Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Iron Thorn - Caitlin Kittredge

Publisher:  Delacourte Books
Publish Date:  Feb. 22, 2011
ISBN:  978-0385738293
Pages:  512
Jacket Design: Trish Parcell
Cover Art:  Lara Jade
Illustrations:  Robert Lazzaretti


I really like Steampunk, but it took me a little bit to get into The Iron Thorn.  However, once I got into it, I LOVED it!!

Aoife is a ward of the state and studies engineering - the only girl in engineering at her school.  Her mother is in an insane asylum, her brother has disappeared and she's never met her father.  Everyone in her family, at 16yo, starts going mad.  Aoife is months away from her 16th birthday and is freaked out.

When Aoife receives a message from Conrad (her brother) that simply says "HELP", she doesn't question it, she prepares to leave.  A second message gives her a riddle and she collects her best friend, Cal, and sets off for her father's house.

Aoife makes mistakes, accepts them and keeps going.  She's not one to turn her back on friends or family in need.  She learns along the way that her society is built on many lies and deceitful acts.

My favorite line: "Stories usually start true, Miss Aoife", Dean said.  "A touch of truth makes a lie worth believing."

The characters are well thought out and I found myself caring for all of them - a rarity.  The book ends on a disastrous note, so I can't wait for the second book:  THE NIGHTMARE GARDEN, coming out 2/14/2012.  It's available for pre-order at Amazon right now!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Guest Blogger: Rendezvous Rock by Rickey Bray

Publisher:  Robert Reed Publishers
Publish Date:  April 15, 2009
ISBN:  978-1934759257
Pages:  434

Summary by Amazon:  While vacationing in the mountains, Eric meets an unusual girl, Susan, who has sparkling, emerald eyes that are unusually captivating. They are a unique, singular shade of green and seem to be imbued with an ancient fire that even a spoiled, youthfully unperceptive Eric could easily feel. He senses a strange maturity about this mysterious girl and is drawn to her like a magnet."When I said we would never be married, I meant in your way," Susan said. "Will you marry me in my way? Right now?"Even though numerous questions clamored in his head, Eric easily replied, "Of course."Eric's answer was far too easy in Susan's opinion. As she mused over his quick reply, she speculated on how to best explain their strange situation in terms that he could understand, an impossibility to do beforehand. He would have to commit himself, then learn the truth. It was unfair to the extreme, yet unavoidable under these very peculiar circumstances, and thus Eric is drawn into a mysterious world. 
What Jess has to say:  Let me preface this review by saying that I don't recommend this book for the younger end of YA. Not only is there quite a bit of sex and sexuality in this book, Rickey Bray's vocabulary is more suited to literary fiction than young adult paranormal.

Be that as it may, this was by far my favorite of the three books I was given to review. I was surprised, considering that Bray's debut novel is about witches. I have yet to find a book about witches that I'm thrilled about (excluding Harry Potter, but that's a different type of witch), but this one pleasantly surprised me. Not only was the plot engaging and kept me turning pages well into the night, but the structure of the Three Circles, the major religion in the book, was incredible.

I feel like Bray may have crammed too large a timeline into the book (it spans ten years), but the story was so well-paced that it often didn't matter. I enjoyed watching Susan's journey from teenage girl to mother, and Eric underwent major transformations as well. One of my favorite parts of reading novels is definitely watching the characters grow into new people, and Bray's characters did so with grace.

I'm interested to see if this is the first of a series. If so, I'll be looking for the next installment on the shelves!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Wild Child by Mike Wells

Publisher:  Mike Wells
Publish Date:  March 12, 2011
Available on Kindle:  B004RVZBFW
Cover Illustration:   Seron Fuller

Summary:  Briana Fox is the wildest girl in school.  She and Kyle have been close for a long time...almost lovers.  But Kyle is afraid that if he pushes her, he'll have his heart broken and lose his best friend.  When Briana challenges him to a swim across the lake, she's injured in a horrific accident, but discovers a mysterious substance in an underwater cave that saves her life.  What seems to be a magical yet harmless "power drug" invokes superhuman abilities, and Briana soon becomes dependent on it for her very survival.  When two government agents learn of the discovery,  they will stop at nothing to find the source and turn Briana into a human experiment.  Is Kyle willing to risk everything to protect his love?


