This is a fast moving tale about two sisters, one a blind but gifted psychic (Annie) and the other a very well-trained spy (Fia). Neither had much of This is a fast moving tale about two sisters, one a blind but gifted psychic (Annie) and the other a very well-trained spy (Fia). Neither had much of a choice--they have be abandoned by their family, and the "school" that they live at requires them to use their abilities to promote the unknown goals of the institution. As what is demanded of them becomes more dangerous and suspect, Fia uses her training to find a way out. There's a lot of pulse pounding action-- this book is a true psychological thriller that might surprise the fan's of the author's Paranormalcy series. This book has an edge, and I for one really enjoyed it. ...more
This is Book 2 of The Lunar Chronicles (book one was Cinder), and a fantastic continuation of the fast paced narrative in these re-vamped and futuristThis is Book 2 of The Lunar Chronicles (book one was Cinder), and a fantastic continuation of the fast paced narrative in these re-vamped and futuristic fairy tales. This book introduces another gritty heroine, Scarlet, who is searching for her kidnapped grandmother. Wolf, a stranger with a lot of secrets, joins her in her quest. But for what reasons? Cinder's adventure progresses as well, thanks to a pirate, starting with both of them breaking out of prison. Eventually Cinder and Scarlet meet and join up, finally figuring out that they are both being pursued by Lunar Queen Levana. Meyer's imagination offers her readers a wondrous and action filled break from reality. This is a high octane, can't-put-it-down kind of book that will leave you breathless for the next book in the series (coming in 2014). ...more
I owe a debt to a co-worker for being relentless about convincing me to read this book--I shied away at its rather stout size, thinking of the stack oI owe a debt to a co-worker for being relentless about convincing me to read this book--I shied away at its rather stout size, thinking of the stack of books I'd already collected. But she made a good case, and she was 100% correct--I LOVED this book, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Set in the 1920's in New York City, the time of speakeasies and flappers, jazz and, at least for Evie and her uncle, murder. Her uncle is an expert in the occult, and he is asked to help the police find the killer who had carved occult symbols into a murder victim and left her on the river's edge. Evie, never one to stay on the sidelines, accidentally discovers some occult powers of her own that may help her identify the killer, if he doesn't get to her first.
While technically a YA book, this is a great read for just about anyone who enjoys historic and/or atmospheric mysteries. And the best part--this is first book in a planned series....more
This is the collaboration of best selling author Jodi Picoult and her teenage daughter Samantha Van Leer. In this a very imaginative tale about a bookThis is the collaboration of best selling author Jodi Picoult and her teenage daughter Samantha Van Leer. In this a very imaginative tale about a book of fairy tales, and what happens when the covers close. It seems that this book is sort of a long running play, with the characters jumping into place at the first sign of light as the book is opened by a reader. They do their thing, over and over. However, when it's closed, though are just "regular" people, with their separate lives. Most are content, but one of those characters desperately wants out of the book. Prince Oliver has been trying to get help from the book's readers for years, but no one can hear him.
Fifteen year old Delilah is a bit of an outcast, preferring books to people by and large. She finds Prince Oliver's book misshelved in the school library, and falls in love with it despite it being a bit young for her. Then, one day, she hears a voice--Prince Oliver has found a listener to his tale. And the two begin to try to figure out a way to get Oliver out of the book.
This is lots of fun for the 12+ crowd that is fresh and amusing even for old ladies like me! After all, I've often wished I could pull a character off the page in to my life, so this book was right up my alley....more
Jazz's father is the world's most infamous serial killer--124 victims (including his wife, Jazz's mother). And for the first 13 years of his life, BilJazz's father is the world's most infamous serial killer--124 victims (including his wife, Jazz's mother). And for the first 13 years of his life, Billy nurtured and trained his son in the, well, family business. Four years ago, Billy started working too close to home, and the local sheriff arrested him; Billy was sentenced to multiple life sentences. Jazz, now in the in the custody of his dementia addled grandmother, is just trying to be a normal teenager, though one obsessed with crime and forensics. He figures he knows all about being a serial killer, so he is uniquely suited to catching one. Especially the one who is mimicking his father's kills one by one, right in his home town. The sheriff, now Jazz's mentor of sorts, tries to keep him away, but once the bodies start piling up, Jazz can't help but be involved.
