Review of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary per Amazon:

Some race to win. Others race to survive. It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a choice. So she enters the competition - the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Review:

I know that it's been awhile since I've blogged, but I felt called to review this book. I loved the Shiver Trilogy as you all know, but The Scorpio Races just solidified Maggie Stiefvater as one of my top five favorite authors. This book was unlike anything that I have ever read before; it was imaginative, fanciful, believable, violent, and romantic all at once. Like with Shiver, Stiefvater does a wonderful job of creating distinctive voices for her narrators and makes the alternating narration work for the story. The characters were well rounded and Puck's character is a testament to how well the author balances tenderness and harshness in the story. Similarly, Sean's Kendrick's character is handsome and brooding, but with an intelligence that is well-crafted and serves to elevate him beyond the status of pretty boy. What's more, the water horses themselves become characters that we as readers grow to know and to love just as Sean and Puck do.

The Scorpio Races offers a glimpse into a world that is at once grounded in reality and human emotion while still being magical. If this novel is a hint of things to come, I will certainly be keeping my eye on Maggie Stiefvater. Who knows, maybe she just wrote Robert Pattinson's next role!

Rating:

Review of Divergent by Veronica Roth

Summary as Per Amazon:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Review:

Let me say that I loved this book! Divergent was not simply a retelling of the wildly popular The Hunger Games nor was it another cookie cutter dystopian; this was a story unique unto itself. Roth does an amazing job of bringing each of the factions to life and building the neccessary background without overwhelming or boring the reader. Instead, Roth gives the reader page after page of beautiful writing and heart stopping action. For those of you familiar with The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Graceling by Kristin Cashore, you'll understand when I say that Tris ranks up there with Katniss and Katsa. Tris is truly an intelligent, thoughtful, caring, and strong femalcharacter whose actions show a wonderful balance between bravery and vulnerabililty. And if the action in this one doesn't leave you breathless, the romance most certainly will as Tris's relationship with the steamy and mysterious Four unfolds. All in all, this is a not-to-be-missed debut from an author to be watched! Congratulations Miss Roth on a remarkable read.

Grade:

Review of Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Summary Per Amazon:
Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams. As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Review:

While I'm always a fan of paranormal romance as opposed to the regular old romance novel, I found myself having a really hard time getting into this particular book. With such beautiful cover art gracing the front of the book, I wanted to love it, but just couldn't. Theia is a nice character, especially with her English roots and her love of books, and I especially love that Ms. Hayes takes jabs at Twilight and the general genre in which she is writing, but the storyline didn't really come together for me until almost 3/4 of the way through. Yet, I have to be honest and say that I was willing to stick with it and I'm hoping for better things from the coming sequel.

Grade: B-

Review of Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary Per Amazon:
Forever is a fitting finale to the lovely Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater (after last year's Linger). This time, the stakes are higher than ever: while Isabel’s father plots to wipe out the wolves once and for all, Sam and Isabel search for ways to save the pack, and Cole races to find a cure for Grace. But the real centerpiece of the series is the romance--between Sam and Grace, of course, and between Cole and Isabel--and Stiefvater’s luminous, poignant writing does not disappoint. Sam and Grace steal breathtakingly sweet moments together between Grace’s unpredictable transformations, and Cole and Isabel struggle to melt each others’ icy exteriors. Readers will melt, too, and find a satisfying, but not too-perfect, ending to this bestselling saga.

Review:

As always, Maggie Stiefvater's writing is lovely and just a bit lyrical, the perfect complement to the beautiful characters and story that she has developed throughout the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. In Forever, Grace and Sam are once again torn apart, this time by the wolf inside Grace, yet each finds a way to fight back against fate and to accept the wounded and torn parts of themselves and each other, strengthening their devotion to one another. And Isabel, with her ferocious wit and biting sarcasm, even manages to a few moments of actual feelings. Cole St. Clair also takes a prominent place in this story and actually became one of my favorites, with a tender heart masked by bad-boy swagger. Stiefvater manages to wrap the story up in a way that seems realistic and happy all at once, leaving the reader with the feeling that there is always hope and that true love does indeed triumph! Thanks, Ms. Stiefvater for a great read... and just so you know, I'm eagerly awaiting the Scorpio Races, so if you have any ARC's laying around, feel free to send one my way!

Grade: A+

Review of Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Summary Per Amazon:
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past. Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Review:

Myra McEntire has managed to take the concept of time travel, and all the scientic mumbo jumbo that goes along with it and transform it into a fascinating and fast paced read that left me wishing the sequel to this book was coming out a lot sooner than it actually is. Emerson is a very believeable character who has experienced tragic loss and terrible mental and emotional anguish which as understandably left her scarred, angry, and untrusting. Yet, Emerson is no shrinking violet, instead she is a kick-butt female who would just as soon roundhouse kick you into tomorrow as kiss you. This is no damsel in distress, but rather a smart, funny, and self-reliant young woman. And it is nice to see that she does have some solid adult caregivers who truly love her and watch out for her; these are "parents" who pay attention, people! The romance between Michael and Emerson is plausible and certainly not one-sided. And what's more, Emerson and Michael are surrounded by a cast of hotter than hot male and female sidekicks who don't steal the show, but add to the overall atmosphere of the novel. This book has one other thing going for it in my point of view... it reads like a teen version of The Time Traveler's Wife, and that's a good thing! So, ladies and gentlemen, keep this one until you're hungry, because you'll devour it!

