Brenda Loves Books

Blog Change

2010-11-30T19:32:00.003-07:00

For a long time I've wanted to change the name of my blog, so I finally went ahead and took the plunge. I also wanted the url to match the name, so I had to switch my blog over completely. So, I'd much appreciate if any of my blog readers and followers would head on over to my new blog, become a follower, update your subscriptions to the new link, and all that good stuff. Thanks!

http://readingfairytales.blogspot.com/

Oracle's Legacy: Dawn of Illumination

2010-11-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Book Details:
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Page Count: 448
Publication Date: Oct. 3, 2010
Why I read it: received for review
Grade: B

The plot:
The Board Is Set… The dying Oracle can no longer protect her Structure. Moon has exposed it from the shadows in hopes to bring ruin to the world. Thousands of years of lies and secrets have given birth to fear and mistrust. The cycle of Moon’s plots have only begun to spin. The Pieces Are In Place… Pillars want to recreate the world, but in order to do so they must first destroy it. The Structure looks to their new leader, Augustus Granger, to take over and stop the devastation. However, Demon’s Wrath refuses to let anyone stop his plan of total annihilation. The Game Has A New Player... The plots, misdeeds, and fighting gave rise to Chaos. Now no one can stop her. No one is safe. No one can hide.

My review:
This was a pretty good conclusion to the Oracle's Legacy trilogy. I have to say I didn't like it as well as the first two. In all of these books there have been times when I had no idea what was going on, but I felt like by this third book I should have a better grasp on the story and everything happening, but I just didn't. Also, as someone who goes as far as correcting the grammar of characters on TV, I'm still very annoyed with the editing here. There were commas all over the place where they shouldn't have been. It didn't make the reading as smooth as it could have been.

Still, I was satisfied with how the story ended. I still really like Ollie, as messed up as she is. The writing continues to have that "tough" feel to it, sometimes a little too much, to be honest. What I really liked about this trilogy, though, was that it's just so different. I'm not sure how the author came up with her ideas, but her world is very detailed and quite interesting. I haven't seen any other books like this, which is refreshing. I sometimes get tired of the same types of characters that you usually see in fantasy books.

The first book in this trilogy will always hold a spot on my list of favorites, and I would (with reservations) recommend this trilogy to fans of fantasy and science fiction. I look forward to seeing what R.B. Holbrook does next.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

2010-11-28T18:29:00.003-07:00

Book Details:
Genre: Christian Romance
Page Count: 226
Publication Date: Oct. 5, 2010
Why I read it: received for review
Grade: B+

The plot:
In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

My review:
I've only ever read fantasy books by Donita K. Paul, and she's one of my favorite authors. This book was another hit for me. It was a sweet romance that was perfect for this time of year. The thing I love most about this author's books are that they are just so cozy. They're just right for reading while cuddling under a blanket with a cup of tea or cocoa.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball wasn't very fast paced. It seemed to cover a very short amount of time, and honestly not a lot happened. I really would have liked to see the story a bit more fleshed out and more things explained. It was pretty short, and had a bit of an abrupt ending. We never really got to know exactly what was going on or why or how. That being said, I think that it was meant to be a quick holiday read, not a long detailed story.

I quite liked the characters here, and would love to read more about them. I didn't want to the story to end. There is definitely a Christian message in the book, and religion is sprinkled throughout. Pretty much what you'd expect from a Christian publisher and author. All in all, I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a sweet holiday read that you can squeeze in between all your busy times. This is an author that I'll continue to read.

Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones

2010-11-23T15:07:00.003-07:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 322
Publication Date: Nov. 1, 2008
Why I read it: 2nd in series
Grade: B

The plot:
In this second Alcatraz adventure, Alcatraz finds himself on a mission to meet Grandpa Smedry when he gets swept up by a flying glass dragon filled with his unusual and mouthy Smedry cohorts.

Their mission? A dangerous, library-filled one, of course!

They are on their way to the ancient and mysterious Library of Alexandria (which some silly people think was long ago destroyed!) where they must find Grandpa Smedry, look for clues leading to Alcatraz's potentially undead dead father, and battle the creepy, dangerous soul-sucking curators who await them.

My review:
I think that my sense of humor meshes pretty well with Brandon Sandersons. It would have to, otherwise I'd find this book incredibly annoying. There is humor throughout, and sometimes I think it's almost trying too hard to be funny. But at the same time, I think that's part of the charm of this book.

There isn't a ton that happens here--it's really just one adventure, but I didn't feel like the book lacked plot at all. It was actually really interesting, and not at all predictable, which is nice. The story always seems to be going in one crazy direction after another. I honestly think it might be a bit much for some people. I can easily see how people could find the writing over the top, especially the humor. But it was right up my alley, and it was a quick fun read, especially for someone in a book slump.

I think if you had teen boys who wanted to find something to read, they would love this series. It would also be a fun bedtime story to read with your kids, if you like to do that kind of thing. This is nothing like Brandon Sanderson's other fantasy novels. It seems like whatever he writes is good, so as long as he keeps writing, I'll keep reading.

Divanomics

2010-11-19T09:22:00.002-07:00

Book Details:
Genre: non-fiction/self help
Page Count: 247
Publication Date: April 1, 2010
Why I read it: review copy from Tyndale
Grade: C

The plot:
Once upon a time, Michelle McKinney Hammond’s lifestyle centered around the finer things in life—designer clothes, five-star restaurants, and bag after bag of high-end nonessentials. Then one day, like many people, Michelle awoke to find herself on the losing end of a most unwelcome and unexpected financial downturn. In response, she quickly went from “spoiled” to “fabulously frugal,” and with courage and a sense of humor, she made the necessary adjustments in her life.
Now, Hammond, a self-proclaimed DIVA (Divine Inspiration for Victorious Attitude), shares what she learned about her own spending, desires, and needs and how she adjusted to life during an unpredictable economy. Divanomics is filled with money-saving tips on fashion, beauty, home decor, entertaining, diet, housing, and more.

My review:
I'm not sure that I'm really the target audience for this book. Yes, I'd like to budget better and get tips for spending less money, but this book seemed to be more for people who had expensive tastes (something I've never had) and it seemed to be geared more towards single woman. Since I'm a married mother of three, my life looks a lot different than the authors.

I think if you're looking for a good book on budgeting and financing, check out something by Dave Ramsey. In fact, the author even suggests his books in Divanomics, so I think she's aware that she's not an expert on finance. What this book reads more like is sitting down for a cup of coffee with a girlfriend who found herself in financial trouble, figured out how to help herself, and wants to give you her advice and experiences.

I think what I liked best about the book were the little snippets at the end of each chapter called "What's a diva to do". These were basically a summary of the chapter, but in the form of a list of things you could try. Since I'm all about lists, these were good for me. This is a fun book about spending less, but a lot of the time I felt like she was too focused on getting stuff--like what she could get out of other people for free. There were times that it wasn't in a bad way, like trading clothes with your friends, but there were other times where it seemed like she was giving pointers for getting men (or others) to buy you things or give you things. It rubbed me the wrong way a little bit.

All in all, this was a quick read (when I actually picked it up and read it), but definitely not the best if you're looking to get your finances in order. If you're looking for something lighthearted about finances, though, this may be a good option. You can visit the product page for this book at Tyndale here.

Books for Review

2010-11-17T22:19:00.003-07:00

I've received a couple of books for review in the past few days. Hopefully I can get to them soon. I think I've got at least 5 books I'm in the middle of reading (probably more), and I'm not making progress on any of them. And I've got a big stack of books from the library, too.

But anyway, here's what I got:

With OtherWorlds,you will learn to draw and paint fantasy scenery. Also disc over how to bring forth ideas more quickly, and communicate a sense of place that evokes a range of emotions, especially the thrill of taking an exotic journey to explore the unknown. Enjoy Tom Kidd's lively and personal step-by-step instruction that includes information on materials, observing nature, drawing, form, color, creating special effects and more. You will learn to create scenes so vast they take your breath away with exquisite skies and aircraft, rugged terrain, glittering cites, spectacular rock formations, stormy seas, magnificent forests and more.

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.
Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.
This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

Not Much to Report

2010-11-11T14:46:00.002-07:00

I'm still around. I'm just not reading very much right now, because I've found something else to consume my time, which is trying to figure out a better budget and trying to eat healthier and buying more foods locally. So I guess I'm reading a little, because I'm reading two books on those topics now. One is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and the other is The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn (which is 976 pages!). Both are interesting, but they're not books I can sit down and read for hours.

So I really have nothing to report around here. I've also got the third book in the Oracle's Legacy Trilogy by R.B. Holbrook that I've started but not made much headway. It's good, but my focus has been on too many other things to read fiction. I hope to get back to it soon so I'll have something to talk about around here.

Double Cross

2010-11-05T13:33:00.005-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: urban fantasy
Page Count: 336
Publication Date: Sept. 28, 2010
Why I read it: book 2 in a trilogy
Grade: A

The plot:
Justine Jones has lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she's lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard. He gifts her with extraordinary mental powers-dooming her to fight Midcity's shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.

But now, serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard - and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity's new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will.

As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men . . . one on a journey of redemption, and the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

My review:
You know how sometimes you read the first book in a series, and you really like it, but then you get book 2 in your hands and you're afraid it won't be as good, so you put off reading it? I did that a little bit with Double Cross. Lately urban fantasy series have been disappointing me. But I shouldn't have worried about this one. In fact, I would say that Double Cross is better than Mind Games. Which is good--authors should improve with each book. But if Carolyn Crane gets any better, I'm afraid I might have a heart attack while reading the next book. Or a vein star episode. Like my head might seriously explode.

The biggest problem with this book was that it ended. It was like I was on this really awesome ride with lots of twists and turns, and the ride got really intense, and I started getting worried, like WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING WITH THIS RIDE AND WHAT'S COMING NEXT? And then the ride comes to a sudden stop. And I know there's more ride, but I can't go on it right now. Logically, I feel like it was as good a place as any to end this part of the story, unless she was going to wrap up the whole story right now (but since it's a trilogy, that wasn't happening), it's just that I want to find out what happens right this minute.

So, I really like Justine. I like that she's conflicted, and that there are no easy answers for her. I even kind of like this love triangle, even though I normally hate love triangles. Both Packard and Otto are so horribly screwed up (as is Justine), but they've also got very attractive things about them. And maybe what I like about them is that they don't have everything going for them. Just about everyone in this book is flawed in some way, some a lot more than others, but the world somehow seems to stay believable. And I've grown to really care about some of these characters--maybe a little too much, judging by my reaction to the ending.

Double Cross has been enough to renew my faith in the urban fantasy genre. Before this I had gotten very burned out, and it seemed like there was nothing new there to find. This is different. It's emotional, heart-pounding, gray area all over the place wonderful. I would highly recommend this one! Any book that leaves you with an intense emotional reaction has to be doing something right. I'll leave you with what I facebooked right after I finished it:

Just finished a book that I want to punch in the face. Not because it was bad. It was excellent, but it's book two of a trilogy, and it was very cruel of the author to end it where she did.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Floating Islands

2010-10-27T13:53:00.004-06:00

I don't usually participate in memes, but I like this one just for the fact that I find more books to add to my TBR list. And I don't care if I'm coming up on 700 books on my list, I can always use more. So, here's one that I'm waiting on:

The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier
When Trei loses his family in a tragic disaster, he must search out distant relatives in a new land. The Floating Islands are unlike anything Trei has ever seen: stunning, majestic, and graced with kajurai, men who soar the skies with wings.Trei is instantly sky-mad, and desperate to be a kajurai himself. The only one who fully understands his passion is Araene, his newfound cousin. Prickly, sarcastic, and gifted, Araene has a secret of her own . . . a dream a girl cannot attain.Trei and Araene quickly become conspirators as they pursue their individual paths. But neither suspects that their lives will be deeply entwined, and that the fate of the Floating Islands will lie in their hands.

If you'd like to see more Waiting on Wednesday posts, visit Breaking the Spine.

Allegra Fairweather

2010-10-25T07:45:00.002-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Paranormal
Page Count: 209
Publication Date: May 26, 2010
Why I read it: netgalley review copy
Grade: B-

The plot:

Allegra Fairweather here. Paranormal investigator. Got problems with specters? Shapeshifters? I'm the woman to call. Just don't call me a Ghostbuster. The last guy who did that ended up flat on his back with my boot at his throat.

With my 99.5% success rate, solving the mystery of a bleeding rose that has sprung up on the shores of Loch Furness should have been an easy gig. But already I've heard the shriek of the local banshee, discovered two bodies (and then lost two bodies), and had a near-death encounter with a three-hundred-year-old ghost. And perhaps most dangerous of all, the hot pub owner who hired me now wants to show me exactly what's under his kilt.

Luckily, I'm ably assisted by my very own guardian angel. I'm grateful for his help-but he's also drop-dead gorgeous. A bit distracting when I've got a mystery to solve, and the clock is ticking...

My review:
Let me tell you right up front that I think this book is only available in e-book edition. I enjoyed this one, but it was really nothing more than a fun, easy read; a good way to pass a couple of afternoons. What I liked best, I think was the setting. I would love to travel to Scotland. Forget the handsome men in kilts, I'm jealous of Allegra just for the scenery. And it was very much a part of the story, so that's good.

Allegra is a fun character, even though she seemed to have a bit of a hard time figuring anything out. If she really does have a 99.5% success rate, I don't know how she did it. She kind of bumbles around and figures things out only with luck. But still, she's fairly tough (although it does help that she has a guardian angel to get her out of all kinds of scrapes), and definitely likable.

There was a little bit of romance here, but not too much. It didn't overshadow the story, at least. It seems that this is the start of a series. Book two is already written and has been acquired by the publisher. So that's good news for those who liked this first one, but I'm afraid of the direction it'll take. I didn't think her romantic interest in her guardian angel was all that great, but I think it'll become more and more the focus. We'll see, it could be done well. I would recommend this to fans of paranormal romance, especially if you're not as interested in the romance. If you're looking for a hot and heavy bodice-ripper type novel, this isn't it.

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians

2010-10-22T09:05:00.005-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Juvenile Fantasy
Page Count: 308
Publication Date: Oct. 1, 2007
Why I read it: I like the author
Grade: B

The plot:
A hero with an incredible talent...for breaking things. A life-or-death mission...to rescue a bag of sand. A fearsome threat from a powerful secret network...the evil Librarians.

Alcatraz Smedry doesn't seem destined for anything but disaster. On his 13th birthday he receives a bag of sand, which is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians plotting to take over the world. The sand will give the Librarians the edge they need to achieve world domination. Alcatraz must stop them!...by infiltrating the local library, armed with nothing but eyeglasses and a talent for klutziness.

My review:
Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors. So I was curious to see what this childrens fantasy series would be like. I can't say I like it as well as his adult fantasy, but it was highly enjoyable for sure. It's written in the style as if the main character is writing his story, and there are a lot of instances of the character (as the author, or is it the author as the character?) talking to the reader. This type of thing can be done well or it can be incredibly annoying. Fortunately, it was done well and was very fun.

Alcatraz is a great character, and I think one that older children especially will love. The whole book is very clever and creative. Here's a quote that I particularly liked:

Now, actual torture is frowned upon in civilized society. Fortunately, the authorial community has discovered in storytelling an even more powerful--and more fulfilling--means of causing agony in others. We write stories. And by doing so, we engage in a perfectly legal method of doing all kinds of mean and terrible things to our readers.
Take, for instance, the word I used above. Propondity. There is no such word--I made it up. Why? Because it amused me to think of thousands of readers looking up a nonsense word in their dictionaries.

This is the writing style of the book, so if the above quote sound fun to you, you'll probably like it. If it seems annoying, steer clear. This is not a book for everyone. I would say that just because you enjoy Sanderson's adult fantasy does not mean you will like this. It's completely different in style. But if you like silly, fun children's fantasy, or you're looking for something fun for your kids to read, this is a great choice.

Hunger

2010-10-21T16:45:00.002-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 180
Publication Date: Oct. 18, 2010
Why I read it: netgalley review copy
Grade: C-

The plot:
Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

My review:
This book felt pretty depressing all the way through. I guess, given the subject matter, that's not surprising. It's just that reading so much about the mind of an anorexic girl isn't my favorite thing. Probably not anyone's favorite thing, but that's beside the point. The whole book just made me feel sick and uneasy.

The reasons behind things were also pretty unclear. It was never really clear why Lisa was chosen as famine, what she was supposed to do, what her requirements were, etc. Could be because the book was only 180 pages, which makes it hard to pack in a lot of detail. Especially when the focus is on graphic details of a girl who won't eat, and everything going on with her body (including details about a bout of constipation). I was also subjected to a very, very detailed scene of Lisa bulimic friend in the bathroom. I'll leave any more of that to your imagination, which I wish the author would have done.

I understand the author suffered from these diseases at one point in her life, and maybe her goal was to help girls who are also suffering. Maybe it will inspire them to get help. I don't know, because I'm not one of those girls, and have never been close. So it's really hard for me to say if the author accomplished what she was going for or not. I almost feel like I'm not the target audience for this one.

There were a few scenes that I thought were pretty cool, and I felt I could have liked the story if it were focused on those things instead of eating disorders. I can't really fault the book for not being what I would have liked. I just realize it wasn't the book for me.

DragonArt Evolution

2010-10-20T20:46:00.005-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: instructional book
Page Count: 144
Publication Date: Sept. 30, 2010
Why I read it: review copy
Grade: B

The plot:
Inspiration, instruction, and entertainment - you will get it all in this book filled with all-new dragons and detailed anatomy instruction. As seen in J “NeonDragon” Peffer’s first book, DragonArt: How to Draw Fantastic Dragons and Fantasy Creatures, this book features a combination of beautiful, inspiring art, easy-to-follow instruction with DragonArt™ Evolution. You will be able to draw every part of dragon anatomy book and be able to assemble those pieces into dragons of your very own.

