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I read this book months ago, before we launched the blog, but with all of the recent attention—it was named Favorite Book in the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards and recently snagged a movie deal with Summit—I thought it was time for a review here on Book News and Reviews!
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genre: Dystopia
Summary: In a not-too-distant future Chicago, everyone is divided into five factions with five different belief systems. Abnegation strives toward selflessness, Amity pursues peace and friendship, Candor practices unrelenting honesty, Dauntless engages in feats of courage, and Erudite seeks knowledge. Beatrice Prior was raised in Abnegation, but knows she is too selfish and inquisitive to remain there, even though switching factions means leaving her family behind. And now that she is sixteen, it is finally time to choose her permanent faction. But her choice won’t be easy. When she takes her aptitude tests, Beatrice learns that she is a Divergent, someone who does not fit easily into any of the predetermined classifications and whose very existence threatens her society.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
Looking for the next Hunger Games? This is the book you’ve been waiting for. After a slightly slow start, Divergent is an addictively fast-paced read set in a fully developed world. In fact, I liked it even better than Hunger Games. The post-apocalyptic Chicago setting is fascinating and just recognizable enough to make this future vision all too believable. Even better, there is no annoying, forced love triangle. (Seriously… Did anyone really think POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!!! HIGHLIGHT TO READ that Bella was going to choose Jacob or that Katiniss wouldn’t end up with the every-loyal, always-patient Peeta? Well, did you?)
But yes, Divergent has a romance. A GREAT one actually. The romantic tension between Tris (the character formerly known as Beatrice) and Four is engrossing and unpredictable. Yeah, you know they will end up together, but each meeting and conversation holds a surprise. And Roth does a stellar job of balancing the physical action with relationship intrigue.There are enough fights, chases, and life-threatening risks to satisfy any action fan—and it’s not all squeezed together at the end to add last minute conflict like in other popular books I could name. As soon as Tris chooses her faction, she must prove her mettle and survive a series of initiation tests—or become factionless.Tris is gutsy and smart, but also vulnerable and unsure of herself—not in an annoying way, but in a realistic, true-to-life way. She doesn’t have special weaponry skills or supernatural strength, but she’s mentally tough and really, really determined. I loved her, Four, and the entire world Veronica Roth has created.
Both action-packed and thought-provoking, Divergent easily sets itself apart from the other new books on the Hunger Games bandwagon. Roth writes with an engaging intensity that challenges readers to look at their own lives and consider what faction they might choose. This is a page turner that I highly recommend for both girls and the guys, teenagers and adults. Needless to say, I am eagerly—and impatiently!— awaiting the May release of Insurgent, the trilogy’s next installment. Only five more months to go…
Summary: In Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final installment in the series, Bella’s story plays out in some unexpected ways. The ongoing conflicts that made this series so compelling–a human girl in love with a vampire, a werewolf in love with a human girl, the generations-long feud between werewolves and vampires–resolve pretty quickly, apparently so that Meyer could focus on Bella’s latest opportunity for self-sacrifice: giving her life for someone she loves even more than Edward.
Lucinda’s Views: In the last installment in the Twilight Saga, Stephenie Meyer doesn’t fail to deliver. I really enjoyed re-reading this book after seeing the movie on opening night. (Side note: The book and the movie follow closely and the film is well done.) Having said that, Bella’s new adventures kept me interested as her evolving relationship with Edward takes on some unexpected turns. The way that the story neatly wraps up the love triangle between Edward, Jacob and Bella is satisfying, and the ending to the book rings true.
On a deeper level the story ponders some of the ethical questions that plague our society today….”Is terminating a pregnancy morally right? Which person is more important the mother or the baby, especially when the mother’s life is in danger?”
On another note, the appearance of the Volturi bring more vampires out of the woodwork, several of whom I would like to see further stories about. Vampires such as Garrettt, and the reappearance of the Denali vampires for instance. Another possible story that I would like to see is the relationship between Jacob and Renesmee. Possible spin offs? Who knows? Only Stephenie Meyer.
Just a little trailer from the movie to whet your appetite 🙂
Found this interview with Stephenie done by Nancy Pearl…Interesting!
Summary: It’s been fourteen years since First Night, when the dead suddenly reanimated and ended civilization as we know it. Now, the living bunker down in isolated communities surrounded by the great “Rot and Ruin.” Benny Inmura, recently turned fifteen, must get a job or have his rations drastically cut. Unfortunately, the only option he can see is to join the family business with his hated older brother, venturing outside the the fences of Mountainside into the Rot and Ruin to act as a bounty hunter and zombie killer.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
I liked it, but I didn’t love it. Rot & Ruin has been one of the “it” books in the YA blogosphere since before its release in September 2010, so perhaps I was expecting too much (again). The concept reminded me quite a bit of The Forest of Hands and Teeth—an unexplained zombie apocalypse and isolated societies that separate themselves from the infected zombies with fences and guards. But Maberry has taken his story in a completely different direction than Carrie Ryan’s horror hit, and his premise is an intriguing one.