Grade: A

Review of Die for Me by Amy Plum

Summary Per Amazon:
In the city of lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for all eternity. When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--- and memories--- behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent. Mysterious, charming, and devestatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant-- an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against an evil group of revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

Review:
Could zombies be replacing vampires as the newest undead "it thing?" If Amy Plum's debut, Die for Me, is any indication, this teen librarian says that it is a almost certain. Edward and Bella have held our hearts for a long time, but Plum may have hit on something new with her Kate and Vincent. Like Twilight, there was a lot that I loved about this book. For instance, Kate and her sister have a typical, true-to-life sibling relationship filled with fights, drama, and that deep-down love that always overcomes sibling rivalry. What's more, Kate's grandparents are the ultimate guardians, trusting, open, and loving with Kate. Plum's writing is beautiful and she does a fantastic job of drawing a picture of the Parisian background that the story is set against. The setting and culture of France add a whole new level of gothic romance to the picture.

However, I do have to say that the story was a little quick for my taste. The romance was instantaneous, without that slow, tense buildup that makes so many great love stories worth the wait. Also, at times, Kate came off a little whiny and a little too "in her head." And Georgia, Kate's sister, was a just a tad too much of a party girl. Yet, everything combined, the story works to leave you wanting more, so I'll be awaiting number two in this new series. And, I hope that you will, too.

Grade: A-

Review of What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Summary Per Amazon:

After a scandal involving her mother and a famous college basketball coach rocked her family and her old hometown, McClean decided to live with her dad. His job as a restaurant consultant requires they pick up often, and at each new place she carefully selects who she’ll be—Eliza, Beth, or someone else with a new name and different interests. It’s easier this way for McClean, who is reluctant to form any true attachments. Then at their latest stop, McClean does something she’s not done in a long while—reveal her real name. But who is this McClean and is she ready to forgive her mother, fall for the boy next door, and finally stick around?

Review:

I'm a perennial fan of Sarah Dessen's work, and this novel did not disappoint. McClean's story, as always, is smartly done by Dessen, revealing a magnetic world that the reader wants to inhabit right along with the characters. The language of the novel is clean and sharp with pacing that moves the reader along while giving just the right amount of detail to help the reader feel as if he/she know McClean, Dave, and the rest in real life and not just on the page. The characters, especially McClean, are all well-rounded, with their strengths and weaknesses out there for everyone to see. The plot wraps up nicely as well, leaving the typical warmth that comes from reading one of Dessen's novels. All in all, it is another powerful story from Sarah Dessen about life, love, friendship, identity, and starting over. Oh, and it was really nice to see a few familiar faces from Along for the Ride (a personal favorite) pop up as well. Bravo, Ms. Dessen, on a flawless performance!

Grade: A+

Review of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare; Book 4 of The Mortal Instruments Series

Summary Per Amazon:
The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. Not to mention that he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other one. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.
Review:
So, I must say that the only reason I ever picked up the Mortal Instruments Series was at the behest of a teen patron of mine, who was continually telling me how great it was. And of course after reading the first two, I was hooked. The fourth book in the series was very well done with Cassandra Clare's writing getting better and better as the series progresses. Ms. Clare does a great job of interweaving several storylines and there are quite a few steamy scenes between the characters of Clary and Jace, so be aware that this is not intended for young readers! The ending left me reeling, and I'm seriously hoping that there is another book coming our way in this series, otherwise, all I have to say is WHAT!!!
Grade: B+

Review of The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow

Summary Per Amazon:

Fourteen-year-old Karl Stern has never thought of himself as a Jew. But to the bullies at his school in Naziera Berlin, it doesn't matter that Karl has never set foot in a synagogue or that his family doesn't practice religion. Demoralized by relentless attacks on a heritage he doesn't accept as his own, Karl longs to prove his worth to everyone around him. So when Max Schmeling, champion boxer and German national hero, makes a deal with Karl's father to give Karl boxing lessons, Karl sees it as the perfect chance to reinvent himself. A skilled cartoonist, Karl has never had an interest in boxing, but as Max becomes the mentor Karl never had, Karl soon finds both his boxing skills and his art flourishing. But when Nazi violence against Jews escalates, Karl must take on a new role: protector of his family. Karl longs to ask his new mentor for help, but with Max's fame growing, he is forced to associate with Hitler and other Nazi elites, leaving Karl to wonder where his hero's sympathies truly lie. Can Karl balance his dream of boxing greatness with his obligation to keep his family out of harm's way?

