Frenetic Reader

Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Spoilers for book one in the series, Birthmarked, ahead!

[description from goodreads]

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

Review:

I enjoyed this book's predecessor, Birthmarked, a surprisingly large amount so it was with great excitement that I finally tore in to Prized. Although I didn't like it quite as much as book one, I still enjoyed it and can't wait to read the series' conclusion.

Prized seems almost like the start to a whole new series; because of the drastic change in setting, the world-building must begin anew. However, I found Sylum to be just as greatly developed as the Enclave in Birthmarked. I found it to be a refreshing setting compared to the dystopian societies included in the slew of current apocalyptic YA, and I liked it even more for its always surprising nature. The people Gaia encounters in Sylum often seem similar because their roles are so limited, but despite their similarities, they always manage to bring information about a rule or tradition in Sylum that changes Gaia's plans about what to do with her time there. I especially liked Gaia's presence in this society, because she's so different from the rest of them that it's impossible for her not to clash with the rulers and seek out the truth about their often misguided practices.

However, the fact that this book seemed like a different series also hurt it for me. The action in this book took a while to get going because of all the required exposition, but even once it began I was never really sure what the larger point was. Series typically have different problems in individual books but one overarching issue (Harry Potter has to deal with Umbridge in Order of the Phoenix but still has the problem of Voldemort too, for example) as well. I'm still not sure what the overarching problem in this series is, let alone its role in Prized. For this reason I found it very disconnected in terms of it being a second book in a series, even though I did always enjoy it for what it is.

Although it feels sadly disconnected from Birthmarked, I still liked Prized for its original new setting and consistent action, and I'm excited to see where Gaia goes in the next installment.

Book details: Roaring Book Press/Hardcover/$16.99

Source: sent by publisher for review

Waiting on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Today I'm waiting on:

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Two families. Four teens.
A summer full of secrets.

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives.

Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.

Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

---

I really enjoyed Margie Gelbwasser's first novel, Inconvenient, and this book sounds like it will be just as great if not better. There's only one thing I like more than secrets, and that's secrets that get revealed. I can't wait to see the fallout of these characters' actions.

Released March 8.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Review:

I have a bit of a love-hate relationships with John Green's books. I really do love them all individually, but when I consider them together they often blend too much for my liking. However, The Fault in Our Stars definitely stands out from the rest even if it did not invoke quite the emotional reaction other works of Green's has.

I think what prevented me from loving this book entirely is that I already knew how it ended. When I first saw the spoiler I didn't know it was a true one, but of course it was always in the back of my mind, so the events of the book were ultimately not as surprising as they otherwise could have been. However, although I already knew one of the major events of the ending, I always enjoyed seeing the story unfold. Hazel, Augustus, and their peers encounter so many colorful, crazy people and places that I always always entertained. However, to go along with the entertainment, I was also given plenty to think about. With such a deep and emotional premise, it's impossible for this book not to include some grandiose discussions of life, death, health, friendship, and a multitude of other things. Hazel and Augustus often appear impossibly articulate and intelligent, but somehow for this book it works because all the things they say are worth thought and attention no matter how pretentious they can be.

It also doesn't hurt that Hazel, Augustus, and most of the rest of the characters manage to be both funny and sad, my favorite combination. Because Hazel is so unused to spending time with others her age, especially those who are not currently sick, she has a totally fresh, candid, and witty perspective on everything around her. Augustus provides both a great contrast and accompaniment to Hazel; he seems to know so much more than the girl, giving the pair things to discuss, but as the novel progresses, he seems to know so little that his quest for knowledge may never end. Seeing the pair embark on their journeys of self-discovery together is truly a heartbreaking and beautiful thing, for they've been through so much individually that they of course go through just as much together.

Although it lacked a strong emotional reaction because I already knew what was coming, there's no denying that The Fault in Our Stars is a great book. It's so very depressing but also so witty, a combination that creates a perfectly poignant and intelligent read.

