ARC Review: 45 Pounds by K.A. Barson

Here are the numbers of Ann Galardi’s life:

She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 10 weeks, and wants Ann to be her bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less) in 2 1/2 months.

Welcome to the world of infomercial diet plans, wedding dance lessons, embarrassing run-ins with the cutest guy Ann’s ever seen—-and some surprises about her NOT-so-perfect mother.

And there’s one more thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin-—no matter how you add it up!

Best Bits: So, this review is going to delve a bit more into the person than I typically go, but there's a good reason for it. I knew that I was going to relate to this book because I've struggled with weight and body image for a large portion of my life. So, I laughed with Ann, was excited for her successes, and got a bit teary-eyed when things in her life were so out of control that she turned to food. Barson's writing felt really authentic, which was amazing. Not only did I think "I've been there", but I think that all teens can relate to the feeling of not being good enough, and failing. Plus, it didn't portray her as a slob, just because she struggled with weight and eating. The book touches on some great topics, too. We see how Ann's younger siblings are impacted by the food-related behavior of her mother, and Ann resorting to potentially unhealthy food choices in an effort to reduce calories. This is, of course, thrown off track by occasionally binging. 

Barson does a great job incorporating the idea of positive body image, without being preachy. Sure, Ann doesn't finish the book at the same weight she started at, but that's because she's feeling better about herself, and when she's experiencing uncomfortable feelings she doesn't turn to food (i.e. boredom, anger, etc).

Nit Picks: SPOILERY NITPICK AHEAD! The one thing I wish had been expanded on was the shift in Ann's thinking and behaviors from negative to positive. Some of the changes were extremely believable due to her conversations and understanding of supporting characters in the book. Still, I think that eating disorders usually require some sort of professional intervention and aren't always things people can fix by pulling up their bootstraps.

Last Thoughts: I wish that all YA reads had as big of an emotional impact on me as this one did. I think that all readers will find Ann to be a relatable, engaging character who they can laugh, cry, and cheer for.

45 Pounds 
By K. A. Barson
Published by Viking Juvenile
272 Pages
Gifted by the fabulous Nereyda of Mostly YA Book Obsessed
Rating: A

Book Review: A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger

Mike Welles had everything under control. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they’re getting confusing at school. He’s losing his sense of direction, and he feels like he’s a mess.

Then there’s a voice in his head. A friend, who’s trying to help him get control again. More than that—the voice can guide him to become faster and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything that’s holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.

Telling a story of a rarely recognized segment of eating disorder sufferers—young men—A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a book for fans of the complex characters and emotional truths in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Wintergirls and Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why.

Published by Balzer & Bray  

Best Bits: I hope that this review does A Trick of the Light justice. I've read two excellent (and very different) books involving eating disorders in the last couple of weeks, and I've been struggling with how to convey it to readers without fangirling too much. I'm not going to say that eating disorders are an easy topic to read about, but when they're done well I believe that they have the ability to educate, and hold the attention of the reader. This book was done in a way that allows the reader to see how gradual Mike's experience with anorexia comes on, and how powerful it's hold is. It also dispels the myth that it's just a "girl" thing. The narration was amazing, the characters were fascinating, and everything just felt real. Of course, everyone's ED (short for eating disorder) experiences are different, but nothing felt forced. I think that another gift Metzger gives to the reader is an understanding of how anorexia helps Mike cope, but at the same time see how bad it is for him. Through the narration we understand what thoughts invade Mike's senses to help him feel in control, but it gets the point where the reader just wants to see him well again. I wanted to see him fight back against anorexia. In short: This book provides an accurate and compelling portrayal of an underrepresented population in YA lit, boys with eating disorders; I'm eternally grateful for this fresh read.


Nit Picks: It's rare, but I've got nothing. This book was a near perfect read. I wish it had been a bit longer, but at the same time I can't imagine anything that has been left out. I guess I just want to grab more book by Metzger!


A Trick of the Light
By Lois Metzger
Published by Balzer + Bray 
208 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: A

Blog Tour: Nantucket Blue Review, Favorite Quotes, and a Giveaway!

Blurb:

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t. 