WILD CHILD was a fast-paced read.  I finished the book in one night - not because it was easy or simple, but because it was fast-paced and exciting.  If you like mystery and drama, you'll like this story.  If anything, I would have liked a bit of back story for Brianna and Kyle - I felt like I was missing out on some good stuff.  However, it's not needed, I just wanted it, the story stands on its own without any back story at all.  Brianna is injured by a boat and Kyle thinks she's dead but she reappears better than ever.  It turns out that she's found a spring in the lake with this fantastical water - it makes you feel awesome!  I really like the way Brianna's injury is described, you can easily imagine it but it's not so graphic that you're grossed out. 

Brianna is kind of a brat.  She tries to get Kyle to do things, like swim across the lake, by calling him chicken and teases him about him looking at her.  I think I would have felt worse about the accident if she had been a nicer girl.  Kyle has to deal with Brianna, his cranky dad and the police/Feds without letting Brianna die or be used for research.  I was really surprised by the ending, I didn't think nice guy Kyle had it in him!  It was a great twist in the story and I had to read it twice as I simply couldn't believe he did it! 


To my way of thinking this is traditional science fiction - it could actually happen, who's to say it can't?  There's no zombies/vampires/magical beings...just some weird water.  Sometimes the best idea is to keep it simple.  Too many current books go on and on and by the time you get to the end, you think 'seriously? what happened to that stuff at the beginning?' 

Mr. Wells is making all of his books available in ebook format.  I think that's awesome, so many people are looking for good books that they can download!   Mr. Wells actually gave away all of his print copies of WILD CHILD when he moved to teach in Latvia.  Unknown to him, people picked them out of the recycling and were selling them on Amazon!  The book is used in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in Latvia and other places because it is modern and has 'simple, yet engaging language'.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Books Out This Week: June 6 - 12, 2011

Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Release Date:  June 7, 2011

From Amazon:  Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

 Cruel Love by Kate Brian
Release Date:  June 7, 2011


From Amazon:  After escaping from the Brenda T. Trumball Correctional Facility for Women and stealing the identity of rich socialite, Ariana Osgood finally thought she was on the path she always believed she deserved. But her past caught up with her and she is forced right back to her old ways, making everything she wants seem further out of reach. And some familiar faces are back to make things even worse for her.


 Displacement by Thalia Chaltas
Release Date:  June 9, 2011


From Amazon:  Home is supposed to be a place you belong. It's supposed to be parents who are there and siblings who bug you and a life that feels comfortable. It's not supposed to be an absentee mother or a drowned sister. But that's Vera's reality, and she can't stand it anymore. So she runs. She ends up in an old mining town in the middle of the California desert. It's hot, it's dusty, and it's as isolated as Vera feels. As she goes about setting up her life, she also unwittingly starts the process of healing and-eventually- figuring out what home might really mean for her.

 Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern
Release Date:  June 7, 2011


From Amazon:  On the first day of Lillian’s summer-before-college, she gets a message on her cell from her sort-of friend, Penny. Not only has Penny faked her own kidnapping, but Lil is the only one who figures it out. She knows that Penny’s home life has been rough, and that her boyfriend may be abusive. Soon, Penny’s family, the local police, and even the FBI are grilling Lil, and she decides to head out to Oregon, where Penny has mentioned an acquaintance. And who better to road-trip across the country with than Lil’s BFF, Josh. But here’s the thing: Lil loves Josh. And Josh doesn’t want to “ruin” their amazing friendship.
Josh has a car and his dad’s credit card. Lil has her cellphone and a hunch about where Penny is hiding. There’s something else she needs to find: Are she and Josh meant to be together?