Book details: Dutton/Hardcover/$17.99

Source: bought

In My Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Cult ure Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Some intriguing things for review this week:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore (plus sequels/companions Fire and Bitterblue)

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

Despite the fact that this is basically everyone's favorite book, I haven't read it yet. Shameful, I know, but I am sure that when I finally get to it I will enjoy it immensely.

Where it Began by Anne Redisch Stampler

Sometimes the end is just the beginning.

Gabby lived under the radar until her makeover. Way under. but when she started her senior year as a blonder, better-dressed version of herself, she struck gold: Billy Nash believed she was a the flawless girl she was pretending to be. The next eight months with Billy were bliss...Until the night Gabby woke up on the ground next to the remains of his BMW without a single memory of how she got there.

And Billy's nowhere to be found.

All Gabby wants is to make everything perfect again. But getting her life back isn't difficult, it's impossible. Because nothing is the same, and Gabby's beginning to realize she's missed more than a few danger signs along the way.

It's time for Gabby to face the truth, even if it means everything changes.

Especially if it means everything changes.

The girl's stare on this cover is super creepy, but I think the book itself will make up for that.

Fracture by Megan Miranda

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine- despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

Review:

I can never seem to pass up a book with a narrator who is dead or has had a near-death experience of some sort. Fracture, because its narrator returns from death, thus interested me greatly; sadly, this interest didn't stay as intense the entire length of the book, but I liked it nonetheless.

Despite the fact that it's what drew me to the book, what I liked least was Delaney's habits after waking up from her coma. It never really made sense to me what her supposed ability of sensing death was supposed to be about; it's a decidedly supernatural idea, but it's such a small part of the rather short book that I never quite saw the point in its inclusion. Her ability became even more strange once Troy, who has a similar power, appears; he's almost comical in his attitude, and even when they two were together I wasn't sure of what exactly their abilities were supposed to do.

Still, Troy at the very least provided some much needed drama in this book. I may not have liked him, but I appreciated that he provided a constant source of conflict, along with a few twists and heart wrenching bits near the end. Everyone else I am similarly iffy about; for example, Decker, Delaney's best friend, is clearly sweet and I enjoyed his role in Delaney's healing, but the relationship between the two was more frustrating than enjoyable to read about. When together, which is often, they were just too angsty for my liking. Separate, though, I like them both, especially Delaney. She more often than not manages to describe her chaotic and sad feelings well, especially as she begins to explore her abilities and adjust to life once again.

Fracture does have an intriguing premise and consistently emotional and therefore compelling narrative, but it lacked far too much depth in both characterization and plot for me to move beyond simply liking it.

Book details: Walker/Hardcover/$17.99

Source: sent by publisher for review

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

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...

Review:

On the list of things that I like, asylums, history, and angst are all ranked relatively high. I wasn't always a fan of the way they, along with the many other things tackled, came together in this book, but I still found Wildthorn an original and engaging tale.

It was initially difficult for me to get in to this book, though, for its first section switches between the past and present. This constant switch is a bit annoying in that it ends half way through and thus appears to be solely for the purpose of introducing relationships, but luckily the scenes set in the present are far more compelling. Because Louisa is so set on the idea that she isn't crazy, while everyone else thinks she is, much of the original excitement in the story centers upon whether she really is mad or if there is a conspiracy behind her sending there, either option I would have been happy to read about. As the novel progresses, there is even more time spent describing the horrific practices of the asylum, another topic I delight in reading about even if it did often seem like certain details were included solely to be shocking, and not because they were necessarily essential to the story.

I felt like other aspects of the novel appeared to be trying too hard as well; for example, although I did like Louisa's determination to become a doctor, as she describes in the chapters set in the past, her manner of discussing it seemed so speech-like and inorganic that she seemed more preachy than genuine. However, despite her and some of the other characters' tendency to appear exaggerated to the point of inhuman, I did enjoy reading about the people in this novel. Louisa's determination and curiosity pushes her to always seek answers, making this book consistently an adventure, especially when secrets about the other characters are discovered. The uncovered secrets in this book are probably the best parts, because not only do they make for an exciting read, but each other reveals something about one of the characters that moves them beyond their often two-dimensional appearance.

