about, below is a synopsis.

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

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

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

I loved the book and I highly recommend it. Go order a copy!

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