My review:
I've always liked to draw, and fantasy pictures have long been my favorites. The problem was, I could never draw a dragon. I didn't even know where to start with getting the body rightly proportioned, or making the head look right. So I was kind of excited to get this book for review. I'll be honest, I haven't actually tried drawing any of these dragons yet. I haven't actually picked up a drawing pad and pencil for years, if you want to know the truth.

I do really like the pictures, though. The illustrations are beautiful, and the instruction seems to be pretty good. My seven year old sat down with the book and tried to draw a dragon. He worked at it for quite awhile, and while you'd never know it was a dragon from looking at it, he sure had fun. I don't think he realized you're not supposed to draw and keep every line in the instructions.

If you're already a great fantasy artist, this book may not be helpful to you. But if you like to draw, and need a little help, or if you just want to look at great illustrations of dragons, check out this book.

Still Forms on Foxfield

2010-10-19T13:02:00.003-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Science Fiction
Page Count: 213
Publication Date: 1980
Why I read it: I like the author
Grade: C

The plot:
Fleeing the final war that would destroy Earth's civilization, a small group of Friends--Quakers--found refuge on the uncharted planet they named Foxfield. Somehow they managed to survive, with the aid of the bizarrely gifted native life-form, the Commensals--and, even more extraordinarily, they kept up the practice of their gentle but demanding beliefs. Then, after nearly a century of silence, Earth contacted them--human civilization had miraculously survived the war and had spread out to the stars, flourishing to an undreamed-of richness. And the Friends of Foxfield were a part of it--whether they agreed or not.

My review:
I've read a couple other books by Joan Slonczewski, and really liked what I've read so far. So since I've had this sitting on my shelf for a few years, I figured I'd better pick it up. I have to say I was a bit disappointed. I believe this was her first novel, and she has definitely improved (although she hasn't written anything recently), but Still Forms on Foxfield left a lot to be desired.

To start with, I just kept waiting for something big to happen, something that would surprise or excite me, and it never came. The ending kind of fizzled out, and I was left feeling like I had just wasted my time. There were times when I found my attention wandering, specifically when dealing with the Commensals, who I just never understood. They were the planets indigenous, alien (at least to the humans) lifeform, and I couldn't get a feel for them. I couldn't picture what they looked like, the science behind what they were doing, how they lived. None of it made any sense to me, and it felt like the author kept going into detailed scientific descriptions about them, which is fine if you're a biologist or really into science, but I'm neither of those things. It really took me out of the story.

I also didn't feel like there were any characters to root for. Allison, the main character, was okay, but it seemed like she always just went with the flow. The whole thing was just so blah, with very little excitement for being a clash of the cultures type novel. There were some interesting things, but they seemed to be few and far between, and I just wish they had been explored further. I don't think I would recommend this one, but I would very highly recommend A Door Into Ocean by the same author. It's one of my favorite science fiction novels.

Mind Games

2010-10-10T09:16:00.001-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Paranormal
Page Count: 371
Publication Date: March 23, 2010
Why I read it: wanted to
Grade: B

The plot:
Mind Games follows the adventures of Justine Jones, a hopeless hypochondriac who longs to be normal. Instead, she is recruited to join a psychological hit squad in a city terrorized by criminals with strange powers…only to fall for her most dangerous target!

My review:
I wasn't expecting to like this as well as I did. I'm not sure why. Carolyn Crane's blog is highly entertaining, so why would I expect any less of her book?

I liked the concept of the disillusionists (the psychological hit squad), which is different from anything else I've read. There were a few things that were predictable, but the plot was complex enough that I was interested in what was going on throughout the whole book.

I thought Justine was a great character. I don't remember reading anything else with a hypochondriac as the main character, and it definitely added an interesting dimension. I like that she wasn't a pushover, and she had quite a strong personality. She was maybe a little too quick to jump into bed at times, but I guess it's forgivable, since I liked her in every other aspect. I also really liked Shelby, who was also a disillusionist. There's something about characters with Russian accents that I like.

I would recommend this to fans of the urban fantasy genre. It wasn't too heavy on the romance, and it didn't use the same old plot ideas that you'll find in a lot of urban fantasy. I'm very much looking forward to the next book, which I've already got on hold at the library.

Queen in Exile

2010-10-04T14:36:00.004-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 373
Publication Date: March 23, 2010
Why I read it: sounded good
Grade: DNF

The plot:
Rumors of war hang over Princess Jeniah's peaceful country of Arden, a land that shuns both magic and warfare. Following a lifelong dream, Jeniah forms a telpathic bond with a revered creature called a chayim, who is prophesied to save her kingdom. But when a Darborian knight comes upon Jeniah with her chayim, he sees only a vicious monster about to devour a maiden, and he slays the beast.

Devastated by the loss of her chayim, and fearing that her own magic is evil, Jeniah doubts her destiny. When an enemy invades Arden City, they slaughter the people, storm the castle, and execute the entire royal family except the princess. Rescued by the knight who slew her chayim, Jeniah is now heir to the throne of Arden and the only hope for freeing her people from tyranny.

On the run and hunted by enemy soldiers, Jeniah must place her life and the fate of her kingdom in the hands of this trained killer. Torn between embracing her destiny as queen of Arden, and her love for a mere knight, she must ultimately rely on her magic to save herself and her people from death and tyranny.

My review:
I think unless I pick up a romance novel, I really don't want very much romance in my book. If it is very, very secondary I don't mind, but if it's the main point of the story, I'm not interested. I think I've grown less tolerant in this area than I've been in the past. It seems like the romance here was a little too sickeningly sweet, and I don't want that in my fantasy novels.

The characters just didn't do it for me here. I might have been able to get past the romance if I had really liked the characters, but I didn't connect with them. Jeniah seemed like a typical YA heroine who chaffed at the roles she was given. There didn't seem to be anything particularly original about her. The chayim thing was different, but I didn't get into the book enough for me to care.

There was one point in the story, a couple of sentences, where I knew that I couldn't read any more. It was just too much:

As she gazed at him, she realized that her feelings for him had surpassed friendly affection. At that instant, she freely and willingly gave him her heart, even sensing that he still shielded his against her.

I think someone who enjoys fantasy romance might really like this one, but it just wasn't my style at all. I'm not sure that I'd read any more by this author, especially with my TBR pile being what it is. I gave this one over 100 pages, but at that point I still wasn't interested, and could easily put it down without caring what happened, so I took it back to the library.

The Last Unicorn

2010-10-03T20:53:00.002-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 212
Publication Date: 1968
Why I read it: Beyond Reality group
Grade: B

Cover thoughts:
The cover to the left was not like the one on the book I read, but I liked it best. It's so pretty!

About the author:
Peter Soyer Beagle is an American fantasist and author of novels, nonfiction, and screenplays. He is also a talented guitarist and folk singer. He wrote his first novel, A Fine and Private Place , when he was only 19 years old. Today he is best known as the author of The Last Unicorn, which routinely polls as one of the top ten fantasy novels of all time, and at least two of his other books (A Fine and Private Place and I See By My Outfit) are considered modern classics.

The plot:
I can't believe that I've never read this before. It's about a unicorn who finds out she is the last of her kind. She sets off to find out what happened to the others. She meets up with a magician (who really can't do any magic) and a young woman who both help her on her way. This story is absolutely beautiful and magical and could be enjoyed by all ages.

Characters:
I'm having a hard time with this portion, because while I think the characters are very central to the story (the story is about the unicorn, after all), I really don't think the characters were that important. Is that weird? I just felt like the flow of the story, the poetic writing, and getting lost in the fairy tale were what it was all about.

Setting:
I didn't really get a good sense for the world in this story. There wasn't a whole lot of world-building, and even the kingdom of King Haggard that was described, I had a hard time picturing.

Notable quotes:
We are not always what we seem, and hardly ever what we dream.

Read this if you're in the mood for:
A classic fairy tale. It really is a sweet little story.

Continue or part ways?
I'm not sure if I would read more by this author or not. I really liked this one, but not in a way that I would run out and try to find other books by the author.

War for the Oaks

2010-10-01T20:55:00.007-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Page Count: 336
Publication Date: 1987
Why I read it: bookclub on goodreads
Grade: C-

Cover thoughts:
There are other cover images for this book, but the picture to the left is what my cover looked like. I'm not a huge fan, but I guess it fits the story well enough.

About the author:
I couldn't find a website for Emma Bull, but here is her livejournal, if someone were interested. She's written quite a few books, but this is the only one of hers I've read.

The plot:
Music and fairies. If you're really into either of those things, especially music (to an obsessive point), you'll probably really like this book. Eddi is a musician who is recruited by a phouka (a man who can turn into a dog) to help the Seelie court in their war against the Unseelie court. She has also just left her old band, and is in the process of putting together a new one. I actually thought the first half of the book was pretty good, but then I got really bored and started skimming. And the end was so blah that I could have put the book down and not even cared what happened. I very heavily skimmed the last few pages. I just couldn't take it anymore.

Characters:
You know, I never really connected with the characters. They all seemed a little too "these characters are SO cool". Even with the book being quite dated, it felt like the author was trying a little too hard to make her characters hip (best word I can come up with at the moment). I thought the phouka was pretty funny to start off with, but he got less funny as the story went on. The rest of the characters, besides Eddi, just seemed so one-dimensional, and I really couldn't see what was so great about Eddi, except that we were constantly told she was great.

Setting:
This novel is set in the 80's in Minneapolis. And you very much know that it's happening in the 80's from the clothes (which are described in great detail) to the music (which is described in ever greater detail).

Notable quotes:
She could see the seams of the world around her begin to ravel and part, and the things waiting outside to pass through the holes were at once terrible and ridiculous. It was like being tickled--an unpleasant feeling that by some perverse reflex brings on laughter.

She peered past him to the stove top. There were what looked like pancakes in her largest frying pan. "What are they?" she asked.
"Flapjacks." He rolled the word off his tongue, clearly pleased with it.
She scowled suspiciously. "Anything in 'em?"
"Why no, they're made of air and dew. Of course there's something in them, or they wouldn't be there."

Read this if you're in the mood for:
A book that was one of the pioneers of the urban fantasy genre. Also, if you like to read page after page of detail about how the music sounded when the band played. How the bass sounded, the drums, how it all came together, how the main character felt when she was playing, how everybody else felt, ad nauseum.

Continue or part ways?
I'm not sure if I'll read more by this author or not. I think the writing had potential, and there were parts that I liked (the very few that weren't so music centered), I just didn't care for this particular novel very much. I may try another one of her books some day, but I won't be in any rush.

Shadow's Son

2010-09-24T17:14:00.003-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 278
Publication Date: June 22, 2010
Why I read it: looked good
Grade: B

Cover thoughts:
I like this cover pretty well. It seems to go along with the story good, too.

About the author:
This is Jon Sprunk's first novel. You can find his website here.

The plot:
Caim makes his living on the edge of a blade, but when a routine job goes south, he is thrust into the middle of an insidious plot. Pitted against crooked lawmen, rival killers, and sorcery from the Other Side, his only allies are Josephine, the socialite daughter of his last victim, and Kit, a guardian spirit no one else can see.

Characters:
I'll be honest here. I don't think Caim is a particularly likable character. He's an unfeeling assassin, after all. He does get better as the book goes on, but I have a hard time connecting with him. Our lives don't exactly have a lot in common. :) Josephine (Josey), on the other hand, is one of those strong female characters that I really like. Maybe even a little too strong, at times, because there is a scene in particular that she seemed to barely have a reaction to, and her reaction should have been much stronger. Kit flutters in and out of the story to the point where we really don't know much about her. We just get banter between her and Caim, mostly. I would be interested to find out more about her.

Setting:
The worldbuilding seems to take a backseat here in this character and action oriented book. Thinking back on the story, I don't really know a whole lot about the world or the way it works, except that there is a bunch of political strife going on. There are a lot of fight scenes, though, with play by play descriptions, so if you're looking for action, you'll find plenty here.

Read this if you're in the mood for: a pretty straightforward action-packed fantasy. There's not a whole lot here that's new. It's also not one of those that's so hard to read that you have to concentrate hard every second. It's just a nice, quick fantasy.

Continue or part ways?
I'll definitely continue on to the next in the series. I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.

My Fair Godmother

2010-09-21T17:56:00.003-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 311
Publication Date: Jan. 6, 2009
Why I read it: sounded cute
Grade: B

Cover thoughts:
This cover is pretty fun, and it goes along with the story well. I would have liked to see a picture of Savannah and Tristan in the middle ages, maybe, but this one works well, too.

About the author:
Janette Rallison has written quite a few young adult books, although I don't remember ever hearing of her. This is my first book by her.

The plot:
After a breakup with her boyfriend (who, incidentally, starts dating her sister), Savannah is heartbroken. Plus, she needs a date to prom. Enter her fairy godmother. The godmother who kind of sucks at her job. She misunderstands just about everything Savannah is asking for, first sending her back as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Then finally sending back to the middle ages a boy from her school, Tristan, who Savannah has to go save.

Characters:
Savannah may not be my favorite young adult character, but I really liked her a lot. Sure, she's not extremely bright, and she makes mistakes, but she's brave, she's caring, and she tries hard. Tristan was a very likable male lead, although not perfect, which is a good thing. The perfect looking, bad boy type characters are way overused.

Setting:
I really love books that are set in the middle ages, and it's always fun when people from our time travel back to the middle ages. My favorite example of this was Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux, but My Fair Godmother was done well, too, and was very fun.

Notable quotes:
"Sometimes love not only lifts you to the ceiling, it also keeps your eyes there."

Read this if you're in the mood for: a young adult book that is not about a girl who finds out she has some magical power/is a magical being. It's also not about a girl who falls in love with a guy who is a vampire/werewolf/fairy. It's also not about a love triangle. This means it's not like 95 percent of the other YA paranormal/fantasy books that are out there right now. It's different, and it's a fun, quick read.

Continue or part ways?
I will definitely read more by this author, and I've got the second book on my TBR list. Can't wait to read it!

Book Slump?

2010-09-20T17:41:00.002-06:00

I've been in a bit of a book slump ever since I read the amazing Mockingjay followed by the equally amazing (maybe even more so) The Way of Kings. I don't think I've finished a book since then, although I've started and gave up on a handful.

So, with my mind maybe not so focused on reading, it might not be the best time to be trying to read Gardens of the Moon. I'm trying to catch up so I can do the readalong over at TOR. But I'm constantly finding my mind wandering, and realize I haven't been paying attention for a paragraph or two. And then I read the first two posts there, and I feel as lost as I ever was. It sounds like this is a book that you have to pay attention to every word, and still not really have any idea what's going on. I keep reading "pay attention to this", or "this part here is important", and I don't remember reading those things in the first place.

And then I begin to wonder, has my brain turned to mush? I used to be able to read more difficult books. I'd read a lot of classics, and other books where the language (or just the reading in general) might be a little more difficult. Have I ruined my mind with all those YA books? I don't know the answer to that. All I know is that I'm having a hard time reading anything harder than something a fifth grader could easily read and process. That doesn't say good things about me.

So I don't know if I should push on with Gardens of the Moon. Maybe see if I can whip my brain back into shape. Or should I count myself a lost cause, and merrily read my way into a brain coma, where the only thing I can happily read is a picture book?

The Candidates

2010-09-15T14:20:00.001-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Page Count: 293
Publication Date: Aug. 24, 2010
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: B

Cover thoughts:
I'm not sure about this cover. I don't love it. I guess it kind of goes along with the story a little, though.

About the author:
You can read about Inara Scott here. After reading her bio on her site, I realized I really like her. The Candidates is her first novel.

The plot:
It's been a few weeks since I read this, and I didn't take any notes. And I have a horrible memory. So all of those combine to make probably not the best review. Dancia likes to fade into the background. This is in hopes that she never gets close to anyone, because when she does and they are threatened, bad things happen. See, she has a special power. And then she's recruited to Delcroix Academy, a school for diplomat's kids and child genuises. But after she starts there, she realizes that weird things are going on at Delcroix, and her new friend, bad boy Jack, is determined to find out what's going on.

Characters:
I liked Dancia okay, but here was yet another YA book with some sort of a love triangle. I think it's become a cliche in YA lit, and I wish authors wouldn't use it as a crutch so much.

Setting:
Delcroix Academy was suitably creepy, and books set in boarding schools are always fun.

Read this if you're in the mood for: a YA paranormal that doesn't feature vampires or werewolves, and that is better than a lot of the other YA that's out there.

Continue or part ways? I will continue with this series. It ended in such a way that I'm curious to find out what happens next.

The Way of Kings

2010-09-09T10:55:00.006-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Page Count: 1001
Publication Date: Aug. 31, 2010
Why I read it: favorite author
Grade: A+

Cover thoughts:
Beautiful cover! The artwork is amazing, and what's even cooler is there is artwork throughout the book. I love this cover!

About the author:
Brandon Sanderson is the author of Elantris, Warbreaker, and the Mistborn Trilogy. He's also finishing the Wheel of Time series. And he also wrote a middle grade fantasy series. He's a great author, and one every fantasy reader should read.

The plot:
Oh goodness, where do I even start? This is the first of ten planned books in The Stormlight Archive. I assume every serious fantasy reader has already read a plot summary, if not the book itself. The author himself has a hard time introducing the series, so, since I like to keep my blog posts fairly short, if you want to know what the book is about, check out this synopsis on goodreads.

Characters:
With a fantasy novel of this size, you'd think there'd be so many characters that it'd be hard to keep track of them. That's what I've generally found in these doorstopper epic fantasies. Not so in The Way of Kings. There really is only a small handful of main characters, and with the depth and detail in this book, you really get to know and love them, even the lesser characters. Kaladin was my favorite in the story, which I think it fitting since this book is mostly about him.