Although the message is a bit heavy-handed at times, the exploration of the idea that zombies were once people too and therefore deserve some respect is definitely a bit different. It helps that Maberry’s zombies aren’t horrific monsters stalking their prey, but actually shambling, rather pathetic creatures. Of course, they are still pretty threatening en masse. But the real villains of the novel are the lawless men who roam the Rot and Ruin, torturing the zombies and even humans for sport. Unfortunately, the main villain was a bit one-dimensional. Also, I hated that at one point late in the novel he gave a completely uncharacteristic monologue about his motives. That’s just lazy writing. As high school English teachers are fond of saying, “Show, don’t tell.”
I found the other characters appealing—especially Benny’s brother Tom and the mysterious “Lost Girl”—but not quite fully-fleshed. I could never really connect with any of them, as much as I wanted to. This is especially true of Benny, the primary character and narrator. His motivations were sometimes baffling, especially his hatred for his brother and only relative. I would have loved to learn more about Benny and Tom’s history and seen more of how they interacted before they became colleagues.
Like the characters, I found that the action lacked that special something that I was looking for. Even the surprises seemed a bit predictable. And some of the scenes that could have been cinematic nail-biters fell a bit flat. Still, though the prose lacked immediacy and elegance, it’s solid enough. I read the entire book—and it’s a thick one!—without ever losing interest. For all the niggling gripes I have about the book, I never once wanted to but the book aside and move on to something else. (I do that a lot.) I wavered between a 2.5- and 3-star rating for a while, but finally settled on 3 stars for the intriguing world and ingenuity of premise. All the pieces are there, just in need of a bit more polish and a dash of emotion. Also, you sort of have to read Rot & Ruin to fully appreciate book 2 in the series—Dust & Decay—which offers up everything that Rot & Ruin is missing (IMHO).
Lucinda’s Views:
I really enjoyed this book. Benny’s evolution from a clueless fifteen-year old whose only exposure to the Rot and Ruin is through stories told at the local general store to a person who knows what exists in the great beyond is well developed and believable. Benny’s journeys both physical and mental are peppered with ethical questions such as “Are the zombie’s truly the undead? Do they have feelings? What constitutes torture, when something is dead, where to draw the line, etc?” are all thought provoking. Tom’s humane treatment of the dead is a stark contrast to the other bounty hunters’, especially Charlie Matthias’s, treatment of the undead. This contrast serves to push the story along to its inevitable conclusion. A conclusion that may be very surprising to all.
We have our first Guest Reviewer! Allison, our Teen and Adult Programmer here at the library, wanted to share her reaction to one of the many new additions to the fairy tale genre. (Seriously, fairy tales are HOT right now—on TV, in movies, and in books. But more on this is a later post…)
Instead of a traditional written summary, we found this great book trailer:
Rating: 2/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen (Middle and High School) Genre: Historical Romance/Fairy Tale
Allison’s Guest Review: This book completely fell flat with me. Dickerson begins with the retelling of a Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty tale, and for the first six or so chapters, she hits the nail on the head. The main character, Rose, as well as her mentor, Frau Geruscha and the well-mannered (and betrothed) Lord Hamlin are wonderfully developed. After the basic plot set-up, however, the story winds through a mist of characters which hold little importance to the main theme. Finally, the evil conjurer Moncore makes his appearance, with little fanfare or back story. The reader has found herself enthralled in the fairy tale beginning, waiting for the eventual “happily ever after” ending, only to have multiple characters and plots confuse her. The entire plot is summed up in the last two chapters, without much prior understanding as to what conspired to make these events come together.
Welcome to our first Book Battle! Sometimes book plots are SOOO similar that comparison is inevitable, so we thought we’d see how these two romantic dystopias hold up in a head-to-head fight. So, let the battle begin…
First Up: Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Summary:
In the future, love is considered a disease and teenagers are given a government-mandated “cure” at the age of eighteen. Just before their eighteenth birthday, teens also undergo evaluations to determine their future careers and spouses. Lena doesn’t want to end up like her mother and can’t wait to get the cure. But then—just months before her procedure—Lena meets Alex, a free-spirited young man who challenges her to question her beliefs.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
This book grabbed me right away. In fact, I was avid to read it from the moment I learned Oliver’s second book (after the fabulous Before I Fall) was in the works. And for the first several chapters, I was certain that I was going to love everything about it. But for some reason… I didn’t.