This is a rather graphically violent story with plenty of psychological thriller to it. It's very compelling and the action rarely stops. I understand why this is a YA read, but I'm not entirely comfortable with the 15 and up they have put on it. The squeamish and the nightmare prone of any age should probably stay away. Dexter fans will love it. ...more
Amanda Hocking is one of those publishing prodigies--she sold over a million copies of her self-published books and has a huge on-line following. AfteAmanda Hocking is one of those publishing prodigies--she sold over a million copies of her self-published books and has a huge on-line following. After reading "Switched", now being published by St. Martin's Griffin, I understand why. This is great stuff. She has created the world of the Trylle, the modern day, PC, not your Grimm character trolls, who secretly trade their own babies for human babies, then collect them again once they've grown up and have begun to manifest powers. Trylles have all sorts of possible powers, many related to the natural world, but mixed breeding and young Trylles refusing to remain in the isolated Trylle communities are threatening Trylles everywhere, and the present queen is not going to allow that. "Switched" concerns Wendy, a 17 year old who suddenly finds herself in mysterious danger and is whisked away by a Trylle tracker only to find out that she is, in fact, the Princess, and there are many, many expectations placed upon her because of that. And, it seems, she is one of the most powerful Trylles of all. Thank heavens Book 2, "Torn", is coming out in February, and Book 3, "Ascend", is coming out in April, so we all can find out what happens to the reluctant Princess and her people--human and Trylle. ...more
This is the second book in the Across the Universe trilogy, and the story moves at a tremendous pace. Things are more and more unsettled as the populaThis is the second book in the Across the Universe trilogy, and the story moves at a tremendous pace. Things are more and more unsettled as the population comes off the controlling drub Phydus. Violence and political unrest are increasing, as is the death count, and Elder and Amy are in a race to find and figure out mysterious clues left by a now frozen criminal that might help them save the ship. There are many major revelations as the action ramps up, with one heck of a cliff-hanging conclusion. Revis picks up exactly where she left off in "Across the Universe" and does not disappoint....more
This is a fantastically creative sci-fi tale that follows the very basic story line of Cinderella, but with considerable futuristic upgrades that add This is a fantastically creative sci-fi tale that follows the very basic story line of Cinderella, but with considerable futuristic upgrades that add to the story in a very colorful way. For instance, Cinder is a cyborg, though she tries to keep that a secret because she's got a tough enough life as it is without dealing with a bunch of cultural disapproval and disdain. She get's enough of that from her guardian/step-mother and her oldest step-sister (the younger one isn't so bad). She's the top mechanic in the land, and the family's only real source of support, though at home she's treated more like a servant than a bread-winner. Then she accidentally meets the Prince, her little step-sister becomes deathly ill with the plague that has ravaged the planet, and Cinder get's sold off to be a medical guinea pig for the cure. And this is just the beginning of the adventure. This is the first book of the Lunar Chronicles, and I predict that it is going to be a smash hit. Luckily, there are three more books coming, "Scarlett" (2013), "Cress" (2014) and Winter (2015). Boy, it's gonna be hard to wait for them!...more
This is a fantastic book, but difficult to review because a lot of it's power is in the discoveries that happen as you read through it. To tell you anThis is a fantastic book, but difficult to review because a lot of it's power is in the discoveries that happen as you read through it. To tell you any of them would be taking away from the book, and I don't want to do that. I can just give you the premise--the world is dying; the animals are gone, food is scarce, and survivors have been rounded up into rag-tag communities organized by The Reestablishment. 17 year old Juliette has been imprisoned in an asylum that might be for the insane or it might be for the simply unwanted. She's a convicted murderer, but not an intentional one. Juliette was born with an unusual power--she can kill with her touch. No one knows why, and everyone is terrified her. When the book begins, she hasn't touched, or spoken, to anyone, in 264 days. Not long after we meet her, she learns of the fate The Reestablishment has for her, and her fight begins. If you like the "X-Men", "Hunger Games" and heavy adventure of any kind with some romance thrown in, this will catch you up in its web. Fortunately, this is a planned series because by the time you get to the end of the book, you are going to be ravenous for what comes next....more