Wildthorn has a great, unique premise and consistently engrossing narrative, but because I often found it tried too hard to include many big issues, I don't love it as much as I could otherwise.

Book details: Graphia/Paperback/$8.99

Source: BEA '10 (I know)

Waiting on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Today I'm waiting on:

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Oct. 11th, 1943

A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France.

Its pilot and passenger are best friends.

One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she knows she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogator gives her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face the firing squad.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. The physical bonds of war will never be as strong as the bonds forged by the unforgettable friendship in this extraordinary tale of fortitude in the face of the ultimate evil.

---

Books with Nazis tend to be pretty great, but one with Nazis, planes, spies, and best friends? It doesn't get much better than that.

Released May 15.

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Spoilers for book one in the series, Across the Universe, ahead!

[description from goodreads]

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

Review:

I really did enjoy Across the Universe, so I looked forward to this sequel even though many of my experiences with sequels in general aren't that good. However, I like A Million Suns the same if not more than I like its predecessor.

Although it did take a while to get going, there is plenty of excitement happening in this book. Amy and Elder's search for the truth occasionally seemed a bit repetitive because of its scavenger hunt-like nature, but at the very least, their repetitive actions always ended up with different results and dramatic encounters with the other people aboard the ship. And, really, the repetition and agonizing length of their hunt is all worth it by the end because their revelation, and the chaos it causes, its delightfully surprising and intense.

One thing I'm more torn on in this novel, though, are the characters. Although they both narrate the story, it's always seemed to be more Amy's story than Elder's to me. I never remember his sections quite as vividly, or care about him quite as much, even though he is often involved in the more dangerous and intriguing problems aboard the ship. Subsequently, I also never really seem to pay much attention to the other people who appear in his story, and thus I don't really find them as believable as they could be. Amy, on the other hand, I do really like because of all the shenanigans she gets caught in and the way she deals with things that the others in the book simply can't.

A worthy sequel to the great Across the Universe because of its action, intrigue, and most excellent ending.

Book details: Razorbill/Hardcover/$17.99

Source: sent by publisher for review

In My Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Cult ure Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

This week, I just bought one thing, but I'm very excited about it:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

John Green's previous books are all great, and I've heard nothing but amazing things about this one. I'll have to read it next so I can see if I agree with all the hype (I'm sure I will).

Favorite of "Contains Shakespeare"

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:44:00 +0000

I've read plenty of books that are inspired by, based on, or contain a Shakespeare play in one form or another. Here are five of my favorites:

1. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (contains the fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Ariel from The Tempest, and various other theatrical characters)

A truly magical and beautifully written novel with an awesome sequel too. I'm excited that I finally have book three in my possession for I can't wait to see what happens to Bertie, Nate, Ariel, and the rest of the gang. (But mostly Nate.)

2. My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman (contains [and is based on, I believe] As You Like It)

Hilarious, sarcastic, ridiculous, but smart-- aka, all my favorite things in one.

3. Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gehrman (based on Much Ado About Nothing)

I'm automatically inclined to like books that feature baristas, as that is one of my favorite words, but it doesn't hurt that it's pretty funny and sweet too.

4. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (contains Puck and various fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream)

Puck is my favorite of this series, so it only makes sense that book one shows up here.

5. Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde (cheating with this one since it's based more on West Side Story than anything, but West Side Story is based on Romeo and Juliet so it totally counts)

Because I hadn't even seen West Side Story yet when I first read this book (if I had, I would have been rather biased toward liking it) my love for it seems all the more true.

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

When Lupita discovers Mami has been diagnosed with cancer, she is terrified by the possibility of losing her mother, the anchor of their close-knit Mexican American family.

In the midst of juggling high school classes, finding her voice as an actress, and dealing with friends who don’t always understand, Lupita desperately wants to support her mother by doing anything she can to help. While Papi is preoccupied with caring for Mami, Lupita takes charge of her seven younger siblings. Struggling in her new roles and overwhelmed by change, Lupita escapes the chaos of home by writing in the shade of a mesquite tree, seeking refuge in the healing power of words.