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Best Bits: I don't always find myself drawn to contemporary reads, but something about this one was calling to me. I'm glad that I got the chance to read it, because it satisfied my urge for an emotional summer read. I thought that the characters and situations felt real, especially as the book went on and Cricket and Jules grow and change (seriously, if you compare their first conversation in the book to their final conversation it speaks volumes of who they are as people). I also thought that Howland did an excellent job dealing with the tragedy. I really understood the change in Jules, and felt for Cricket who couldn't help her. The romance was sweet, and didn't feel like insta-love. Seriously, I almost danced with joy about that one. It was obvious to me who male romantic lead would be, but it was still nice getting to see it happen. 

The one thing that I want to rave about is the ending. No fear, there are no spoilers here. Howland doesn't tie up all of the loose ends in Cricket's life. Things are still messy at the end, and I loved that about this book. When I set down my Kindle (at 4 am after being unable to put it down) I reflected back on the book and it was nice to think about the possibilities for the future of these characters. Nantucket Blue was an emotionally satisfying read, and a must-have for summer.

Nit Picks: I actually struggled with where to rate this one, and almost took the cheater's way out by giving it two grades. I don't have any large nitpicks to address, which is always a rarity. I do wish I could have seen a bit more of some supporting characters, as we're introduced to a few who make one or two brief appearances. The conflict at the end could have been avoided, but Howland did a great job of explaining it to the reader, and as a teen I probably would have done/felt the same way. 

Favorite Quotes: 

"The sky was bright blue with three marshmallow clouds" -1% on Kindle

"It's better to have the morning to yourself than the evening. You don't have to feel lonely when you're alone in the morning." -44% on Kindle

Expected Publication: May 7th 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Purchase: Amazon
Rating: A

About the Author

LEILA HOWLAND loves to read, explore L.A., and engage in funny and meaningful conversations with her friends and family, especially her brother who calls from Washington D.C. whenever he’s waiting for the bus. A lot gets discussed in those phone calls, but they tend to end abruptly when the bus shows up. She can really cut the rug, but wishes she could sing without people covering their ears. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. It was a lot of fun and she often talks about “getting back into it.” The closest she has come was a stint as an extra on The Young and the Restless in 2010. Leila now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two dogs. She teaches high school English and blogs for HelloGiggles. NANTUCKET BLUE is her first novel.

Official Links: leilahowland.tumblr.com | twitter.com/leilahowland

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: I knew that Poison was something special when I was a couple pages into it. I had heard the hype, of course, but as I started the book I was a bit giddy with excitement. An adventure novel with a female heroine, and a love interest named for Fred Weasley? Everything about it was made of awesome. I thought Zinn did a particularly good job in revealing why Kyra attacked the princess, and what motivations lay behind it. I often questioned her decisions, but I wasn't smacking myself in the forehead over them (this has been happening to me quite a bit lately). The characters were real, funny, and I wanted to know more about the world that Zinn had created. To reiterate, awesomesauce.

There are a special groups of book that have a place on my shelf, my re-reads. These are the books that I've read countless times, and have needed replacement copies. Poison is getting a spot smack dab in the middle of the books I revist (somewhere between Tamora Pierce, Harry Potter, and Jennifer Crusie).

Amazingly, I really don't have any nitpicks. I absolutely loved every second of this book. Bridget Zinn did pass away before her book was released, and so my nit pick is with the universe taking such a talented author (one who writes female characters without placing them into pre-made molds) so young. There's a facebook page where people have been leaving comments about how fab the book is here: https://www.facebook.com/InMemoryBridgetZinn.

This is a bit of a rambling review, but I do want to say that this is what I think YA needs more of. It may be nostalgia, since this book reminds me of all the great YA books I read as a pre-teen, but it was adventure without the drama. There was no back-stabbing, no competition to be the superior female (in looks, boys, etc), instead it was about friendship, loyalty, and the choices people make out of fear.

Poison
By Bridget Zinn
288 Pages
Purchased
Published by Disney Hyperion
Rating: A

Review: Slide by Jill Hathaway

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth--her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: Vee was an interesting protagonist. She doesn't like her ability, in fact she does everything she can to avoid sliding into someone else's consciousness (she's self-medicating). It's really fascinating, and she has to be careful not to touch anything that might hold an emotional charge. That's new to me, although there is a similar line of paranormal fiction. Over the course of the book she realizes just how important her power is, even though it leaves her vulnerable. The reader gets to see how vulnerable when we experience a past traumatic experience of Vee's from another person's eyes. I can say that the ending surprised me, although I had earlier suspected them. Hathaway made each character believable as the killer, so up until the end I was guessing. I'm really looking forward to reading the follow up novel, Imposter, that's out this March. 