Conor's being haunted by two monsters--one that is the blackest truth he knows, and another seeking that horrible truth. Neither will give him a momenConor's being haunted by two monsters--one that is the blackest truth he knows, and another seeking that horrible truth. Neither will give him a moment's rest, both are pushing him further than he ever imagined he could go. All of this is happening in the backdrop of his mother's illness, his struggles with his disapproving grandmother, the appearance of his absentee father and some rather violent bullying at school. This books is not nearly as scary as it is heart wrenching--I certainly teared up over the last several pages. And the illustrations, done by the brilliant Jim Kay, are not to be missed--they set the dark nightmare feel of the book to perfection.
This is a very impressive book based on an idea of the late children's author Siobhan Dowd, who Ness honors greatly with his wonderful telling. ...more
70 authors came together to tell their stories. Most are about being bullied. Some are about being the bully. Some are about not stopping a bully or he70 authors came together to tell their stories. Most are about being bullied. Some are about being the bully. Some are about not stopping a bully or helping the bullied. These are painful memories to be sure, but they all come to the conclusion--it get's better and you do survive and can thrive. In the wake of so many child/teen suicides that have their roots in bullying, these authors chose to make their stand. Here are some of the statistics that the book starts out with:
--Every 7 minutes a child is bullied on a school playground, with more than 85% of those instances occurring without any intervention.
--On a daily average 160,000 children miss school because they fear they will be bullied if they attend classes.
--On a monthly average 282,000 are phsically attacked by a bully
--A child commit suicide as a direct result of being bullied once very half hour, with 19,000 bullied children attempting to commit suicide over the course of one year.
These writers have taken a stand. It's time for all of us to do so as well. ...more
I started this book and couldn't stop--I read it straight through. This is the story of Abby, who is having trouble adjusting to high school, especiallI started this book and couldn't stop--I read it straight through. This is the story of Abby, who is having trouble adjusting to high school, especially since she doesn't see very much of her best friend anymore. They don't have classes together and Faith is getting into new activities, like school plays, that Abby is just not into. So she relies more and more on her online friends at a teen targeted chat site. Especially Luke. He compliments her, he agrees with her, he's THERE for her when no one else is. He's interested in her, and that feels so wonderful that at first she doesn't mind answering some rather personal questions from him, after all, he's probably hundreds of miles away and she's never going to meet him anyway. Then he wants pictures. Then he wants to webcam. Then he sends her a phone. Then he wants....other things...but he says he loves her, so it's all right, right?
This is about online preditors and how they "groom" teens, tweens and even younger children, making them feel safe and loved and special, when in reality it's about exploitation, pornography and sometimes kidnapping and murder. This book takes Abby from the very first online comment to the aftermath of exploitation. It is hard to read because of how easily it is done to thousands of children and teens every day. This book shows the whole trap--and the wide range of consequences for the victims. This book will cause a stir, and I think that is a good thing. This needs to be talked about, and just like this, in real terms within real, average situations. I applaud this author and this book for taking on this subject so boldly....more
They are calling this series "the next Hunger Games", and I can see why. It's action packed, alternating chapters between the 15 year old female lead,They are calling this series "the next Hunger Games", and I can see why. It's action packed, alternating chapters between the 15 year old female lead, Waverly, and the 16 year old male lead, Kiernan. I read this in about 24 hours, unable to put it down (it would have been faster if I could have managed to not sleep or go to work). The premise is that the Earth is toast, so it has sent out two HUGE ships (HUGE--many levels with the ability to do anything--grow orchards, farm, etc). They left a year apart and they are staffed with the planned progenitors of New Earth. 42 years into the mission, the second ship catches sight of the first ship (which wasn't supposed to happen--they left a year apart and they should be light years away from each other). It seems they have a fertility problem on the first ship--no babies can be conceived there. They need help, and are willing to use force to get it. It is, after all, all about survival of the species. But things are not what they seem, or what they were meant to be, on either ship, and things turn bloody fast.
