Book Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. 

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget. (From Goodreads)

Although the synopsis says it's fairy tale and romance, The Near Witch also had a well-crafted eerie vibe to it. As with most of the YA that I like, the romance between Lexi and Cole didn't overpower Lexi's story. She had a strong personality, and that didn't fall prey to the "damsel in distress" phenomenon (and everyone knows how I feel about that). 

Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the question of who/what was behind the disappearances of the children. I had flashbacks to the film The Village, and became suspicious of just about every character. I really mean almost every character. I went through a chapter where I was debating whether Lexi was somehow involved in it.  I won't spoil it for anyone who has yet to grab a copy, but I really loved the thrill of the mystery.

I do wish that there had been some greater exploration of the witch's past. Really, I just wanted the book to be a bit longer. Schwab's ability to craft a story and make the setting seem real kept me hooked. I'm definitely looking forward to more!

The Near Witch

By Victoria Schwab

Published by Hyperion

288 Pages

Received for Review

Rating: B

Book Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

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? (From Goodreads)

I very rarely give out A ratings, because I reserve that grade for books that surpass my expectations completely. Hourglass was one of those books that had me hooked from start to finish. Because I wanted to learn more, I pushed past my internet shyness, and emailed the author for an interview (see note at the bottom of the review)! The characters and plot were written well, and the book had substance. In short, I loved it.

This book does err on the serious side, beginning with Emerson dealing with her return from the life-altering depression the began after the death of both of her parents. She sees scenes from the past, ripples of people and events, and assumes they're hallucinations. It hasn't been easy on her brother and his wife, who are trying to support Em while thinking about starting a family of their own. When her brother calls in Michael to help, Em gets the answers that she's looking for...plus a romance. The only thing I want to add, and this is about all YA fiction, is that when a male character pushes away/sends mixed messages to the girl he likes for "her safety"...argh! She's already involved, it's too late, so there's no need for this dramatic tension. Of course, I love that dramatic tension...I just really wanted to point that out.

Woo, there were a couple twists in this book that had me shocked. I literally had to reread certain passages because I couldn't believe what had just been revealed. I thought the pacing of the book was excellent, and while the twists surprised me, they were perfectly timed in the overall plot. I'm looking forward to watching how things resolve themselves in the upcoming books.

This is another strong title from Egmont, and I can't wait for the next book in the series to be released. The great news is that McEntire has already sold the sequel (hurrah!), and according to her blog there are numerous other stories taking place in the Hourglass universe.

Hourglass
By Myra McEntire
Published by Egmont USA
408 Pages
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Received for review
Rating: A

I've got an interview with Myra in the works, so keep an eye out for that over the next fews weeks. I'm also going to plug the big pre-order contest she's hosting over at her blog. Here's a link: http://myramcentire.blogspot.com/2011/05/preorderhourglass-epic-giveaway.html

Book Review: Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt, and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell, by Crickett Rumley

When seventeen-year-old Jane gets kicked out of boarding school (again) and returns to her small town of Bienville, Alabama, she is certain of three things: Her grandmother will be happy to see her. She will be the subject of the town's gossip mill. And there are some people she will have to avoid. But she doesn't expect that those very things will land her smack in the middle of the Bienville's most illustrious event: the Magnolia Maid achievement pageant. (From Goodreads)


I admit that first became interested in this book after seeing the cover. It led me to expect a cute, funny read . In true Egmont fashion, the book went deeper than I expected, and didn't shy away from thought-provoking topics. 


Jane has moved back to her southern hometown after getting kicked out of boarding school, again. She's returned to a place where people are itching to know each other's business, and don't appreciate her snark. She is pretty critical of Bienville society, but it's written in a way that had me laughing. There's more to Jane than her tough exterior, though. Jane's father isn't really present in her life, and she had to watch her mother slowly die from a degenerative disease. She's worried about seeing Luke, the best friend she hasn't talked to since an interrupted kiss five years ago. 