Nit Picks: My nitpick for slide involves the romantic relationships. So, it's pretty obvious that Rollins is into Vee. She doesn't quite trust him with her secret, and he knows that there's something that she isn't telling him. I wish that hadn't been a point of conflict for them, because their friendship was deep enough that I'm not sure I believed her excuses for not confiding in him. Her relationship with Zane would fall into the insta-love category. Rollins' withdrawal from Vee and Zane's understanding of loss makes it just believable enough, but I still felt like it needed to be fleshed out.

Slide
By Jill Hathaway
250 Pages
Published by Balzer + Bray
Rating: A 

Review: Doomed by Tracy Deebs

Beat the game. Save the world.

Pandora’s just your average teen, glued to her cell phone and laptop, surfing Facebook and e-mailing with her friends, until the day her long-lost father sends her a link to a mysterious site featuring twelve photos of her as a child. Unable to contain her curiosity, Pandora enters the site, where she is prompted to play her favorite virtual-reality game, Zero Day. This unleashes a global computer virus that plunges the whole world into panic: suddenly, there is no Internet. No cell phones. No utilities, traffic lights, hospitals, law enforcement. Pandora teams up with handsome stepbrothers Eli and Theo to enter the virtual world of Zero Day. Simultaneously, she continues to follow the photographs from her childhood in an attempt to beat the game and track down her father, her one key to saving the world as we know it. Part The Matrix, part retelling of the Pandora myth, Doomed has something for gaming fans, dystopian fans, and romance fans alike. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: This book was a thriller! The book begins on Pandora's birthday, and the rest of the story spans the country, and two realities (the second being the virtual world of Zero Day). I wasn't sure whether it was going to work to have a portion of the story take place in-game, but it did. Not only did the game emphasize the ultimate message behind the virus, but it also helps her understand exactly who is behind it. Although I knew there would be some tension regarding a love triangle, I was glad that it wasn't too long into the book where the reader is clear on who Pandora will choose (see my nit pick below). As many readers of this blog know, I'm a bit tired with this trope. It was nice to have a simple, non-dramatic conclusion to it. The end of the world does take precedence over dating, after all. Deebs also does a good job showing the severity of the worm. Sure, at first it didn't seem like much was wrong. As chaos and fear begin to take over, so does violence and crime. It put urgency behind Pandora's quest, and that kept me flipping pages.

Nit Picks: My nit pick for Doomed is related to one of the stepbrothers who end up helping Pandora navigate Zero Day (called Pandora's Box in my galley edition). Eli, although very useful throughout the story, also seemed to invade Pandora's personal space. Now, this doesn't happen all the time, and Pandora does struggle at the beginning of the book about whether she's attracted to him...but in one scene at a motel he is supposed to be keeping watch and ends up falling asleep in bed with her. 



Doomed 
By Walker Books
Published by Bloomsbury USA
480 Pages
Received for review
Rating: A

Book Review: Fairy Tales From the Brothers Grimm by Philip Pullman

Two hundred years ago, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first volume of Children’s and Household Tales. Now, at a veritable fairy-tale moment—witness the popular television shows Grimm and Once Upon a Time and this year’s two movie adaptations of “Snow White”—Philip Pullman, one of the most popular authors of our time, makes us fall in love all over again with the immortal tales of the Brothers Grimm.

From much-loved stories like “Cinderella” and “Rumpelstiltskin,” “Rapunzel” and “Hansel and Gretel” to lesser-known treasures like “Briar-Rose,” “Thousandfurs,” and “The Girl with No Hands,” Pullman retells his fifty favorites, paying homage to the tales that inspired his unique creative vision—and that continue to cast their spell on the Western imagination. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: I loved the variety of Grimm stories in this compilation. It had all my favorites, and a few that I have a feeling my parents purposely omitted from my childhood bedtime stories. It was great to have them in the form they were intended...they're scary! Pullman also includes some notes at the end of each story sharing how he might have tweaked them, information on alternate versions, and providing some general information that I was unaware of. The book is an extremely quick read because each story is relatively short (average 5-10 pages). I can't complain about being entertained for a couple of hours without being bogged down. 