Don’t get me wrong. There are lots of things to love here. First, the writing is gorgeous. Oliver has a very special way with words and is able to create a scene like nobody’s business. The sensory detail alone is enough to have me pick up everything and anything she cares to write. Take the following excerpt from Chapter Two:
The smell of oranges has always reminded me of funerals. On the morning of my evaluation it is the smell that wakes me up. I look at the clock on the bedside table. It’s six o’clock.
The light is gray, the sunlight just strengthening along the wall of the bedroom I share with both of my cousin Marcia’s children. Grace, the younger one, is crouched on her twin bed, already dressed, watching me. She has a whole orange in one hand. She is trying to gnaw on it, like an apple, with her little-kid teeth. My stomach twists, and I have to close my eyes again to keep from remembering the hot, scratchy dress I was forced to wear when my mother died; to keep from remembering the murmur of voices, a large, rough hand passing me orange after orange to suck on, so I would stay quiet. At the funeral I ate four oranges, section by section, and when I was left with only a pile of peelings heaped on my lap I began to suck on those, the bitter taste of the pith helping to keep the tears away.
I open my eyes and Gracie leans forward, the orange cupped in her outstretched palm.
“No, Gracie.” I push off my covers and stand up. My stomach is clenching and unclenching like a fist. “And you’re not supposed to eat the peel, you know.”
She continues blinking up at me with her big gray eyes, not saying anything. I sigh and sit down next to her. “Here,” I say, and show her how to peel the orange using her nail, unwinding bright orange curls and dropping them in her lap, the whole time trying to hold my breath against the smell. She watches me in silence. When I’m finished she holds the orange, now unpeeled, in both hands, as though it’s a glass ball and she’s worried about breaking it.
I nudge her. “Go ahead. Eat now.”
I also liked the early characterization of Lena. She isn’t rebellious and opinionated; instead she is scared and vulnerable. It was a nice change to meet a dystopian heroine who isn’t immediately strong and sure of herself but must develop those qualities across the course of the novel. Which leads to my first complaint… Lena’s change of heart was much too sudden, and I found her character development lacking. Also, the relationship with Alex seemed rushed to me. One moment she was nervous of him and what her feelings for him meant for her sanity… then she’s all in. You know those annoying montages in movies that are used to indicate the passage of time? Well, that is how much of the Lena/Alex relationship is conveyed. Basically, all the good stuff—the meat of their relationship—gets montage treatment. So I never fully bought into their relationship, which is key to the story and Lena’s own development.
My major complaint, though, is the world building. The details of Lena’s world felt far too nebulous. A fuller, more developed world would’ve grounded the story and created a more realistic feel. Instead, Delirium read like a very well written—but exceptionally long—prequel. As a stand alone novel, it doesn’t really work. Though, due to the high-drama, cliffhanger ending (seriously, I gave serious thought to hurling my book at the wall in frustration!), I will probably give book two (Pandemonium, 3/6/2012) a shot despite my disappointment in the trilogy’s beginning.
VS.
The Challenger: Matched by Ally Condie
Summary:
In the future, the Society officials calculate all the data to determine each citizen’s perfect life. They monitor your food intake, select your ideal job, and find your perfect Match. Cassia has always trusted the Society, and when the screen at the Matching Banquet identifies her ideal mate as Xander Carrow—her best friend—she knows her future with him will be a happy one. But then she discovers that a glitch in the system also selected another Match for her: Ky Markham, a quiet, intense boy who remains on the fringe of her group of friends. Now, aware that her Society’s decisions aren’t as perfects as she always believed, Cassia is forced to examine the the world she lives in and the future she wants more closely.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
First off… Ally Condie’s prose doesn’t pack the same punch as Oliver’s writing, but it has a lyrical, almost hypnotic flow that kept me turning the pages eagerly. The world-building is amazing and wholly convincing. There’s not a lot of background about how the Society came to be, but I expect more details to come later in the trilogy. There are many similarities to Lois Lowry’s The Giver, but Condie’s world thrums with a nervous, subtly terrifying energy all its own. The slightly sinister officials, the strictly organized activities, even the machines used to dispose of waste—it all works together beautifully to ground the story and create a background in which the novel’s plot makes sense. The characters, too, are much more developed than those in Delirium. I was captivated by Cassia’s relationship with her family, especially her grandfather and brother Bram. Cassia’s evolution from a happy, obedient citizen to one who questions, doubts, and—ultimately—rebels was believable and enthralling.
Unfortunately, I did think that the love story that is the impetus for this change was a little lacking. Of course, given the strict monitoring and control of their world, it would be impossible for Cassia and Ky’s relationship to follow a familiar path. This makes for some leisurely pacing, but at least the story doesn’t feel rushed in any way. I found both characters intriguing and look forward to catching up with them again in Crossed, in which I fully expect the action to escalate. (Library copies are on order!)