This is a fast paced, edge of your seat, violent, intense book, clearly at the beginning of a series because the climax leaves you desperate for more. I really do think this is going to be HUGE. ...more
This is a shared brain child of two already heavy hitting YA authors--Jay Asher ("Thirteen Reasons Why") and Carolyn Mackler ("The Earth, My Butt and This is a shared brain child of two already heavy hitting YA authors--Jay Asher ("Thirteen Reasons Why") and Carolyn Mackler ("The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things"). In a letter to booksellers, the authors say that they decided they may want to work together before they really knew each other. "In one of our first phone conversations, we wondered, 'What if there was a way for teenagers to see who they end up marrying?' That was followed with, 'What if they could see that--and more--on Facebook? Oh, and...check this out...what if Facebook hadn't been invented yet?'".
That was how the story of two teenagers, Josh and Emma, a high school sophomore and junior in 1996 (years before Facebook and just as computers were becoming popular) and who were very good friends until 6 months ago (an ill-timed kiss and a freak out got in the way of the friendship). Emma gets a computer as a "guilt" present from her father remarries, moves to Florida and has a new baby. Josh's mother sends him over to her house with an AOL free disc (remember those?) to use on it. Once it is loaded in and boots up, it shows Emma her Facebook page--from 2011. Emma lets Josh in on the secret--it turns out he has a page in 2011 too--and the weirdness multiplies. Every time either of them makes a decision based on something they learn on Facebook, it changes their future. This is both alluring and terrifying to the teens, and it's an intense secret to keep.
This is an unusual book about the price of decisions and their consequences, pointing out the fact that what you do NOW can effect you FOREVER. It's a fabulous read that just sends your mind racing with the possibilities, and the dangers, of what this glitch in time could be. This is bound to be a big sensation come November. ...more
This novel is dystopian to it's very core and creepy as all get out. One random day, North America (at least) ge978-1-60684-175-4 YA fiction Sept 2011
This novel is dystopian to it's very core and creepy as all get out. One random day, North America (at least) gets hit by a tremendous electromagnetic pulse that wipes out all electric things and immediately kills most of the population. Only the very young (12 and less) and the very old (65+) seem to survive relatively intact. Others survive too--mostly teenagers to early 20s--but they have changed into cannibalistic zombies and are very, very dangerous. The story centers on 17 year old Alex, who was camping off-season in the Michigan woods alone. She meets up with an old man and his 8 year old granddaughter shortly before the pulse, and finds herself the guardian of the little girl when the EMP kills the old man via his pace maker. Thus begins an adventure that just doesn't stop, and the surprises and violence are very nearly continuous. Desperation and brutality seem to be the aftermath of the pulse as those who are left fight to survive the first winter after "The Zap". It's a scary story with a LOT of graphic moments, but it's also impossible to put down. There are plenty of unanswered questions by the end of the book, making me wonder if there is going to be a sequel. I certainly will be trying to figure things out for a long time, wondering what clues I may have missed, etc. While it's a little choppy in places, I still call it a fine (if very, very dark) debut novel....more
When a plague of hemorrhagic small pox wipes out 99% of the world's population, 16 year old Lucy is a survivor. She's alone, having made a camp in theWhen a plague of hemorrhagic small pox wipes out 99% of the world's population, 16 year old Lucy is a survivor. She's alone, having made a camp in the The Wilds, what had been Central Park. At least until a pack of dogs, trained by The Sweepers (people who are looking supposedly looking for the infected) causes her to meet Aidan, a teenage boy living in a scavenger settlement several miles away. He saves her from the dogs and leaves her rattled--it was her first contact with another human being in over a year.