Nit Picks: There's not much new in this version of the Grimm fairy tales. Pullman does his own twist in some stories, and his writing is fabulous, but he doesn't stray too far from the source material (this is not a nit pick personally, but I know that some people will pick it up expecting things to differ a bit more than they do). 

Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm
By Philip Pullman
400 Pages
Published by Viking
Rating: A

Book Review: Send Me A Sign by Tiffany Schmidt

Mia is always looking for signs. A sign that she should get serious with her soccer-captain boyfriend. A sign that she’ll get the grades to make it into an Ivy-league school. One sign she didn’t expect to look for was: “Will I survive cancer?” It’s a question her friends would never understand, prompting Mia to keep her illness a secret. The only one who knows is her lifelong best friend, Gyver, who is poised to be so much more. Mia is determined to survive, but when you have so much going your way, there is so much more to lose. From debut author Tiffany Schmidt comes a heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting story of one girl’s search for signs of life in the face of death. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: This book was phenomenal. I tend to read books fairly quickly, but this one I finished within a couple of hours. I couldn't focus on anything else, I had to know what would happen to Mia. I'm happy to say that the book doesn't waste any time before Mia finds out that she has cancer (honestly, I'd rather not wait 50 pages when I already know it's going to happen). Watching how her family reacted was really interesting, too. They each attempted to cope in their own way and it directly impacts Mia. There was quite a bit of drama at the end, but the love triangle (yes, there is one) is done well. Of course, it made me cry. I think that most readers have known someone who has been diagnosed with some form of cancer, and for me this book book gave me a look at what it's like to be on the other side. A fabulous, and emotional read. 

Nit Picks: I wanted a bit more time with her friends after they realize what's happening to her. Mia makes the choice to keep it a secret from her friends...so obviously it's going to be revealed. I understood why her friends reacted the way that they did, I just think that it would have been a bit more believable to have more time between the anger and the understanding. 

Send Me a Sign 
By Tiffany Schmidt
Published by Walker Books for Young Readers
384 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: A

Book Review: Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.

Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: What a story! I really enjoyed how Pfeffer set up the story to begin with an event that everyone watches for fun...and turns into a story about learning to live in a world that is vastly different from the way it has always been. Miranda is a great character, she has moments of selfishness and rebellion, and she regrets the mistakes that she makes during her time post-meteor. I also appreciated that it was suspenseful without the violence. That's not to say that no one died in this book...millions of people did. The author simply managed to do this in a way where the reader doesn't see them happen, while still allowing the reader to be emotionally involved. 

Nit picks: This book is done in a journal format. At some points in the story this worked brilliantly. At others, however, I was left feeling that the journals were written in a way that felt more like a regularly formatted novel. It tended to throw me off a little bit. 

Life As We Knew It
By Susan Beth Pfeffer
Published by Harcourt Children's Books
337 Pages
Rating: A

Book Review: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

A DYING LAND 
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever. 

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her. 

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire. (From Goodreads).

Best Bits: Kristoff has a gift for prose. The description was decadent...it was basically the book equivalent of chocolate cake. This is one of those books that I had to go through slowly, because I wanted to savor it. Skyships, and thunder tigers, and atmos-suits. Oh, my. Stormdancer is certainly unique, and even within the steampunk genre this felt fresh. I haven't read a large number of books that fall into this category, but when I do they seem to always contain the same few elements to classify it as such. Not here. One major reason that I enjoyed this book so much was Yukiko. I always talk about strong characters, and Yukiko is forced to be. She's suffered major losses in her life, and deals with the loss that comes with someone who is both living and addicted to a substance. How can you not root for her to come into her own? This book is also one that comes with a message. Kristoff paints a portrait about a society that is addicted to the lotus, and it's destroying them. It has a variety of uses, and the dependance on it is ruining the environment, and the lives of all citizens. One can definitely draw parallels to our society and dependance on things like oil. I'm grateful for a chance to read a fantastic book while making connections to our society. 

Nit Picks: While this book is beautifully written, there are quite a few words that I was unfamiliar with. There is a glossary in the back, which will certainly help in hardcover/paperback, but I was reading this on Adobe Digital Editions, so I couldn't go back and forth. Luckily, I have a general understanding of some of the terms, but I have a feeling that those who snag an e-book copy are going to have the same issue. I feel like full disclosure is important here. I love a book that has tons of description, but I know that there are a number of people who don't. A good chunk of the beginning of the book is exposition. It contains descriptions of the characters, clothing, weapons, and setting. Those that are looking for an insta-action read are going to have to remember that this book builds slowly. 