Final Scores: Delirium by Lauren Oliver Rating: 2.5/5 Stars Matched by Ally Condie: 3.5/5 Stars BOOK BATTLE WINNER!!!!!
Post-game Questions:
1. Tell me, have you read either of these titles yet? Do you agree with my verdict, or did you have a different reaction?
2. So I wasn’t quite satisfied with Delirium, but still plan to check out the second book in the series. Having invested the time in Book One, I want to know what is next for the characters. My question is… How many chances are you willing to give a series before giving up altogether? Does anyone but me feel a compulsive need to finish a series—even if it’s not exactly to your taste—once you’ve started?
3. Okay… now we have to talk cover art. IMO, both books are gorgeous—probably two of the most memorable YA covers I’ve seen in a while. What do you think? What recent YA cover art sticks out to you?
Rating: 4/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genres: Realistic Fiction
Summary: The first time seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper hears the term “Duff,” she’s sitting by the bar at a teen night club. Wesley Rush, the “most disgusting womanizing playboy to ever darken the doorstep of Hamilton High,” saunters over to chat. Wesley wants to hook up with one of Bianca’s hot friends and talking to their Designated Ugly Fat Friend, he explains to Bianca, is his way in. Bianca, being no shrinking violet, quickly and dramatically crushes his plan. Still, being called the Duff continues to niggle away at her. She knows she isn’t really fat or ugly, but next to her gorgeous best friends she’s a nonentity. Add to that her parents’ crumbling marriage and the return of the boy who broke her heart, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction… So she kisses Wesley. It’s stupid and she hates herself, but they start hooking up secretly. The plan is to keep everything on a strictly physical level, but then the impossible happens: she actually starts to like Wesley and is horrified to discover that she could actually be falling for the guy she hated more than anyone.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
First off, I have to warn you. If (fictional) teen sex and swearing upset you, you might want to give The Duff a miss. This is an edgy book that is practically destined for the Banned Books list. Due to some harsh language and sexual content, I would only recommend this title for mature teens and adults. The relationship between Bianca and Wesley is smoldering, and most of the teenage characters drop the F-bomb more than once. (Though not all… Casey’s discomfort with swearing was a subtle contrast, and one of the endearing details that makes this book so special.) So, yes, the content is a bit graphic, certainly more than in your average YA novel. But Keplinger isn’t promoting sexual activity to teens—far from it, though this isn’t a book with a heavy-handed abstinence message either.
So okay, you have been duly warned. Now on to what I loved about this novel. I cannot tell you how much I adored Bianca’s snarky, smart, totally authentic voice. She’s abrasive and more than a little spiteful—in real life, I might hate her. But she’s also clever and loyal and eminently relatable. While her cynicism and aggression frequently shocked my inner sensibilities, I always understood where Bianca was coming from. She says what she thinks and makes bad decisions, but she accepts the consequences. In her first novel, Kody Kepplinger has created a memorable, fully realized character that I won’t soon forget.
The other characters of The Duff are also fabulously complex. There’s no question about it: Wesley is often a total jerk and is way too focused on physical gratification. But like Bianca, I somehow found myself liking him anyway, maybe even partly because of his unabashed behavior. Of course, he is also unexpectedly sweet and vulnerable with issues of his own. He’s a real, nuanced person—not just a stereotypical Misunderstood Bad Boy with a Heart of Gold. And I loved Bianca’s friends Casey and Jessica, and the relationship the three girls have with each other. Bianca’s parents are not as skillfully drawn, but they too are flawed and interesting.
The teen dialog is spot-on, not surprising considering that Keplinger was 18 when she wrote the book. It feels fresh and natural, not stilted at all. The banter between Bianca and Wesley, reminiscent of the great repartee in classic screwball comedies but with a modern edge, is particularly engaging. The entire novel is smoothly written, flowing seamlessly between Bianca’s inner thoughts and the exterior action.
All in all, this is a unique and fast-paced read that will be adored by the right audience. It is contemporary, sexy, and sharply funny. It examines teen self-esteem and the social labeling of others as well as being a modern love story and family drama. There is a lot to like about The Duff, and I look forward to reading Keplinger’s next book, Shut Out, as soon as I can get my hands on it.
