Ender's Game

By Orson Scott Card

Genre: sci-fi

My rating: 3 1/2 stars

I don't know why I put off reading this book for so long.  I've had it sitting on my bookshelf for years.  I've heard rave things about it.  But what finally led me to crack the book open and settle down to read it was when I saw they were making this:

Yeah.  And I'm a big fan of reading the book before seeing the movie.

So anyway, what I thought of the book:

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Book 2 in The Lunar Chronicles

By Marissa Meyer

Genre: sci-fi, steampunk, fantasy, fairy tale retelling

My rating: 4 stars

Summary, taken from goodreads.com: "Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner."


If you haven't read Cinder, you should most def read that before reading this review.  Cinder was mind-blowingly awesome.  You can read my review of it here.

But anyway:

The Fairest Beauty

By Melanie Dickerson

Genre: YA, Christian, historical, fairy tale retelling

My rating: 4 stars

Summary: "Sophie desperately wants to get away from her stepmother's jealousy, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be Sophie's one chance at freedom—but can she trust another person to keep her safe? 

Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the girl's inner and outer beauty has enchanted him. Though romance is impossible—she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else—he promises himself he will see the mission through, no matter what. 

When the pair flee to the Cottage of the Seven, they find help—but also find their feelings for each other have grown. Now both must not only protect each other from the dangers around them—they must also protect their hearts." (Summary taken from goodreads.com)

I have LOVED Melanie Dickerson's previous books, The Healer's Apprentice (a retelling of Sleeping Beauty) and The Merchant's Daughter (think Beauty and the Beast.)  So I was very excited about her newest book, a retelling of Snow White with a Christian twist.  I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first two.  I loved Sophie's character, the story was cute, the themes amazing, but it just seemed too predictable, no real twists, so that I found it hard to stay glued to the pages like I was with the first two.

What I did enjoy, however, was how Dickerson intertwined the story with Christian themes.  The evil stepmother was so much like Satan, planting lies in the heads and hearts of Sophie and Gabe that these two had to overcome the lies with God's truth and accept healing from God alone.  Beautifully done.

Overall, an enjoyable read. :)

The Faerie Prince Cover Reveal!

My blogging buddy Rachel Morgan is celebrating her big cover reveal today, and I'm honored to be able to help her out.  Drum roll please....

Isn't it purdy?  I can't wait to read it!  I'm not a huge paranormal fantasy fan, but I found Rachel's first book, The Faerie Guardian, a fun and intriguing story with charming characters.  Anyway, here's all the cool details about The Faerie Prince:   

Title: The Faerie Prince
Author: Rachel Morgan
Publication Date: May 30th 2013
Description:  Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life: graduation. After messing up big time by bringing a human into the fae realm, Vi needs to step up her game and forget about Nate if she hopes to graduate as the top guardian of her year. Everything would be fine if she wasn’t forced to partner with Ryn, her ex-friend, ex-enemy, current ‘sort of friend’. They might be trying to patch up their relationship, but does she really want to spend a week undercover with him for their final assignment? On top of that, the possibly-insane Unseelie Prince is still on the loose, free to ‘collect’ as many specially talented faeries as he can find—and Vi is still at the top of his list. Add in faerie queens, enchanted storms, complicated not-just-friends feelings, and a murder within the Guild itself, and graduation is about to become the least of Vi’s problems.

Add THE FAERIE PRINCE to your to-read list on Goodreads.

If you haven't yet read the first book in the Creepy Hollow series, THE FAERIE GUARDIAN, you can find it at the following places:
Amazon, B&N, Apple iBookstore, SmashwordsTo connect with the author, visit Rachel Morgan's blog.

Rachel, this is going on my to-read list! ;)

Between the Lines Book Review

By Jodi Piccoult and Samantha van Leer

Genre: YA fantasy

My rating: 3 stars

Summary, taken from goodreads.com: "What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale."

I loved the imagination and creativity behind this premise as soon as I heard what it was about, and it was immediately put on the very top of my to-read list.  The book kept me enthralled for about the first third, and then my enthusiasm sadly dwindled away.  A few days later I finished the book.