Setting:
This is the most amazing part of the book. The amount of worldbuilding that went into this book is quite possibly the best I've ever seen. Down to the smallest detail, Sanderson has created a world so different from ours, but not so alien that we can't relate to or care about the characters. I'll admit, I don't understand everything about how this fantasy world works, but I'm looking forward to reading more books and finding out.

Notable quotes:
"Too many of us," she said, "take great pains with what we ingest through our mouths, and far less with what we partake of through our ears and eyes. Wouldn't you say?"

"Let the Vorin believe as they wish--the wise among them will find goodness and solace in their faith; the fools would be fools no matter what they believed."

"'And so, does the destination matter? Or is it the path we take? I declare that no accomplishment has substance nearly as great as the road used to achieve it. We are not creatures of destinations. It is the journey that shapes us. Our callused feet, our backs strong from carrying the weight of our travels, our eyes open with the fresh delight of experiences lived.'"

Read this if you're in the mood for: an epic fantasy that has it all.

Continue or part ways? This one's obvious. Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors, and I'll continue to read everything he writes, especially this series. The second book can't come fast enough for me. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Favorites: Mark of the Lion Trilogy

2010-09-02T20:32:00.009-06:00

I haven't blogged about some older favorites for awhile, so I thought it was time to do one. If you're a fan of historical fiction, my absolute favorite is The Mark of the Lion trilogy.

The first book in the series is A Voice in the Wind, and it was my favorite of the three. For a book description and some other goodies, visit the author's website here.

And for a little preview, here's a quote from the book:
"We bear the consequences for what we have done to ourselves, and for the sin that rules this world. Jesus forgave the thief, but he didn't take him down off the cross."

Obviously from the quote, you can see that there is some Christianity in this book. It is set in the time just after Christ, and the main character is one of the early Christians. I was deeply inspired by this book, and it just really resonated with me. If you read and enjoy A Voice in the Wind, continue on to An Echo in the Darkness, followed by As Sure as the Dawn. All very wonderful books that I highly recommend.

Georgia's Kitchen

2010-08-31T14:20:00.000-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Chicklit/women's fiction
Page Count: 336
Publication Date: August 3, 2010
Why I read it: received review copy
Grade: B+

Cover thoughts:
Too much red. I would so much rather the red shading be over just the silverware so we could see the beautiful scenery in the background.

About the author:
Jenny Nelson is a former web editor for sites like ivillage, vogue.com, and style.com. Georgia's Kitchen is her first novel.

The plot:
Georgia is the head chef at one of the top restaurants in Manhattan, but a bad review gets her fired. Then her fiance breaks up with her, so needless to say, things aren't going very well for her. So she heads to Italy to work for her former mentor who is opening up another restaurant. She loves it there, but when she is offered a wonderful restaurant job in Italy, she realizes her heart is longing for something more. The plot moves at a great pace until the end, where I feel like it just started to lose steam and drag a bit, which was sad because I otherwise adored the book.

Characters:
Georgia is a wonderful character. She is understandably a bit whiny and down, but I really liked her. She's someone I would be friends with in real life. There are a lot of secondary characters, and for the most part, they're great and likable, but this story mostly focuses on Georgia.

Setting:
We start off in New York, but it's when the story moves to Italy that it gets really enjoyable. The author paints a lively picture of the Italian countryside, and I would LOVE to go there. There's something about these stories where women head off to Europe that I just love. Maybe it's that I can't do it myself, and so have to live vicariously through them.

Notable quotes:
"I'm not telling you this to burden you, but so you can see that you're not the only one with--how do you Americans call it? Issues. You lost your job, your fiance, but here you have another chance. Stop looking for what you don't have, and start seeing what you do."

Read this if you're in the mood for: a story that includes Italy and food. I'll tell you, I don't like to cook at all, but for some reason I like reading about people who cook, especially in this type of story.

Continue or part ways? I will definitely read more by this author. Her writing style is easy to read and very entertaining.

Venom and Song

2010-08-30T14:20:00.006-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 384
Publication Date: August 17, 2010
Why I read it: received for review
Grade: B

Cover thoughts:
I don't like this cover quite as well as the first book. It's the same style (hardcover with picture right on the cover) that I really like, but there's just something about it that I don't love. It could possibly be the red writing.

About the author:
Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper are joint authors of this one. Check out their websites!

The plot:
The seven elf lords have returned to their home world of Allyra. Here they begin training for the inevitable war with the spider king. As more prophecies are revealed, they realize that their training is not enough, so they set off in search of a mystical item from the prophecy. Not quite as good as the first one, for me, but still very enjoyable.

Characters:
There are still a lot of characters. The focus is still on the seven elf lords, and to be honest, even in this second book I had a hard time keeping track of who was who (especially with the secondary, non elf-lord characters), what their special powers were, etc. We do get to know and care about the characters more in this book, and I still think younger teens and tweens will really connect with these characters.

Setting:
We're in Allyra in this one, which is a made up world that isn't too different from Earth in some ways, but when you look deeper there are some scary differences. The world building in Venom and Song is great, and I'd love to read more set in this world, but I'm not sure if there will be more books in this series or not.

Notable quotes:
They would never meet her, and she would never meet them. But somehow, they would connect over the ages of time and share life together: one looking forward to hope, the other looking backward to love.

Read this if you're in the mood for: a fairly light young adult fantasy that is not focused on young love (although there is a few crushes here and there, they are very mild and in the background). This one is more heavy on the religion, I think, than the first one.

Continue or part ways? I'll keep reading more by these authors, and if there's more in the series I'll continue on.

Mockingjay

2010-08-25T15:35:00.006-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Page Count: 390
Publication Date: August 24, 2010
Why I read it: 3rd in series
Grade: A+

Cover thoughts:
I love this cover. The colors are great, I love the picture of the mockingjay. The only thing is, why do publishers or authors or whoever does the cover design think that Stephenie Meyer's opinion is a good thing to put on there? I mean, really.

About the author:
Suzanne Collins is the author of the Hunger Games trilogy and The Underland Chronicles. She is amazing, and you can check out her website here.

The plot:
I don't want to give away spoilers for this book or the previous two, so I'll just say here that this is the third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, and it blew me away. If you've not yet read The Hunger Games, get off the computer immediately and go buy the whole trilogy. And then read it. I'm not kidding around here.

Characters:
Oh, Katniss, I really love you, but you break my heart. How you are not a puddle of goo on the floor by the end of the series, I'll never know. I love the characters in these books. I must admit that I've always been Team Gale, but this book for me was really all about Katniss. And Finnick a little bit. Okay, a lot. I loved Finnick. But so many of the characters in this book were broken down and at the end of their rope. It was hard to read at times. There were times when I had to put the book down so I could cry for a little bit. And there were times when I was literally sobbing.

Setting:
This series is set in the future in what used to be the United States. Collins has created an amazing world here, although definitely not one that I'd like to visit anytime soon. Or ever.

Notable quotes:
"You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real," he whispers.
"Real," I answer. - "Because that's what you and I do, protect each other."

"Is that why you hate me?" I ask.
"Partly," She admits. "Jealousy is certainly involved. I also think you're a little hard to swallow. With your tacky romantic drama and your defender-of-the-helpless act. Only it isn't an act, which makes you more unbearable. Please feel free to take this personally."

Read this if you're in the mood for: the best book you've read in a long time. But first read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

Continue or part ways? In case I haven't made it clear, I loved this book. No, it wasn't perfect, but after waiting for this book all year, I wasn't disappointed at all. I'm only disappointed that I read it so fast and now I'm done. I don't want to read anything else right now because I'm afraid nothing will measure up. I haven't read the Underland Chronicles yet, so I'll be getting to those when I get a chance, and I'll definitely be reading anything else Collins writes.

Trickster's Girl

2010-08-12T11:09:00.004-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Science Fiction (kind of)
Page Count: 288
Publication Date: Jan. 3, 2011
Why I read it: netgalley review copy
Grade: D+

Cover thoughts:
I don't really like this cover. I think it's pretty boring, and I think so much more could have been done with the cover illustrating the story.

About the author:
Hilari Bell's website is here. She was a librarian who achieved her dream of becoming a writer.

The plot:
This book takes place in the future--I think about 2098. Kelsa's father has just died of cancer, and she is devastated because they were very close. The night she buries her father, a mysterious boy appears. He is the Native American trickster, Raven. He keeps trying to get her to believe in magic, and when he starts doing a bunch of magic stuff, including shapeshifting, she finally starts to believe. He tells her the world is dying, and she is the one who needs to save it. So they set off on an adventure from Utah to Alaska, stopping at points along the way to do some healing. Also, the author got tired of writing this book, and gave it the biggest non-ending ending I've ever read.

Characters:
Kelsa was okay. I didn't hate her, but she was just kind of there for me. Same with Raven. They just weren't terribly exciting, and there was a big emotional disconnect throughout the whole story.

Setting:
This is Earth in the future. There has been some biological terrorism against trees in South America, which is spreading. Also, there is a lot more security, there are border patrols from state to state instead of country to country. Cars run on electricity instead of gasoline. Nothing terribly imaginative or different.

Notable quotes:
"I like the churches God made better," he'd told Kelsa one autumn afternoon, gesturing to the towering peaks around them, the sweep of meadow and sky.

Read this if you're in the mood for: a story set in the future, with kind of a dystopian feel. If you're a big environmentalist, you might like this because it talks a lot about how humans are ruining the earth.

Continue or part ways? I read The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell and really, really liked it. The writing in this one actually wasn't terrible, I just felt like it was a little sloppy. I will give Bell another try in the future, but I'm not sure if I'd read the next Raven book, which isn't due out until 2012 anyway.

Curse of the Spider King

2010-08-11T11:31:00.003-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 384
Publication Date: Nov. 3, 2009
Why I read it: have 2nd one for review
Grade: A-

Cover thoughts:
I really like the cover for this one. The picture is pretty cool, the font is good--it's all good. Plus it's a hardcover, without an annoying dust jacket; the picture is right on the cover. I really like that.

About the author:
Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper are joint authors of this one. I've never read anything by either of them, but they've both got other books out that I will be looking for.

The plot:
Curse of the Spider King introduces us to seven young elven lords. The thing is, none of them know they are elves from another world, Allyra. They're all just living normal 13 (or nearly 13) year old lives when we are introduced to them. But, because they have reached the age of reckoning, they are all starting to display certain powers (they all have different powers), and will soon be hunted by the enemies of the elves. Luckily, there are sentinels that were sent there to look for, and protect them. But now they all must return to Allyra. There is a great website for the Berinfell Prophecies here.

Characters:
This would be a great book for a pre-teen/younger teen to read, because there is someone here for everyone to like. We get to know lots of different characters, and young people will connect with them. Some of the characters were much more present than others. But they're all interesting and varied.

Setting:
The flashbacks throughout the book to the world of Allyra were probably my favorite part. Otherwise, the world was pretty much just like ours today, except for the addition of these elves hiding out. I'm excited to read more of Allyra in the second book.

Read this if you're in the mood for: a young adult fantasy that isn't your typical paranormal love story. I'm really sick of those, so if you are too, this one is different. It does have the formula of a young person (in this case, people) finding out that they're not human, they're something more, but the rest of the book is pretty different from the standard formula. Also, as this is written by Christian authors, it's very clean.

Continue or part ways? I'll definitely continue on with the series, especially since I have the second one on my bookshelf waiting for me to read and review it.

Clockwork Angel

2010-08-09T15:28:00.002-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 496
Publication Date: Aug. 31, 2010
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: A

Cover thoughts:
The cover is pretty cool. It looks kind of steampunky. I think for the most part it correlates to the story pretty well.

About the author: Cassandra Clare is the author of the Mortal Instruments series. You can visit her website here.

The plot:
Tessa travels to London to live with her brother, but upon arrival, two sisters, who are part of a secret organization, are there to pick her up instead. They kidnap her, and force her to use a power she didn't know she had, which is transforming into another person. She escapes with the help of Will, who is a Shadowhunter (warriors who fight demons). She joins with the Shadowhunters searching for her brother, and trying to find out more about the secret organization, and who is behind it all. It's a very interesting start to a new series--the only downside is the insane cliffhanger. Why does every author do this now?

Characters:
I adored Tessa. She's a strong character, and she's also very witty. The best part about her is that she loves to read. Who doesn't love book characters that share our passion for reading? The other characters are well fleshed out, and for the most part are pretty likable, except for the bad guys, who aren't supposed to be. :) Will was kind of a jerk, and it seems as if there's something behind it all, but we never find out why. We don't really know his background at all, but I assume that's something that comes out in other books.

Setting:
The setting here was wonderful. It felt very dark and mysterious, and went along with the story quite nicely. Clare always does a good job with world-building.

Notable quotes:
"One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us."
"Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry."

Read this if you're in the mood for: A fast moving plot with likable characters. If you like Clare's other books, you'll like this one--she just keeps getting better.

Continue or part ways? I'll keep on reading this series, for sure.

Book of Love (Knight Angels, #1)

2010-08-04T15:02:00.001-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: YA paranormal/fantasy
Page Count: 395
Publication Date: April 26, 2010
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: D

Cover thoughts: The cover is pretty enough, but I don't really think it has much to do with the book. I think that's pretty typical for these types of books, though.

About the author: You can find out more about Abra Ebner here.

The Plot: Some high school kids have powers. But not in a cool superhero type of way, more of a life sucks cause I have this power type. There are a couple of angels, some mind readers, a shape shifter, the kitchen sink . . . the problem with the plot is that it's never really clear what's going on, and at the same time there's too much going on. Too many things thrown in all willy nilly. And at the same time, nothing is happening. Yes, I'm being contradictory, but this book brings it out in me. For a much more in depth synopsis of the book, visit goodreads.

Characters: I didn't like a single character in this book. I can't even count how many times these characters "smirked" or looked smug. Is that supposed to be endearing? Because it's not. By the time I finished the book, I truly hated every single person in the book. If I had to be around these people in real life, I'd probably move. I also didn't really find the relationships realistic (or even the characters themselves, for that matter)

Setting: The world building here is pretty terrible. I don't understand the rules, I don't understand why or who or what or anything! It felt like the author pulled a bunch of different ideas out of the air because they sounded good, and put it all in a book.

Notable quotes:
"I thought about my dream, thought about the taste of his lips on my fingers."

"I felt smug as I puffed my chest. 'And what will this poison do?'
Max watched me with a smirk on his face."

Yes, I know. This is what the whole book is like. You can find the words smirk or smug on just about every page.

Read this if you're in the mood for: something that is similar to Twilight. The writing quality is the same, and it has the same whiny, angst-filled writing that so many people must have loved, considering the popularity of Twilight.

Continue or part ways? I don't think I'll be continuing on with this series, or looking for more by this author. We just didn't connect.

Priceless

2010-08-03T15:06:00.008-06:00

Book Details:
Genre: Christian Fiction
Page Count: 275
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Why I read it: Review copy from author
Grade: A

Cover thoughts: The cover on this one is absolutely gorgeous. Seeing a picture of it doesn't do it justice. I think this may actually be my favorite cover on any book I've ever read.

About the author: Tom Davis is the president of Children's Hopechest. He is also a tireless advocate for orphans, those living with HIV/AIDS, and just about anyone who is suffering. He is an all around great guy, and you can see the love of Jesus shine through him. Makes it hard to write an unbiased review of his books, but I'll try.

The plot: Stuart Daniels is a photojournalist who is visiting Russia on assignment for his job. While there, he is persuaded by a friend to help two young girls who are caught up in the sex slave industry. From there things snowball until he finds himself right in the middle of it all, helping a group who is working to free as many girls as possible from the nightmare they are living in.

Characters: I liked Stuart. He seemed not to be the "perfect" Christian man, as is sometimes portrayed in Christian fiction. He was flawed, he had doubts, he wanted to go home and get out of the mess he found himself in (who wouldn't?), but he was also admirable. He knew that someone had to help these girls, and it might as well be him. Stuart is really the only character we get to know, besides Marina, whose story we get in bits and pieces throughout the book. Marina's story is heartbreaking, and it really makes you want to take action against the sex slave industry.

Setting: I've never been to Russia, but I know Tom Davis has been there many times, so there's no reason for me to believe his portrayal isn't authentic. I could really feel Russia come alive through the writing. I could feel the cold in the air, see the buildings and the people--it was very well done.

Notable quotes:
"My name is Marina, and this is my story. And it is also the story of my sisters, and many other girls in this world who are bound in slavery. This is for them."

Read this if you're in the mood for: something that will break your heart and make you want to do something (which I think is the whole point of the book). The good thing is that there are resources in the back of the book if you (like me) are compelled to take action and get involved.

Continue or part ways? I know this is the second "novel on the edge of the world" book, and unfortunately I haven't had an opportunity to read the first (Scared) yet. I've read a couple of other non-fiction books by Tom Davis, and I will continue to read his books as long as he is writing them.

Want your own copy? You can find this book at Amazon, Christianbook or Barnes and Noble.

100 book challenge complete

2010-08-02T17:16:00.004-06:00

About a week ago, I finished the 100 books in 2010 challenge. I think this works out to be about a book every 2 days, but I'm not that great at math, so I could be wrong. You can see the full list of my 100 books that I read here. There are a few graphic novels in there, which undoubtedly helped me finish this challenge faster. Those can be read fairly quickly.

I haven't read a whole lot of doorstoppers, which I've been wanting to get to, especially for my books to read before I die challenge, so I'm way behind on that one, since I've been reading a lot of what I'd call brain candy. A lot of what I've read has been books I've needed to read for review, or I had a deadline on, and so I'm not getting to a lot of books that have been on my TBR list for years. So maybe I need to take a look at what I'm accepting to review, or the ARC tours I'm doing.