Told in evocative free verse, Lupita’s journey is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. Under the Mesquite is an empowering story about the testing of family bonds, the strength of a teenage girl navigating pain and hardship, and the kind of love that cannot be uprooted.

Review:

This book is another prime example of my horrible procrastination habits-- it took me months to finally read it, which was a silly choice on my part for Under the Mesquite is a beautifully written, emotional novel despite its brevity.

However, its brevity still prevented me from loving this book completely. It's about 250 pages long, but considering it's written in verse and covers so many years, it seems even shorter. This short length often prevents certain characters from being well developed, because they either leave Lupita's life after one year or seem to change completely in the time that she doesn't cover. In the grand scheme of things, though, this qualm is a bit insignificant in comparison to the wonderful development of Lupita and her writing. Poetry inherently makes everything simply sound more emotionally charged, but the detail and thought Lupita puts into her words elevate her writing even further, making it easy to connect to her situation. Her detail helps showcase her harried feelings about her mother's condition and her family, and coupled with just as wonderfully described moments of joy that inevitably occur, the narrative is truly something beautiful and heart wrenching.

It's not a flashy or action-packed book, and it fell too flat with certain characterization for my liking, but the intense emotion and lovely writing make Under the Mesquite worth a read.

Book details: Lee & Low Books/Hardcover/$17.95

Source: sent by publisher for review

Waiting on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Today I'm waiting on:

The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Altebrando

An all-day scavenger hunt in the name of eternal small-town glory.

With only a week until graduation, there’s one last thing Mary and her friends must do together: participate in the Oyster Point High Official Unofficial Senior Week Scavenger Hunt. And Mary is determined to win.

Mary lost her spot at Georgetown to self-professed “it” bully Pete Lembo, and she’s not about to lose again. But everyone is racing for the finish line with complicated motives, and the team’s all-night adventure becomes all-night drama as shifting alliances, flared tempers, and crushing crushes take over. As the items and points pile up, Mary and her team must reinvent their strategy—and themselves—in order to win.

---

I totally enjoyed Tara Altebrando's Dreamland Social Club and have been eager to read another book by her. I also have a inexplicable fondness for scavenger hunts and tales of college angst so I'm doubly excited to read this one.

Released July 5.

Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:47:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

The football field is a battlefield.

There's an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High. It is paid on - and off - the football field. And it claims its victims without mercy - including the most innocent bystanders.

When a violent, steroid-infused, ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences, an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a school's salvation.

Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth, Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty, flawed justice, and hard-won optimism of two young athletes.

Review:

Every time my friend Jordyn of the blog Ten Cent Notes recommends a book, I take a horribly long time to finally get around to reading it even though I always end up loving her recommendations. This might be the worst instance of my procrastination because, my goodness, this is one heck of a book.

"Enjoyed" is not exactly the word I would use to describe my feelings on this book, for it's far too horrific and intense for it to be a pleasurable reading experience-- my love for this book is definitely more on the masochistic side. From the very beginning of the novel, when the awkward gymnast Danny meets the stuttering football player Kurt, it's obvious that even though they don't have much of a relationship early on, the interactions between their two teams are not going to be pretty. It's the stars of the football team that appear (and remain) the most horrific people, but as the novel progresses, everyone has their awful moments. The actions the boys take are just sick, immoral, horrifying, heartbreaking, and demand the question of why anyone would do such stupid and disgusting things. On more than one occasion I had to text the aforementioned Jordyn exclaiming shock and horror at what I was reading because some things were just too graphic and intense for me to not freak out over.

However, despite all the horror occurring, the book doesn't use them purely for shock value, as evidenced by the care in developing the characters as well. While some of the minor characters, like the football captains, seemed a bit flat in that they do most of the same things throughout the story, the other leads are simply wonderful, especially narrators Danny and Kurt. Danny is so very unassuming and that's part of his charm; although his father does not care much about his sport and there's better people on the team, he tries his hardest and when he doesn't do the right thing, his guilt and torment are painfully evident. I love Kurt even more because even though it hurts to see him stutter and struggle over the scarring events of his past, watching him move past those things and figure out what exactly he should be doing is so very moving, especially in the book's conclusion.