Rating:3.5/5 Audience: Young Adult/Adult Genre: Steampunk/Vampire/Werewolf
Summary: This delightful comedy of manners set in the late Victorian Era, details the adventures of Alexia Tarabotti, a woman who is a preternatural. In other words, she has no soul and her touch causes vampires and werewolves to revert to their former human selves, thus rendering them no longer immortal. Alexia is a quiet spinster just trying to survive life with a vacuous mother and selfish half-sisters, when adventure suddenly finds her. Join Alexia as she snares a great catch for herself on the marriage mart, foils several plots to kill Queen Victoria, and learns what constitutes proper dress for dirigible travel. This series starts off with Soulless and is followed by Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, and the soon-to-be published Timeless. (2012)
Lucinda’s Views: This series, is a delightful romp through Victorian England. However, it is a Victorian England where vampires and werewolves move through high society. An England where the Queen has werewolf bodyguards and their existence is not a secret. Alexia, is a complex, but pragmatic character whose soullessness is supplemented by her cool, almost sarcastic logic. If you enjoy the ins and outs of Victorian etiquette and love a good intrigue, with a dash of romance thrown in you will enjoy this series. As the series progresses, the characters become more complex and develop surprising depths. Part of these developments include surprising revelations concerning the nature of Alexia’s union with Lord Maccon, revelations concerning the unflappable Professor Lyall, and a whole new view of Lord Akledama’s drone Biffy. On the whole, an entertaining read for fans of the steampunk genre.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genres: Psychological Suspense, Romance
Summary:
Every night when she goes to sleep, 16-year-old London Lane forgets. In the morning, all she has is a note telling her about a day she can’t remember—and about all the days before that. But while her past is a blank, London “remembers” the future, getting glimpses of times to come in the lives of herself and those around her. She knows that her classmate will be accepted into a good college, that her best friend Jamie’s love affair will end tragically—but has no idea what she wore, did, or said the day before. With the help of her mom, Jamie, and her detailed crib notes, London has managed to live a relatively normal life, keeping her condition a secret from everyone else, even her doctors. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can’t make sense of, she realizes it’s time to dig into the past she keeps forgetting and perhaps even discover why her brain resets every morning at precisely 4:33 a.m. Especially now that she’s met Luke, the boy who she can’t see anywhere in her future but still turns up in her life, day after day.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
The premise of this novel grabbed me immediately, and Cat Patrick’s deft writing—somehow managing to juggle the complexities of London’s condition without becoming repetitive or confusing me hopelessly—kept me glued to the story. I raced through this one in one sitting, inhaling every bit of it despite the need to suppress a certain level of disbelief. Patrick skillfully hands you clues to the mystery of London’s condition, while offering several subplots, including a a spat between London and Jamie and family secrets—which later tie in to the main plot nicely.
I especially enjoyed the relationship between Luke and London (although their paired names make them sound like soap opera characters). Their romance is a bit rocky, but all the stronger for it. There is even an element of mystery to the relationship as readers wonder why Luke seems to single out London straight away. Is it simply normal attraction, or is there something else behind it? Plus, there are the unique challenges brought by London’s condition, lending the book a sort of 50 First Dates appeal. Luke is a sweetly adorable guy next door, vulnerable, sensitive, sometimes awkward, and a little weird. London is equally likeable though not without flaw: she can be stubborn and a little slow to forgive, but she’s also fiercely loyal, funny, and charmingly offbeat (but not in an overdone, clichéd way). Her entire personality doesn’t center around her condition, an accomplishment for which I give Cat Patrick props.
All in all, Patrick does an admirable job of piecing together London’s past and her future without tying everything up too tidily. Many readers will hope for a sequel, but Patrick claims she’s happy with the book’s ending and no sequel is planned. (There is, however, a movie in the early stages of development.) In my opinion, there’s just enough for readers to draw their own conclusions. However, I was left wondering a bit more about the practicalities of London’s condition, and also a bit bothered by the suddenness of some of the twists at the end (oh, my, were there twists). One thing, which I will not reveal due its spoilerish nature, bothered me in particular.
I would recommend this book to all YA readers who enjoy a combination of romance and mystery/suspense, especially if they like just a touch of the paranormal for flavoring. If this sounds like the book for you, we have a copy up for grabs in our Fall Giveaway Event! Library copies are on order.
Final note: Did you notice the two covers at the beginning? The prettier, more romantic ARC cover (left) was changed to the cover on the right—which I think does a better job of evoking the novel’s suspense element—for the final publication. Which do you prefer?
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genres: Dystopia/Fantasy
Summary: In a post-economic crash Atlanta of 2018, Hell is a very real thing. Demons abound and affect the lives of everyday citizens and necromancers can reanimate the dead to serve the living. It is up to the Demon Trappers to capture these hellspawn and rid the world of their threat. Seventeen-year-old Riley Anora Blackthore, whose name means “Valiant Light” is an apprentice to her father a master trapper of some renown. But there is a catch, Riley is the only female apprentice in the Atlanta Guild, and as such is hardly universally welcomed into the ranks of the Demon Trappers. Strangely enough even the demons know her name, a fact that hardly ensures her safety. Join Riley as she battles the forces of evil and strives to become the first female Master Demon Trapper, all the while juggling the attentions of several very interesting men.