On another note, I'm going to try to change the format for my reviews. I've been having a really hard time lately writing reviews because I can never think of anything to say. I feel like I'm writing the same things over and over again for different reviews. So I'll try something new and see how it works for me. I have to admit, although I love reading books, there are times when I just want to finish a book and move on to something else without having to think critically about the last book and write a review. So I really need to find a better system.

The Julian Game

2010-07-27T18:49:00.001-06:00

Title: The Julian Game
Author: Adele Griffin
Genre: YA
Page Count: 201
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: D+
Publication Date: Aug. 26, 2010

Synopsis:
New girl Raye Archer is desperate for a way into the In crowd, so when ice-queen Ella Parker chooses her to get back at her ex, the gorgeous Julian Kilgarry, Raye is more than game. Even if it means creating a fake Facebook identity as “Elizabeth” so that she can learn enough about Julian to sabotage him. While a fun and dangerous thrill at first, what Raye hadn’t counted on was falling for Julian herself—and igniting Ella’s rage.
As Raye works to reconcile the temptress Elizabeth with her real-life self, Ella serves up her own revenge. Now it’s Raye who falls victim, as Ella creates an online smear campaign of nasty rumors and trashy photographs. Suddenly notorious, Raye has to find a way out of the web of deceit that she’s helped to build, and back to the relationships that matter.

My review:
I don't necessarily think that the writing was bad in this book, it's just that the whole thing fell flat for me. I was expecting a lot more from this book, and it just didn't deliver.

Sometimes I complain that YA novels are way too long, but it's possible to go on the opposite end of the spectrum, and just be way too short. This one clocked in at 200 pages, and it moved way too fast. We didn't really have time to explore anything, or really even feel anything before the plot moved from one thing to another lightning fast.

I think I get what the author was trying to do here. I think she was trying to explore a lot of different themes that might be relevant with teens today, but again, it didn't deliver--there just wasn't enough time. There weren't really any likable characters for me. I didn't even like the main character, whose name I'm drawing a blank on, and I just finished the book. I guess she was kind of forgettable. Her best friend was interesting, and I could have really liked her as a character, but she really was barely there.

And lastly, it was quite predictable. There aren't any surprises here, and the journey wasn't that fun for me. And when I got to the end, I was thinking "that's it?" It was fast and abrupt, which I guess is fitting with the rest of the book. I wouldn't recommend this one.

Nightshade

2010-07-26T12:40:00.005-06:00

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Genre: YA fantasy/paranormal
Page Count: 464
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: B-
Publication Date: Oct. 19, 2010

Synopsis:
While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.

My review:
I really liked the writing here. The flow was good, and it was never slow. Unfortunately, this book falls victim to the love triangle of death that has been killing my enjoyment of most YA novels lately. I don't mind a little romance in my books. In fact, I prefer it. But I'm talking about a little romance. And I'm sick to death of love triangles. To me, it shows a definite lack of imagination and creativity on the part of the author. I imagine it's a lot easier to write a book when you can devote at least half of it to the internal angst of the main character who must choose between two hot guys who are in love with her. "I want him to kiss me . . . now he's kissing me . . . I like this . . . this can't happen! . . . stop kissing me . . . oh no, maybe he's mad at me and will avoid me . . . oh, there he is again . . . I want him to kiss me . . ." This seemed to be a major theme throughout.

Plus, it seems that if there is a love triangle, I inevitably like the wrong guy. The one that is never chosen, which is really frustrating! Okay, now that I've got my major reading pet peeve off my chest, I'll get back to the story. It's good. I thought a lot of it was very original. I felt like there was just enough information given at just the right times that the suspense was kept up without me feeling completely lost. That is, until I got to the end, and realized that I really knew nothing, and had no idea what was going on. There is a cliffhanger ending, so bad that it's almost like the book ended mid-paragraph. I don't care for endings like that, where the reader is forced to read the second book. I've said it before, but if you make your first book good enough, readers will read the second book without you having to leave them hanging quite so much.

If it weren't for her inability to just choose a man and stick with him, I would have really liked Calla. She is strong, mostly independent, and interesting. The love triangle just ruined her for me, though, and I had a hard time liking her in that context. Also, I just never connected to Shay (the human boy she saves) as a character. I didn't find him attractive at all, I actually found him kind of annoying, and he is such a central character.

So, if it sounds like I hated this book, I really didn't. I thought the writing was wonderful, and therefore was even more disappointed than I would usually be over the stupid plot devices. The author has so much potential. I will definitely be reading the next in the series, but I'm prepared to be disappointed some more. I would recommend this one to YA fantasy fans, but if you hate love triangles as much as I do, beware--it's one of the main themes of the book.

Greek: Double Date

2010-07-20T11:10:00.002-06:00

Title: Greek: Double Date
Author: Marsha Warner
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Count: 208
Why I read it: review copy from publisher
Grade: C-

Synopsis:
Two dates—same night!

Major oops. When Casey Cartwright's brother begs her to be nerdy Dale Kettlewell's date to the sure-to-be-boring Honors Engineering Awards, Casey says yes. Even though Dale is totally not her type… and might have a crush on her. Ugh. But it's a nice thing to do, and Casey's always been the "nice" girl.

But now, that night conflicts with the biggest event of the semester, the All-Greek formal. Casey already has a date lined up: hot transfer student Rob Howell. He's her plan to get over her sexy-slacker ex, Cappie. And even nice girls get to be bad sometimes, right?

What to do? With a little help from BFF Ashleigh, unwanted advice from frenemy Rebecca Logan and even a push from Cappie, what Casey does may surprise even herself….

My review:
I imagine reading this book was much like watching an episode of the TV show, Greek. I've never seen the show, but I'm thinking I'm not at all the target audience for this show. I like sci-fi and fantasy shows, and the occasional sit-com (but only if it's really funny). So I'd probably never sit down and watch this show, and for that reason I also had a hard time getting through this book.

The writing was okay, but I never felt invested in the story, and for taking place mostly over the period of one night, it felt like it dragged a bit. I think for a person who watches and enjoys the show, and feels more invested in the characters and their lives, this would be a fun read. For someone like me, who is just coming into it without any previous knowledge, it's just not great.

So, with that said, I would recommend this if you like the TV show, or if you're a really big fan of sorority/fraternity stuff. Otherwise, I don't think it does a good enough job to stand on it's own for YA readers like myself.

Walking the Tree

2010-07-19T08:55:00.005-06:00

Title: Walking the Tree
Author: Kaaron Warren
Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 528
Why I read it: e-book from publisher for review
Grade: B
US Publication Date: Jan. 2011 (already out in UK/Australia)

Synopsis:
Botanica is an island, but almost all of the island is taken up by the Tree.

Little knowing how they came to be here, small communities live around the coast line. The Tree provides them shelter, kindling, medicine – and a place of legends, for there are ghosts within the trees who snatch children and the dying.

Lillah has come of age and is now ready to leave her community and walk the tree for five years, learning all Botanica has to teach her. Before setting off, Lillah is asked by the dying mother of a young boy to take him with her. In a country where a plague killed half the population, Morace will otherwise be killed in case he has the same disease. But can Lillah keep the boy’s secret, or will she have to resort to breaking the oldest taboo on Botanica?

My review:
Let me start off by saying the synopsis above is from the publishers website, but I'm not sure it really gives the entire picture of what the book is about, but since I'm too tired to write my own, that's going to have to do. When I first started reading this, I got pretty excited. The writing was spectacular, and I couldn't wait for Lillah to start exploring the other communities around the island. I thought it would be so interesting to read about the different traditions and habits in each community, and to a point it was, but not in the way that I wanted it to be.

It felt at times like the story skipped around a bit, almost to the point where I went back to see if I had skipped a page or something. It was a pretty fast moving, quick read, especially for it's size. By the time I finished, I wasn't quite as excited about the book as when I began, but I still liked it a lot. It was very imaginative and original, and I think it's only fault is that at some point in the story, things began to get a little tedious, and I found myself waiting for something to happen.

I really liked Lillah, but besides her and Morace, I had a hard time keeping any of the characters straight. I found most of the time when reading a name, I would assume the person was of a certain sex, only to find out I was wrong just about every time. The other characters came and went so often that I stopped trying to keep track of who was who and where they were from.

So, while this book did have some minor flaws, I would highly recommend it, and will be looking for more by this author. If you're looking for something completely different, with highly imaginative world-building, this book is for you. For more information, including a sample chapter, visit the publishers website here.

Noah's Castle

2010-07-18T08:45:00.001-06:00

Title: Noah's Castle
Author: John Rowe Townsend
Genre: YA fiction
Page Count: 211
Why I read it: review copy from publisher
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Noah's Castle tells the story of a family trying to survive during a total collapse of the British economy. Money is worthless, unemployment skyrockets, and food and other goods become scarce.
As conditions worsen and people begin to starve, how do people react? When does law-and-order break down and civilized behavior end? How do people balance the needs of their family against those of society? Noah's Castle examines these questions but doesn't provide easy answers, resulting in a unique and thought-provoking story of survival.

My review:
This book was first published in 1975, so it feels a little more dated than the young adult that's coming out right now. I'm not entirely sure of the reason for the second edition, except that there's a rise in dystopian YA literature, and the publishers saw a chance to market this book to that audience. For me, it didn't quite measure up to some of what I've read. There are books like Life as We Knew It, which was so haunting and real that I kept checking to see if the world really was ending, if I still had electricity and food in my cupboards. This one, while an interesting study on human behavior, just didn't grab me in the same way.

Because we hear the story only from Barry's perspective, who seems to think his father has taken a short train ride to crazy town, it's hard to get the full picture. We don't find out the main reason behind his father's actions until the very end of the story. Having known that throughout the book, I think I would have been better able to see things from his father's point of view, and the moral dilemma would have been more compelling.

I think this may be a good one if you're looking for a short book for your book group, as it could promote some interesting discussion.

The Secret of Ka

2010-07-17T08:35:00.002-06:00

Title: The Secret of Ka
Author: Christopher Pike
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 416
Why I read it: Netgalley review copy
Grade: B-
Publication Date: September 13, 2010

Synopsis:
One minute Sara's bored on vacation in Istanbul. The next, she's unearthed a flying carpet that cleverly drags her to the mysterious Island of the Djinn—or genies. By her side is Amesh, a hot boy she's starting to love but doesn't yet trust. When Amesh learns the secret of invoking djinn, he loses control. He swears he'll call upon only one djinn and make one wish. The plan sounds safe enough. But neither Sara nor Amesh are any match for the formidable monster that that swells before them. It hypnotizes Amesh, compelling him to steal Sara’s flying carpet—the ancient Carpet of Ka—and leave her stranded.

Discovering the Carpet of Ka has sparked a new path for Sara, one that will lead her to battle creatures even deadlier than djinn. In this fight, Sara can save mankind, herself, or the boy she loves. Who will she be forced to sacrifice?

My review:
So, I spent a good portion of my teenage years reading Christopher Pike. Probably, at the time, he was my favorite author. I haven't gone back to read any of the same books to see how they stood the test of time. I suspect the writing quality is about the same now as it was then. Easy, entertaining reading that will appeal to teens.

The story here was different than most of the other YA fantasy that's on the market right now. There wasn't a love triangle in sight, thank goodness. The problem was that I found the romance completely unbelievable, and almost annoying at times. It was possibly because I found Amesh to be an entirely unlikable character, with almost no redeeming qualities. He is selfish, rude, jealous . . . and that's before he is badly influenced by a djinn. I just can't understand how or why Sara falls in love with him, except that she thinks he's attractive, which is so annoyingly shallow I just can't get behind a romance like that.

Sara was an interesting character--definitely not my favorite, and not one that I would want to be friends with in real life, but she's a fairly strong female character, which is nice because that can be so rare in YA these days. This wasn't the best written story, but it was entertaining enough that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened, and the end, which I assume was the set-up for another book, was pretty intense and enough to make me pick up the next one. It was a bit too abrupt and cliff-hangery for me, but that's the norm--it's rare to find a standalone novel anymore.

I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy. Just don't go in with your expectations too high. Now I want to go back and re-read some of my old teen book loves by Pike, and see how they compare.

Wildthorn

2010-07-16T20:18:00.003-06:00

Title: Wildthorn
Author: Jane Eagland
Genre: YA Historical
Page Count: 359
Why I read it: Netgalley review copy
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Louisa Cosgrove longs to break free from her respectable life as a Victorian doctor's daughter. But her dreams become a nightmare when Louisa is sent to Wildthorn Hall: labeled a lunatic, deprived of her liberty and even her real name. As she unravels the betrayals that led to her incarceration, she realizes there are many kinds of prison. She must be honest with herself - and others - in order to be set free. And love may be the key...

My review:
This book started off very mysterious. We, as a reader, feel just about as lost as the main character, Louisa. Through flashbacks, we begin to learn Louisa's story, which is fairly interesting, but not so much that I had a hard time putting the book down. Other times, when she was in the asylum, I couldn't ever really figure out what was going on or why. I think it was intentional, as we were supposed to be unraveling what happened along with the main character, but at times it makes it hard to read because there are never any explanations for what happens to Louisa--just a bunch of seemingly cruel people who don't want to really help the women at the asylum.

Louisa was a strong character. She was very much a feminist in her time, not wanting to follow the typical roles set out for women. Although sometimes it all seemed a bit over the top, as though the author wanted to make sure we really knew just how different she was. Mostly, it just wasn't as enjoyable for me as it could have been. I didn't care for any of the secondary characters, even though there were some heartbreaking stories in there, for some reason I just didn't connect with the writing or the story.

I absolutely love the cover of this one, but I can't say that I would heartily recommend the book. It may be one that I would say to look for at the library, but nothing beyond that.

The Last Christian

2010-07-12T22:10:00.007-06:00

Title: The Last Christian
Author: David Gregory
Genre: Christian Science Fiction
Page Count: 416
Why I read it: received review copy from the publisher
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.

But a larger threat looms. The world's leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?

As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father's unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.

My review:
I got behind on my review reading, and to be honest, I put off reading this book because I wasn't sure I'd like it or be in the mood for it. The story was so different from what I was expecting, and moved at a fast pace that made it very hard for me to put down. I don't find that too often with Christian fiction. I found the plot to be very believable, and can actually see a future like the one in this book, especially where Christianity is virtually gone in America.

Abby was an interesting character, especially being from a remote tribe and never having lived in the modern world. I would have actually liked to read more about her and her experience living with an indigenous people, but I guess that would be a different story than what the author wanted to tell. Although I liked Abby well enough, sometimes it was hard to figure out exactly why other characters were so drawn to her, because it wasn't coming across in the story very well, to me.

This is truly one of those books that will bring up questions and would be great for book group discussion. What is the nature of a soul? Would it be a good thing to live forever? What would be the consequences? Could Christianity die out, and why? I enjoy books like this that cause me to think beyond when I close the last page.

To read an excerpt and for other information and extras, click here.

The Pack - Review by Kaitlyn

2010-07-11T18:06:00.001-06:00

Title: The Pack
Author: LM Preston
Genre: Sci Fi/ Fantasy
Page Count:316
Why I read it: received review copy
Grade:B

Synopsis:
Shamira is considered an outcast by most, but little do they know that Shamira is on a mission. Kids on Mars are disappearing, but Shamira decides to use the criminals most unlikely weapons against them, the very kids of which they have captured. In order to succeed, she is forced to trust another, something she is afraid to do. However, Valens her connection to the underworld of her enemy, proves to be a useful ally. Time is slipping, and so is her control on the power that resides within her. Yet, in order to save her brother's life she is willing to risk it all.

Kaitlyn's review:
I think that this was a good book, it had some gripping parts in it, some, less gripping. I liked how each character had a lot of personality. I think that this was a good story, but some parts could have been left out. It had a lot of action, but it wasn't constant action which is kind of a good thing because you don't always want constant action.

Some of the things that were likable about this book is the descriptions. The descriptions were good enough that you could easily picture what was going on, what the characters look like, what the characters act like, and even the scenery. I also liked some of the fighting in it. It was a good story and if you look deep enough into it you can see a few good morals.

Some of the things I didn't like so much is like the slower parts. Some of the slower parts were just like the parts that were repeated in a way. Like the parts that happen then ended up needing to happen again, it is kind of hard to explain.

Some things that I noticed were:
This book was written in third person, because I like to write books I have noticed that this is an easier way to write. I think it sounded good third person. It was narrated well enough that you could tell what the person would have said if it were written in first person.

This book had a lot of facts and opinions about Mars. The description of Mars sounded just about right. So there was a lot of facts about looks. But the opinions were mainly about what it might be like if people lived there, like what stores were there, what things were built there, and all that sort of stuff.

The people were a lot like us. They can make friends easily they aren't always independent and that sort of thing. They seemed to have personalities that a lot of us have. They even look a lot like we do by the way the author described them. The only difference is that they are going through some different things then us, like all of there children missing.

This is a good book. I would recommend this book to people who like Mars, fantasy, action, romance, and all that sort of stuff. This book can relate to teens like myself even, it has family problems where you feel unloved and it even has some of the pains that adults may go through. If you like any of the things that I listed, then you should definitely try this book.

Through Thick and Thin - reviewed by Kaitlyn

2010-07-04T15:12:00.009-06:00

Title: Through Thick and Thin
Author:Sandra Byrd
Genre: Young Adult Christian Fiction
Page Count:220
Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author
Grade:A

Synopsis:
Savvy Smith, 15, sees her chance to write a full column in the paper, making her name and making her way in her new hometown near London, England. But the choices she faces when given the chance to choose between friends, family, and fame may turn her dream into a nightmare.
London Confidential is a new series where British fashion, friendships, and guys collide, and an all-American girl learns to love life and live out her faith.