The book also hits on the topics of change, diversity, and self-respect. This was done through the Magnolia Maid pageant. Unlike in previous years, the girls aren't chosen by the delightful Miss Upton. Instead, the group includes Jane, Brandi Lyn, and Zara, who don't fit the usual Maid mold. Brandi Lyn is working class, and Zara is the first African American to be in the pageant, and the alternate is slightly overweight with body image issues made worse by her mother (again, the lovely Miss Upton). The remaining two maids, Ashley and Mallory, are both rich, white, and less than welcoming to rest of the girls. I thought that Rumley did a good job playing the characters off of each other. Each girl had their flaws, even our sarcastic heroine. This made the story more realistic, and I was glad that Jane was confronted about her attitude. 


I would have liked some sort of resolution between Jane and her father. I'm torn about it, because I don't know if it could have been done realistically. It wasn't really necessary to the plot, and it would have seemed silly for her father to have a sudden change of heart. It just felt like a loose end that didn't really get wrapped up by the time the book drew to a close. I guess I just really wanted Jane to get a chance to share her feelings with him, and have some closure. 


I was really pleased with the way Jane was able to connect with her mother through the pageant. It added something more to the character development, and her personal growth. Egmont delivers another great debut, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Rumley does next. 


Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt, and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell
By Crickett Rumley
Published by Egmont USA
288 Pages
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Received for Review
Rating: B

Book Review: Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well.

And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance. (From Goodreads)

I'm going to attempt to make this review as free of spoilers as I possibly can.*

It's no secret to Tempest that she's half-mermaid. Her mother was open about it, her father thinks it's a gift, but Tempest sees it as the thing that broke apart her family. So, when she begins to develop mermaid characteristic (i.e gills), she has a bit of a meltdown. It's justified, since the first time she begins to change she goes from surfing to almost drowning. She's attempting to live a normal human life, including a romance with Mark, despite knowing that she'll soon have to choose between her life on land, and a life in the water. When Kai shows up, it becomes clear who she's really meant to be with. There was a bit of a love triangle, but her relationship with Mark didn't really stand much of chance. She does try to cling to it, much like she does to her human life, but it was obvious that she shared something deeper with Kai. I won't spoil too much about who Kai really is, but I can say that it came as quite a surprise.

Tempest played the role of mother to her younger brothers, so that made her attraction to the sea bittersweet. She still deals with the abandonment that she felt when her mother returned to the sea, and refuses to do the same thing to her brothers. Avoiding the water is painful, too. Especially since every time she tries to resist, it seems like a certain sea witch shows up to try to lure her in. I thought that all of these struggles combined to make Tempest an extremely well-developed character.

The beginning of the book deals mostly with Tempest's human life, and relationships. Her relationships with her family, friends, and lingering resentment about her mother take center stage. While I really appreciated being able to get into her head, I think I was expecting more of her time to be spent in the water. The tension built up, but I was hoping that she would get to explore more of the undersea world.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of the world that Deebs has created, so I'm crossing my fingers in hopes of a sequel.

Tempest Rising

By Tracy Deebs

Published by Walker Books for Young Readers

352 Pages

Release Date: May 10, 2011

Received for Review

Rating: B

Check back later today for an interview with the author, and a contest

Book Review: Flawless by Lara Chapman

Sarah Burke is just about perfect. She's got killer blue eyes, gorgeous blond hair, and impeccable grades. There's just one tiny-

all right, enormous-flaw: her nose. But even that's not so bad. Sarah's got the best best friend and big goals for print journalism fame.

On the first day of senior year, Rock Conway walks into her journalism class and, well, rocks her world. Problem is, her best friend, Kristen, falls for him too. And when Rock and Kristen stand together, it's like Barbie and Ken come to life. So when Kristen begs Sarah to help her nab Rock, Sarah does the only thing a best friend can do-she agrees. For someone so smart, what was she thinking?

This hip retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is filled with hilariously misguided matchmaking, sweet romance, and a gentle reminder that we should all embrace our flaws. (From Goodreads)

I can't stress enough how different this book was from the expectations that I had. I went in expecting a quick, cute read that was more about the drama than the characters. I couldn't have been more wrong. This book had strong characters, believable issues, and characters who learn to embrace their flaws.