Lucinda’s Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. After finishing The Help, I really needed to read something that was a completely different animal entirely. This satisfied that need. Riley’s adventures were entertaining and kept me interested throughout the novel. Her struggles to come to grips with the events in her life are handled well, without contrived resolutions. This is a first novel in a planned trilogy and as such, does leave some questions unanswered, but the ending does not seem abrupt or too “I’m just going to leave you hanging here, so you will buy my next book”. The demon hierarchy was imaginative and were very well thought out as the evil in the book. Fans of PC Cast, Illona Andrews, and supernatural fiction will enjoy this book. On the whole a good read.
Here is a video where Jana Oliver describes how to trap a Grade One Demon.
Summary: You know the story already. Or, at least you think you do. The King of Denmark has died, and now his widow is marrying the King’s smarmy brother Claudius. Hamlet, the Prince, is seeing ghosts and thinks that his father was murdered. He’s acting like he’s lost his mind—and maybe he has. Determined to get revenge against his father’s murderer, he hatches a number of plans but he’s but is paralyzed by his own inaction. Everybody dies. In this contemporary retelling, we see the story from the point of view of a teenage Ophelia. And this time she doesn’t die. In fact, the entire story is told in retrospect, including transcripts from the formal investigation and from a reality show interview.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
This is a very clever retelling of Shakespeare’s famous play, from the P.O.V. of a character who was actually conspicuously absent through most of the original play. The plot line is pure drama—love, hate, betrayal, scandal, death, etc.—and compulsively readable. Even with all the drama, the volatile relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia is the heart of the novel. But I’d hesitate categorize the book as a romance despite the girly cover. The core relationship is borderline abusive even before all the craziness starts.
The pace is quick, and there are lots of cleverly worked-in allusions to Shakespeare’s greatest lines. (Although some, like the “To be or not to be” soliloquy are disappointingly awkward when modernized.) Many of the characters gain added depth as well. The updated version of Shakespeare’s Polonius, Ophelia’s proverb-spouting father and a court diplomat, was particularly well done. And I loved how Ophelia’s ringtone for him was “Papa Don’t Preach.”
All in all, I think Michelle Ray did an excellent job of modernizing the play. The intrusion of reality TV and the paparazzi added a very different—and modern—dimension to the story that made me think of the hubbub surrounding royal families today (Will & Kate, anybody?). Sometimes, though, I found the interruption of the various transcripts (mostly the reality show interview) distracting and pointless. I also wish Ophelia had had a bit more backbone. But, despite my quibbles, Falling for Hamlet was a quick, enjoyable read that I recommend to readers with a taste for scandal and drama.
Rating: 4/5 Stars Audience: Teen/Young Adult Genre: Social Satire/Comedy
Summary: What happens when a plane load of beauty queens from the Miss Teen Dream Pageant crash land on an island? Is there an underlying plot here or just dumb bad luck? What secrets will be uncovered about the contestants and what will they learn about themselves as they strive to survive in unfamiliar territory? To find out, read Libba Bray’s Beauty Queens.
Lucinda’s Thoughts: This book was a good read. I classed it as a social satire because of the manner in which Libba Bray presents the contestants and the concept of beauty pageants as a whole. With subtle, sarcastic humor and biting wit, Bray allows us to gain insight into the world of the beauty queen and what might motivate a young woman to participate in a beauty pageant. The characters are likable, the villains quirky but evil, and the commercial breaks hilarious. While the plot is somewhat unrealistic, the underlying humor and enjoyable storyline more than compensates for it. I throughly recommend it as a fun read for the fall!
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Audience: Teen/Young Adult Genre: Time Travel/Fantasy
Summary: Gwen was not supposed to be the “gifted” one, the individual who possessed the time travel gene. It was supposed to be Charlotte, who has trained all her life to complete the Lodge’s quest to close the circle. But when Gwen is suddenly transported to the 19th century, it becomes clear someone has made a mistake or has her mother lied about her birthday all these years? If so, why? Also, there is the handsome Gideon, who is supposed to aid Gwen in her time travel adventures. How do all these new people and the mysteries of her family fit together in Gwen’s life? Who can she trust? Read Ruby Red to find out.
Lucinda’s Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Being a historical romance and fantasy novel fan, it has several elements that really caught my interest. Also, Gwen is a spunky, likable character that seems resourceful, yet down-to-earth and this serves to keep the reader involved in her story.