It's not that it was bad.  It just feels like it's lacking something.  Conflict, maybe.  Or depth?  I think Jodi Piccoult may have given her daughter too much of the story-writing reigns, for I know Piccoult is capable of so much more.

The story is filled with fluffy fairy tale goodness that I know a lot of readers would gobble up.  What I did enjoy were the lovely illustrations that grace each page, and the creativity behind the concept.  It was a fun read with some beautiful descriptions, interesting and quirky characters, and some humor sprinkled in.

Overall, I found it an enjoyable read, but was disappointed.  I just really wish the writers had taken the concept to its fullest potential.

Teen Read Review: Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Genre: dystopian, YA

My rating: 4 1/2 stars

Summary from goodreads.com: "Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, the ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future"

If you know me, then you know that I LOVE dystopian YA, and also that I like fairy tale retellings. Put those two together, and I'm a happy reader. I loved the concept of this book, the characters, the dialogue, the writing, the pacing, the ...well, you get the picture. It was a pretty fabulous book from a debut author. And I must say, I LOVE that this will be a series of four books, each using a different fairy tale in a different location. Genius idea Meyer!  Just in case you're interested, here's the Lunar Chronicles line-up:

1. Cinder.   Based off of Cinderella.  Set in New Beijing.
2. Scarlet.  Based off of Little Red Riding Hood.  Set in France.
3. Cress.  Based off of Rapunzel.  Set on the moon.  (How cool is that?!)
4. Winter.  Based off of Snow White.  Set in the Sahara Desert.

And apparently, the totally awesome Cinder is in all four books.  Whoo hoo!  Oh, and speaking of characters I totally adored Iko, the house robot and her fabulous personality. Where can I get one?!?  She better be in the next books!

So, why couldn't I give this book 5 stars?


Honestly, it's because I found it too predictable. I seemed to always know what was going to happen next, and I don't think because it was based off of Cinderella. This book didn't follow the fairy tale that closely, and honestly I think the series is good enough to stand on its own without the fairy tale foundation. But anyway, I think it was just the twists and turns Meyer took us on were what needed to be done to move the story (and the series) forward, and if she hadn't done what she did, she would have been on the wrong track. Does that make sense?


I highly recommend this book. And I can't wait for the next one to come out!


Anyone else read it or planning on reading it? And what do you think about the idea of a story being predicable because it's what needs to be done to move the story forward?

Guardian

Guardian (Creepy Hollow #1)

By Rachel Morgan

Genre: Paranormal novelette

My Rating: ★★★★★ 

Summary taken from Amazon.com:
"1. Receive assignment.
2. Save a life. 
3. Sleep.
4. Repeat.

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn’t even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion. 

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it’ll take all Vi’s training to get them out alive.

(A novelette of approximately 55 print pages)"


What a cute and fun read, from my blog buddy, Rachel Morgan.  When I first learned she was self-pubbing this book I was so excited and told her it was going on to my to-read list.  Apparently I was the first to tell her so.  But I shouldn't be the only one to do so--if you haven't read it yet, you should!


Now I do read some paranormal, though I must admit it's not my fav genre.  But Rachel's story is so cute, her characters so charming (who wouldn't want to know a kick-butt guardian-in-training with purple hair and eyes?) that I read this story in two sittings.  And I was disappointed when it ended, 'cuz I must know what happens next!


And finally, Rachel, thanks for answering that question I've always wondered: why are humans in the faerie realms such a no no?  Your answer makes sense.  Now maybe I'll be able to sleep tonight. ;)


Do yourselves a favor, and read this short, sweet, fun e-book.  And follow Rachel's blog if you don't already.  I don't think you'll regret it. :)

The Day We Met + Author Interview

 The Day We Met

By Dusti Bowling

Genre: Christian YA fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Summary:  "Sixteen-year-old Lenna James goes to church, attends youth group, and hangs out with the “church geeks” at school. At least, she did. Enticed by a chance with the boy she’s had a crush on for years, Lenna abandons her values and her lifelong friends to hang out with the popular crowd. What she gets in return couldn’t be further from her expectations. 