Sarah was a really interesting lead character, because she has one major "flaw" and struggles with it. She has a very intimidating nose, one that people tend to whisper about as she walks by. That's definitely left a chip on her shoulder, one that's been made worse by her mother's less than subtle hints that she should consider rhinoplasty. At times she isn't afraid to stand up to people openly mocking her, but at times she's still dealing with her insecurities. I thought it was great to see her stick up for herself, and definitely believable for her to struggle with her image issues. The mom thing isn't as bad as it sounds, either. I expected her to be a horrible character, but you come to discover that she really cares about her daughter.

I think that the reason I enjoyed this book as much as I did was the friendship between Sarah and Kristen. Chapman could have easily made Kristen a horrible friend to Sarah, and one who the reader ends up disliking immensely. Instead she created a friendship that didn't fall apart, even with both girls liking the same guy. Yes, I did get frustrated when Sarah was called upon again and again to impersonate Kristen and write to Rock, but there was never any big overdramatic fallout. Sure, there were arguments between the two, but I never felt that they were unrealistic. It was really nice to see characters who supported each other, rather than trying to humiliate their "rival". Rock was pretty dreamy, too. Although, we all know that he should have just asked out Sarah to begin with.

I rarely give out A ratings, but I really loved this book. It took me by surprise, and surpassed any expectations that I had. I'm happy to say that this is one of my favorite reads of 2011.

Flawless

By Lara Chapman

Published by Bloomsbury

272 Pages

Release Date: May 10, 2011

Received for review

Rating: A

2011 Debut Author Challenge Update

Since it's been a full three months since I began the challenge, I thought it was time for an update. The goal of this challenge, hosted by The Story Siren, is to read at least 12 YA books from debut authors. I aimed way over twelve, and here are the books that I've reviewed thus far:

Will Work for Prom Dress by Aimee Ferris
Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison
Bad Taste in Boys Carrie Harris
Human .4 by Mike Lancaster
The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

So, that's 7/?, since I still haven't listed the books that I plan to review post-July. How's the challenge going for you?

Book Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

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. (From Goodreads)

When I started Across the Universe, I wasn't really sure what I was going to find. I'd been hearing tons of positive buzz, but I still expected it to be heavy on the romance, with only a bit of sci-fi, mystery, and suspense. Saying that I was wrong would be a huge understatement. This book was packed with mystery, sabotage, and crazy twists!

I thought that the characters were well developed, and believable. I really felt for Amy, especially as she began to realize that she was trapped aboard the Godspeed. With her bright hair, and pale skin, she was an outcast. Elder was also an outcast of sorts, the only person on board his age, and was preparing to take over the role of leader. He had a few friends, but he didn't really fit in with majority of the people on the Feeder level (the agricultural hub of the ship). The book alternated between Amy and Elder's point of view. She managed to pull off switching these viewpoints between chapters without making the transitions jarring. I never felt pulled from the story, and I thought that this actually helped me better connect with both characters. Had the entire book been from Amy's perspective, I would have been a lot more suspicious about who exactly Elder was.

As for the pace of the book, I think it says quite a bit about Revis that she was able to fit all that she did into 400 pages, and still maintain a steady flow. Things didn't drag at the start, or feel rushed toward the end. I imagine that this is due to the fact that she has two more books to completely wrap up the story. I also thought she did a good job with the ethical side of things. It was an interesting take on what actions are acceptable in terms of continuing a race of people. I don't want to spoil this for anyone who hasn't read the book, so I'll refrain from saying any more about the subject.

Overall, this is one of my favorites of 2011 so far. The multifaceted plot, and well developed characters left me extremely satisfied as a reader. This is rather rare, but I really had no criticisms when I had finished reading. I happily let myself digest, and began looking forward to the sequel.