 Everlasting (Immortals #6) by Alyson Noel
Release Date:  June 7, 2011


From Amazon: 
Their epic love story has captured the hearts of millions and enchanted readers across the world.  In this beautiful finale, their journey draws to a spectacular conclusion—where all will be revealed.
Their darkest enemies now defeated, Damen and Ever are free to embark upon their final quest—to free Damen from the poison lingering in his body.  If they can just find the antidote, they’ll finally be able to feel each other’s touch—and experience the passionate night they’ve been longing for.  But their fight to be together will lead them into the most formidable terrain yet…into the dark heart of Summerland.
Here in a land of scorched earth and endless rain, Ever and Damen will discover their relationship’s hidden origins, expose a secret history they never imagined…and come face to face with the true reason fate keeps tearing them apart.  Only then, when the final mystery is unraveled and the last secret revealed, Ever and Damen’s future will hinge on one ultimate decision that will put everything at stake….even eternity.

 Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby
Release Date:  June 9, 2011


From Amazon:  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?

 Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Release Date:  June 7, 2011


From Amazon:  Each night at precisely 4:33 am, while sixteen-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can "remember" are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture. Luke Henry is not someone you'd easily forget, yet try as she might, London can't find him in her memories of things to come.  When London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flash-forwards, as the case may be, she realizes it's time to learn about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

 Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Release Date:  June 7, 2011


From Amazon: 
Can there truly be love after death?
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

 He's So Not Worth It by Kieran Scott
Release Date:  June 7, 2011


From Amazon:  Ally Ryan, come on down to the Jersey Shore and forget your troubles!
Have you recently been humilated in front of your friends and family at your former best friends birthday party? Was your almost boyfriend partly responsible for that humilation by withholding some vital information about where your estrangerd father is? Did you come home to find said estranged father sitting on your stoop?
If so, then it sounds like you could use a vacation! The Jersey Shore is the place to be. Your mother may be living with her boyfriend of only a few months, but at least the stunt Shannen pulled has put some of your friends back in your court. Even so, you're still angry and what better way to get over Jake than to blow off some steam with local guy, Cooper. People will hardly recognize your new attitude, but the old one wasn't getting you anywhere, so who cares!
Jake Graydon, an exciting opportunity is waiting for you in the service industry!
Are your grades so low your parents have grounded you for the summer? Did you the girl you really like unceremoniously leave you behind? Would you rather eat dirt than see your friends again? Then a job at the local coffee shop is just the ticket! Suprisingly, Ally's father is the new manager so you get to be reminded of her nearly every day. Maybe it's time to start flirting with your best friend's ex or even taking school a bit more seriously. Especially when you finally see Ally and she's hanging around with some loser and it's couldn't be more clear that she is over you.

 My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody
Release Date: June 7, 2011


From Amazon: 
PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.
Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.
But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else decide which book I read for English. And whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!
Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.
But don’t take my word for it. Read the book and decide for yourself.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

 Possession by Elana Johnson
Release Date:  June 7, 2011


From Amazon:  Vi knows the Rule: Girls don’t walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi’s future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they’re set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can’t leave Zenn in the Thinkers’ hands, but she’s wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn’s not. Vi can’t quite trust Jag and can’t quite resist him, but she also can’t give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

 What we keep is not always what will stay by Amanda Cockrell
Release Date:  June 8, 2011 (Paperback)


From Amazon:  Fifteen-year-old Angie never used to think much about God—until things started getting weird. Like the statue of St. Felix, her secret confidante, suddenly coming off his pedestal and talking to her. And Angie's mother, who's busting up her third marriage for no apparent reason. Then there's Jesse Francis, sent home from Afghanistan at age nineteen with his leg blown off. Now he's expected to finish high school and fit right back in. Is God even paying attention to any of this?

Against the advice of an increasingly vocal St. Felix (who knows a thing or two about war), Angie falls for Jesse—who's a lot deeper than most high school guys. But Jesse is battling some major demons. As his rages start to become more frequent and unpredictable, Angie finds herself losing control of the situation. And she's starting to wonder: can one person ever make things right for ?someone else?

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Die For Me - Amy Plum

Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publish Date:  May 10, 2011
ISBN:  978-0-06-200401-7
Jacket Illustrator:   Johanna Basford
Jacket Photographs:  Monalyn Gracia/Corbis and Olya Smith/Getty Images



There will be spoilers!!!!!