Feeling used and alone and facing an unexpected pregnancy, Lenna struggles to regain control of her life, her parents’ trust, and the love of her best friend, Will. But when her pregnancy takes an unexpected turn, taking away what little control she thought she had, she must find the strength to make the most heart-wrenching decision of all. She feels lost no matter what she chooses. Will she finally choose to look up?"

Wow.  Seriously, wow.  I must admit it is so refreshing to see an author tackle a story with such respect for how a teenager might deal with deep issues such as teen pregnancy and with a Christian flare.  I immediately could connect to Lenna's character and flew through the pages to see what would happen to her next.  I wish I could go on and on about how awesome this book is, how thought-provoking, how heartfelt, but I'm afraid I'll give something away.  So please, do yourself a favor and read this book that is as beautiful and stunning as the cover.     

Currently it's available for the Kindle for $.99.  I think it's worth every penny and more.  :)

*          *          *

And now, I'm so excited to present to you, the first author interview I've conducted on this blog.  And without any further ado, here's Dusti Bowling...

What was your inspiration for The Day We Met?

I was inspired by a friend who had a similar experience. Her story really moved me and I never could stop thinking about it. A couple of years later God put it on my heart to write this book. 

What age range is The Day We Met intended for?

It is intended for young adults, ages thirteen and up, but I have gotten a tremendous response from women as well.  

Any other writing projects in the works?

Yes, I have another Christian fiction YA novel I hope to release sometime in the next year. I also plan on releasing a couple of chapter books for younger readers before too long. 

Which author (dead or alive) would you most like to talk to and why?

This may seem like an odd choice, but I would probably choose Stephen King. With the exception of some of his older horror novels, I've read pretty much everything he's written. I love how he's created his own universe and ties most of his novels together in some way. I think he has the greatest imagination of any writer I've ever read and I think he would be incredibly interesting to talk to. 

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

If you really love to write and are good at it, don't get discouraged by how difficult it is to get professionally published. For the first time ever, you can self-publish for very little money and get your work out there quite easily. But make sure your work is as good as it can possibly be - edit, edit, edit! And get feedback from as many people as you can. If your work is good and you put in some marketing effort, it will sell.  

Favorite movie?

It's a tie: The Shawshank Redemption (I don't think most people realize this was written by Stephen King) and Pride and Prejudice.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Banana

Where can readers find out more about you and your book?

My website, www.dustibowling.com, is currently under construction but should be up and running very soon.

Well, Dusti, thanks for the interview!  I also adore Shawshank Redemption, and anyone who loves banana ice cream has got to be awesome-sauce. :)

The Fault in Our Stars

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars/but in ourselves, that we are underlings." 

William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (Act I, Scene ii)

The summary of this book is simple: two teens with cancer fall in love and question if when they die, they'll be remembered.

The point of this story is profound.  So profound I'm still marinating in all that John Green was trying to say about life, cancer, love, and so much more.

As I started reading, I didn't want to get too attached to the main characters, Hazel and Augustus, figuring someone had to die and it'd be easier if I wasn't connected to the characters.  But alas, John Green did not give me that courtesy.  He made me love these characters, love their love for each other, love their ideals and thoughts about life.

I almost didn't read this book.  I'd heard I would need a box of tissues while I was reading.  It sounded depressing and I wasn't sure I was up for a book that had the potential to make me cry.  I write science fiction/dystopian so I like reading those type of books.  But wow, am I glad that I read this book.  Because it's not just a contemporary romance.  It's not just a cancer book.  It's so much, I can't even put it into words.  It left a mark on me, like the characters longed to do in other peoples' lives.

Well done, John Green.  I am in awe of your writerly genius.

Find out what others have to say about this book at Tracey Neithercott's YA Book Club.

The Merchant's Daughter

By Melanie Dickerson

Genre: Christian historical fiction

My rating: 4 1/2 stars

Summary: "An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice.Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart." (Summary from Goodreads.com)

I adore Melanie Dickerson.  I loved her first book, The Healer's Apprentice (based on Sleeping Beauty) and this classic retelling of Beauty and the Beast is no exception.  Dickerson masterfully creates characters, themes and a story that are beautiful, riveting, and just downright wonderful.