The global warming has wreaked havoc on the planet, and the seasons are different and brutal. Lucy wakes up one morning in her camp to look out at the Hudson sea and knew what was coming--the water was sucking itself out to sea in order to come roaring back as a tsunami. She grabs what she can and just barely makes it to safety, everything she had gone with the water. Reluctantly, she goes to Aidan's camp to try to live with people again.
There she finds out a bigger picture, and sees a Sweeper raid where they take part of that community away for seemingly no reason, and she wants to fight back. When she's nearly taken in a second raid, and a member of the community "escapes" from the Sweepers only to tell them that they had infected him with the plague on purpose, she become part of a small band to go rescue the others taken by the Sweepers. Only to discover that SHE is the one the Sweepers want most of all.
This is a fantastic read, and, sadly, all to easy to visualize happening....more
This is the third book in best selling Harrison's Madison Avery YA series. Madison was a normal teenager until she died on prom night. Now she's a DarThis is the third book in best selling Harrison's Madison Avery YA series. Madison was a normal teenager until she died on prom night. Now she's a Dark Timekeeper who works for Heaven--she tells the Dark Reapers when to go and get a soul. However, she's not crazy about the policies around this, and she's actually fighting with the Seraphim for the ability to help more humans before their souls are reaped. It's not as religion oriented as it sounds--it's very action packed and has not small amount of Harrison's cheeky humor (and very little of her trademark sexiness--she saves that for The Hallows series for adults). There is a strong current of morality, responsibility, initiative and being true to yourself throughout this whole series that is uplifting as well as entertaining. I highly recommend the entire series....more
McCafferty's dystopian world is not as big of a stretch as I would like it to be for my own comfort level. In this world, a virus renders most people McCafferty's dystopian world is not as big of a stretch as I would like it to be for my own comfort level. In this world, a virus renders most people sterile between the age of 18 and 20. Teenage girls have become the most prized members of society, and they can either "go pro", which is to get an agent to help broker a deal as a surrogate for a couple (the best one's get multiple baby contracts for a single couple, generally starting at the age of 14!), or be amateur, getting pregnant and then selling the baby on the open market auction style. Teenage male "studs" are superstars, as well (see what I mean about not being all that different from NOW?). Money, college placement, stardom all come from "bumping". and the society is more than crazed about it all. Teens are fed pills to "loosen" them up, the middle and high school cafeterias serve folic rich foods, pre-teen girls wear fake "bumps" and carry "first curse purses". It's a mania. There is another, apparently smaller, religious side to the society who keeps to themselves and arrange marriages at the age of 13 for their children so that their babies are born in the sanctity of marriage and raised by their very young birth parents with guidance from the Church.
The book focuses on a set of identical twin girls, separated at birth, who are from opposite sides of these cultures. Harmony flees Goodside (the name of the religious community) to meet her sister, Melody, but has other reasons as well. Melody is in the middle of a drama of being under a "bumping" contract where the would-be parents can't decide on the sperm donor (by the way, things are NOT done in the lab anymore--babies are made the old fashioned way). She's the only girl in her school who hasn't bumped yet, and the pressure is intense, especially since she was the first in the school to "go pro". Especially since she's got feelings for her best guy friend Zen, who is too short to ever be considered a donor for a pro. The girls learn more about each other, and their options, leading the book to some extremely unexpected plot twists.
This book will enrage some parents, but I think it could well lead to some very strong and meaningful conversations among teen girls as they explore their sexuality and their self worth. There is, in fact, an adult crossover promotion planned for the book. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens when this book is out and about. ...more
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