Kate and Georgia are suddenly orphans and move to France to live with their grandparents.  Quite frankly, it surprises me that the grandparents aren't more careful about what the girls are doing, running around at all hours and with people they don't know.  Maybe it's different in other countries, but my teenager wouldn't be allowed to do that - craziness, I tell ya!

Georgia jumps right into Paris nightlife, at 18 years old she's having a great time at nightclubs and parties.  But 16 year old Kate is still in mourning and having a harder time with it all.  Until she meets a boy.

Vincent isn't an ordinary boy.  He's only 19 years old, but was alive in the 1920's.  He's a Revenant.  They jokingly call themselves zombies and they're a bit like guardian angels.  See...sometimes when a person willingly dies for someone else, they rise three days later and are able to go on to save others.  Sound familiar?  There's a similar story about this dude named Jesus.  The story goes that he died for mankind, rose three days later and went on to save loads of people.  Anyhow, that's what Vincent and his kindred do.

Can Kate handle the truth and a relationship with a Revenant?

The characters are beautiful and the writing is lovely.  I'd definitely recommend DIE FOR ME to anyone looking for a great love story.  The only thing that comes off as awkward is Kate's language - she doesn't speak like a 16 year old girl, she speaks like a mature woman from an older time period. Maybe that's why she gets on so well with Vincent?  It's not a huge barrier to the story, so I didn't worry about it.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Guest Blogger - Soul Born by Kevin James Breaux

Brought to you by Guest Blogger Jess:  a twenty-something nanny from the Valley of the Sun, avid reader/writer, amateur photographer, and professional procrastinator.  You can check out Jess' blog at http://concretepiecesofsoul.blogspot.com/


Publisher:  Dark Quest, LLC

Publish Date:  November 30, 2010
ISBN:  978-0983099321
Pages:  316
Summary from Amazon:  OPAL HAS KILLED FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVES ARE ALL THE RIGHT REASONS.

All Opal wanted was to be respected as a wielder of magic, but her teachers passed her over time and time again. When a mysterious warlord embarks on a conquest to destroy the lands of Illyia Opal seizes an opportunity to step out from the shadows of her instructors and take her rightful spot among them. Tala, an alluring young elf, was banished from her tribe, hunted and nearly killed by the beasts that dwell in the deep forests, but more than anything else she is a survivor. Joining forces with an ancient elemental power Tala finds herself in the center of an unrelenting human war. She never wanted any of this. Flesh like leather and bone as strong as steel Karn, a veteran from the first kingdom to fall, is fueled by vengeance. While pushing ever headlong into battle Karn begins to recall memories of another life; ghosts that haunt his dreams. Through death of soul, their world is born. 

 What Jess has to say:  I've been in a high fantasy/paranormal mood lately, so when I received Soul Born, I was really excited to read it. The cover is beautiful (and, as my artist fiance pointed out, it's actually painted and not digitized), and the summary on the back of the book left me wondering what it had to offer.

The plot was very fast-paced and interesting. It kept me wondering what would happen next, and this first installment of the Soul Born Saga wrapped up on a minor cliffhanger that left you wanting more, but not ripping your hair out because the second book's release date is unannounced.

The major drawbacks I had with the book were the writing itself and the character development. The writing was clumsy at times, and I found myself stumbling over awkward phrases and bulky backstory descriptions. When your internal voice is stumbling, you know there's a serious problem. I think if Breaux had had an agent or an editor, that problem would have been fixed well before the book was ever published.

In terms of the characters, they were interesting to read but were a little two-dimensional. I didn't really feel like anyone grew over the course of the story. In the end, they were all the same people they were in the beginning. Maybe that's something that will be addressed in the next book, but in my opinion the main characters should grow (at least a little) in each installment of a series. Otherwise, what's the point of reading the book?

Overall, this book is certainly worth checking out from the library or borrowing from a friend. I couldn't find any definite release date for the second one, but it left me curious as to what would happen next, so I'll be keeping an eye out for it.