Although a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, there are enough twists and turns to keep you glued to the pages and wondering what exactly is going to these complex characters.  And Dickerson embeds Christian themes into this romance so skillfully it is as if this is the Beauty and the Beast story we were supposed to know growing up.

I also loved how Dickerson placed this story not in France, but in medieval England in the 1300s.  I felt like part of the times as I experienced the story with them.  And you remember from previous reviews that as a former Catholic I hate when Catholics aren't represented as Christians.  Although the priest in this story is lacking in love and mercy and Christian virtues, as are a few of the villagers who attend Mass, the main characters Annabel and Lord Ranuff are true examples of Christians seeking to understand God's character and word, regardless of denomination.  Well done, Dickerson!

Overall, I highly recommend, though I think I did enjoy her first book a little bit more.  If you haven't read Dickerson's YA novels, I think you're missing out!

Crossed

By Ally Condie

Genre: Science fiction, dystopia

My rating: 3 stars

Summary: "In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever."

Hmm.  I debated between two and three stars to  be honest.  I was so enthralled by Matched (in fact, read my review of it here) that I had extremely high expectations of this book.  And they fell short.  Maybe I expected too much of it.  

It's not that I didn't enjoy it.  In fact, I couldn't put it down, I read it in two days.  But the entire time I read it, I kept thinking "please let there be more, please let there be more."  And there wasn't.  Now, I realize this is the second book in a trilogy, so I'm guessing the "more" is in the third book.  But come on, there should be plenty of good stuff in the second, right?

The things I liked:

• Condie switched things up this time around--instead of everything being in Cassia's first person POV as in Matched, Crossed switches back and forth between Ky and Cassia's POV.  Weird at first, but then I grew to like it, especially because the majority of the book they are experiencing their own adventures and if we only followed Cassia, wow would it be boring.
• There is a secret about Xander that is partially revealed that kept me turning the pages, eager to learn if the secret is what I thought it was.   And though hints were given verifying my idea, I'll have to read the third book to find out for sure.  Way to keep me hooked until the third book, Condie!
• It's not just the secret that makes me want to read the third book.  It's the characters.  Condie has successfully made me more connected to the characters than I already was and rooting for them. And there's character growth and development, which is awesome to see in a dystopian trilogy.  I have to see how the characters continue to grow as they finish their journey!  And I MUST know how it ends.

The things I didn't like:

• Too much poetry!  Now, I happen to like poetry.  But jeez louise, enough is enough.  Get to the story Condie!
• The ending seemed really rushed after dragging us through the desert for half of the novel.  I realize this is a trilogy, but are you seriously going to make me read through 367 pages and then leave me with that, Condie?
• Now, I know I mentioned the cool factor of the POV switches between Cassia and Ky in the positives above.  They were necessary to the story.  HOWEVER, their voices were exactly the same.  When I'm reading Ky's perspective, I wanna hear a guy's voice as he struggles to survive.  Not a guy spouting poetical nonsense.
• It dragged on.  If Condie wanted us to feel like we were dying in the desert with the characters she was successful.  There were a few beautifully written and suspenseful scenes, but they were few and far between.

Oh my goodness, I think I should stop.  I didn't hate this book.  I was just highly disappointed in it.  But like I said, I will be reading the third book.  I'll just make sure my hopes aren't too high this time.

Anyone else read it?  Or have I scared you off from reading it?  If I did, I apologize.

William Henry is a Fine Name

Civil War Series, Book One

By Cathy Gohlke

Genre: Christian historical fiction

My Rating: 5 stars!

Summary taken from the back of the book:
"The shadow of a face in the window.

The quilt on the line.
Howling dogs. Threatening intruders.
And a railroad that runs underground.

Thirteen-year-old Robert had known little of these things growing up. His southern adolescence consisted of his mother, who viewed slavery as a natural part of life, and his father, whose late night disappearances were becoming more frequent and disruptive.
Then there is William Henry, Robert’s best friend. They did everything together—until the summer of 1859. That’s when Robert realizes William Henry knows more about these late night mysteries than he does. It’s also when Robert is told that William Henry is less than human . . . because he is black.
Now Robert must decide for himself where he stands on slavery. With his loved ones pitted against each other, he struggles to understand justice and wonders how high a price he is willing to pay for it.
And then he gets the chance to find out."