Kaitlyn's review:
I thought that this book was very interesting, I like how the main character is not obnoxious and weird. I also feel that I can actually learn something from this book instead of it just being meaningless and without a moral. There were some things that I liked about this book that I liked from the first book, like how the author puts things into detail. I also have learned more things about London.

I could tell that the author planned out the story really well. I liked the writing style that the author used. The author made the story interesting and worthwhile. I had a lot of fun reading this book.

At some parts I felt bad for the character, how she would never get her spotlight and I was waiting for her to get some type of spotlight so she could make some friends but I realized that I just had to be patient.

I liked the way the author ended it even though it would have been an extremely hard choice for me. But I thought that the author made it so it was a good choice and it could inspire other people to make choices like this. I think that I definitely could learn a thing or two from this book.

I would suggest this book to anyone who likes young adult fiction who is willing to learn and to make wise choices in life. If you are the kind of person who likes to read about an average teens life, good choices, fitting in, and even just fixing all your problems; then this is a good book for you.

Hero at Large

2010-07-03T08:47:00.000-06:00

Title: Hero at Large
Author: Janet Evanovich
Genre: romance
Page Count: 320
Why I read it: e-book from library
Grade: C

Synopsis:

Dear Reader:

In a previous life, before the time of Plum, I wrote twelve short romance novels. Red-hot screwball comedies, each and every one of them. The romances were originally published between the years 1988 and 1992. All immediately went out of print and could be found only at used bookstores and yard sales.

I'm happy to tell you that those stories have now been re-released by HarperCollins, presented in almost original form. I've done only minor editing to correct some embarrassing bloopers missed the first time around.

Hero at Large was the very first book published. It's about a sexy guy who cooks a potholder in spaghetti sauce and charms a single mom and former world-class ice skater with the promise of a ride on his Zamboni. It's got broken bones, giant turkeys, cantankerous cars, and Aunt Edna.

This was the book that changed my life forever and made me a published author. When Hero finally reached the bookstores, I was almost arrested for loitering in Walden's. I stationed myself in the romance section and wouldn't leave until I saw someone buy my book. It took three days!

My review:
I'm a big fan of Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series (even though I wonder how long she can stretch it out without any character growth or plot development or anything, but that's a different review), so I've been trying to make my way through her older romance novels. This was her first published novel, and I think it's safe to say that Evanovich is getting better with time.

Although this was a fun, easy read, there just really wasn't much substance to it. It was a very typical romance, where the leads get together insanely quickly, fall in love, problems ensue, reconciliation, happily ever after. Don't be mad at me for giving away the plot. This is the plot of almost every romance novel I've read.

If you're a huge Janet Evanovich fan, and want to read everything she's written, pick this one up. Otherwise, I'd say skip it.

Rapunzel's Revenge

2010-07-02T08:41:00.000-06:00

Title: Rapunzel's Revenge
Author: Shannon and Dean Hale
Genre: YA Graphic Novel
Page Count: 144
Why I read it: browsing graphic novels at the library, and it caught my eye.
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Rapunzel is raised in a grand villa surrounded by towering walls. Rapunzel dreams of a different mother than Gothel, the woman she calls Mother. She climbs over the wall and finds out the truth. Her real mother, Kate, is a slave in Gothel's gold mine. In this Old West retelling, Rapunzel uses her hair as a lasso and to take on outlaws--including Gothel.

My review:
The idea for this story was interesting enough, but there just wasn't enough to really keep me engaged. I thought it was just okay in just about every aspect. The artwork, the plot, everything was good enough, but it was nothing exceptional.

The different take on Rapunzel was fun, and a good, empowering story for young girls. I think a lot of times with graphic novels, it really just depends on my mood. I've got to be in the right mood for them, and the current reading slump I'm going through is not it. I think this would definitely be a fun graphic novel for young girls, fans of fairy tales, and graphic novel lovers.

Skinny is Overrated

2010-07-01T08:32:00.001-06:00

Title: Skinny is Overrated
Author: Danielle Milano, MD
Genre: nonfiction/self-help
Page Count: 256
Why I read it: received review copy
Grade: C+

Synopsis:
Skinny Is Overrated is a guide to health and happiness for women of any size who are tired of dieting. Writing in a conversational and often humorous style, and backed by scientific research, Dr. Danielle Milano teaches us to make healthier food choices. She emphasizes the importance of exercise, assuring the reader that it isn't necessary to be a size two! With helpful, easy recipes and common sense advice, Dr. Milano's guidelines for simple lifestyle changes will help you lose weight, gain energy, and become a healthier, more confident you-as you were meant to be.

My review:
There was a lot of good information here. Milano tells us what food choices are good and what are bad, but what's good here is that she tells us why in detail. Her writing style is very easy to read, and I found it to be a very quick read for a health type book, which usually seem slow, and I can only read a little bit at a time.

The downside to this one was that there was some inconsistency, which I've found quite common in books about nutrition and fitness. She would say one thing, and then a few pages or a chapter later, say the complete opposite. The other thing is that I found her food recommendations to be a little unrealistic, at least for me. To eat the way she suggests would be pretty expensive, time consuming, and would make my kids hate me--three things that would almost guarantee failure for me.

Still, there are some good ideas here that I will incorporate into our diets. She advocates getting exercise every day, no matter what level you're at. If you're new to it, start small and work your way up. Just do something. It's all good advice. I would recommend this if you're looking for an easy, quick read, but with the caveat to take the information that works for you, and leave the rest.

Virgin Territory

2010-06-30T08:27:00.000-06:00

Title: Virgin Territory
Author: James Lecesne
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Count: 224
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: DNF
Publication Date: September 14, 2010

Synopsis:
Virgin Territory explores the power of faith and our need to believe in miracles. Sixteen-year-old Dylan Flack is uprooted from his cozy life in New York City by the death of his mother of cancer the night before 9/ll. He finds himself transplanted to Jupiter, Florida, and in the chaos of the move discovers that his father has lost their treasured collection of family photos. Dylan feels that he has begun to lose the memory of his mother's face, and without access to those pictures of their past together, each day stretches darkly into a future without hope. Enter: the Virgin Club, a nomadic group of trailer kids whose mostly single parents drag them all over the country in search of sightings of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Although not looking for membership in any club, Dylan falls in love with their leader, Angela, who believes that change occurs in direct proportion to desire and the willingness to take risks. In a series of misadventures and brushes with the law in what Dylan comes to think of as "virgin territory," she teaches Dylan to risk a future without his favorite parent. Miraculously his newfound courage leads to a long overdue confession from his father that brings them closer together and catapults Dylan into a future that holds more promise.

My review:
This was not at all what I expected. I'm not sure exactly what I expected it to be about, but what I got wasn't something that interested me at all. It just wasn't my style. I got more than 100 pages in, so I read almost half of the book, and at that point it seemed like not a lot was happening. I probably wouldn't recommend this one, unless you have a completely opposite reading style from mine, and then I'd say go for it!

Everlasting

2010-06-29T09:17:00.000-06:00

Title: Everlasting
Author: Angie Frazier
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
Page Count: 336
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: A-

Synopsis:
Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty.

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous—and alluring—magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who—and what—matters most.

My review:
I really loved this book. Way more than I expected to when I read the synopsis. It was wonderfully paced. Some books have action scene after action scene, without giving you any time to even catch your breath. This one definitely has action, but there are also some scenes where the reader can get to know the characters and the setting.

And I loved the characters. Camille is a great heroine, and I was really feeling the romance between her and Oscar. Oscar felt like a man, rather than the boys I so often read about in YA novels. Which makes me question why I read YA so often, since it's quite understandable that the male leads would still be boys. But it's nice to come across a more mature, manly character every once in awhile.

I never got bored while reading, or felt that the story started to get slow or tiresome. The only problem I had with it was that most of the action was packed into what felt like a very rushed ending. As I was nearing the end of the book I kept wondering if there was going to be a big cliffhanger or something, because with the amount of pages left, there's no way the author was going to wrap up everything that needed to happen. But she did, and sadly, it felt incredibly rushed. Everlasting seems like it could be the first in a series, but it stands on it's own as well.

I will definitely read more by Angie Frazier, and would highly recommend this one to fans of YA.

The Bachelorette Party

2010-06-28T13:09:00.003-06:00

Title: The Bachelorette Party
Author: Karen McCullah Lutz
Genre: Chick Lit
Page Count: 256
Why I read it: chick lit group on goodreads
Grade: D+

Synopsis:
After being left at the altar by her soap star fiancé, L.A. high school teacher Zadie Roberts wants nothing to do with love and romance. Still, with the help of her best buddy, Grey, she may somehow overcome the wedding that wasn’t. That is, until Grey gets engaged to Zadie’s prim and proper cousin Helen, and Zadie is dragged back into wedding festivity hell. The coup de grâce is Helen’s bachelorette party, thrown by her clique of prissy friends and certain to be a day of torture. But when the Pinor Grigio goes down and the sweater sets come off, things get out of control. Helen turns into a girl gone wild and manages to get herself into a sticky situation that just might sink the happy couple for good. And meanwhile, Zadie’s own love life takes a most unexpected turn. Karen Lutz throws one bachelorette party you won’t soon forget.

My review:
There were some interesting things about this book, but overall, I just didn't think the story was great. There wasn't a whole lot to it, and even though it kept my interest enough to keep me reading, it certainly wasn't memorable.

I had a hard time really caring about the characters. Some of the women were just silly, and I found their actions a bit unrealistic at times. The book was also extremely crude and had quite a bit of language, which isn't really my thing either. I don't think I'd recommend this one, as I've read a lot of better chick lit.

Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible

2010-06-12T22:10:00.007-06:00

Title: Word of Promise New Testament
Genre: Bible
Page Count: Audio-20 CDs
Why I read it: received for review from BookSneeze
Grade: A+

Synopsis:
A 20-hour, 20-CD, diverse star-studded audio Bible production of The New Testament. This multi-voiced faithful rendering of the NKJV New Testament is presented in a compelling, dramatic audio theater format.

My review:
My thoughts on this one are going to be pretty straightforward and unsurprising. As a Christian, it's no secret that I hold the Bible close to my heart.

This particular rendition of the New Testament is just wonderful. Sometimes it's hard to find time to sit down and read the Bible. There are always other things to do--run the kids to sports games or dance class, laundry, house cleaning, driving to and from work, getting in some exercise. But the beauty of this audio Bible is that you can listen to it while doing any of the above mentioned things. My kids and I loved listening to this while we were in the car driving. I loved listening while I took walks.

It goes beyond regular audio books, with the dramatic format. Different actors for different characters, background music and noises--it's much more than just someone reading the Bible. This is a treasure in our home, and I would recommend this to every Christian.

Unwind

2010-06-09T18:12:00.001-06:00

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Page Count: 335
Why I read it: sounded interesting
Grade: B-

Synopsis:
In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them.
Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

My review:
Unwind has an interesting, if unbelievable, premise, and was good enough to keep me reading for an entire afternoon until I finished it. There were parts that I could actually see happening. I could see this country coming to another Civil War (or the equivalent) because there is so much hatred on both sides of the two party system. What was not believable was the "Bill of Life", which was what the entire story was based on, that wouldn't have been acceptable by either the pro-life or the pro-choice sides.

But, if you can ignore that, the story is fast-paced with lots of varied characters. It was told from rotating points of view between characters, with third person narration. That way I never got tired of a certain character, which was nice.

I think this would be a great book for a book group, because there are lots of discussion possibilities here. Lots of moral questions raised--it would make for a great discussion.

Wild Magic

2010-06-08T21:54:00.003-06:00

Title: Wild Magic
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 362
Why I read it: like the author
Grade: C+

Synopsis:
Young Daine's knack with horses gets her a job helping the royal horsemistress drive a herd of ponies to Tortall. Soon it becomes clear that Daine's talent, as much as she struggles to hide it, is downright magical Horses and other animals not only obey, but listen to her words. Daine, though, will have to learn to trust humans before she can come to terms with her powers, her past, and herself.

My review:
This was a quick, easy read, but there's really nothing special or outstanding about it. I think it kind of sets up the character of Daine, but it seemed like it moved from one thing to another, introducing new ideas a little too quickly. I didn't like it quite as well as the Alanna series.

Daine is a likable enough character, and there are some returning characters from the Alanna series. There are also a few new ones as well, but no one that grabbed me, and although I liked the end of this story, for most of the book I wasn't completely pulled in. I found my mind wandering quite a bit.

Still, I would definitely recommend Tamora Pierce's books to fantasy lovers, most especially younger ones who want to read fantasy but don't have the patience or desire to read the longer, more involved fantasy.

The Host

2010-06-07T00:33:00.004-06:00

Title: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Science Fiction
Page Count: 400 too many (619)
Why I read it: Recommended by Felicia
Grade: D-

Synopsis:
The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. But Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.--From publisher description.

My review:
WARNING: Rant ahead. I really disliked this story, but I understand that there are plenty of Stephenie Meyer fans, and I won't hold that against you if you won't hold this negative review against me. :)

How is Stephenie Meyer a published author? I ask you, how? She cannot write. She blathers on and on for 600+ pages, and still doesn't manage to tell a compelling story.

I hated the main character. Hated! I have never read a more hypocritical, self-righteous character than Wanda/Wanderer. Of course, I blame the author for inconsistency. How does it make any sense for a supposedly peace-loving, good, kind alien species to conquer world after world, murdering entire species? And this is the kind of character I'm supposed to root for and fall in love with? One that over and over calls humans monsters, and talks about how horrible they are, all the while living in a body that is not her own, that she stole. While her species is systematically murdering the human race? And the humans are monsters? Is this supposed to be entertainment?

Let's suppose that someone who is stronger than you moves themselves into your house. Not only do you not want them there, but you're expected to just leave. In fact, the person who moved into your house is annoyed that you're still there. Why are you still there? It's their house now. But, because you refuse to leave, you're stuck living in a tiny closet, with no way to communicate with the outside world. But see, the person who moved into your house is really nice. Really, really nice (except for the fact that she stole your house). So all your neighbors and family start to love her. And they start to think that she has as much right to live in your house as you do. Even though as long as she's there, you'll only ever be able to live in the tiny closet with no outside contact. But heck, you might as well love her too. Cause she's so nice and she's such a good person (except for the fact that she stole your house, and also she thinks that murdering entire species over and over on various worlds is perfectly acceptable, but besides that she totally hates violence--killing is okay, as long as you do it nicely).

I could even take all that if the story wasn't so mind-numblingly boring. There is just not much going on, but we get to read every detail of it. Every single detail. The characters are flat--there's no one to root for or even care about, because all we get to hear about is what Wanda thinks, and whether or not everybody likes Wanda. That's how we could determine who the good guys and bad guys were, of course. Whether or not you love Wanda. If you distrust or dislike the alien parasite who has taken over and suppressed a human body and mind, well, you're obviously a bad guy in this story.

I don't think I'll be reading anything else that Meyer writes. Sorry, fans, but she's just not for me.

It Started With a Dare

2010-06-04T13:02:00.002-06:00

Title: It Started With a Dare
Author: Lindsay Faith Rech
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Count: 312
Why I read it: Netgalley review copy
Grade: C+
Publication Date: Sept. 2010

Synopsis:
Self-proclaimed nobody CG Silverman sees her move to an upscale new school as her chance to be somebody different. Her devil-may-care attitude attracts the in-clique, and before CG realizes it, a routine game of truth or dare launches her to iconic status. While this rebel image helps secure CG’s newfound popularity, it also propels her through a maze of unprecedented chaos, with each new lie and every dare opening doors that, in most cases, were better off left shut. CG is on a collision course with disaster. Will she be able to keep up the façade? Or will the whole world find out she’s a fraud?

My review:
The best way to describe this book is "brain candy". That's all it was. There wasn't a lot of thought required to read it--it was mostly pure silliness. That doesn't mean it was bad. It just isn't great literature, and sometimes that's exactly what I'm in the mood for.

This is a nice one to pick up when you just have a few minutes here and there. The main character is not particularly likable, but she does seem to learn a few lessons along the way.

I would say this is a great book for younger teens to read, except that there is a lot of language and some adult-type situations. This is probably better for older teens and adults who enjoy YA

Candor

2010-06-04T12:56:00.004-06:00

Title: Candor
Author: Pam Bachorz
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Page Count: 256
Why I read it: sounded good
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

My review:
When I first saw the description for this one, I was excited for what I thought would be another great dystopia book, with moral conflicts and lots of action. And it really wasn't any of that.

The story moved fairly slow. I think so much could have been done with the setting and the idea, but there was a lot of unfulfilled potential here. I thought maybe at least it would get exciting, but it never did, and there was very little pay-off in the end for slogging through the boring.

I didn't care for the main character. I found him unsympathetic, and there weren't any other characters I could like. I wanted so much more from this story, and it wasn't at all what I was hoping for.

No and Me

2010-06-01T15:19:00.003-06:00

Title: No and Me
Author: Delphine de Vigan
Genre: YA Fiction (translated from French)
Page Count: 256
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: C

Synopsis:
At thirteen-years-old, with an unusually high IQ and a knack for observing things about other people, Lou Bertignac is not only the youngest in her class at school; she is also the most unusual. Painfully shy, she has few friends, save for Lucas, whose company helps her get through each day. At home, Lou's life is also difficult: Her mother hasn't left the house in years and her father spends his days crying in the bathroom. Lou's world is dark and sad... That is, until she meets No.

No is a teenage girl that Lou befriends for the purpose of her school project on homelessness. Despite the different worlds that these two girls come from, a friendship is soon forged between them. Unable to bear the thought of No not having a home or a family to keep her safe, Lou persuades her reluctant parents into letting her new friend stay with the Bertignac family. No's addition to the household forces Lou and her parents to face the sadness that has been enveloping them for so long — but not without some disruptions along the way.