Across the Universe
By Beth Revis
Published by Razorbill
398 Pages
Purchased
Rating: A

Book Review:Human.4 by Mike Lancaster

Kyle Straker volunteered to be hypnotized at the annual community talent show, expecting the same old lame amateur acts. But when he wakes up, his world will never be the same. Televisions and computers no longer work, but a strange language streams across their screens. Everyone’s behaving oddly. It’s as if Kyle doesn’t exit.

Is this nightmare a result of the hypnosis? Will Kyle wake up with a snap of fingers to roars of laughter? Or is this something much more sinister?

Narrated on a set of found cassette tapes at an unspecified point in the future, Human.4 is an absolutely chilling look at technology gone too far. (From Goodreads)

Human.4 was an edge of your seat, nail-biting sci-fi read. In Lancaster's debut, Kyle and a few of his neighbors are the only people unchanged after the community talent show. Of course, the book doesn't begin with the talent show, so I got a bit anxious as I got to know Kyle and his family. It got to the point where I was tempted to skip ahead to the hypnosis, because I didn't want to get attached to any characters who wouldn't "survive" the talent show. Not only is he dealing with the loss of everyone he knew, excluding the few who were hypnotized with him, but he's also dealing with some feelings for Lilly (his best friend's girlfriend...or ex-girlfriend post-hypnosis). I thought that added a coming-of-age element to the book, that made the story even more interesting.

The book is told through cassette recordings that are being played back. Within the earlier chapters there are editor's notes which guess at the meaning of phrases Kyle uses. These phrases have since been lost, and people can only guess at their meaning.

Although the story was captivating, the book did feel a bit short. While I did connect with Kyle, I found the secondary characters didn't really matter much to me. There were a few scenes where they were all in danger, but I really only cared about whether Kyle made it out. I can't assume that Lancaster would have gone deeper into the secondary characters, but it would have given me more time to learn about them. Kyle's story is also open-ended, which aren't for all readers. I didn't mind it, because it left things to my imagination. I do know, however, that some people prefer to see exactly what happens.

Human.4
By Mike Lancaster
Published by Egmont USA
240 Pages
Rating: B

Book Review:Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate!

She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town . . . and stay hormonally human. (From Goodreads)

I may have drawn this conclusion from the cover, but I was expecting Bad Taste in Boys to be a silly zombie book, where the zombies don't really pose a threat. Yeah, I was incredibly wrong about that. Harris didn't shy away from violence (although, there isn't too much), and it was actually quite scary.

Kate is smart, snarky, and already has a plan for her future. This plan involves working as a trainer for the school football team...it gives her experience before college, and a chance to check out football star Aaron. She's definitely a take charge kind of character, especially after she realizes that she may have played a role in the zombification of a large percent of the football team. The football star wasn't a jerk, hurrah. I was happy that Kate didn't spend her time crushing on a guy who was going to treat her badly. I also think that Jonah, Kate's brother, may have been my favorite character. He tried to protect his family, and was both dorky and awesome.

I don't think it's too spoilery to tell you that not everyone survives. I won't say who/how people perish, but it actually made it an interesting zombie book. I mean, it really isn't that fun to read about a zombie epidemic that doesn't actually have consequences. I feel that I should also mention that the zombies were slow. Personal preference, I hate fast zombies. They scare the living daylights out of me.

I will say that this one was really short. I read it within a few hours, and I wish there had been more. On the other hand, everything fit really well into the story, so adding length would have been unnecessary, and may have altered the flow of the story. Overall, it was a zombie book that was both surprising and entertaining.

Bad Taste in Boys
By Carrie Harris
Published by Delacorte Press more details...
256 pages
Release Date:July 12, 2011
Review from Around the World ARC Tours
Rating: C+

Book Review: The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)

Kate,
I'm here…
sort of.
Find Cameron.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder... (From Goodreads)

When I think of mysteries taking place in a boarding school I think of a pretty formulaic story. Girl goes to boarding school, mystery presents itself, bad guy is introduced, and the ending is easily predictable. Either that, or the mystery gets dragged out for 5+ books. So, I was happy to find that neither category applied to The Liar Society.