Leverage is hard to read because of its horrifying events, but it's so wonderfully written and developed that the emotional havoc it wreaks is well worth it.

Book details: Dutton/Hardcover/$17.99

Source: bought

Quote Post!

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Because I don't have an In My Mailbox for today and quotes are my favorites:

“Remember that at any given moment there are a thousand things you can love.”

- The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan

“Time passes too quickly when you're getting ready to do something you don't want to do.”

- Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

“Nothing ever really goes away--it just changes into something else. Something beautiful.”

- Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

“Sometimes the facts in my head get bored and decide to take a walk in my mouth. Frequently this is a bad thing.”

- So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld (Underrated book!)

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?

Review:

Although I tend to shy away from paranormal stories like they're the plague, I can handle them when they're a bit more fantasy and wrapped up in a light package; hence, I enjoyed Fairy Bad Day immensely.

The premise of this book is a bit ridiculous-- hipster fairies! -- but that's part of this book's charm. I love the wide variety of creatures included and that all of them, no matter their level of danger, are slayed; it doesn't get much better than murder. I wish there was more of an introduction to the other creatures, techniques, and school because Emma's friends all are assigned to slay different things and they don't get as big a chance to shine. But, at least the main villains, the fairies, were nicely developed-- I wish the worst of the worst appeared sooner and wasn't so over-the-top, but hey, at least it was fun. I had a blast reading Emma's adventures in finding out just what she was up against, because as she digs deeper, she's forced to confront some hard-hitting truths about herself, her family, and her slaying way of life.

Just like my feelings about the plot and premise, my thoughts on the characters lean toward both wishing they were better developed and not really minding since they're so entertaining anyway. Emma, as anyone else in this story would, does not handle her fairy assignment with grace, but as she gets used to dealing with the creatures, she becomes hilariously snarky and simultaneously tough. I wish her love interest, Curtis, was as nicely developed and amusing because although there are some delightful twists involved in his life that make the fantastical aspects of this world all the more interesting, he does not particularly stand out. Everyone else is also a bit interchangeable for me; I remember people's habits, like Emma's friend's penchant for horoscopes, much more than I remember names, but that may just be my poor memory failing me once again.

It's no award winner or stunning piece of work, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Fairy Bad Day is one insanely fun, adorable read.

Book details: Speak/Paperback/$7.99

Source: sent by publisher for review

In Darkness by Nick Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

"Shorty" is a Haitian boy trapped in the ruins of a hospital when the earth explodes around him. Surrounded by lifeless bodies and growing desperately weak from lack of food and water, death seems imminent. Yet as Shorty waits in darkness for a rescue that may never come, he becomes aware of another presence, one reaching out to him across two hundred years of history. It is the presence of slave and revolutionary leader Toussaint L'Ouverture, whose life was marred by violence, and whose own end came in darkness. What unites a child of the slums with the man who would shake a troubled country out of slavery? Is it the darkness they share . . . or is it hope?

Raw, harrowing, and peopled with vibrant characters, In Darkness is an extraordinary book about the cruelties of man and nature, and the valiant, ongoing struggle for a country's very survival.

Review:

In Darkness is a rather ambitious book because it attempts to cover three stories: Shorty's time in the now ruined hospital, Shorty's life before hospitalization, and the life of Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L'Ouverture. I appreciated the equally unique and compelling stories but the combination of the three left me feeling a bit ambivalent about the book as a whole.

But, to start with the positives: Shorty's life is full of so much danger and cruelty that it was impossible for me not to keep reading his story. He covers pretty much his whole life during the narrative, which could have easily made the novel a superficial summary, but enough emphasis is given to the most important and climactic bits that the dangerous Haiti he inhabits comes to life. Because he does not shy away from describing the despicable aspects of gang life and his own past, the story he tells is simultaneously compelling, horrifying, and emotional. The time he spends describing his time in the hospital ruins manages to be just as attention-grabbing, because despite the short amount of time he spends on his current situation, each included snippet manages to have such power and emotion that his writing seems just as suffocating and eerie as the darkness around him.