My review:
I'm not sure what to say about this one. I liked the idea for the story, but it felt a little rushed and underdeveloped. I couldn't really figure out the main characters motivations, and had no idea what was going on inside any of the other characters heads.

This was a pretty quick read, but I'm not sure that I'd recommend it. It was very depressing, although I think it was supposed to come across as hopeful. Or maybe it was supposed to be depressing. I'm not quite sure what the author was going for here.

The Emerald Talisman

2010-05-28T14:20:00.004-06:00

Title: The Emerald Talisman
Author: Brenda Pandos
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Page Count: 280
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: C

Synopsis:
To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.

My review:
This book and I just didn't click. I'm not sure if it's the writing style or what, but I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one. With that said, I can tell that this will appeal to fans of Twilight (another one that didn't quite work for me). The writing style seems to be very similar, and some other things as well.

The style is very descriptive, and I would say very internal as well. Since it was written in first person narrative, we really got to know the main character. We really didn't get to know the secondary characters very well, but that's to be expected as this story was very much about Julia, and also her relationship with Nicholas.

Even though this book wasn't quite my style, I believe many fans of YA fiction, and especially vampire YA will enjoy this one.

Rising Shadow

2010-05-27T21:22:00.003-06:00

Title: Rising Shadow
Author: Jacquelyn Wheeler
Genre: YA
Page Count: 378
Why I read it: ARC tour
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Ashlyn Woods just transferred to one of the most beautiful campuses on the west coast, where she can't wait to start her life over as a normal college student. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she discovers that she is a Soterian: a person who develops amazing powers when the balance of good and evil shifts too far in evil's favor. Soon she and the other Soterians are studying martial arts and learning to use their powers to prevent California from being plunged into chaos. But they quickly discover that they're up against a much more dangerous enemy than they anticipated. And when Ashlyn meets Kai, a devastatingly gorgeous guitar player, she realizes she must sacrifice more than she ever imagined.

My review:
Rising Shadow was written in a very easy to read style. There are some books I've read where I find my mind wandering, or I have to read the same paragraph a couple times, but with this one I was hooked right from the beginning. The author definitely knows how to write in such a way that keeps the reader engaged.

I really liked the story in this one, as it was interesting and different, and I'm always a sucker for characters with superpowers. I felt like at times the author was a bit too blatant with her political leanings shining right through. I think it's okay to let what you believe or what you know come through in your stories, but to have every character have exactly the same political leanings and beliefs is a bit of a stretch.

But I got past my mild annoyance with that and was able to enjoy the story, thankfully. Until the romance started overshadowing the plot, or rather, it was the plot for a little bit, which always turns me off. If I wanted that, I'd be reading romance novels. I like the romance in my books to be very understated.

Now that I've aired all my grievances, there was a lot to like about this one. The characters were interesting, the plot was very fast paced, and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series. I think it would be fun if each upcoming book in the series focused on a different character, but I guess I don't get to decide that. :) I'll just have to enjoy them however they are. I would definitely recommend this one!

Tyger Tyger

2010-05-27T08:51:00.004-06:00

Title: Tyger Tyger
Author: Kersten Hamilton
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 320
Why I read it: review copy from Netgalley
Grade: A
Publication Date: November 15, 2010

Synopsis:
Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

My review:
I was kind of surprised just how much I loved this book. The author has a great writing style, and I enjoyed every setting and every bit of the story. When I thought it was going to be about a girl who worked at a zoo, I was interested in that. When I thought it was going to be about a girl whose male cousin comes to live with them, I was interested in that. But then the story took off to unexpected places, and I loved every minute of it.

What's kind of weird is that even though this story doesn't take place in Ireland at all, it made me love Ireland even more than I already did. It made me want to look up the stories and legends. And it really made me want to visit Ireland.

The characters were wonderful--I loved Teagan, who was such a realistic, strong character. The supporting characters, the world building, and the mythology in Tyger Tyger were all excellent, and I would highly recommend putting this book on your wishlist. I can't wait for more in the series!

The Clearing

2010-05-25T10:41:00.004-06:00

Title: The Clearing
Author: Heather Davis
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Count: 228
Why I read it: received review copy
Grade: D

Synopsis:
Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery—Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

My review:
I didn't care for this one. It may have worked a lot better as a short story, because there just didn't seem to be enough here to fill a whole book (even though the book itself is quite short). It felt like nothing was really happening, and there just wasn't a whole lot of plot.

I didn't connect with the main character, or any other character actually. Well, I did like her aunt Mae, but we really weren't given a whole lot of character information about anyone except Amy and to a point, Henry.

Although this book is very short, it took me a long time to read, so I can't say that it's a quick read, either. This one just wasn't for me, even though I did like the ending.

Lips Touch

2010-05-24T14:30:00.002-06:00

Title: Lips Touch
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: YA Fantasy (short stories)
Page Count: 265
Why I read it: like the author
Grade: C+

Synopsis:
Three tales of supernatural love, each pivoting on a kiss that is no mere kiss, but an action with profound consequences for the kissers' souls:

Goblin Fruit: In Victorian times, goblin men had only to offer young girls sumptuous fruits to tempt them to sell their souls. But what does it take to tempt today's savvy girls?

Spicy Little Curses: A demon and the ambassador to Hell tussle over the soul of a beautiful English girl in India. Matters become complicated when she falls in love and decides to test her curse.

Hatchling: Six days before Esme's fourteenth birthday, her left eye turns from brown to blue. She little suspects what the change heralds, but her small safe life begins to unravel at once. What does the beautiful, fanged man want with her, and how is her fate connected to a mysterious race of demons?

My review:
I'm sorry to say I didn't like this one nearly as well as the Dreamdark series. But, to be honest, I'm not and probably never will be a fan of short stories. And this was no exception.

I love Laini Taylor's writing. It's so imaginative, and you can really feel the depth and beauty of it. I even liked the ideas for these stories. I just felt like they were build-ups for real stories (novels) and left me feeling a little unsatisfied. The third story in particular felt like a lot of world building, especially for a short story.

This is not to say that I wouldn't recommend this book. If you like short stories, these are wonderful. It's like reading fairy tales like they're meant to be (not the Disney versions): dark, scary, not entirely happily-ever-after. I'm just not a short story person, no matter how much I love the writer.

Silksinger

2010-05-22T19:05:00.003-06:00

Title: Silksinger
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 445
Why I read it: 2nd in series
Grade: A

Synopsis:
Whisper Silksinger is the last of the secret guardians of the Azazel, one of the powerful Djinn who dreamed the world into being. Relentlessly pursued by bloodthirsty devils, she flees to the city of Nazneen to restore the Azazel to his temple. At the same time, Hirik Mothmage is also on a secret quest, to find the Azazel and restore his disgraced clan’s ancient honor.

And behind them all flies Magpie Windwitch, first champion of the new age of faeries, desperate to rescue Whisper and the Azazel alike before they fall in the clutches of a sinister hidden enemy.

My review:
I think I have found a new favorite author. There is just something about this world that captivates me, and I find myself reading slower so that I can make the book last longer. This book (and the previous one) should be read by every fantasy lover. I'll even go so far as to say they should be read by every book lover. I'll never understand how certain YA books (I won't mention any titles here) get so darn popular, and gems like this don't get the attention they deserve.

In Dreamdark, Laini Taylor keeps up the fantastic characterization, the adventure--all the good stuff from the first book. We meet some great new characters, although I didn't like Whisper as well as Magpie (who is one of my favorite literary characters ever), but she was definitely an interesting character. There was also some great backstory, and although the surprise twist in this one didn't surprise me, it was still good.

Once again, I have to mention the artwork. It really brings the story to life. I would love to see a graphic novel made of this series, because the artwork would be incredible. I really can't wait to read more of this series, and I hope the next one isn't too long coming. I'll be reading everything this author writes!

The Carpet Makers

2010-05-17T18:43:00.003-06:00

Title: The Carpet Makers
Author: Andreas Eschbach
Genre: Science Fiction
Page Count: 300
Why I read it: heard it was good
Grade: C+

Synopsis:
Since the time of pre-history, carpetmakers tie intricate knots to form carpets for the court of the Emperor. These carpets are made from the hairs of wives and daughters; they are so detailed and fragile that each carpetmaker finishes only one single carpet in his entire lifetime. This art descends from father to son, since the beginning of time itself.
But one day the empire of the God Emperor vanishes, and strangers begin to arrive from the stars to follow the trace of the hair carpets. What these strangers discover is beyond all belief, more than anything they could have ever imagined...

My review:
I'm having such a hard time rating this book. Andreas Eschbach has created an amazing world to explore in The Carpet Makers. Unfortunately, he fails to really explore it. It reads like a bunch of short stories set in the same world, sometimes connected, and other times I can't really figure out what the point of a certain thread is.

There really is no character development. Not enough time is spent on any character or setting to really get the full story, before we've moved on to other characters, sometimes never to return.

On the other hand, the world was fascinating. I kept reading because I wanted to know how it all tied together, and at the end it did come together somewhat, but for me it was underwhelming, and I was ultimately disappointed. This writer is good, for sure, but I feel like there could have been so much more story told, so many more things to develop and explore, and it just never got there.

I would read more by this author, but I'm not sure if any other of his books are translated into English. This one was not heavy at all on the science, and could be enjoyed by fans of any genre.

Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer

2010-05-15T19:56:00.002-06:00

Title: Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 437
Why I read it: fairies!
Grade: A+

Synopsis:
When the ancient evil of the Blackbringer rises to unmake the world, only one determined faerie stands in its way. However, Magpie Windwitch, granddaughter of the West Wind, is not like other faeries. While her kind live in seclusion deep in the forests of Dreamdark, she's devoted her life to tracking down and recapturing devils escaped from their ancient bottles, just as her hero, the legendary Bellatrix, did 25,000 years ago. With her faithful gang of crows, she travels the world fighting where others would choose to flee. But when a devil escapes from a bottle sealed by the ancient Djinn King himself—the creator of the world—she may be in over her head. How can a single faerie, even with the help of her friends, hope to defeat the impenetrable darkness of the Blackbringer?

My review:
I wish I was a good enough writer to convey exactly how much I loved this book. But I'm not, so I'm left with writing a review that will never do it justice. I think there are rare times in life when you read a book and you feel like it was written just for you. I can recognize that this book will never be as popular as some of the other juvenile or YA fiction out there, but it was perfect for me. I loved everything about it, and I can't think of one thing I didn't like.

For starters, this is what fairy stories should be like. The fairies were not humans with wings like I see so much of in stories now--they were small, completely different, exactly how fairies should be and so rarely are. Anyone who really knows me knows how much I love fairies. I have a fairly large collection, including a collection of warrior fairies, which made this book even better for me, because the main character in this is a warrior fairy. And she's so very likable and strong. This is what I've been missing in YA fiction. I'm sick of the simpering, man-obsessed girls, and this was exactly the opposite of that.

The other characters were wonderful. I loved the crows, more than I ever thought was possible to love animal characters. I loved the language, the writing, and the artwork--oh my goodness, I want to hang it on my walls; I just wish there would have been more! And I'm so excited that there's another book in this series for me to read. I would highly recommend this to YA fantasy fans--this will go on my very small list of all-time favorites.

The Iron Daughter

2010-05-10T15:01:00.003-06:00

Title: The Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 359
Why I read it: 2nd in series
Grade: C+
Publication Date: August 1, 2010

Synopsis:
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My review:
Oy! I am so insanely tired of these YA fantasies where the girl is completely obsessed with a boy, to the point where she's willing to die for him (or she wants to die because he might not want her). To me, it's not romantic, it's obnoxious. Can't any authors ever just write a story where the focus is something else with a little bit of romance, and not where the romance takes over and everything else in the story becomes unimportant?

I thought Julie Kagawa had a good balance of story and romance in The Iron King, but with this second novel, it became another cliched YA romance. It was predictable, and even though there were times when Meghan wondered if Ash was using fairy glamour to manipulate her feelings, she didn't care. Let me repeat that--she was ready and willing to die for him, even though at times she suspected her feelings for him might have been forced on her. Why do YA authors do this? Can't we ever have strong female leads who don't have to have a boy to live? I don't mind some romance, but I feel like it's getting ridiculous.

I do love the setting, and the rich world that Kagawa has written. Puck is a fantastic character, and my favorite by far. I will continue on with the series, because the writing is good and I want to see where it goes. But I need to read something besides YA for awhile--or find some YA with girls that can stand on their own (like Tamora Pierce's Alanna).

Rules of Attraction

2010-05-06T21:39:00.004-06:00

Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Genre: YA
Page Count: 324
Why I read it: 2nd in series
Grade: C

Synopsis:
When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

My review:
I didn't like this one as well as Perfect Chemistry. It was basically the same story, but with less likable characters. While I thought Perfect Chemistry was masterfully written, this one had me rolling my eyes a bit.

I did not care for Carlos at all. I found him self-absorbed and whiny, with a poor me, nobody has ever had it as hard as me, nobody from my background could come out on top attitude. Even though, as we know from the first book in the trilogy, that's exactly what his brother Alex did--rise above the life he was given. So, even with the inevitable turn around, I still didn't like his character, and felt that it was too rushed when he goes from complete jerk to sweet, caring guy in about 2 seconds.

And was any of it a surprise? Not really. Not only because the story isn't all that original in the first place, but because we'd already read it in the first book. I think Simone Elkeles is a good writer, but I wasn't impressed with this one.

Silver Borne

2010-05-05T22:14:00.004-06:00

Title: Silver Borne
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Paranormal
Page Count: 342
Why I read it: 5th in a series
Grade: A

Synopsis:
When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down. It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit. All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

My review:
After not loving the previous book in the series (although I still liked it), I'm happy to say that I'm fully back on board with Mercy. This was a great book that left me feeling so many different emotions. I'll admit, at the beginning of the book I wondered if Mercy's story had been told, and if it was just being dragged out now, but reading this book changed my mind, because I love these characters and I want more of them.

Up until this book, I haven't been feeling the Mercy and Adam love. I'm not sure why, because I like both characters a lot, but I didn't like them together. Now they're one of my favorite literary couples. What a difference a book makes! I love the characters Patricia Briggs writes--she has a way of making you care about them, and boy did I feel really sad a lot of the time while reading, because the characters were so sad.

I really love this series, and would highly recommend it!

The Dark Divine

2010-05-04T09:34:00.001-06:00

Title: The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Genre: YA Paranormal
Page Count: 372
Why I read it: local author
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

My review:
Maybe I need to take a step back from reading these YA paranormals, because I'm getting irked with all the similar elements. Why does the male lead always have to be a "bad boy" who is always perfect looking with a bad attitude? And why does the female lead seem to always have almost nothing on her mind besides the boy?

This one was really no better or worse than the rest of what's out there, although I found it to be pretty slow moving, with not nearly enough action. The Dark Divine is well-written, though--enough that even though it was moving slowly I was inspired to keep reading.

It also seemed to take a little too long for the mystery to unfold. With Grace sitting back and not looking at what was right in front of her, all the while lamenting that she wants to know what's going on. In this sense the characterization was a bit uneven, for me.

I would probably recommend this to fans of YA paranormal, because it's really similar to the rest of what's out there, and if you like that, you'll like this.

The Gardener

2010-05-03T09:24:00.000-06:00

Title: The Gardener
Author: S.A. Bodeen
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Page Count: 232
Why I read it: ARC tour
Grade: A
Publication Date: May 25, 2010

Synopsis:
Mason has never known his father, but longs to. All he has of him is a DVD of a man whose face is never seen, reading a children’s book. One day, on a whim, he plays the DVD for a group of comatose teens at the nursing home where his mother works. One of them, a beautiful girl, responds. Mason learns she is part of a horrible experiment intended to render teenagers into autotrophs—genetically engineered, self-sustaining life-forms who don’t need food or water to survive. And before he knows it, Mason is on the run with the girl, and wanted, dead or alive, by the mysterious mastermind of this gruesome plan, who is simply called the Gardener.

My review:
This is the kind of YA that I really like, and should probably stick to. It's the kind that brings up so many questions and morality issues, and it really makes you stop and think. Or at least, you'll take time to think about things after you're done, because you definitely won't want to stop reading this one. It's a page turner for sure.

My one complaint on this book was that it was way too short. I wanted more story, and felt like we were just getting started. There is a lot more story to tell here. It was hard to get a great feel for the characters, mostly because it's told in first person narration, so we only ever get to know what Mason is thinking, and it's really the other characters who are the most interesting, and who have the most to tell us. I would have like to see this story in third person narrative, told from different perspectives. But I guess no book is perfect. It would be nice to read more books set in this world, but it's unclear if this is a start of a series.

I would highly recommend this one, and will be looking for more by this author.

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison

2010-04-30T16:20:00.002-06:00

Title: Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 593
Why I read it: 5th in series
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison. Facing the potential of a world-ending calamity, all friends of light must unite in a final effort to thwart the Sphinx s designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts. To this end, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn will venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven to strange and exotic magical preserves across the globe, where the end of every quest becomes the beginning of another. In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison.

My review:
This was a pretty good ending to the Fablehaven series. I had a hard time remembering what all had happened in previous books, but I still felt okay, and not lost or anything.

There were some great new characters in this one, and then all of the other characters we know and love from the previous books. And still there are those that I'd like to smack upside the head because they are so dang stupid. In fact, there was a lot of stupidity in this one, even by characters who should have known better.

Also, I think sometimes authors try to throw in romance where it's really not necessary, especially in an action-packed book like this. In fact, at times there was a little bit too much going on. It was like the author wanted to fit 100 different things in this book, and so a lot of the characters and events didn't get the attention I think they deserved.