Stormdancer
By Jay Kristoff
336 Pages
Published by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of Macmillan)
E-Arc for review
Rating: A

Review: Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole -- a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her -- she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate . . . someone who truly loves and understands her.

At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her close friend Zack, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all her time with another boy? As the months pass, though, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats.

As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose -- between her "true love" and herself. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: Once again Jennifer Brown has written a gut-wrenching story about teens. I'd say that it's pretty accurate in terms of what an abusive relationship can be like. It certainly wasn't easy to read. It's not easy to see a character going through an abusive relationship when all you want to do is point out everything that the abuser is doing to hurt them. I don't think that this topic is often talked about with teens (or even in adults). Education about the cycle of violence is extremely important. I don't want to seem preachy here, but consider the fact that one in four women in the United States will experience domestic violence at some point in her life. That's not an acceptable statistic to me. The more education about the problem, the more work we can do to end it. 

Nit Picks: I don't really have any for this one. I was so involved in the story that I honestly didn't notice any major flaws. I know that some people have mentioned that the plot is a bit predictable. I can see where they're coming from, you do know what's going to happen to Alex from the start. I don't think that detracts from the story, however. It just filled me with an impending sense of dread. I know that a couple other reviews mentioned that they were unhappy about Alex's friends. Again, I understand what they meant...but Cole was trying to isolate her. As a teen you're not really well-equipped to handle something like your best friend being abused. I'm not sure that all teens would know what to do in that situation. So, I thought that reactions of Bethany and Zack to Cole were well-written. 

Bitter End 
By Jennifer Brown
Published by Little, Brown
359 Pages
Rating: A

Book Review: Transcendence by C.J. Omololu (an author interview and giveaway, too!)

When a visit to the Tower of London triggers an overwhelmingly real vision of a beheading that occurred centuries before, Cole Ryan fears she is losing her mind. A mysterious boy, Griffon Hall, comes to her aid, but the intensity of their immediate connection seems to open the floodgate of memories even wider.

As their feelings grow, Griffon reveals their common bond as members of the Akhet—an elite group of people who can remember past lives and use their collected wisdom for the good of the world. But not all Akhet are altruistic, and a rogue is after Cole to avenge their shared past. Now in extreme danger, Cole must piece together clues from many lifetimes. What she finds could ruin her chance at a future with Griffon, but risking his love may be the only way to save them both.

Full of danger, romance, and intrigue, Transcendence breathes new life into a perpetually fascinating question: What would you do with another life to live? (From Goodreads)

Genre: Contemporary with a bit of fantasy/mystery/adventure thrown in 

The Best Bits: Plot and characters, for sure. I think that the idea of Akhet, those who can recall their past lives, is an intriguing one. They have access to lifetimes of knowledge, they don't repeat past mistakes, and they have the opportunity to improve the world around them. Of course, not all are good people, some are using their ability to right past wrongs. The way that Omololu began to explore this power was extremely rich, and I'm looking forward to learning more about them in future books. There was also a great contrast between Cole and Griffon. Cole is a typical teen in that she's a bit unsure of herself, and doesn't quite believe in her gift (who wouldn't start to wonder if they were hallucinating?). Griffon has a much deeper understanding of their ability and it played out nicely over the course of the book. 

Nit Picks: I really only have one, and in a way it's one that was probably intentional. I felt like the flashbacks that were relevant to this particular portion of Cole's story were fleshed out, but we only get glimpse's into other past lives. In the interview below, Omololu has written another book in this series. So, I'm looking at it almost like a television series. We get flashbacks that are probably going to come into play in later books and Cole is growing to grow throughout the series. I think it's important for readers to know that, otherwise they are likely to question why only one lifetime was explored while others were shown (but hey, I loved all the flashbacks, just wanted to give everyone the heads up). 

Transcendence
By C.J. Omololu
Published by Walker & Company

336 Pages

Received for Review

Rating: A-

Author Interview

A huge thanks to Cynthia for stopping by and answering a couple of questions!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your new book, Transcendence?