However, there is one glaring thing that left my feelings on this book more calm than enthusiastic: Toussaint L'Ouverture. I can see why every other chapter was devoted to the story of the leader, but to be quite honest I personally did not really care to find out what happened in his life. It's an interesting story, at the very least, but it never elicited any emotional reaction from me so I was more annoyed than anything about having to read through his chapters before returning to Shorty's.

Although half the chapters centered on a story line I did not really care to read about, the rest of In Darkness impressed me with its realism, power, emotional intensity, and unique premise.

Book details: Bloomsbury/Hardcover/$17.99

Source: sent by publisher for review

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

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?

Review:

I've been making an effort to read the books that have been in my review pile the longest, and because Hunger is so short, I picked it up as part of my goal to whittle my to-be-read stack down. It's a nice and quick read, but its short length also prevented it from standing out in my mind.

I have to give props to any author that manages to use a premise that hasn't been done to death, and the Four Horsemen theme of this book is one that's refreshingly new. Because Lisbeth becomes the new rider of Famine so early, the book's action begins just as fast. The duties she has as Famine are strange and dark enough to always keep my attention, especially when she must interact with the other Horsemen, but her real life is just as compelling. Although the book is so small, there's always plenty of time devoted to Lisbeth's struggles with eating disorders and those who she comes across in her everyday life. Because both her "real" life and life as Famine are so intense, the novel is similarly emotional, and I enjoyed seeing her two worlds collide and morph each other.

However, this book's fatal flaw is that it is so woefully short-- not even 200 pages. Despite the fantastic concept, there is simply not enough time for it to be fully developed; as soon as the novel truly gets going and I began to understand Lisbeth's duties, it was over. The characters also suffer because of the length; although Lisbeth is believable, the rest of her friends and even her fellow Horsemen are simply not present enough for them to seem anything more than vehicles to move the plot forward instead of realistic people.

It has a great premise and intensity, but Hunger would need so much more development of its myths and characters for me to really like it.

Book details: Graphia/Paperback/$8.99

Source: BEA '10 (yeah, I know)

Orchards by Holly Thompson

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:54:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

After a classmate commits suicide, Kana Goldberg—a half-Japanese, half-Jewish American—wonders who is responsible. She and her cliquey friends said some thoughtless things to the girl. Hoping that Kana will reflect on her behavior, her parents pack her off to her mother's ancestral home in Japan for the summer. There Kana spends hours under the hot sun tending to her family's mikan orange groves.

Kana's mixed heritage makes it hard to fit in at first, especially under the critical eye of her traditional grandmother, who has never accepted Kana's father. But as the summer unfolds, Kana gets to know her relatives, Japan, and village culture, and she begins to process the pain and guilt she feels about the tragedy back home. Then news about a friend sends her world spinning out of orbit all over again.

Review:

I've always had an inexplicable penchant for novels written in verse, so it was with great excitement that I discovered this book is written in poetry. The emotionally charged writing style kept this book consistently compelling even though some sections could have just as easily been reformatted into prose and even though there was sometimes not a lot of action occurring.

It was a bit difficult for me to receive the full impact of Kana's classmate's death, for the book does not spend much time at Kana's home. Although she describes the events of the past, so much of the book takes place in Japan that I often did not see the full scope of Kana's remorse or the effect she claimed the death had on her friends too. Still, even without the in-depth discussion of what occurred, it was easy to see Kana grow over the course of the novel. Her difficulty in acclimating to her temporary Japanese home highlighted her intense feelings and gave her so much more to angst over that it was never hard to realize how terribly she felt. And, as she tries new things and attempts to fix what is wrong, it was equally easy to see the effect her time of reflection had upon her.

A few other aspects of this book I have mixed feelings about, mainly due to simply my personal preference. For example, any non-USA setting always intrigues me. There's plenty of time spent describing the Japanese countryside and way of living Kana must become used to, but my intense wanderlust always made me want even more. I also would have preferred a faster connection to the things happening at Kana's home because what eventually happens is worth much more time, but even with its slow introduction, it managed to make a big, intense impact.