This was a stunning, heart-wrenching story that I hated to put down. In fact, I read it in a day. I just HAD to know what would happen to Robert and the people he cared the most about. The Christian themes are beautifully interwoven among the compelling story, character development, interesting time period, and the list goes on. Goelke made this time period and the characters come alive for me. The story stayed with me hours after I turned the last page--a true testament to the power of this book and its message. And I'm so glad there's a sequel, because I WILL be reading it!

Delirium

Delirium

By Lauren Oliver

Genre: Science Fiction

My Rating: 4 stars

Summary taken from goodreads.com: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. 

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

In case you were unaware: I adore YA dystopian science fiction novels.  And though I was enthralled with this one, I was left feeling like this one lacked something.  It seemed a little too predictable throughout.  I thought Lena's character seemed a little too ordinary to me--maybe that's the point, but I like it when the main character is a little more bold, a little more...I dunno, just a little more...

But it was beautifully written and compelling.  I read it in three days, and would have finished it sooner, but I have a toddler to chase after now which makes sitting down to read for longer than a page or two impossible.  Unless he's asleep, and that's where I want to be too.

Anyway....Overall, I would recommend this book.  I will definitely read the next book in the series, though I'm not counting down the days like I am with the sequel of Matched. (Crossed comes out November 1st!)

Divergent

Divergent 

By Veronica Roth

Genre: Science Fiction

My rating: 5 Stars!

Summary taken from goodreads.com:  "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."

Yes, I know, I haven't written a Teen Read review in a while.  Why?  I haven't read anything worth reviewing lately.  Cue, Divergent.

Have I mentioned that I love dystopian novels?  This one is definitely up there now as one of my favorites.  I seriously couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  I was enthralled.  Riveted.  And a little sad when the roller coaster of literary joy and adventure ended.

There was always something going on, some secret to be revealed.  And though I predicted a few of the surprises, their revelation still left me breathless and eager for more.

Whenever I had to close this book, because, you know, I had to cook dinner, or go to sleep, or save the Lil Monkey from getting into something he shouldn't, my mind was still marinating on what was going on and I was making predictions about what would happen next.

In case you couldn't tell, I devoured this book.  I loved the writing, the story, the characters.  Tris is an incredibly powerful and human heroine.  I like that she wasn't perfect.  I like that she experienced sacrifice to demonstrate her bravery.  I liked experiencing her growth.  I liked her love interest and the the dynamic that built between them.  Ok, ok, I liked it ALL!

And I love the fact that this will be a trilogy.  Yay!  More to come!

Clarity

Clarity

By Kim Harrington

Genre: Paranormal Romance

My rating: 4 1/2 stars

Summary from Goodreads: "When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?"

I thought this was a very interesting read, though it reminded me of that TV show "Psych".  Although Clarity's power is obviously real, unlike that guy in Psych.  I must admit I don't believe in that psychic stuff but Harrington made an intriguing and believable set of characters.  Anyway, I was definitely intrigued with the story and though I thought I knew exactly where the story was headed, I was thrown for a loop.  Twice.  Two loops.  I like those kind of books that keep you on your toes.

I was a little disturbed by the ending, but this is obviously going to have a sequel, so I think the ending will make sense when put together with the next book. Which only makes me long for the next book even more.

A great read by a debut YA author.

Matched

Matched

By Ally Condie

Genre: Science fiction

My rating: 4.8 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:   "Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

I thought this was a very fun and intriguing read.  If you know me and have read my other reviews you know how much I adore dystopian novels and this is definitely one of them.  I read this book in two days, despite doctors visits and errands and all that other life stuff that gets in the way of reading.

I was surprised to find the story focused so much on the love story rather than on their society, but I enjoyed reading the book.  It reminded me very much of The Giver in that jobs and mates are chosen for them.  But Matched differs in refreshing new ways, and I loved all the characters.  I also loved the role Cassia's parents played in the story.

I honestly don't know what else to say about it except that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Matched and absolutely CANNOT wait until the next book comes out because Ally Condie leaves you desiring to know what happens next.  I hate and love when authors do that.