Transcendence is about a group of people, the Akhet, who remember all of their past lives and a girl named Cole who is becoming one of them. She meets Griffon, a very old Akhet, right as she begins to transition and he helps her along the way. As their relationship deepens, Cole discovers there is a rogue Akhet who is out to avenge a wrong that they feel has been done to them in a past lifetime and Cole quickly learns that she may not be able to trust anyone. A little bit of mystery and a little bit of romance - it was a lot of fun to write.

2. What inspired the Akhet, those who can recall their past lives?

The idea of reincarnation came to me after a friend's teenaged son died suddenly. I couldn't understand why this wonderful boy was gone, and started to think that the only way it would be okay is if he could someday come back again. This led me to do a lot of research on different theories of reincarnation in various cultures - I took what I liked and left the rest. The idea to call them Akhet and associate them with Ancient Egypt happened when I took one of my kids on a field trip to the King Tut exhibit at a local museum. I saw an ankh mirror in one of the displays and remembered the ankh necklace that I wore for years when I was in my teens - it all just seemed to fit beautifully. All of the words - Akhet, Sekhem, Iawi, etc. have roots in Egyptian words that have meaning that makes sense to the plot. For example, Akhet means the place on the horizon where the sun rises and sets, which to me was the perfect metaphor for reincarnation.

3.The reader gets to see a number of different flashbacks for Cole. Have you considered writing another book where she might explore these past lives?

I loved writing the flashback scenes, but there is so much research involved in writing a true historical that it's a bit daunting. We just wrapped up the second book in the series and there is a deeper exploration of some of her past lives in that story.

 4.Your first book for teens, Dirty Little Secrets, was realistic fiction. How did your writing process change for Transcendence, a book which included some fantasy elements?

It's funny, but even though there is a focus on reincarnation, I almost consider Transcendence a contemporary book. As long as you can suspend disbelief in the Akhet, there is no other magic in the book - everything they can do is physiologically possible. Both Transcendence and Dirty Little Secrets required a lot of research on their subjects, but luckily, nobody can come back and tell me that I got the details of reincarnation wrong.

5. Do you have any new projects in the works?

There are always new projects. As I said, we've just finished the second Transcendence book (title still to come) and I really love how it turned out - a continuation of some threads, but a new and exciting story in that world. I'm also working on a few standalone projects on the side - hopefully you'll get to hear about them someday soon.

Giveaway

Alright, I've decided to host a little giveaway. Everyone knows that I loved Dirty Little Secrets, so I thought I'd give that one away as well as her newest release Transcendence! I'll be shipping them through The Book Depository so make sure that they ship to your country (I could also send e-book version, so the winner could potentially choose to go that route). The contest ends in two weeks on July 17, at 11:59 pm EST. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.


Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart. (From Goodreads)


Let me begin by saying that I really enjoyed the first two books in the Graceling realm. It's hard to believe that about three years have gone by between the publication of Fire and Bitterblue. Unlike many books, these books left an impression on me that didn't fade over those three years.


The book itself has jumped ahead a number of years, and focuses on Bitterblue, now grown and struggling in her rule over Monsea. Her advisors seem to be keeping things from her, she hasn't really had a chance to explore her own city, and memories of the past haunt her. This book felt a fair bit darker than the previous two, and it worked well within the story. It also focused less on action, and more on the repercussions of Leck's rule. I love that Leck was still a villain, despite not being physically present in the book. In the first two books I was just hoping from Katsa and Po to take him down. In Bitterblue I really got to see the extent of the damage he did. He altered tradition, built onto the city, and violated the minds of those he ruled. Yes, there are other villains in this book, but Leck remains the worst villain in the story. I mean, how much more real can you get?! 


Bitterblue is trying to deal with the devastation that her father caused, but she isn't really getting far by attempting to work through problems via her advisors. We are treated to many new experiences as Bitterblue travels around her city, and it really gave a feel for the dire state of things. It added an urgency to her need to take control of Monsea. In contrast to many other stories, the unsavory characters aren't the thieves and ruffians. It's those you think you can trust who betray you. 


Overall, a satisfying end to the series. I was pleased that I once again got to see the characters that I loved. Plus, Cashore did an amazing job with the post-Leck Monsea. 