Still, this was a good book, and a really fun series that I would recommend to middle grade and YA readers.

A Little Wanting Song

2010-04-28T10:26:00.003-06:00

Title: A Little Wanting Song
Author: Cath Crowley
Genre: YA
Page Count: 263
Why I read it: ARC Tour
Grade: A
Publication date is June 8, 2010

Synopsis:
CHARLIE DUSKIN loves music, and she knows she's good at it. But she only sings when she's alone, on the moonlit porch or in the back room at Old Gus's Secondhand Record and CD Store. Charlie's mom and grandmother have both died, and this summer she's visiting her grandpa in the country, surrounded by ghosts and grieving family, and serving burgers to the local kids at the milk bar. She's got her iPod, her guitar, and all her recording equipment, but she wants more: A friend. A dad who notices her. The chance to show Dave Robbie that she's not entirely unspectacular.
ROSE BUTLER lives next door to Charlie's grandfather and spends her days watching cars pass on the freeway and hanging out with her troublemaker boyfriend. She loves Luke but can't wait to leave their small country town. And she's figured out a way: she's won a scholarship to a science school in the city, and now she has to convince her parents to let her go. This is where Charlie comes in. Charlie, who lives in the city, and whom Rose has ignored for years. Charlie, who just might be Rose's ticket out.
Told in alternating voices and filled with music, friendship, and romance, Charlie and Rose's "little wanting song" is about the kind of longing that begins as a heavy ache but ultimately makes us feel hopeful and wonderfully alive.

My review:
This is one of those sweet novels that when I read the last page I just want more. This was not a fast-paced novel. There really wasn't any action, and there wasn't a lot going on either. It was more of an internal story--a story about two girls realizing who they are and who they can be.

I really liked Charlie from the beginning. She was a great character. Rose took awhile to grow on me. I felt like she was selfish and snotty, but in the end I liked her. In fact, I liked all the characters in one way or another.

There were times I thought the writing might be a little too flowery for me. Things like the sunset being like a cello playing. I think in real life if someone talked to me like that, I would think they were maybe a bit pretentious, if I'm being honest. But it works for this story, and it didn't really bother me.

I would recommend this to fans of YA. I liked it a lot better than I thought I would.

The Iron King

2010-04-27T10:16:00.000-06:00

Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 363
Why I read it: have the second one for review
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

My review:
Reading the description of this one, I really thought it would be the typical "girl finds out she's supernatural and/or meets someone who is supernatural, they fall in love, but the love is doomed." And while there is some love here, that's really not the focus of the book, and for that I'm glad.

Meghan is a strong character who is not afraid to do hard things for the people she cares about. There were really only a small handful of main characters in this quest-like story, but I liked them all. Although there are a lot of the typical fairy story elements here, there is also a lot that is original and new.

I would recommend this one to fans of YA fantasy, and to those who like strong female leads.

Lord of Misrule

2010-04-26T11:24:00.019-06:00

Title: Lord of Misrule
Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: YA Paranormal
Page Count: 231
Why I read it: 5th in a series
Grade: C

Synopsis:
The tenuous peace that exists between the living and the undead in the town of Morganville is once again threatened, forcing Claire Danvers to make a life-or-death decision.

My review:
I feel like this series is going down a bit as it goes on. It could just be that I'm not particularly interested in the direction the story is going. Also, it's pretty slow moving. The whole book only covered a couple of days. Granted, it's not a long book, but it just felt like not a whole lot was happening. They were just kind of running from place to place, with the usual action scene near the end.

I'm also not feeling the characters all that much. There's no one that I particularly care about, or who stands out all that much. I feel like after five books I should know these characters better.

I'll still continue on with the series, and I would recommend this series to someone who likes YA paranormal, but I think there's a lot better YA out there right now.

Lioness Rampant

2010-04-25T18:20:00.000-06:00

Title: Lioness Rampant
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Ya Fantasy
Page Count: 384
Why I read it: 4th in a series
Grade: A

Synopsis:
At last, Alanna of Trebond has become the first female knight errant in Tortall. She sets out on an impossible quest to find the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem that, in the right hands, has limitless power for good. But while she searches for the one thing that can save her war-torn country, her nemesis returns from the dead and begins to wreak havoc. Only Alanna has the power to prevent Tortall's utter destruction...

My review:
This was a fantastic end to the Song of the Lioness series. It was longer than the others, so Tamora Pierce was able to give more details, and not skip large chunks of time like in the other books. It had court intrigue that I loved, and the action never stopped.

I also just adore the characters in this series. Alanna grew so much, and I admit, I cried at the ending. It was good and I really loved it. The secondary characters are good, although the one small downside for this one was that I just wasn't feeling the relationship between Alanna and Liam. He grew on me as a character, but sometimes I feel like Alanna really doesn't have to have a relationship with every man she comes in contact with. (That doesn't really happen, though)

I would highly recommend this series to fantasy lovers. Especially young ones. All but this last book are fairly short and very quick reads. I will definitely read more by this author.

Heist Society

2010-04-21T13:07:00.001-06:00

Title: Heist Society
Author: Ally Carter
Genre: YA Adventure
Page Count: 287
Why I read it: looked fun
Grade: B-

Synopsis:
When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.
Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help.
For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history-or at least her family's (very crooked) history.

My review:
This was a fun story that kept me reading. The only thing I didn't really care for was that I was annoyed when the author would say "the boy and the girl stood there" instead of just saying their names. I get why she was doing it, it just bugged me. Oh, also too many loose ends at the end of the book.

But still, it was a quick easy read, which was perfect for me right now. I'm having trouble concentrating on anything too involved. The characters were fun, even though I think the characterization was a bit shallow. There were also times when I didn't understand exactly why a character did what they did--their motivations didn't quite make sense.

I would recommend this to fans of YA, or for someone looking for a fun adventure read.

Hex Hall

2010-04-20T09:37:00.000-06:00

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: YA fantasy
Page Count: 323
Why I read it: looked fun
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

My review:
I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, so I haven't got a whole lot read. This book should have taken me a day or two to read, instead of the few days it took. A lot of the young adult novels I read don't really feel like young adult. I don't ever feel like I'm reading a book for younger readers. But with Hex Hall, I really felt it.

I've read a few reviews where the readers thought the main character was sassy and funny, but the humor all just seemed very young. Like things kids in junior high might think was funny. Maybe it's just my mood, and that would account for the reading slump and the not finding humor in things. Sophie was okay, but definitely not a favorite character for me.

I would probably recommend this to younger YA fans, or maybe just someone who's in a better mood than I am. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything very memorable.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

2010-04-16T11:13:00.001-06:00

Title: The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Page Count: 265
Why I read it: sounded good
Grade: B-

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a year-long coma, and she's still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. Her parents show her home movies of her life, her memories, but she has no recollection. Is she really the same girl she sees on the screen?
Little by little, Jenna begins to remember. Along with the memories come questions—questions no one wants to answer for her. What really happened after the accident?

My review:
This book had a fairly predictable plot. I don't think I was really surprised once while reading it, and I know I was supposed to be. Still, the writing was pretty good, and I liked it enough that I wasn't bothered by the predictability.

The characters were okay, but we really only get to know Jenna in this novel, and the other characters are not fleshed out at all. It's just a journey of self-discovery for Jenna, and that's pretty much it. She does have interactions with other characters, but even those seemed to be interactions to help us understand who Jenna is, and not who anybody else is.

I'd recommend this for a quick read, especially if you like YA books. This book was eerily similar to Skinned by Robin Wasserman--so many plot points were the same, except the stories seemed to go in totally different directions.

Forget Me Not (+giveaway)

2010-04-12T10:31:00.039-06:00

Title: Forget Me Not
Author: Vicki Hinze
Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller
Page Count: 329
Why I read it: blog tour for publisher
Grade: C+

Synopsis:
Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family.
Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace.
The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

My review:
I spent a lot of the time while reading this book being confused. I couldn't quite figure out what was happening, or who was who, or much of anything, to be honest. There seemed to be too many characters doing too many different things. Most of the time I'm not a fan of books that slowly unveil what's going on, layer by layer, leaving me feeling lost and confused for a good share of the book, and this was no exception.

That being said, the writing was good. It was suspenseful, even if I didn't quite buy a lot of the things that were happening. I'm okay with that in fiction, though. Sometimes it's okay to suspend belief for awhile, and just go with the story. This one was very fast-paced with a lot of stuff going on. The story switches viewpoints almost constantly.

If you're not a fan of religion in your books, skip this one, because it does tend to get rather preachy and in your face. The Christianity in this book is not subtle at all. On the other hand, if you like your characters to rely heavily on God, and to have their whole character shaped around their faith, then you might really enjoy this book.

I don't read a lot of Christian suspense type novels, so I can't really say how this compares to others of it's genre, so it's hard to recommend this one or not. I'd say it relies heavily on personal preference here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. To find out more about this book, click here.

And lastly, I've got one copy of this book to giveaway to one of my readers. To enter, just leave a comment here. You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily find you if you win). This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 19th.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

2010-04-11T15:36:00.000-06:00

Title: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
Author: Jessica Day George
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 317
Why I read it: looked good
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Blessed—or cursed—with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she’s known to her family) has always been an oddball. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn’t hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servents. Only a grueling journey on the backs of the four winds will reveal the truth: the bear is really a prince who’s been enchanted by a troll queen, and the Lass must come up with a way to free him before he’s forced to marry a troll princess.

My review:
The whole time I was reading this, I couldn't remember what it was called. That really has nothing to do with my enjoyment of the story, though, so we'll move on from that. This was a well-written re-telling of the nordic fairy tale, East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It's a fairly quick read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I found some parts of the plot to be a little unbelievable, and I always get a little annoyed with overly curious characters, even when they have every reason to be curious. I guess it's just one of those reading pet peeves of mine. I don't care too much for stories where the main character has no idea what's going on, and nobody will answer their questions.

That being said, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading, and I would recommend this one to fans of YA fantasy or fairy tale retellings.

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man

2010-04-10T10:12:00.007-06:00

Title: The woman Who Rides Like a Man
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 284
Why I read it: third in a series
Grade: B-

Synopsis:
Newly knighted, Alanna of Trebond seeks adventure in the vast desert of Tortall. Captured by fierce desert dwellers, she is forced to prove herself in a duel to the death -- either she will be killed or she will be inducted into the tribe. Although she triumphs, dire challenges lie ahead. As her mythic fate would have it, Alanna soon becomes the tribe's first female shaman -- despite the desert dwellers' grave fear of the foreign woman warrior. Alanna must fight to change the ancient tribal customs of the desert tribes -- for their sake and for the sake of all Tortall.

My review:
This one started off a little slow, and I was afraid that the series was going to start going downhill or something. I think it's just that I really love court intrigue, and since she was out in the desert in this one, it was a little different.

It picked up, though, and I got sucked in once again in Alanna's adventures. She's such a strong character, and I really love the feminism in this book. Not just because it says that a woman can be what she wants to be, but also because here, in book three, Alanna learns how to do some traditional women's tasks (like weaving) from the desert women that she didn't previously know how to do. And she's learning because she wants to. I love that feminism here doesn't mean "try to do everything just like a man", but that the message is more to do what you want to do, and what feels right to you.

I'm really looking forward to book number four, but I'll be sad to leave Alanna when it's all over. It's a great series.

This Little Prayer of Mine (+giveaway)

2010-04-09T10:15:00.006-06:00

Title: This Little Prayer of Mine
Author: Anthony DeStefano
Genre: Children's picture book
Why I read it: blog tour for publisher
Grade: B

Synopsis:
I know you're up in heaven, God,
and can hear my voice from there.
I'm just a little child.
Will you answer my short prayer?
So begins this delightful book that affirms God's readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.
With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near--watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They'll also learn that prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.
Most importanly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

My review:
This is a really cute book. I loved the illustrations; very sweet, and my kids liked them too. What I really like about this book is that it can help kids learn how to pray. It can help them learn that prayer isn't just a rehearsed repetition of the same things over and over. They learn that we can talk to God as we would talk to anyone.

Usually when my kids want a more involved story, we reach for their children's Bibles, but sometimes it's already bedtime, and the kids are asking for a story, and we need something shorter. I would recommend this one to Christian parents, if you're looking for a quick picture book to read with your kids before bed.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. To find out more information about this book, click here.

I have a copy of this book to give away to one lucky reader. To enter, just leave a comment here. You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily find you if you win). This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 16th.

Gone

2010-04-08T10:07:00.000-06:00

Title: Gone
Author: Lisa McMann
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Count: 214
Why I read it: third in a trilogy
Grade: D

Synopsis:
Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she’d made her peace with it. But she can’t handle dragging Cabel down with her.
She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He’s amazing. And she’s a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves: She has to disappear. And it’s going to kill them both.
Then a stranger enters her life — and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she’d ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out....

My review:
Oh, what a disappointment. After loving both Wake and Fade, I felt like this one was something completely different, and not in a good way. I disliked the characters, who almost felt like emotionless caricatures of themselves (from the previous books). It all just seemed like filler, and not very good filler at that, especially to end a trilogy.

I wasn't sure how Janie's story was going to end, and honestly, the way it ended was fine. It was the getting there that was the problem. It just seemed that every character in the book was defeated. There was very little happiness, hope, or love. We were told that Janie and Cabel were in love (and we saw it in previous books), but it really was not shown here. Cabel was mean, Janie was distant--it was just bad.

I would not recommend this one at all. Even if you've read the previous two books. Make up your own ending--it'd be better than reading this.

Perfect Chemistry

2010-04-07T09:42:00.001-06:00

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Genre: YA
Page Count: 357
Why I read it: heard it was good
Grade: A

Synopsis:
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

My review:
I really didn't expect to like this one very much. In fact, even after checking it out from the library, I almost didn't read it. I mean, I'm a 30 year old woman, and this book is about two teenagers falling in love. But I'd heard the writing is good, so I was willing to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. Simone Elkeles is one awesome writer.

You know how sometimes when you read a book, the dialogue just feels stilted and not true to life? I've found that in a lot of books, and, as silly as it sounds, it reminds me that I'm reading a book. Well, in Perfect Chemistry, the dialogue was flawless. I never once thought, "nobody says that kind of thing". I was just caught up in the story.

I absolutely fell in love with these characters and their story. I really enjoyed going back and forth between the perspectives of Brittany and Alex. It definitely enriched the story. I loved the different cultures they came from, and felt like Simone Elkeles did an excellent job of writing both.

I highly recommend this one. There's swearing, and some of the characters treat sex very casually, so I wouldn't recommend it to younger teens, but to anyone else, it's a great read! I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, Rules of Attraction.

The Mark

2010-04-05T10:12:00.001-06:00

Title: The Mark
Author: Jen Nadol
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Count: 228
Why I read it: sounded good
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.
Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

My review:
I expected a little more out of this one. It felt like the prologue to a longer, move involved book, which, unfortunately, seems to be the trend in YA lit right now. It was one of those where the ending wasn't really any kind of ending at all.

The writing is pretty good, but I just didn't think the story was that great. I would have liked the story if it had explored the Greek mythology of the fates more. That was a more interesting angle for me, instead of spending the whole book with her debating whether or not she should tell someone when she sees the mark on them. I mean, it is an interesting dilemma, but there just wasn't enough there to make this story very interesting, for me.

The characters felt flat to me, and although Cassandra's story could have been very emotional, I just wasn't feeling it. The other characters really weren't fleshed out enough for me to care about them one way or the other. Still, it wasn't bad, just a little wasted potential, I think.

If you're really into YA fiction, give this one a go, but there is a lot of other, better YA lit out there right now.

Speak

2010-04-03T13:34:00.000-06:00

Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Count: 198
Why I read it: sounded good
Grade: A

Synopsis:
After Melinda goes through a traumatic and violent incident at a summer party, she calls the cops and becomes a social outcast. Her freshman year is a disaster. As time passes, she stops talking--except through her paintings in art class. Her healing process has just begun when her perpetrator attacks again. Only this time, she doesn't keep silent.

My review:
When I checked this book out from the library, I honestly wasn't expecting a whole lot. But this is one of those books that really brought out the emotion in me. No, I can't relate to the main character. My life hasn't been perfect, but I certainly never went through the things she went through.

And although I didn't really find Melinda likable, I'm fairly sure I wasn't supposed to. Even so, I felt like the author did an incredible job writing this character. The secondary characters were a little one-dimensional at times, but I think that too was purposeful on the part of the author. I really felt like I was seeing the way things were through the eyes of a high school freshman. Not necessarily any of the kids I knew when I was in high school, but I'm certain there were kids out there who felt like Melinda did.

I would highly recommend this to fans of YA lit, especially girls, and more especially young girls. In fact, I'm having my daughter read it. It's not a happy book, and at times it's hard to read, but I think it's a good one for young girls to read. The only note of warning is that I read the 10th Anniversary Edition, and there was a short part at the beginning with little bits of what readers had wrote to the author, and it gave a little bit of a spoiler. Probably anyone who has read reviews of this one already knew what was in the spoiler, but I didn't, and I'm not sure if it would have been more impactful had I not known what exactly caused Melinda to withdraw and become silent.

An Absence So Great (+giveaway)

2010-04-02T22:33:00.002-06:00

Title: An Absence So Great
Author: Jane Kirkpatrick
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Page Count: 367
Why I read it: blog tour for publisher
Grade: C

Synopsis:
While growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those owners who have fallen ill with mercury poisoning.

Jessie gains footing in her dream to one day operate her own studio and soon finds herself in other Midwest towns, pursuing her profession. But even a job she loves can’t keep painful memories from seeping into her heart when the shadows of a forbidden love threaten to darken the portrait of her life.