P.S. When my hubby discovered what this book is about he declared the next book should be titled Mismatched.  Just wanted to throw that out there.

P.P.S. Apparently book number 2 is titled Crossed and comes out this November.  :)

The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner

By James Dashner

Genre: science fiction

My rating: 3 stars

Summary taken from back of the book: "When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
     Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
     Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 
     Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind."

I was sadly disappointed in this book.  I ADORE dystopian novels and this is definitely one of them.  Normally, in these type of novels dystopian societies come about because the leaders/creators of the society are trying to protect the people, just not in the best way possible.  Not this one. This one is evil.  And it's obvious from the get-go.

I was so eager to read this book because several people I knew raved about the suspense of this book.  It took me two weeks to read this book, when I can normally read a YA book in a day or two.  I personally found it lacked suspense because 1) Thomas always has this totally random thought and then in the next chapter or two he's figuring out why he had that random thought.  Ridiculously overdone foreshadowing = no surprise = no suspense.  And 2) I didn't really care about any of the characters.  No investment in characters and whether they live or die or ever escape from the wicked experiment = no strong desire to keep those pages turning.

And if Dashner mentioned one more time how Thomas found it weird he could remember some things but not others I was going to stop reading altogether.  We get it Dashner.  He has some memory loss.  All the boys do.  Get on with the story.

There were some good things though.  I did like the word choice and the description Dashner used.  Normally I'm not much of a description type of gal--I tend to skip those paragraphs just of description. But Dashner interwove the description and plot beautifully.  It was heartwarming to see the characters keep strong and keep resisting the wicked experiment they were undergoing though things seemed hopeless.  I did find the connection that Thomas and Teresa shared very intriguing,  though extremely unrealistic when revealed.

Review in a Nutshell:  I'm glad I read the book, but I have no incentive whatsoever to read the next book in the series.

Warriors Don't Cry

In case you didn't know/forgot, February is Black History Month.

This is a picture that represents a sad moment in American history.  Whether you know the story behind it or not, I highly recommend that you read this week's Nonfiction Teen Reads Tuesday Book to learn the first hand account of what it was like for nine black students to integrate an all white school in the South in 1957.

Warriors Don't Cry

By Melba Patillo Beals

Genre: Non-fiction; Civil Rights Movement

My rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: "The landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. Board of Education, brought the promise of integration to Little Rock, Arkansas, but it was hard-won for the nine black teenagers chosen to integrate Central High School in 1957.   Melba Patillo Beals (one of the chosen nine) tells an incredible story of faith, family love, friendships, and strong personal commitment. Drawing from the diaries she kept, the author easily puts readers in her saddle oxfords as she struggles against those people in both the white and black communities who would have segregation continue. Her prose does not play on the sympathy of readers; it simply tells it like it happened. She shares the physical, mental, and emotional torture and abuse she suffered at the hands of teenagers and adults. She also shares the support, the encouragement, and the help she received from both whites and blacks."

I thought this book was absolutely incredible.  I had heard the story about the Little Rock Nine, but didn't really know the whole story.  If you did, you would know it was much more than just integrating an all white school in the south and the mob you see pictured above.

I loved how it was written from one of the nine students' perspectives.  You really got to experience what the entire school year was like for them.  Not only did they have to face that mob, but one of them had acid thrown in their eyes, another had soup poured on her head, plus other prejudices that the nine experienced daily.  Melba tells the story not only from her recollections, but also includes journal entries she wrote during that historical year.

*This is a book I taught my 8th grade students.  The students were appalled and enthralled by the story.  They were assigned to read two chapters a week, but most read the entire book in about a week or two.  We had incredible discussions and it was wonderful to see their eyes (and mine too!) opened to a world that has changed considerably.  

One thing to be careful with kiddos reading it is there is an attempted rape scene in the book.  And the author tells it like it was, so the "N" word is used numerous times.  The book is intended for grade 7 and up, and fits into the 8th grade curriculum where I taught.

Phineas Gage

25 year old Phineas Gage worked for a railroad construction company.  Unfortunately, one day he made a mistake that caused an explosion, sending a 3 foot long, 75 pound iron rod shooting through his head.  It entered just under his left eye and exited out the middle of his head, landing 30 feet away.