Because of her likability, Gwen’s unexpected jaunt to the past and the subsequent mysteries revealed by her journeys were sufficiently intriguing to keep my interest. In addition, as the book progresses, Gwen’s eccentric family furthers the deepening of the plot and also helps to bring up additional mysteries that should be answered in subsequent novels in the series. Gwen’s meeting with the enigmatic historical figure Count De St. Germaine also sparks off new sets of questions that Gideon and Gwen must answer. Questions like- who is behind the attempt on their lives as they seek to leave the Count’s time period? What is the Count’s true purpose? Is Gwen doing the “right” thing by allying herself with the Lodge or should she trust Paul and Lucy?
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genre: Dystopia, Horror Series: Escape from Furnace #1
Summary: Alex is a school bully and, along with his best friend, makes a habit of breaking into empty homes and robbing them. But he’s never been a killer. Then, after he’s set up for a crime he didn’t commit, Alex is sentenced to life imprisonment in Furnace, a nightmarish maximum security prison for kids created years ago after gangs of kids and teens went on a killing rampage known as the Summer of Slaughter. Even if he can survive the viciousness of his fellow inmates, how long can he withstand the sadistic guards and unimaginable monstrosities that will surely kill them all? For Alex, the answer is clear: he must find a way to escape the inescapable prison.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
Part dystopian thriller and part horror story, Lockdown is relentlessly paced and often quite bleak, even grotesque. Furnace is populated by teenaged gang members; sadistic, blacksuited guards with superhuman abilities; and freakish mutated dogs. Plus there is the majorly creepy warden and the terrifying creatures known as wheezers. And yet, there are also lighter moments to briefly alleviate the grimness. Alex’s budding friendship with his cellmate Donovan and another new inmate, Zee, adds depth and a bit of light humor to the narrative. But then the tension and danger are ratcheted up all over again. Lockdown actually reminded me of a teen version of TV’s Prison Break (the earlier, good seasons), with a horror twist. It’s probably not for everyone, but will likely appeal to fans of Darren Shan, James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series, or Dashner’s The Maze Runner. Reluctant readers who like a bit of horror and a lot of action will gobble it up.
Rating: 2.5/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genre: Magical Realism, Dark Comedy
Summary: Sadly, high school slacker Cameron Smith’s fondest memory is from his childhood trip to Disney World when he nearly died. Now he’s been diagnosed with Creutzfeld Jakob’s (aka mad cow) disease, and it is official: His life sucks. But then Dulcie, a frustratingly elusive punk-rock angel shows up at the hospital and assures Cameron there is a cure! All Cameron has to do is escape from the hospital and track down the mysterious Dr. X, a time-traveling physicist, and save the world along the way. What follows is a crazy road trip in the company of Gonzo, a paranoid, video-gaming dwarf and Balder, a Norse god in the guise of a lawn gnome.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
I really expected to LOVE this book. After all, I adored Bray’s (totally different) Gemma Doyle Trilogy, and Going Bovine did win the 2010 Michael Prinz Award, edging out Rick Yancey’s The Monstrumologist—which I did love. Plus there’s this super-cool book trailer:
I expected a trippy, action-packed, fun road adventure. All ingredients for total awesomeness. But… I think Bray got a little sidetracked by her own brilliance. At times the pace seemed agonizingly slow—especially the CESSNAB episode—and the subtext a little heavy handed. Basically, though genuinely funny and fascinating at times, the book just seemed too contrived and self-aware for my liking. Still, I am glad I read the book. The “bro-mance” between Cameron, Gonzo, and Balder was unusual and compelling, and Bray is a pro when it comes to capturing snarky teenage dialog. Readers interested in philosophy and the nature of reality may especially enjoy reading this one.
Confession and questions: I listened to this book in audio format, so perhaps that had something to do with my underwhelming response. Have any of you found that some books just don’t work in audio format? I’m not blaming the reader—he actually did a fine job—but I can’t help wondering if the pacing or constant exposition would have played better in print. Or perhaps I just expected too much? For those of you who have read the book, what did you think? I’m curious.
Summary: Set in a world after the “Return” (a viral apocalypse), the village is the only life and home that Mary has ever known. Constantly on guard against the Unconsecrated (infected individuals that die and come back as zombies, the village allows Mary to be only two things- a wife to a man she does not love or a Sister (a member of the religious order that rules the village.) However, Mary dreams of the Ocean, which she had heard of in the tales that her mother told her as a child. Will Mary ever achieve her dream and catch a glimpse of a life outside the village?
Lucinda’s thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Mary is a very complex character and does not always do what a traditional teen heroine would do. She is strong-willed, a bit selfish, and determined. But it is these qualities that allow her to survive in her world. The love quadrangle in the book only further illustrates Mary’s strength. She is determined not to settle. Mary’s character coupled with the suspense present throughout the book as to whether or not Mary will achieve her dream and just plain survive, makes for an engrossing read. On the whole, I highly recommend picking this book up from the library and getting drawn into Mary’s world.