Things haven't been easy for Kate since her best friend Grace died, and her other friend, Maddie, deserted her. So, when she receives the email from Grace, she throws herself into solving the mystery of what really happened the night that she died. She makes some unwise decisions (confronting Grace's ex, sneaking onto school grounds at night, ignoring threatening messages), but solving the mystery seemed to become a way for Kate to deal with Grace's death. Luckily, she's got her conspiracy-loving neighbor Seth to help her. There's also Liam, he found his way to Pemberly Brown after getting kicked out of public school, and he's interested in Kate. The characters were a major part of the reason that I couldn't set this one down. I genuinely cared about what happened to them, and was worried that someone close to Kate was responsible for her best friend's death.

The book kept me on the edge of my seat, and constantly guessing. I failed horribly at predicting who was behind what happened to Kate, and my guesses at motives were way off base (I'm being vague here to avoid spoilers). The ending was quite a surprise, and it both tied up the loose ends, and left enough open for more books in the series. Overall, it left me hoping that we might get to see more of Pemberly Brown Academy, and the secrets it houses.

The Liar Society
By Lisa & Laura Roecker
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Received for Review
Rating: B

Book Review:Will Work for Prom Dress by Aimee Ferris

Planning for prom’s supposed to be fun—the dress, the accessories, the devastatingly handsome date—but Quigley Johnson never thought that agreeing to her best friend Ann’s Betterment Plan would ruin her life!

After a series of bizarre part-time jobs, the prospect of being a live model for a fashion-design class has Quigley ready to throw in the towel, until she meets Zander. He may not be able to sketch, but he’s smoking hot, cool and funny, and every outfit he creates might as well be made for her. But is he too good to be true? Then there’s David, the self-professed “Art King” whose competitiveness has always meant cutting Quigley down, until he sets his sights on making her his prom date and “Art Queen.” And this preparation for the formal was supposed to make Quigley and Ann even closer, but it’s tearing them apart! How will Quigley make it to prom, when she’s barely making it through high school? (From Goodreads)

When I first picked up this book I expected some fun fluff. Even the blurb made it seem like a light read without much substance. I was delighted that Will Work for Prom Dress exceeded my expectations in numerous different ways. The first was that it had more substance than I was expecting. It's hard to explain this without giving away a major plot point, but it deals with the ramifications of acting without considering consequences. The story also looked at Ann's mother, and the father who isn't in her life. We read about this through Quigley's eyes, and that allowed me to see that Ann's mother did care about her daughter, even if it Ann didn't always believe it. The characters were both believable, and likable. It was easy to connect with Quigley, and I think that most readers will be able to find something that they have in common.

The romance was a nice addition to the story, but didn't take over the entire plot. In fact, the budding romance between Quigley and a certain character (I don't want to give it away) actually contributed to the growth of both characters. I also appreciated the time that it took for their relationship to move forward. One of my pet peeves is that strong female characters are ruined by falling in love with a guy after locking eyes with him across the room. Having the relationship build slowly over the book, and face a realistic problem was rather refreshing. There are two guys in the book, but I wouldn't really call it a love triangle. I may be afraid to label it that way, because I think people are totally turned off from the L.T now that it's a common occurrence in YA. So, I'll just say that she has two options to choose from, and does so in a non-annoying way (hurrah).

This was a great debut, and it reminded me that you should never judge a book by it's cover. I can't wait for the next book by Ferris!

Will Work for Prom Dress
By Aimee Ferris
Published by Egmont USA
240 Pages
Rating: B

Book Review: The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever. (From Goodreads)

I've been dying to read The False Princess for quite some time. It was originally part of my 2010 Debut Author Challenge, but the release date was moved back. I'm pleased to say it was worth the wait!