Review:
When I picked this book up I was not sure that I was going to like it, but as it turns out, I really did. The boxing theme of the story is prevelant, becoming an anchor in Karl's life when it seems that everything else is falling apart, yet it does not overpower the story itself. Instead, it serves as a fresh and interesting backdrop to 1940's Germany and the highlights the brutality and violence of life amid the Nazi Party. And the fact that the main character's family is Jewish but does not actually practice their religion gives this particular piece of literature an interesting twist, especially since Karl, at times, identifies with the ideas put forth by Hitler and even envies his friends' ability to join the Hitler Youth Organization. Sharenow does a wonderful job of crafting a very believeable character in Karl, giving him moments of courage tempered by cowardice as well as moments of tenderness balanced by rage. It is easy to see Karl's transition from a boy to a man in this book. And for those sports fans out there, you'll be surprised to find in the Author's Note at the end of the book that many of Jewish boxers, as well as others, mentioned in the text are actual historical figures who somehow played a part in reinforcing or fighting against the antisemitism of the time period.
Grade: A-

Review of Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Summery Per Amazon:
Sepetys' first novel offers a harrowing and horrifying account of the forcible relocation of countless Lithuanians in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country in 1939. In the case of 16-year-old Lina, her mother, and her younger brother, this means deportation to a forced-labor camp in Siberia, where conditions are all too painfully similar to those of Nazi concentration camps. Lina's great hope is that somehow her father, who has already been arrested by the Soviet secret police, might find and rescue them. A gifted artist, she begins secretly creating pictures that can--she hopes--be surreptitiously sent to him in his own prison camp. Whether or not this will be possible, it is her art that will be her salvation, helping her to retain her identity, her dignity, and her increasingly tenuous hold on hope for the future. Many others are not so fortunate.

Review:
Reading Sepetys' debut novel was like eating a culinary delight: it filled me but, but also made me crave more! This historical fiction novel was perhaps the best book I have read in the past several years and kept me awake at night thinking about the struggles of the main character and her family. Lina is a wonderfully unique character who shows true wit, talent, courage, and determination in the face of perilous situations and conditions. Her mother, Elana, and younger brother, Jonas are also well drawn and demonstrate similiar personality traits. What's more, it is nice to be able to watch a group of characters evolve and mature over the course of a novel, as illustrated by the relationship that Lina develops and nurtures with Andrius, another teenager facing similiarly horrifying circumstances.

Sepety's language and description throughout the novel are beautiful, making this reader's heart truly break at times. Her words brought the story, characters, and time period to life and without ever falling flat or feeling contrived in any way. Everything flows so naturally that it feels as if one is leading this life right along with Lina. The historical facts included in the novel are both informative and entertaining, and if you are like me and know very little about Stalin, the Soviets, and the atrocities that were perpetrated on those considered "anti-Soviet," you will learn a lot. Between Shades of Gray breathes fresh life into the era of WWII, moving us out of the trenches and concentration camps and into the barren landscape of Siberia. All in all, this is a don't miss read for history buffs, romantics, and those who want to read a story that is truly touching and life-changing. Ms. Sepetys, thank you for a fantastic new book!

Report Card: A+

Throat by R.A. Nelson

Summary Per Amazon:
Seventeen-year-old epileptic Emma’s truly bad day ends with crashing her mother’s car and swimming to consciousness in the presence of a vampire intent on making her his next victim. She stops him before he kills her, but he threatens harm to her family if she doesn’t bend to his will. Rather than endanger them, Emma runs away and eventually decides to eliminate the threat—if she can.

Review:
Having read Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson, and finding it an original and enjoyable thriller, I settled into this book with great anticipation, and came away only mildly disappointed. The pace of the book is slow at times and contains a lot of old-fashioned Germanic words and ideas that sometimes made me want to skip ahead to the juicier parts of the plot. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that that the character of Emma was a feisty, strong female who retained her true self even after "vamping out." Emma is a girl who knows what she wants and goes after it with gusto, refusing to back down and standing up for herself and those she loves. And, it was refreshing to see vampires as they used to be... bloodsucking fiends with a dangerous side. Don't expect any Cullenesque vamps to show up in Nelson's book! Although, Nelson does do a wonderful job of showing that even monsters have some humanity from time to time in the friendship that Emma forms with three adolescent vampires who conspire to teach her the ins and outs of her new life. Emma's love affair with a young science geek who works for NASA is sweet and surprising, with Sagan (the boyfriend) being drawn as wonderfully sincere, romantic, and utterly adorable. However the pace at which the relationship unfolds does make it seem a tad unbelievable, as does Sagan's almost-at-once acceptance of Emma's revelation of her vampiric nature. The end of the book sees good triumph over evil and is satsifying enough to not leave the reader wanting more.
All in all, this book is a good one for avid fantasy fans and those of us addicted to beings of the toothier variety! While the writing does not grab you and suck you in from the beginning, sticking with the story is worth it. And if nothing else, the cover art is beautiful and smart!

Report Card: B