Tracy’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Tracy’s Thoughts:
I reviewed this book a while back, when I selected it for our Book Picks for Juniors and Young Adults list. I really enjoyed it then, and still remember it fondly. The reason for the less-than-perfect rating? For me, the book seemed to lose momentum midway through as I lost interest in Mary’s romantic troubles altogether. It was really the claustrophobic, secretive community and Mary’s unwavering determination to escape despite the perils that really grabbed me. That said, I love Carrie Ryan’s writing in this book and the complex character of Mary. Here’s what I had to say way back when:
If you enjoy bleak, heartbreaking, beautifully crafted horror stories look no further. Mary lives in a terrifying world surrounded by fences that are constantly under threat of attack by the Unconsecrated. The Unconsecrated are zombies, although the word is never used. Mary and the others of her village are taught that they are the world’s last survivors of a terrible virus and that they must follow the rules laid out by the Sisters if they wish to survive. But Mary dreams of another life, holding fast to her dream of seeing the ocean—her one glimmer of hope as she faces a series of tragedies and betrayals. I loved that this is not another glossy paranormal romance with a happy ending guaranteed. There is real tragedy here—people suffer, and people die. Mary is not a character that is always easy to root for; she is undeniably flawed, sometimes selfish, and often fickle. The conflict between Mary’s “duty,” her understandable fear of what lies beyond the fences, and her own dreams is what makes this story so memorable and—in spite of the zombies—relatable. Also, Ryan’s writing style has a wonderful flow and elegance to it, with a compulsive readability that will have you turning pages long into the night.
Rating: 5/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Still reeling from her father’s death, 17-year-old Amy Curry and Roger, a 19-year-old college student with troubles of his own, set out on a cross-country road trip from California to Connecticut. Along the way, they veer away from their tightly scheduled travel plan, taking detours that force Amy to face her own grief and fears.
Tracy’s Thoughts: Family dysfunction, drama, romance, adventure, laugh-out-loud humor, and some awesome playlists make Morgan Matson’s debut novel an epic read indeed. This is a fast-paced book, but the characters’ friendship builds slowly and believably. Being stuck in a car with a virtual stranger for hours on end could easily go very wrong very quickly, but Amy and Roger manage to build a special rapport, developing in-jokes, travel rituals, and shared experiences. Amy is struggling with her guilt over her father’s death and feeling isolated from her mother and twin brother; Roger is still hung up on his ex and baffled by the sudden break-up. Tension builds as readers wonder where Amy and Roger will go next, how they will cope with their respective problems, and when/if they will confide in each other. Their conversations are fresh and real, and I quickly became invested in the characters because they felt so genuine and likeable. But that all sounds so serious! The magic of Amy and Roger is that it tackles the characters’ true-to-life problems in a way that is fun, uplifting, and often very, very funny.
Also, there are whimsical cartoons, receipts from real hotels and diners (including Louisville’s Brown Hotel!), and other items of interest interspersed throughout the book to document their journey―and enhance the story itself. And the playlists Amy and Roger (mostly Roger) create along the way, as I said, are awesome. They perfectly represent the characters and their journey, with selections ranging from Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, and Billy Joel to lesser-known indie acts like Alexi Murdoch, Damien Rice, and Owl City. I’ve made it a personal mission to track down music from “hip” unfamiliar bands like Jack’s Mannequin and the Lucksmiths.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to teens (and the young at heart!), especially those who love a good road trip novel. What begins as a simple road trip from Point A (California) to Point B (Connecticut) becomes an adventure-filled, heartwarming journey as Amy and Roger embark on separate missions that somehow become intertwined. The travel details are authentic and seamlessly integrated into the story, and each of Amy and Roger’s detours is important on its own while serving as an integral part of their journey as a whole.
Rating: 2/5 Stars Audience: Young Adult/Teen Genre: Steampunk
Summary: After fighting off the advances of a wicked employer, Finley Jayne seeks to unite her dual supernatural nature with the help of a handsome, young duke, Griffin King, who also shows signs of supernatural powers. While attempting to reconcile her two halves, Finley attempts to thwart a plot to harm Victoria, the aging monarch and finds herself making some extraordinary new friends in the group that surrounds the Duke.
Lucinda’s thoughts: I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the title and the cover art. However, the book did not live up to the promise of its title or cover. While an entertaining enough read, it fell flat with me. I could not seem to get attached to any of the characters as their development was very superficial. In addition, there are too many of them to allow for any real attachments. Of course, the fast paced fight scenes and kung-fu fisticuffs are entertaining and there is an evil plot to replace Queen Victoria with an automaton thrown into the mix. On the whole, though, I was severely unimpressed by this book. I would give it a pass and just admire the pretty cover art.