My review:
This is book two in a series, and since I didn't read the first one, I can't say how much it would have affected my enjoyment with this one. I think reading the first one may have given the reader a fuller appreciation of the characters and what they are currently going through, and what they went through in the past.

This series is based on the life of the author's grandmother, and that definitely adds some interest to the story. There are even photographs taken by her grandmother included in the book.

I found it a little hard to relate to the main character, and maybe the story in general, but I think that the writing was good. The plot was fairly slow moving, and obviously in this kind of novel you're not going to get a whole lot of fast-paced action.

I would recommend this one to fans of Christian fiction, but I'm still on the lookout for something that will blow me away as much as Francine Rivers historical fiction did.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. To find out more about this book, click here.

I have a copy of this novel to giveaway to one lucky reader. To enter, just leave a comment here. You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily find you if you win). This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 10th.

Book Blogger Hop Part Deux

2010-04-02T11:10:00.001-06:00

I had a lot of fun participating in the book blogger hop last week. I found a lot of fun new blogs to read. So I'm going to try again this week.

I'm trying to think of some new blogs that I found specifically with the blog hop last week. I know there are a few, but since I just added them to my google reader, and I have a ton in there already, I don't remember what's new and what's not. So, with that said, off to visit some blogs! And if you're visiting me, thanks for stopping by!

Shoot! I forgot to include a link to the post with all the links. Here it is: Crazy for Books. Grab your favorite beverage and a snack and spend some time blog browsing today!

Winners for What's in the Bible certificates

2010-04-01T10:29:00.000-06:00

The winners for the What's in the Bible certificates are:

Amy (certificate for vol. 1)
sjchunko (certificate for vol. 2)

Thanks for entering, and I hope you enjoy the DVD's as much as I did.

Asking for Trouble (Review by Kaitlyn)

2010-03-31T16:17:00.004-06:00

Title: Asking for Trouble
Author: Sandra Byrd
Genre: Young Adult Christian Fiction
Page Count: 261
Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author
Grade: A

Synopsis:
When her family moves to London, 15-year-old Savvy Smith has to make her way in a new school and a new country. She just knows the school newspaper is the right place for her, but she doesn't have the required experience, and the cute editor-in-chief is not looking to train anyone. She has to come up with a way to prove herself and nab the one available position on the newspaper staff at Wexburg Academy.
London Confidential is a new series where British fashion, friendships, and guys collide, and where an all-American girl learns to love life and live out her faith.

Kaitlyn's review:
I think this book was really interesting. The story was well thought out and very good. I liked how the author described things, and I ended up learning a lot about London from this book. I think in a way, everybody can easily relate to the story somehow.

I think the characters were very believable. I think most teens can relate to at least one of the characters somehow. I think that the characters were well described and I could easily tell what they looked, acted, and thought like. I liked how the characters turned out very good. I had a hard time putting this book down I was always wondering what was going to happen.

This is a great book and I would suggest it to all of my Christian Friends. I think the writing might be a little young for adults, and it would be easier for teens to relate to. Although, maybe I don't know because I have never been an adult.

The Line

2010-03-30T23:00:00.002-06:00

Title: The Line
Author: Teri Hall
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Page Count: 219
Why I read it: sounded good
Grade: D+

Synopsis:
An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.
Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.
Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

My review:
This one started out painfully slow. When I stop reading just so I can roll my eyes, it's never a good sign. There is so much world building, and so little dialogue that it was hard to keep reading. And the dialogue that was there was just more world building. Things picked up slightly around page 80, but for the size of this book, that just wasn't quite good enough.

I need a better balance of action, dialogue, and narration in my books, so this one didn't satisfy. The action was all packed in to the last 50 pages or so, and the whole book was just so uneven. Not only that, the ending is so abrupt that it feels like there should probably be another couple hundred pages. It's the first of a series, so that's why, but I'm not at all a fan of any series that is really just one long book.

The plot is intriguing, though, and the idea for the story is a good one. It just wasn't executed as well as I would have liked. The characters lacked depth, and suffered in the face of all the world building. Did I mention there was a lot of world building? All this being said, I will probably read the next in the series. The author has potential, even if the writing felt a bit amateur, and I feel like the series can only go up from here. All in all, I'm not sure I would recommend this one.

The Dead Tossed Waves

2010-03-29T13:17:00.002-06:00

Title: The Dead Tossed Waves
Author: Carrie Ryan
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 404
Why I read it: 2nd in a series
Grade: A

Synopsis:
Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

My review:
When I found out The Dead Tossed Waves wasn't a direct sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, I was disappointed. I felt that the ending of the first book was a bit abrupt, and thought that a sequel should continue from there. Even as I started reading The Dead Tossed Waves, I wasn't feeling it. It seemed slow, and I had a hard time getting into it.

I would honestly say it took me about halfway through to start getting excited about it. That's when the story really took off, and oh boy, it got intense! And what I really ended up loving about this one was the heart, and how there was still so much love and hope in the midst of probably the most depressing world ever imagined. Take this example from the book:

My mother places her palm flat against mine. "It's never been a perfect world. It's never going to be. It's going to be hard and scary and, if you're lucky, wonderful and awe-inspiring. But you have to push through the bad parts to get to the good."

"What if there aren't good parts?" I ask her, the tears creeping back up my throat. "What if I've already lived the good parts and there's nothing left?"

She laughs, throaty and deep. "Trust me when I tell you that there is plenty left," she says. "You just have to take the risk sometimes in order to find them. Step outside what's comfortable and safe."

This was just one of many parts that I absolutely loved. I really cared about these characters, and was incredibly emotionally invested. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. I would highly recommend this book, and The Forest of Hands and Teeth. You don't need to have read the first book to read this one--you won't be lost, but they're both such good books that I wouldn't skip either one.

The River Kings' Road

2010-03-28T12:59:00.000-06:00

Title: The River Kings' Road
Author: Liane Merciel
Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 385
Why I read it: received review copy
Grade: B-

Synopsis:
A fragile period of peace between the eternally warring kingdoms of Oakharn and Langmyr is shattered when a surprise massacre fueled by bloodmagic ravages the Langmyrne border village of Willowfield, killing its inhabitants—including a visiting Oakharne lord and his family—and leaving behind a scene so grisly that even the carrion eaters avoid its desecrated earth. But the dead lord’s infant heir has survived the carnage—a discovery that entwines the destinies of Brys Tarnell, a mercenary who rescues the helpless and ailing babe, and who enlists a Langmyr peasant, a young mother herself, to nourish and nurture the child of her enemies as they travel a dark, perilous road . . . Odosse, the peasant woman whose only weapons are wit, courage, and her fierce maternal love—and who risks everything she holds dear to protect her new charge . . . Sir Kelland, a divinely blessed Knight of the Sun, called upon to unmask the architects behind the slaughter and avert war between ancestral enemies . . . Bitharn, Kelland’s companion on his journey, who conceals her lifelong love for the Knight behind her flawless archery skills—and whose feelings may ultimately be Kelland’s undoing . . . and Leferic, an Oakharne Lord’s bitter youngest son, whose dark ambitions fuel the most horrific acts of violence. As one infant’s life hangs in the balance, so too does the fate of thousands, while deep in the forest, a Maimed Witch practices an evil bloodmagic that could doom them all...

My review:
This book started off really strong, and I was hooked pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it didn't stay quite as strong throughout. The writing was good, and the story is definitely interesting. At times I had a hard time figuring out the time period--exactly how much time had passed, a few days, weeks?

The baby they were carrying was really sick. In fact, Odosse mentioned that she had seen a baby who looked similarly ill who had died within a few hours. But it seems that this baby lives on for weeks in a weakened state near death. I couldn't quite figure that out. It's not a huge thing, but if I can't figure out how much time is passing it makes it harder for me to stay immersed in the story.

There were a lot of interesting characters, although some things could have been fleshed out a bit more. The back story that was given in places wasn't quite enough to get a feel for what was going on and why. It seems, at times, the author wanted to bring in too many different cultures and characters and so instead of being given a richly detailed world, a lot of what we were given was just surface stuff.

I really did like the writing, though, and will definitely read the next in the series. The story didn't go at all where I thought it would; it went in a completely different direction, so I'd like to see where it goes from here. I would recommend this to fans of fantasy, and will watch this author in the future.

Here Burns My Candle (+Giveaway)

2010-03-26T16:47:00.001-06:00

Title: Here Burns My Candle
Author: Liz Curtis Higgs
Genre: Christian historical fiction
Page Count: 454
Why I read it: blog tour for the publisher
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her.
Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.
His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.
One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown.
A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, Here Burns My Candle illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

My review:
You know how sometimes you're in the mood for a fast-paced, edge of your seat novel, and sometimes you want something a little quieter--a little more reflective? Here Burns My Candle is the latter. It deals a lot with character growth, and that's really the meat of the story.

There was a smattering of Scottish words throughout (with a glossary in the back, in case you have trouble figuring out what the words mean), and to be honest, that's not really my thing. It distracts me and pulls me out of the story. But I've read other reviews where the readers felt that it added to the story, so it's definitely a personal preference thing.

The religion in this one isn't overwhelming, and I think the book could be enjoyed by a person who is not religious. On the other hand, I think a religious person would really enjoy what religion IS in there. The story is somewhat of a retelling of Ruth and Naomi's story in the Bible. I guess the nice thing about this story is that it could be enjoyed by anyone, and different people will get different things out of it, as with any good book.

I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction and Christian fiction.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. To find out more information about this book, click here.

Would you like to win a free copy of Here Burns My Candle? I've got one up for grabs! To enter, just leave a comment here. You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily contact you if you win). This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 2nd.

Book Blogger Hop

2010-03-26T09:22:00.002-06:00

Book Blogger hop is hosted over at Crazy For Books. It's a chance for bloggers to find new blogs to read, and to get their own blog out there. I need more blogs to read like I need a hole in the head, but hey, I could probably say the same thing about books, but I still always look for more.

Take a minute to visit Crazy For Books and maybe find a new book blog (or 10) to read.

In the Hand of the Goddess

2010-03-25T08:31:00.002-06:00

Title: In the Hand of the Goddess
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 264
Why I read it: 2nd in a series
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Still disguised as a boy, Alanna becomes a squire to none other than the prince of the realm. Prince Jonathan is not only Alanna's liege lord, he is also her best friend -- and one of the few who knows the secret of her true identity. But when a mysterious sorceror threatens the prince's life, it will take all of Alanna's skill, strength, and magical power to protect him -- even at the risk of revealing who she really is...
Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna's second adventure continues the saga of a girl who dares to follow her dreams -- and the magical destiny that awaits her.
Alanna's journey continues...

My review:
So far, I've found the books in this series to be way too short. There is way too much story in here to be packed into a 264 page book with big words. Large amounts of time in the story are just skimmed over, and I turn the page (or move on to the next paragraph) to find out that months have passed.

That being said, the writing is well done and interesting. I find myself really drawn to the character of Alanna, and although she can be frustrating at times, I just really like her. In fact, I think all the characters are well done, even the evil ones. Sometimes it's hard to really get a feel for the characters, but that's because the book is just too darn short. I want more! But even things that would normally turn me off--a talking cat (or at least a cat that Alanna alone seems to be able to understand) would usually drive me batty, but I didn't mind her here at all.

I think this series would be a wonderful one for young girls (and boys) just getting into reading. They seem to be quick, easy reads with lots of fun and adventure, although the characters do sleep together (off screen), so that's something to be aware of. Overall this is a fun read for fantasy readers, and a great way to pass a couple of hours.

What's In the Bible (+Giveaway)

2010-03-24T15:13:00.005-06:00

Tyndale House Publishers has a new video line out called "What's in the Bible". I was lucky enough to be able to participate in a blog tour, and received the first two DVD's of the series to review. They were a lot of fun. Want to get an idea of what they're about? Watch the preview:

I find it sad that so many Christians today don't really know very much about the Bible. It's most likely because from the time we're kids, so much of our entertainment and free time is spent with other pursuits. That's what's so great about these videos. My kids can watch them and be entertained, all the while learning about the most important book there is.

And you know what? I even learned a thing or two while watching What's in the Bible. I'm definitely not any kind of Bible scholar, but since these DVD's are aimed at kids, I thought it would be filled with the really simple stuff that any Christian adult should know. And a lot of it is that, but there are gems in there that were things I didn't already know. These DVD's are a great resource for both learning and entertainment.

My kids loved all the different characters, and it never got boring because it bounced around from information to songs, with funny stuff sprinkled all throughout. If your kids like Veggie Tales, they'll love this new DVD series from Phil Vischer.

Check out the What's In the Bible website for a lot of other goodies and information.

And lastly, would you like to check out these DVD's for yourself? I have certificates for volumes 1 and 2 to give away (there will be 2 winners, 1 certificate per winner). These can be redeemed at your local Christian bookstore or by sending the certificate to Tyndale Publishers (instructions for this is on the back of the certificate). To enter, just leave a comment here. Also, you must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily contact you if you win). The giveaway will end on March 31st at 11:59 PM. :)

City of Glass

2010-03-23T11:08:00.001-06:00

Title: City of Glass
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA fantasy
Page Count: 541
Why I read it: third in a series
Grade: A-

Synopsis:
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

My review:
I thought the first book of this series, City of Bones, was just okay. The second one was better, and now I think Cassandra Clare must have just found her groove, because this one was great.

The story is very intense, and although there are times in the plot where things slow down a bit, it never gets boring because the characters were so great. There were even times when they were downright funny, and I laughed out loud, and I don't remember that in the previous books. Either the author has really grown as a writer, or I'm just relaxing my standards as a reader. Whatever the case, I had a hard time putting City of Glass down.

There is a lot going on in this book, and the POV switches back and forth between characters quite often, which is a great tool for creating suspense. It seems that all the foreshadowing in the previous book comes to a head here, and we are given all the answers (or so it would appear, but since I see there is another book forthcoming, who knows?). The ending was quite the happily ever after type, which isn't a bad thing.

I would recommend this one to fans of YA fantasy. As I've said, I really didn't care much for the first one, so if you don't like that one, don't give up. I truly think the series gets better as it progresses.

Series Reading order:
City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass
City of Fallen Angels (out in 2011)

Fallen

2010-03-19T20:32:00.000-06:00

Title: Fallen
Author: Lauren Kate
Genre: YA fantasy
Page Count: 452
Why I read it: sounded good
Grade: D+

Synopsis:
There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

My review:
Lukewarm. That about sums up my feelings on this book in one word. That's how I felt about the writing, the characters, the romance. I just wasn't feeling it at all. And it also seemed like it took so long to get to the point of the story, that I was starting to lose interest.

This felt like just another story about a teenage girl who is absolutely obsessed with a guy. Like an unhealthy obsession--the kind where you wonder if she really has any interests or things she likes to do or anything besides focus on the guy. I really don't care for stories like this. And I wasn't feeling the attraction between Luce and Daniel. It was like the author kept telling me she was attracted to him, and later on that he was also attracted to her, but I just didn't see it. It didn't feel real.

I couldn't find a character that I liked, either. I found it really obnoxious the way her "friend" Arianne kept calling Luce her new pet. And none of the friendships or relationships seemed authentic. It was all so shallow.

I don't think I'd recommend this one, except maybe to fans of Twilight, because it had a similar feel, to me. I don't think I'll continue on with the series--I was also annoyed that we were really given no answers by the end of the book. Just cryptic hints that I guess is supposed to make me want to read the next book, but the writing wasn't good enough to tempt me.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Timekeeper's Moon

2010-03-17T11:01:00.000-06:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

So, my book has already been released. It came out earlier this month, so it's not so much that I'm waiting for it to be published. I'm just waiting to finish some of the books I've already got checked out from the library, or received to review before I can get to it.

Under the eye of a sinister moon, Ariel discovers a baffling map. Determined to follow it, she and her friends embark on a dangerous mission to discover the source of her telling dart before an ingenious trap set in the past can erase Ariel's future.

This is the sequel to The Farwalker's Quest, which I really enjoyed. I need to get this from the library soon!

Aurian

2010-03-16T14:34:00.003-06:00

Title: Aurian
Author: Maggie Furey
Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 599
Why I read it: recommended by sister-in-law
Grade: A

Synopsis:
To the city of Nexis, where Magefolk rule uneasily over a race of mortals, a young girl named Aurian comes to learn the magic arts. Her dormant powers are coveted by the corrupt Archmage, who intends to possess her. When she rejects him for a mortal, the enraged Archmage plans his revenge.

My review:
When my sister-in-law, Felicia, first recommended this to me, I was a little hesitant. I've read a lot of fantasy, and even though there are a lot of authors I haven't read, I'm pretty well-versed in fantasy. And I'd never heard of this book, or the author. I figured if it was good, I would have heard of it.

But it was good. Excellent, in fact--and here I sit, trying to figure out why this book isn't more well known. I would put Maggie Furey on par with some of my favorite fantasy authors: Robin Hobb, Lynn Flewelling, Katharine Kerr, George R.R. Martin (okay, maybe not quite at Martin's magnificent level). The writing was solid; even though it's a fairly long book, there was not one spot where I felt like it was dragging. It jumped from one point of view to the next, barely giving me time to catch my breath before I was plunged into another action-packed scene.

But it's strength was also it's weakness, for me, although it was very minor and hardly dampened my enjoyment. There were times when a chapter ended, and the POV switched, and I didn't like it. I wanted to get back to the other characters story to see what happened. That's not a sign of weakness in the author, though. Just a lack of patience in this reader. The ending was a bit abrupt, but since it's the start of a series, I was expecting it. But Aurian is not a book that can be read as a standalone. Now I've got to get the second book to see what happens, and although I usually hate when authors leave books so open ended (forcing me to read more of their books), the writing here was so good that I really don't mind.

I would definitely recommend this to fantasy readers, especially if you like any of the authors I've mentioned above.