Rating: A 

Published by Dial

Purchased 

Book Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

I'm going to be pretty concise with this review, because I'm afraid I'll give something away to anyone who hasn't read it. Sam Kingston is a mean girl. She and her friends torment others, flirt with their teachers, and generally make poor life choices. This didn't make it easy to like or relate to her. Things don't go as planned one night after a party, and Sam ends up dead...well, almost dead. She repeats the final day of her life tweaking things, and going down very different paths. It's rough, but it gives her a chance to look at the kind of person she really is.  

Like Hate List, this was another book I've picked up this summer that was both hard to read, and excellently done. There was something really engrossing about the way that Oliver told the story. Even though I didn't like Sam I had to know what was going to happen to her. I was torn between wanting her to find a way to live, and having her die after making her peace. I think that Oliver could have easily crossed the line from believable to cheesy, but she didn't. Sam's choices felt true to her character, and her growth over the course of the book was amazing. I'm not saying that my opinion of her completely changed by the last chapter, but I was able to appreciate the choices that she made. They really made the ending of the book all the more moving. 

Before I Fall

By Lauren Oliver

Published by HarperCollins

470 Pages

Borrowed

Rating: A

Book Review: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies? (From Goodreads)

I haven't read Harvey's Drake Chronicles, but I jumped at the to read her upcoming mystery/romance about spiritualists and ghosts. Violet is an accessory to a con run by her mother. She helps fool the wealthy into believing that her mother is a spiritualist, able to speak to the loved ones of the upper class citizens in England. Together with her mother, and their servants Colin and Marjorie, they head off to the estate of Lord Jasper to hold seances. While there, Violet comes to the realization that she has the ability to see ghosts, the real ones. This leads to a murder mystery that had me on the edge of my seat, and guessing right up until the big reveal. Not only that, but there were a couple of scenes that creeped me out (I read them at night, bad choice).

I don't expect every historical fiction novel, YA or not, to have complete historical accuracy. Harvey didn't live in Victorian England, but it's clear that she did he research. If you check out her blog she even has some photographs posted showing the fashions mentioned within the book. I'm not a qualified historical facts nitpicker, but nothing seemed out of place. I always appreciate when an author mentions upfront that they spent their time going over information about the setting in which they've chosen to place their characters.

Although I loved it, I can definitely see how some readers will wish that Violet had been a bit more developed, and the romance seemed to come about rather quickly. I personally didn't feel this way, because the mystery kept me in such suspense. Violet was battling between hating the way her mother conned the upper class as a means to raise their family in society, and still feeling some loyalty to the (negligent) woman.

All in all, it was an enjoyable historical mystery. I'm really hoping that Harvey decides to write a follow-up book so that we can see more of the characters.

Haunting Violet
By Alyxandra Harvey
Published by Walker Children's Books
352 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: A

Mini-Reviews

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I'd heard a lot of great things about this one, so I was setting myself up for a bit of disappointment. While I liked most of the characters, I was kind of hoping for a heroine who didn't need to be rescued by her vampire lover. Still, Diana was a strong, stubborn character...so even though there were some portions where she relied on Matthew, she did hold her own when faced with angry witches.

During the first chapters there was more telling than showing. It set up a lot of Diana's past, but I'd rather spend 20 extra pages seeing it happen, rather than being told it. I will say that Harkness must have done an immense amount of research, and it showed in her writing. Things were extremely detailed, and that managed to keep my attention throughout all 500+ pages.

Overall, it didn't meet my high expectations, and fell victim to some vampire cliches. I did appreciate all of the detail Harkness put into it, however.

Rating: C

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I can't really say that I "enjoyed" this book, because it was extremely tough subject matter. I think I'd describe it as a phenomenally written book about the tragedy and aftermath of a school shooting. Valerie and her boyfriend Nick are the outcasts, and they're treated badly by their fellow schoolmates. Together they've created a Hate List, which includes various different people/things that they despise. Still, Valerie doesn't expect Nick to exact revenge by taking a gun to school and shooting classmates, a teacher, and then himself.

I can't say that this book ends happily, that would have been horribly unrealistic. In a way, I wanted things to work out with her father (who I wanted to smack upside the head in basically every scene he was in), but tying everything up nicely would have ruined all of the growth we saw in Valerie. Instead, the book leaves readers with the understanding that the impact of the shooting has altered who Valerie is. She's changed completely from the girl in the flashback scenes, and she's ready to begin a new life.

Rating: A

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