I would have preferred more development in regards to the events back home, but even without that, I found Orchards to be a nicely written and emotional read.

Review: Delacorte Press/Hardcover/$17.99

Source: ALA conference

In My Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:31:00 +0000

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Cult ure Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

I spent my Christmas gift cards last week and the books finally arrived. Too many to post descriptions and such of them all, but a couple highlights:

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

I do not care about the actual sport of football at all but football related things I always find to be enjoyable, mainly because they remind me of Friday Night Lights.

Wintertown by Stephen Emond

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.

Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

There are pictures in this book, so clearly I am very excited. The Nick and Norah comparison doesn't hurt either.

Other books that came with these:

Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen (I already read this one and my goodness it is really, really intense. Disturbingly so. It's awesome, too, and definitely makes an impact.)
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
The Kid Table by Andrea Seigel
Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
Past Perfect by Leila Sales
Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

Review:

A Series of Unfortunate Events, written by Daniel Handler under the name Lemony Snicket, was my absolute favorite series as a child, so it was with great excitement that I picked up Why We Broke Up. It left me a bit underwhelmed, perhaps because it had my love for A Series of Unfortunate Events to live up to, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I love the way this book is structured, with a picture of each item and then the explanation behind it. The drawings are all delightfully colorful and helped point the book in the same direction, because sometimes it seemed like certain objects had such long stories that Min started to ramble. Her rambling is a bit of annoying trait made even worse by the fact that her sentences would become so long and convoluted that I would sometimes I have to reread them to get the full meaning; however, every time there was a new piece of the story to tell, she seemed to go back on track. Other than that annoyance, I did like the plot of this book quit a lot. Because Min covers her and Ed's relationship from start to finish, there were all the ups and downs that come in between, making it a consistently compelling read, especially because those two had plenty of chaos amidst all their adorable moments.

A few other things did not sit quite as well with me. I did like Min, mainly because her of penchant for old movies and her wit, but she kind of lost me when it came to Ed. They seemed so inherently mismatched that I spent much of the novel baffled by their status as a couple, especially when their feelings became so deep so quickly in their relationship. It didn't help that Ed is a rather annoying in his stupidity. Luckily, the minor characters, however brief their appearances may be, make up for the lackluster love interest with their intelligence, admittance that Ed is a poor choice, and humorous interactions, mainly with Min.

A bit too lengthy and short on development for my taste, but I did like the unique structure and always intriguing story line of Why We Broke Up enough to really enjoy it.

Book details: Little, Brown/Hardcover/$19.99

Source: gift

Waiting on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Today I'm waiting on:

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.

---

Megan Crewe's first novel, Give Up the Ghost, was one of my favorite books of 2009* and I've been not-so-patiently waiting for another book from her ever since. I'm sure this one will be well worth the wait, because it sounds like a delightfully bleak tale.

Released January 24.

*I didn't realize it was so long ago. I AM OLD.

Ditched by Robin Mellom

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.
Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.
Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.

And then ditched her.

Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...

But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.

Filled with humor, charm, and romance, Ditched: A Love Story by debut novelist Robin Mellom will have readers dreaming of love on their own prom nights.

Review:

Sometimes all I want to read is something purely funny-- no melodramatic angst or any of that nonsense. This book fits the bill perfectly.

I read the summary of Ditched and anticipated that it would be a bit ridiculous, but it's even more insane that I imagined. It's hard to believe that this sequence of events-- or sometimes even an individual event-- would ever occur, but do I care? Of course not. As Justina tells more of her night to the two women she meets at 7-11 The Morning After, the story gets stranger and therefore more entertaining. I felt bad that everything was going wrong, but Justina handled most things with such humor and sass that I couldn't help but laugh not only at the disasters, but also at her narration. I often wished the chapters when she'd interact with the 7-11 Ladies weren't there because they prevented me from more quickly finding out just how Justina ended up there, but the importance they hold by the end won me over too.

However, Ditched isn't only about the crazy; there's some friendship and romance thrown in too. Ian, Justina's best friend and date, is the perfect love interest for this story, because, like Justina's memory about certain events of the night, he's a bit hard to figure out. At times I couldn't help but love him as much as Justina, and at others his actions were just so shady that, like her, I'd be full of rage. The way their relationship ends up is perfect for the story too-- a little too perfect, but I liked it nonetheless. I just wish Justina's friends and classmates were as nicely developed; they were more stereotypical than not, even with the occasional glimpses into the depths of their personalities, but most were so amusing that I didn't mind much while reading.

A bit ridiculous, a bit cliche, but always riotously entertaining and ultimately sweet.

Book details: Hyperion/Hardcover/$16.99

Source: sent by author for review

Legend by Marie Lu

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

[description from goodreads]

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Review:

I heard nothing but positive things about Legend before reading, and so much hype is always hard to live up to. The book didn't quite meet my expectations but there's still plenty I like about it.

The major thing that prevented Legend from living up to all I had heard is just how long it takes it to truly get going. The book's official summary, the one above, does a better job than most at hiding the secrets the characters discover later on, but these secrets take a ridiculously long time to be uncovered in the actual novel. It was also incredibly easy to at least have an idea as to what shady government business is going down, which took all the fun and suspense out of the eventual reveal. The time it took did allow for some excellent action and conflict to occur, a seemingly nonstop supply of it, but I'd rather have a big, non-anticlimactic secret after all that previous excitement.

Despite my grievances, I do like other aspects of this book, namely its two narrators. Both June and Day, because they're from such vastly different areas, manage to be equally interesting. I enjoyed seeing the effect of both of their homes upon them, because even with their similarities in mind, it was easy to see the edge and style the military or slums gave each of them. I loved even more when their paths overlapped, because the contrast between their lifestyles is so drastic that it makes for some interesting, complex conflict. However, the romance between them is lackluster at best, because there really isn't a basis for it and yet I always got the impression that it's supposed to be a huge deal.

It could have used a bit more development and a faster start, but the action and equally intriguing main characters makes me think that, despite my lack of "!!! love" for Legend, there's plenty of hope for the series' next installments.

Book details: Putnam/Hardcover/$17.99

Source: sent by publisher for review

In My Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:46:00 +0000

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Cult ure Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

This week I received one book, lent to me by my very best friend:

Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce begins a new Tortall trilogy introducing Beka Cooper, an amazing young woman who lived 200 years before Pierce's popular Alanna character. For the first time, Pierce employs first-person narration in a novel, bringing readers even closer to a character that they will love for her unusual talents and tough personality.

Beka Cooper is a rookie with the law-enforcing Provost's Guard, and she's been assigned to the Lower City. It's a tough beat that's about to get tougher, as Beka's limited ability to communicate with the dead clues her in to an underworld conspiracy. Someone close to Beka is using dark magic to profit from the Lower City's criminal enterprises--and the result is a crime wave the likes of which the Provost's Guard has never seen before.

I've never read a Tamora Pierce book, which I feel is sacrilege to some people. I've been assured by my bestie that it's awesome, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

Five Books You May Have Missed in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Khy) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

A lot of great books came out in 2011, some that received more attention that others. Here are five you may have overlooked:

1. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Actually, there's a pretty good chance you didn't miss this one, but I really like it and didn't manage to put it anywhere on my end-of-the-year favorite lists, and thus I include it here. It's a wonderfully written, heartbreaking book and I'm excited to see it snatch every award.

2. Pink by Lili Wilkinson

Funny, sometimes silly but always smart, and it has a musical. This book is everything I could ever want.

3. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Yes, the incest book. It's disturbing on pretty much every level, and that's what makes it so fantastic.

4. Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

I take every chance I can to proclaim my love for this book, and thus I feel like I've run out of new ways to say how awesome it is. Just trust me: it's good.

5. Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando

On my mental list of favorite things, shady carnivals are absurdly high-ranked. Their inclusion in this book, along with the awesome setting and memorable characters, makes it pretty great.