You would think Phineas would be a goner.  But you'd be wrong.  The man sits up after the accident, talking about the explosion.  He's unaware of his injuries.  He chats with the doctor as if it was a normal day, nothing out of the ordinary.

You think this is a fictional tale?  Nope.  It's a true story and it happened in 1848.  In addition to losing the sight in his left eye, his personality changed.  Phineas became rude and easily angry.  He became compulsive, giving up his job to race stagecoaches.  He started having seizures.  Doctors and scientists began studying the brain, trying to figure out why the rod going through the portion of the brain it did would change him so greatly.  The field of neuroscience was born.  Check out the pic of the handsome fellow holding that rod that changed his life forever.

Why do I bring this up?  Because I want you to read this book!

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science

By John Fleischman

Genre: Non-fiction

My Rating: 5 stars

My review: This book is fascinating!  Some of the pictures may be a little gruesome, but I found them rather interesting and helpful for understanding the accident and the brain.  John Fleischman writes in an engaging way that begs you to keep reading and turning the pages.  I found this to be a treasure trove of interesting information.  

I was a middle school English teacher for 3 years. Mention non-fiction to students and most will groan.  Enter this book.  My final year of teaching I taught this book during our non-fiction unit.   

The kiddos were fascinated!  They loved it!  They asked lots of thoughtful questions (and a few random ones too) about science, the brain, pain, medicine in the 1800s, etc.  Some even did more research on the guy.  

The only thing they didn't like was the fact that there's an entire chapter about neurons, cells, infection, etc that they found kind of boring, but applicable to what they were learning in their life science class.  If you get bored, skip it.  The fascination picks up after that chapter with how Gage was affected after the accident.

Across the Universe

Across the Universe

By Beth Revis

Genre: Science Fiction

My Rating: 4 stars

Summary taken from goodreads.com:  Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

This book has received so much hype that I pre-ordered it.  And it took me 3 days to read it.  Not the "I couldn't put it down!" everyone else raved about.

The story's good, don't get me wrong.  I'm definitely glad I read it.  If you know me, you know I love dystopian science-fiction stuff.  Which is totally what this is.  

The reason it took me so long to read it was:

The story takes FOREVER to get started.  Granted, the first chapter was intense.  Then it seems like chapter after chapter we're getting to know Elder (who reminds me A LOT of Jonas from The Giver. )  The chapters alternate to let us know Amy's perspective.   Oh yeah, she's frozen.  What does she have to contribute to the story?  Not much until she's unfrozen.  Though it is interesting how Revis depicts awareness while being frozen for a couple hundred years.

Then, about 2/3 of the way through the story starts to pick up.  So does the sex.  Am I seriously so old-fashioned that I dislike sex in teen lit so much?  Maybe.  Do I want to read chapter after chapter of characters going at it?  Definitely not.  Though I understand how it contributed to this story, I still don't think it was necessary.

The reason it got 4 stars:

 Finally, about 3/4 of the way into the story, it picks up.  Now, I'm RIVETED.  I want to know what the big secret to this space ship is.  I'm waiting for that big reveal.  I keep coming across more similarities in this book to The Giver and City of Ember.  (They are awesome books, by the way!)

Then finally, the big reveal comes.  And it's good!  No wonder there were so many secrets kept!  And then there's more reveal!  And more reveal!  And FINALLY, this is where I can't put the book down!  No wonder people are calling this book awesome!

Catch your breath, the story's over.  Ah, Amy, my heart breaks for you.  And oh Elder, I totally admire what you do in the very end of the story.  :)  

I did like the character development of all the major characters and the love story that develops between Amy and Elder.

So, yeah, I'm glad I read it.  And I will recommend it to others.  I'm just sad it took me 2/3 of the way through the book to view it as the awesome book everyone else is raving about.   I wish I had been hooked from page 1 and never let go.  

But still--read it.  You'll probably be hooked from page 1 and never let go, like the rest of the Across the Universe readers. ;) 

Favorite quote:- “It is like a piece of my soul had been lost, empty, and it is now filled with the light of a million stars.”