O'Neal has crafted a story that is full of adventure, romances, and exciting twists. The characters are compelling, and the setting adds even more to the magic. The book begins with the princess of Thorvaldor, Nalia, discovering that she's actually Sinda, the daughter of a weaver. She was enchanted to look like Nalia to protect the real princess from a prophecy foretelling her murder. Sinda is promptly dispatched from the castle, and the only life she's ever known. I enjoyed watching her grow as a character. When she first arrives in Treb to live with aunt, she's still coming to terms with the idea that she isn't the princess. She is unable to make friends in Treb, and her aunt has a hard time connecting with her. As the book progresses, Sinda becomes more mature, and is determined to make the most of herself. By the end of the book, she's the kind of strong female that is reminiscent of character out of a Tamora Pierce novel (the highest compliment I can give).

The overall plot of the story was so engaging that I had a hard time setting the book down. Incorporating magic in Sinda's story, O'Neal has given the setting a "fairy tale" feel. Without it, we wouldn't have been able to see the wizards' college, and Philantha. The college only accepts nobles, or people who can afford the tuition. Sadly, Sinda has neither the heritage or the funds to attend. I won't spoil more, but I will say that while Philantha is a bit scattered, she doesn't turn her back on Sinda, and I grew to like her character. Finally, the mystery and intrigue of the court was exciting, and there was an oracle. What more could I have asked for?

I didn't give the book five stars because it became clear who the villain was pretty early on in the book, I just wasn't sure of their motive. Despite this knowledge, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and thought that it was an excellent debut. I can't wait for more from O'Neal!

The False Princess
By Eilis O'Neal
Published by Egmont USA
336 Pages
Rating: B+

Book Review: Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don’t worship as attentively, teachers don’t fall for her wide-eyed “who me?” look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she’s always loved--Liam Ward--can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she’s wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she’s inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.

And Bridget’s about to learn that, sometimes, saying you’re sorry just isn’t enough. (From Paige Harbison's website)

The premise of Here Lies Bridget was really unique, and that was what originally drew me to the book. I was lucky enough to get a chance to read an ARC edition through Around the World ARC Tours, and I enjoyed it.

One of the things that Harbison does well is create interesting, relatable characters. I mean, I can't honestly say that I liked Bridget, but she was intriguing. Alright, I'll admit that I really disliked her. She was nasty to her friends, her stepmother, and jealous. I did, however, understand why she had created her mean girl persona. Her insecurities are pretty apparent, and they keep her in her own little world. It was those insecurities that kept me from loathing Bridget. I also thought that the supporting characters were well-written. It would have been easy to have these characters fall flat, especially when we're seeing them from Bridget's point of view. The reader understands that there's more to these characters, which is revealed after Bridget meets her tragic end. My favorite character was, without a doubt, Meredith. She obviously cared about Bridget, despite being treated like an evil stepmother.

The first half of the book allows the reader to get to know Bridget in all of her glory. We see her mistreat everyone in her life, and it can get frustrating for the reader. In the end, I hoped Bridget would see the err of her ways. I really wanted her to mend the relationships that she had ruined. Then again, we know what's going to happen to her. I think the thing that kept this book from getting a "B" rating was the second half of the book. I don't think it's ruining things for anyone when I say that after Bridget dies, she takes a good look at her life. This portion of the book, however, seemed to fly by. I wanted more depth, and another 50 pages in which Bridget could have explored her behavior more.

I enjoyed this one, despite wishing that it was a bit longer. Harbison did a great job of revealing the weaknesses and insecurities of a popular "mean girl", and get the reader to root for her.

Here Lies Bridget
By Paige Harbison
Published by Harlequin Teen
208 Pages
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Rating: C

2011 Debut Author Challenge

It's time again to sign up for The Debut Author Challenge, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! I participated in the 2010 challenge, and as a result I read a bunch of great books by new authors.

The Rules: To participate you are required to read a minimum of 12 books by debut authors in the YA/MG genres. You don't have to be a blogger to participate, nor do you need to have a blog written in English. If you want more information, click here.

Titles in blue link to their reviews here when clicked

My Picks:

January:
The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
Across the Universe by Beth Revis

February:

Will Work for Prom Dress by Aimee Ferris
Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

March
Human .4 by Mike Lancaster
The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

May
Flawless by Lara Chapman
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

June
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt, and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell by Cricket Rumley

July
Bad Taste in Boys Carrie Harris

August
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab