Blog Tour - Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (an imprint of HarperCollins)

Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Review based on ARC 

And their doom comes swiftly.

 It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives – three days on Henry Island at an exclusive house party. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their own reasons for wanting to be there, both of which involve Kamiak High’s most eligible bachelor, T.J. Fletcher.

 But what starts out as a fun-filled weekend turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

 Suddenly, people are dying and the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

Usually I don’t search out scary books to read. I’m normally a wimp when it comes to the scary - whether in print or movie form. But, sometimes books come along that surprise me and even begin to sway me towards a genre I wouldn’t normally read. Well, last year one of those surprising books was Possess, which had a great balance of scary and not so scary. And to be honest, the scary has been growing on me, a little. So once I heard about TEN, I knew that it would find its way onto my 2012 To-be-Read list.

Despite my (shrinking) aversion to scary stories, I love a good twisty, turn-y mystery, especially one that keeps you on your toes and guessing until the end. Gretchen McNeil deftly combines mystery with smallish touches of horror in TEN, to create a just right blend of genres that kept me hooked from the first page.

 One of my all time favorite mysteries is And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. After reading the synopsis, my first thought was that it sounded similar but with teens and a modern setting. And while Ms. McNeil pays homage to Agatha Christie, TEN is thoroughly her own creation. Details about Henry Island, White Rock House, the DVD with its creepy and menacing message, the raging storm and the killer’s eerie method of communication all add to the reading experience.

Upon finding a DVD labeled “Don’t Watch Me,” Minnie says, “This is how horror movies start.”  (ARC, pg 58) A few times, I did want to warn the characters to remember Minnie’s mention of horror movies, in a you might want to think about your next move type of way. But, Minnie’s statement could also be about the book too, because several of the scenes were very vivid and began thinking about how they would look on a screen.

The third person narration from Meg’s point of view really helped to keep up the suspense. And I like how she was kept away from the action several times, so that the reader experienced the fallout with her. Though in the second half of the book, there were some pieces of information I felt Meg received too late, that if they had come earlier in the book, they would have made more of an impact to the story. This is where the length of the book plays a factor; the just less than 300 page length did not feel sufficient. It left me with some questions, the most persistent was how the killer could organize the entire weekend and all the different pieces that had to be put into place to make it work out the they wanted it to. But, maybe the reader isn’t meant to know that. Not knowing the answer didn’t really impact my enjoyment of the book, but I can see how some readers may find not having the answer a bit troublesome.

Overall, TEN did keep me reading. I found Meg to be an interesting choice for the point of view character, with her writer’s observations, and the third person narration did help to move the story along at a good pace. I ended up liking the more gruesome scenes more than I thought I would. I found red herrings and twists fun in that they did keep me guessing as to the killer’s identity and they led to a conclusion that had a few unexpected bits. To me, those are the best type of conclusions.

Fans of thrillers and those who enjoy a good (twisty) mystery will enjoy TEN. And of course, if you liked Possess, you should pick up this book too. 

You can find out more about The TEN Blog Tour by visiting Me, My Shelf and I. 

Review - Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: Egmont USA
Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Source: From publisher through NetGalley

I went into reading Every Other Day expecting one type of paranormal read, but got so much more. Every Other Day was action packed from the first page to the last, it kept me guessing and wanting to read to the end. And when the end came, I wanted there to be more words.

Every other day Kali isn't human: she's something else, something indestructible, something more. Because of this she tries to stay out of the spotlight. Kali's a master at blending in and being invisible on days that she is human. Kali is also has to deal with high school, she's content to sail through, but then she's approached by Skylar, who, while she may or may not be psychic, is definitely a target for the popular crowd. By lunchtime people are noticing Kali, the last thing she wants to happen. Then she notices a strange mark on one of the popular girls. A mark that means almost certain death, if Kali can't figure out a way to save her. Over the course of the next few days, Kali's life changes in more ways than even she thought possible.

Kali was a strong main character, she was pretty kickass, but she was so much more - snarky, lonely, guarded, reluctant hero are all words and phrases that could be used to describe her. Her development as a character was fully tied into the action and plot, so that as the story progressed the reader learned more about Kali. I've seen other reviews that compared her to Buffy (a completely understandable comparison, Kali does have some Buffyesque qualities), but I think Kali was her own type of heroine. Sure, on every other day Kali feels the need to hunt and kill supernatural creatures like chupacabras, zombies and hellhounds, but she has no idea why or what she is on those days. Her human days were spent being invisible and just trying to get through the day, until Skylar approached her.

My favorite character was Skylar, with her "I'm just a little psychic" routine and the way she kept her brothers in order by which one was her favorite. Skylar knew a lot more than she let on, especially about Kali and what she would eventually learn about herself. She was Kali's biggest believer and the most courageous character - what more could you ask for in a friend?

The last of the main characters was Bethany - the popular girl Kali noticed the strange mark on. Bethany proved to be much more than the pretty Queen Bee. Her back story was heartbreaking and added so much to her character. After meeting her parents, it was easy to see what she acted the way she did. In her own way, she kept people at a distance, only showing them what she wanted them to see. In this, Bethany and Kali were very much alike. It was a lot of fun watching Bethany and Kali's friendship evolve throughout the course of the novel.

The action starts from the first page, with Kali in full hunter mode, and lasts pretty much through to the end. There were a few spots were the breakneck pace did slow down, but these passages were welcome because it gave me the opportunity to process everything that had happened up until then. The mystery surrounding Kali's hunter days was brilliantly executed. A few times I thought I knew where this plot thread was going, only to be led in a completely different direction. Ms. Barnes leaves little hints and clues throughout the narrative, but they came together in a slightly unexpected way that made go back and reread whole passages so that I could see how they all came together.

There are so many other things I want to talk about in regards to Every Other Day, but I don't want to spoil any of the details. Definitely read Every Other Day if you want a different take on paranormal.

Interview with Kiki Hamilton

I'm really excited to have Kiki Hamilton on the blog today. I love The Faerie Ring ... the setting (Victorian London), the characters (Tiki, Reiker, the princes...), the twisty plot...time for me to stop so you can read what Ms. Hamilton has to say...

The cover of The Faerie Ring is gorgeous.  Thank you so much!  I love it too! J What was the cover design process like? Did you have any input in the final design?
 I was very fortunate that my awesome editor, Susan Chang, did ask for my input at the very beginning of the design process, because I know most of the time, authors don’t get to give any input.  I gave her a list of things that I thought were important and some examples of covers I loved and did a few (very poor) mockups of my own.  Then she and the very talented Tor art director, Seth Lerner, took it from there.  And then I had to WAIT six months!!  I was SO THRILLED when I saw the cover because I think it is absolute perfection for the story.  And I’m happy to say that they included everything I asked for, down to the smallest detail! Thank you Susan and Seth!! J

Why Victorian London as the setting? How did you research the Victorian Era for The Faerie Ring?

I loved writing about Victorian London. It is one of my favorite time periods  - such a mix of technological change while at the same time belief in mysticism and the Otherworld was very strong.  I also love the idea of stories from the past slipping through the cracks, the untold story, if you will – the kind that if we all knew  - everything would change.  I did a lot of research online, but I’ve also found some great resource books that talk about life in that specific time period in London and give lots of great details.

I found the shifts in point of view interesting, how did you decide which characters' points of view to write from?
I like reading from two different perspectives and it’s always fun to figure out whose point of view to juxtapose from that of the main character.  It couldn’t have been any of Tiki’s family, as their perspective wouldn’t add any new information, for the most part.  Rieker needed to remain a mystery, so I didn’t want to write it from his POV. Prince Leopold, on the other hand, had a vested interest in the stolen ring and a completely different perspective on the event as well as his view on life and London, so he was a natural pick to share his thoughts.

How do you choose names for your characters?
To be honest, there isn’t a scientific process – it’s more of a gut thing. I knew Tiki’s nickname before I knew her real name. Though I have been known to change names, they usually come easily to me and are one of the first things I know about my characters.

I love hearing about books authors are looking forward to reading. What are 3 or 4 books from your to be read list that you just can't wait to read?
Ohmigosh…the towering TBR pile….I’m starting Amber Argyle’s WITCH SONG next, then Josie Bloss’ FAKING FAITH. I’m also very excited to read Kendare Blake’s ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD  - I’ve heard lots of great things about that one!!


A big thank you to Kiki Hamilton and Tor! For more information on Ms. Hamilton and her books visit her website www.kikihamilton.com. 

Review - The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Source: Received copy from publisher for review

The Victorian era is one of my favorite settings for books. Mix in a strong heroine; a twisty plot that keeps you on your toes, and a slow simmering romance and the book is sure to be one that I will want to reread over and over. Kiki Hamilton’s The Faerie Ring is one of those books.

Tiki and her “family” have been living in a small abandoned shop by Charing Cross Station picking pockets on the streets of London, stealing just enough money for food and coal. One cold day, Tiki finds herself in the Queen’s palace where she steals a ring. Her plan is to return the ring for reward money. But, when it’s revealed that the ring is more important than Tiki thought- it’s part of a treaty between the Queen and the fey- she realizes that it must be returned to the palace, but how? Soon after, Tiki notices that Rieker, a fellow thief, is following her. He claims to know about the fey and the ring, but can Tiki trust him enough to let him help her with the ring?

Kiki Hamilton transports the reader to 1871 London with her writing. It was easy to slip into Tiki’s world and it felt like I was right there with Tiki throughout all of her adventures. The shop by Charing Cross Station, the bookshop at the train station, the streets of London, and the palace ballroom were all equally vivid and easy to picture as I was reading. The story drew me in and I couldn’t put the book down until I got to the end.

Off all the characters, Rieker was my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I found Tiki to be quite likeable; she was strong, independent and caring. Right from the first scene, I cared about what happened to her. Her main concern was her family – Clare, Toots, Shamus and Fiona and getting enough money for them to be fed and warm. Even after she stole the ring and became a target of the fey, they were still her first priority. How can you not like someone who cares more for others than herself?

But, Rieker, he was a mystery and that made him interesting. Tiki knew he was a thief, but there was something more to him than that. I liked how his story was revealed as the book went on, how little details here and there made me wonder about his past and who he really was. And the scenes where he tells Tiki about his past, even though they were quite sad, were some of my favorites in the book.

 Another thing that I really enjoyed about The Faerie Ring was the romance. It was like a slow burn. Even though Tiki and Rieker have known each other for some time, it took awhile for the romance between them to start.

 
The plot had enough twists to keep me on my toes. The action moved along at a good pace and I found myself wanting to keep reading even though there were other things I probably should have been doing. The fey element was quite interesting; Ms. Hamilton’s fey are definitely not your garden variety faeries. They were vindictive, very focused on their ultimate goals, and a bit evil. I found myself wanting more of the fey in the book!

 
Overall, I really enjoyed The Faerie Ring. Like I said at the start, this is a book that I will definitely reread. I can safely say that this will end up in my top ten of 2011. Plus, I learned that is the first book in a series. I can’t wait to find out more about Tiki, her family and her past in the upcoming books.

 
A mix of historical, paranormal, romance and adventure, The Faerie Ring has a little something for every reader.

Quick Review - Gone by Michael Grant

Gone by Michael Grant
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 2008 (hardcover), May 2009 (paperback)

I know one thing for sure: I would not want to live in the FAYZ (Fallout Alley Youth Zone). Michael Grant does a great job of showing what could happen when all the adults vanish, everyone over the age of fifteen, and the kids have to fend for themselves. Power struggles, mutations (both animal and human), and survival all increase the tension as the book goes on. It's more than just good versus bad in the FAYZ, it's also the powerful vs. the powerless and the threat of turning 15, because that's when you "poof.". If you had Power, how would you use it?

I can understand why this series is so popular. Grant gives the reader a very likable hero in Sam, very unlikable adversaries in Caine and Drake, and a cast of characters that are fleshed out. There was plenty of action to sustain my interest, despite the long length. My only grumble is the ending, I would have like a little more resolution, but with 5 more books in the series, it's easy to see why this book ended the way it did. I feel comfortable recommending Gone to readers who are looking for a dystopian/science fiction books

Review - Frost by Marianna Baer

Frost by Marianna Baer
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: September 13, 2011
Source: borrowed from Midnyte Reader

Frost is definitely a keep all the lights on and possibly have some sort of background noise playing while reading type of book. 

Leena Thomas is starting her senior year at Bancroft Academy. Thanks to some persuasion and a little luck, Leena and her best friends are going to live in Frost House - a cozy, four person dorm on the edge of campus. But before they can settle in, Leena learns that eccentric, antagonistic Celeste Lazar will be living with them during the fall semester. Within days, strange things start happening at the dorm. Small things at first, things that Celeste blames on Leena and her friends, sure that they want her to leave. Leena attempts to keep the peace between the residents of Frost House, but soon stranger things start to happen and Celeste insists that she feels someone is watching her, wants to hurt her. As more odd things happen and Celeste becomes more insistent that the house itself is causing them, Leena finds that she doesn't feel as safe or at home as she once did at Bancroft, except for when she's at Frost House. Can Leena work out where the threat is coming from before it's too late?

Before, I read Frost, I had heard (read) that creepy was the perfect description for this book. After reading, I will add my voice to those who have called Frost creepy. It's creepy in the same way you might feel when you repeatedly look over your shoulder because you are convinced that someone is looking at you even though no one is there. Mixed in with the creepy, there was an interesting mystery and the slow realization that the narrator might not be as reliable as you initially thought.

Leena seems like she is a pretty together girl. She started a peer-counseling program at Bancroft, she has a close group of friends, likes design and do it yourself projects. As things start to happen at Frost, her reactions had me worrying about her. Then there were the pills, the self-medication, which made me question just how much of the story the reader was really seeing. How skewed was Leena's version of what happened?

Marianna Baer does a great job of keeping the reader guessing. It isn't very clear who or what was behind the goings on at Frost House and getting the answer to this mystery kept me turning the pages. Even after the ending a good number of questions remain, but I'm okay with that. I look at Frost as a book that makes the reader question if they believe in ghosts (or some type of supernatural entity) and/or haunted houses.

One thing that did bother me was the adults. The house counselor, Ms. Martin pretty much states that she expects the girls to look after themselves and to only go to her for emergencies, which seems a bit extreme. Yes, the girls are seniors, so theoretically they could have been mature enough to handle a lot, but at the same time they are still teenagers. It makes me wonder if Ms. Martin had been more available, would Celeste have felt comfortable telling her about her concerns. And then there was the Dean of Students, who at first seemed almost like a parental figure to Leena, but as the book goes on becomes more and more disappointed with her actions and appears to distance herself. But, again since the reader sees everything from Leena's point of view, exactly how involved was Dean Shepherd in Leena's life?

Overall, Frost is a wonderful addition to the psychological/mystery/supernatural category. I would recommend Frost to those who like their scary stories on the creepy side.

Review - A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: June 21, 2011

Charlotte has always felt the need to help people; people she didn't know. It started out as an occasional thing, but now it's a daily occurrence. The pull, the compulsion, knocks the air out of her and forces Charlotte to find the person she is supposed to help. Charlotte tells her boyfriend, Harlin, and best friend Sarah, that she is having asthma attacks. But, Sarah thinks she's psychic and Harlin can't stand the lying, he thinks Chelsea is cheating on him. Charlotte's not sure what they would think if the learned the truth. The she learns what is really causing what she calls "The Need" and what will happen to her. Now, Charlotte must decide of she is going to fight to stay with her friends and family or let everything play out as it's supposed to, no matter how hard it is. 

A Need So Beautiful is one of those books where you just have to know what comes next, what's in store for the characters and how they deal with what happens. It is very much a character driven book and Ms Young has written all of the characters in such a way that I could see them and hear them as I read. The characters were also very realistic. There were no perfect characters, even Chelsea had her flaws, but that made me like her even more.

Another thing that I really liked was that even though Chelsea and Harlin are in a relationship (and how great is it that they are already together when the book starts?), the majority of love in this book isn't romantic love but love of friends and family. Okay, yes, we do get to see Chelsea and Harlin together and understand what they see in each other, but I liked that Chelsea had friends and a family, albeit a foster family, that cared about her and were present in her life.

Ultimately, A Need So Beautiful is about sacrifice. Would you be willing to sacrifice everything in your life for the greater good? This is Chelsea’s dilemma: does she give into the Need and her fate or does she stay with Harlin and her family? And at the same time, there is discussion about faith, not in an in your face way, but it was definitely there. It made me think long and hard about what I would be willing to give up in my life, how my faith colors my choices.

A Need So Beautiful offers a different take on paranormal because it felt more like a contemporary story with paranormal details. At heart it is about a girl trying to figure out who she is, so it read very much like a contemporary novel to me. I'm not sure that this review conveys exactly how much I loved this book. I read it in one sitting and was just amazed by it. It made me cry and think and stayed with me long after I read the last page. And that ending! It raised so many questions, while giving Chelsea's story in this book a definitive ending. I, personally, can not wait to read A Want So Wicked.

Into The Past With Gretchen McNeil

Gretchen McNeil is joining us today to talk about some of her favorite books at different stages of  her life.

Some information about Gretchen:

Gretchen McNeil is an opera singer, writer and clown.  Her YA horror/paranormal POSSESS debut with Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins, August 23, 2011.  Her second novel, TEN – YA horror/suspense about ten teens trapped on a remote island with a serial killer – is tentatively scheduled for a Fall 2012 release. Gretchen is a former coloratura soprano, the voice of Mary on G4's Code Monkeys and she currently sings with the LA-based circus troupe Cirque Berzerk (http://www.cirqueberzerk.com ). Gretchen is also a founding member of the vlog group YARebels (http://www.youtube.com/yarebels) where she can be seen as "Monday."

Welcome Gretchen!

AGE FIVE – There’s a Monster at the End of This Book

How is this not the best book ever?  An interactive picture book starring Grover from Sesame Street, desperately and futilely trying to keep the reader – in this case, a precocious five year old – from turning the pages of the book.  Brilliant!  Golden!

I positively delighted in thwarting Grover’s attempts – breaking the ropes, toppling the brick wall, busting through a web of two-by-fours.  I must have read that book a hundred times and giggled like a loon every time.  Er, I may or may not still own a copy.  And I may or may not still giggle when I read it.

AGE TWELVE – Anne of Green Gables

Let’s face it, I was Anne Shirley.  I was too smart for my own good.  I was an only child with a penchant for huge flights of fancy.  I was constantly getting into trouble.  I talked too much (I think I still hold my junior high school’s record for being sent to the Principal’s office for talking out of turn…)  I couldn’t back down from a dare.  I was fiercely proud.

I remember watching the PBS adaptation of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, hanging on every scene.  It was like my life!  I ran to the library and zipped through the entire series in the course of a summer.  Anne spoke to me.  And gave me hope that a spastic little kid like myself could grow up to be someone…awesome.

AGE SIXTEEN – Wuthering Heights

Oh, this was the end of hope for any kind of normal teenage love life.  Heathcliff, the possibly psychotic, severely damaged anti-hero was like crack cocaine for teenaged me.  Brooding, obsessive, dark and complex.  He was everything I wanted in a boyfriend – yeah, I know – and thus started my love affair with “bad boys.”

Thankfully, I got over that.  Eventually.

AGE TWENTY – The Secret Adversary

I discovered Agatha Christie when I was in college.  Don’t know how I’d missed getting addicted to her books when I was in high school, but by my junior year at UCLA I was utterly hooked.  I used to wait for my boyfriend to get off work, sitting under a tree whipping through her novels.  The woman was truly a genius.  Her knack for characterization is astounding: you always knows exactly who her characters are in just a few lines.  Amazing.  Inspiring. 

THE SECRET ADVERSARY is one of my favorites.  Set just after WWI, it’s about two young people trying to make their way in an England that’s economically devastated.  On a whim, they create a young adventurers company, and place an ad in the paper for their services.  Immediately, they are thrust into a world of intrigue, spies, missing secret war plans, and mistaken identities.  I literally could not put this book down, and I think I’ve probably read it a dozen times since.  It’s like a comfort book for me, whenever I need a good, rollicking adventure.

Review - Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

Luminous by Dawn Metcalf
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: June 30, 2011

I found Luminous to have a confusing premise. I freely admit to peeking at the ending when I was only about one third of the way through reading. I needed to make sure that my hunch about the Flow was correct and once that happened, I was able to settle into the story.

Consuela is shopping for jeans when she collapses. At home she feels an odd bump on the back of her neck and upon further examination realizes that she can take off her skin. As a skeleton, Consuela, or Bones as she is soon known, travels to the Flow. The Flow is a world that exists next to, or is layered over, our world. Consuela learns that she can make new skins for herself, made from water, air, fire, feathers, anything that is near her. She meets some of the other inhabitants of the Flow and gathers that they help people on Earth, people who have given up on life. But the Flow and its residents are being threatened and Consuela must help stop the killer. But what if he's the only one who can help Consuela get home?

The Flow itself was a confusing place. Each of the characters Consuela meets in the Flow gives more details about what it is and what it might look like. Although, it seems like the Flow would be different for different people. Each character has their own place (maybe base of operations is a better way to put it), that is unique to them - Sissy's office, Consuela's bedroom, and lawn outside a high school where Wish can be found are examples. Despite all of the details and explanation, I still wasn't sure what to think of the Flow.

Maybe, because I found the Flow to be a confusing place, I wasn't as invested in the story as I wanted to be. I cared about what happened to only some of the characters - Sissy, Consuela and V in particular. Consuela and Sissy's budding friendship was the highlight of the book. Other characters weren't really around long enough to get attached to. And then there was Tender, who scared me and made me cry, but I still didn't like him. Not even after Consuela learned his biggest secret: Did I understand him better, yes, like him, no.

I did really like that different religions and belief systems had a place in the Flow. Each of the characters used their different beliefs to help them with the main task of helping people on the other side of the Flow. I found the Day of the Dead imagery to be very interesting and liked how Ms. Metcalf wove it through Consuela's story. I wish there were more young adult books that touched upon different belief systems.

Overall, I had mixed feelings about Luminous. Please don't that discourage you from picking it up, especially if you're looking for a book that is different from a lot of other paranormal books.

Review - Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Possess by Gretchen McNeil
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: August 23, 2011

Source: BEA

Sweet cartwheeling Jesus! Gretchen McNeil’s debut novel, Possess, was a great mix of scary and sweet grounded in current day San Francisco.

Bridget Liu is still dealing with her father’s death. She’d rather be left alone than have to spend any more time than is absolutely necessary with her mom or anyone else, especially not with the voices only she can hear. These voices, Bridget learns, are demons and she has the ability to send them back to wherever they came from. Afraid to tell anyone about what she hears and can do, Bridget ends up working with the Monsignor at her high school and soon a priest from the Vatican joins them. Then, the demons pass along a message that has Bridget not sure who she can trust. As she tries to figure out the demons’ plan, Bridget worries that someone close to her will fall victim to the demons.

To be honest, at first, I thought “Demons and Catholic school, haven’t I read this before and recently too?” So, I was a little skeptical as I started to read. But, Bridget’s voice was so genuine and the third person narration was so spot on that it grabbed me from the start. Within a few chapters I found myself wanting Bridget to embrace her talent and find a way to balance exorcizing demons with her everyday life.

Ms. McNeil does a great job of showing the different parts of Bridget’s life: How Bridget essentially starts by trying to keep school and home completely separate from her work with Monsignor Renault. (A small aside here: it took me a long time to place the name Renault; it kept bothering me that I knew this name from another book, another book also set at a Catholic high school. When it finally hit me: Jerry Renault from The Chocolate War. End of totally random aside) She worries what her friends (Hector, Brad and Peter) would think if they found out about the demons. I was hoping that she would be more willing to confide in them, especially Hector, who I found to be funny and sympathetic. But, as the two parts of her life start to blend together, Bridget became an even stronger character. Being willing to confide what was going on with her, allowed her to share the burden a bit, as well as allowing her to be little more vulnerable, which I felt made her more relatable as a character.

Despite the overall darkness, there were enough moments of lightness and sweet that made Possess different from what I was expecting. I would put Bridget’s relationship with Matt Quinn, son of her father’s best friend, in the sweet category. It was more than insta-love, which was refreshing. Actually, it took a long while for them to become friends and then even longer for anything to really start between them and it went slowly, which felt very realistic. Yay for realistic teen relationships! 

If I had to give Possess a genre label, I would label it as horror. And I’m not one to watch scary movies - I’m a complete wimp when it comes to horror, but as I was reading Possess, I didn’t get as scared as I initially thought. Although, there is one particular scene that takes place in a doll shop that made me put the book down, take a deep breath and then start reading again. And I will never look at dolls quite the same way again, but overall, there was enough of the not scary that it creates a good balance. Given all of that, I still wouldn’t read Possess late at night.

I would highly recommend Possess to readers who enjoy both horror and paranormal books, especially if you like your scary with a little not so scary.

Review - The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Publisher: Disney*Hyperion

Publication Date: August 2, 2011

Source: NetGalley

The Near Witch is my favorite book of 2011, so far. And considering that it’s August, it will most likely stay in the top 3. After the first three chapters, I started reading the rest of the book one chapter at a time because I didn’t want the experience of discovering the story to end. I would dole out each chapter like a reward; if these 5 things got crossed off the to-do list, then I could read a chapter of The Near Witch. Then, when I got to the end, I put it away for a few days so that Lexi’s  and Near’s story could really sink in. I found myself thinking about scenes and conversations. After not being able to get it out of my head for almost a week, I reread it in one sitting, amazed by how wonderful it was. I think it may have been better the second time around. I, personally, love books that get better each time you read them and The Near Witch is most definitely one of those books.

The town of Near doesn’t often get strangers walking through or visiting for that matter. But the night after Lexi sees a stranger out on the moor, a child goes missing. The stranger, a boy who seems to fade into the night is blamed for the disappearance. As more children are found missing, Lexi knows she needs to help find them. Despite being told repeatedly that she is not to look for the children, Lexi, with the help of the stranger whom she named Cole, continue their own search. Something about what is happening in Near, keeps bring Lexi back to a story of witch who used to live in Near. Can the story be a clue to what is happening and perhaps how to find the children?

The Near Witch is a breathtaking mix of fairy tale, fable, historical fiction and fantasy. It’s all of those blended together so well, that it is really hard to pin down one word to describe it. If I were going to book talk The Near Witch, I would say that it reminds me slightly of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, with a mystery and some romance mixed in. The writing is what carries the story. Victoria Schwab knows exactly how to set the scene without over explaining; it was easy to picture the characters and how the town of Near was set up. Plus, all of the characters felt so real. Lexi and her sister, Wren, jump off the page from the beginning. And as the story progresses and more characters were introduced, the same was true of them too. 

I really enjoyed watching Lexi and Cole (the stranger) get to know each other. Their relationship really gets going as they are searching for the missing children and trying to figure out the mystery of the Near witch. Their scenes together are just perfect. But, as much as I like Lexi and Cole, my favorite characters are Magda and Dreska. The two sisters live on the outskirts of Near and are also believed to be witches. They give Lexi little pieces of information; sometimes making perfect sense and not making sense until much later. I like to think of them as Near’s real protectors. I was just drawn to them for Magda’s first scene with Lexi and I looked forward to seeing more of them.

There is so much to say about The Near Witch that I’m afraid that I could go on and on. But, I think this is a book that a lot of people will enjoy. If you liked fairy tales as a child, then you will like The Near Witch. If you like reading mysteries, or books with strong female main characters, or books that are about family (because there is a definite family component), or books that have slightly scary settings - I could go on. So I think I’ll end by saying, read The Near Witch, you won’t be sorry that you did. You may even find a new favorite book.

Review - A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (Harper Collins)
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
Source: Library

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started reading A Touch Mortal. The cover copy was very vague, except that it mentioned angels that have fallen. The main characters don’t fit the stereotypes I normally associate with fallen angels, and in my mind that elevates A Touch Mortal above the usual angel novel.

Eden is ready to give up on life when she meets Az and Gabe. She wasn’t expecting them, but with them around Eden is happy and feels loved. So when she suddenly finds herself without Az and in a new situation, Eden lashes out. She wakes up one evening to learn that she is now a Sider, someone who must spread Touch to humans. Without much information about her new “life” Eden must find a way to survive and stay invisible enough that she doesn’t attract the attention of either Heaven or Hell.

Eden is one of those characters you want to root for. She gets put in impossible situations and often has to find her own way out of them. She’s at a disadvantage due to a lack of information, which could have been easily remedies if other characters hadn’t been reluctant to be completely honest. Her whole existence would have been different if she had been told the truth from the beginning.

Gabriel is the character you think you know. His intentions seem pretty obvious; until it turns out he doesn’t match the image you have of him. Gabe was the most conflicted character, but I didn’t realize that until very close to the end and it changed my entire opinion of him. It’s obvious how much Gabriel cares for Eden and Az, so that redeemed him a little for me.

Az is hard to pin down. He doesn’t have as much page time and a lot of that is seen through the filter of Eden’s and Gabe’s perspectives. I’m hoping that he will get more page time in the nest installment, because I want to know more about Az and his history.

The supporting characters add some dimension to the story. Siders like Kristen and Eden’s crew of Adam, Jarrod and James give the reader a little more of the Sider mythology. But there really wasn’t enough. I wonder of that’s because Eden only knew the small amount she was told at the start. Then, she didn’t go after more information on her own. I thought there would be more interaction between the Sider factions but they all seemed content to stay within their boundaries, even though Eden ended up going Rogue (to use the Fallen term).

And speaking of the Fallen, there is Luke. For an antagonist he was quite creepy and very single-minded in his focus. Again, he was a character that was discussed or seen from other characters’ perspectives so that the reader gets the filter, character skewed version. The reader is told what is agenda is without hearing, or seeing it, directly from Luke; this leads to interesting interpretations, which are not really true. The moment his true agenda becomes clear, a lot of what happened before clicks into place. From that point on, it was easy to see that many of the characters’ actions stem from their interpretation of what Luke is really after, what his goal is, and it’s clear to see how that led the characters to make the choices they did. He became the Master Manipulator without actually having to manipulate a lot of people. While he was one of the least likeable characters, he was one of the most interesting.

It was the characters that really stood out to me in A Touch Mortal. They made the story for me and made me want to keep reading. The action felt stop and go and came in bursts, weeks or months would pass by in an instant with little information about what happened. It was here that it felt like the author was telling more that showing what happened. There were moments of brilliance - an intense scene at a rave, Eden’s first contact with Kristen - but I wish there had been more. The ending was very shocking and I’m hoping more will be explained in the sequel.

A Touch Mortal does deal with some dark subjects, specifically suicide. I, personally, would recommend A Touch Mortal to more mature teens that are looking for a book about angels that is different from the usual fare.

Review - Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Source: BEA

Kat and Hale, my favorite thieves (after Eugenides, of course) are back at it. In the two months since the events of Heist Society, Kat has developed a reputation as a thief who restores precious works of art to their rightful owners. This time Kat is approached by an elderly woman who asks her to steal the Cleopatra Emerald - to return it to her family. There are a few problems with this particular job: 1. The Cleopatra Emerald hasn't been seen in a very long time, 2. Uncle Eddie had forbidden Kat (or anyone in the family) from stealing the emerald and 3. The Cleopatra Emerald is cursed. Kat, Hale and Gabrielle manage to put together a heist and steal the emerald. But that's only the beginning.

Ally Carter has brought us another action packed installment in the life of Katarina Bishop. The stakes are higher (yes, even higher than robbing the Henley), but the characters rise to the challenge while managing to get themselves into as many impossible situations as they can get themselves out of.

Let me start out by saying that since Uncommon Criminals is the second novel about Kat and co., you really need to have read Heist Society to understand some of the relationships and dynamics in Uncommon Criminals. A few things are referenced, but for the most part Uncommon Criminals assumes that the reader has already joined Kat and her crew for their adventures at the Henley. That being said, this new job in Uncommon Criminals presents itself with its own set of issues and challenges to work through.

Like Heist Society, it was the characters that drew me into the story. Again, the characters were written so clearly that it was easy to picture them as I was reading. Kat really shows herself to be a kick-ass heroine; she's smart, stubborn, can see a situation from multiple angles, and knows when to ask for help (well, most of the time). She has definitely matured since Heist Society and it's nice to see Kat use her new skills to solve more than one tough situation. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite heroines.

Hale...what is there to say about Hale that hasn't been said? I didn't think it was possible for me to like Hale any more than I did after Heist Society, but it turns out that it is and I really shouldn't have been surprised. It was great to see the relationship between cousins, Kat and Gabrielle, strengthen and grow. Dare I say that it was my favorite relationship to read about. Yes, Kat and Hale have their spark, but I like seeing how far Kat and Gabrielle have come from that first antagonistic exchange in Heist Society.  And of course Simon and the Bagwell brothers join in on the action too; it wouldn't have been the same without them.

The action was fast paced and Ms Carter knows exactly when to throw in a twist or two, just enough to keep the reader guessing and want to keep reading. Uncommon Criminals was a one read book that kept me up way too late, because I just had to get to the end.

I would recommend Uncommon Criminals to readers who love their mysteries with a side of thievery and a dash of international intrigue.

Review - Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: June 28, 2011

Source: Publisher through NetGalley

A historical fantasy about a princess and the feud between two nations, Legacy had a lot of elements that could have made it a new favorite. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.

The Kingdom of Hytanica has had a long standing feud with its neighbor Cokyri. During the last war, Cokyri kidnapped forty-nine newborn boys, slaughtering and returning all but one. For sixteen years an uneasy peace has existed. But it’s about to shatter as a Cokyrian boy is found within the walls of Hytanica. In the midst of this, Alera, the seventeen-year-old crown princess of Hytanica, has one year to find a husband and get married. Her suitors must be capable of ruling a kingdom, because after Alera is married her husband will become king. Her most persistent suitor, Steldor,  has the backing of the king despite the fact that Alera can’t stand him. As Alera gets to know Narian, the Cokyrian, she is shown that there can be more to life than being the king’s wife. But, Narian’s past brings with it new questions and tensions with Cokyri.

After a prologue that set up the story and gave the reader more information about the war between Hytanica and Cokyri than some of the main characters had, Legacy got off to a slow start. There was so much description, especially of rooms and clothing, that it really slowed the narrative down. I normally like description in books, especially if it is important to the plot, but I also like to have some room to imagine how things look on my own and that didn’t happen with Legacy. A lot of the descriptions were not important to the storyline – which I think was the tension between Hytanica and Cokyri and Alera’s marriage – but more Alera’s observations. An example is that Alera explains that the throne room has four entrances and that one of them leads to the King’s study, but it never comes up again.

Most of the time, reading Legacy felt like reading someone’s journal as they look back on the past year of their life and examine what happened. At times, Alera felt disconnected from what was happening, again she came across as an observer not a participant. It’s not until events start to affect her personally that there is a spark in her personality. For someone who questions a lot about her country, she remained ignorant of some of the most important pieces of its history. And this more than anything made dislike her for a great part of the book. It wasn’t until more than halfway through that the real Alera came to the surface.

What saved Legacy for me was an intriguing love interest, even though it was part of a love triangle. Alera’s connection with Narian was evident from their first meeting and I was hoping for more of their romance. The historical feel of Legacy worked well for the story. The way Hytanica was described it put to mind an Italian city-state or small medieval nation. I also liked that Alera was a rule-breaker at heart and she did go after her heart’s desire. I just wish that she hadn’t been so passive, especially in her dealings with the king. It took meeting Narian for Alera to consider that there were places women did more than serve their husbands. 

While Legacy didn’t win me over completely, it will appeal to those readers who enjoy books with a historical feel. If you’ve enjoyed reading books like Entwined, Book of a Thousand Days, you might enjoy Legacy.

Review - Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard

Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: June 14, 2011
Source: Library

An accident by the river at a boy’s boarding school; a set of friends who cover up the truth; a young teacher connects with a student through poetry; one student desperate to keep his biggest secret hidden; a journal writer attempting to piece all the information together; all of these pieces come together in Paper Covers Rock.

What really happened the day Thomas drowned? Alex and Glenn make a pact to cover up the truth. Alex feels a lot of guilt over Thomas’s death and begins to write journal entries (what he likes to refer to as his “great American novel”) trying to piece everything together. Except that it wasn’t just Alex and Glenn by the river, it’s possible that their English teacher, Ms. Dovecott, witnessed everything. As the semester goes on Alex finds himself putting more and more of his thoughts on paper, in his journal and his English assignments, while Glenn becomes more paranoid about what Ms. Dovecott knows to the point that he hatches a plan to intimidate her into silence. Will Alex go along with Glenn’s plan or will his guilt force him to come clean?

I’ve wanted to read Paper Covers Rock since I first heard about it earlier this year. The cover copy reminded me slightly of A Separate Peace. The comparisons are easy to make - both novels are set at a boy’s boarding school, a tragic accident occurs, lies are told about what really happened, but that’s where the similarities end. A Separate Peace was set during World War II; it was almost a character itself in how it affected the lives of the characters, while Paper Covers Rock is set in 1982, where boarding school politics take center stage.

Overall, Paper Covers Rock lived up to my expectations. It is beautifully written and the author’s background as teacher, poet and playwright are evident in the way the story was set up and executed. Alex’s journal entries and the homework assignments he adds give a picture of a boy who feels a lot of guilt over what happened to his best friend. He is desperately trying to figure out why and how Thomas could have died and through is writing learns the reason behind the death. I love that he hides out in the library when he’s writing and that he hides his journal behind a copy of Moby Dick because he knows no one will be checking it out anytime soon.

 The action really focuses on Alex, Glenn and Ms. Dovecott. They are the most developed characters. Alex does mention other students in his year and some of them are introduced in English class, but they mostly seemed like filler. Not every character has to be fully developed, so I was okay with this. I only wished that Alex’s dad had gotten a little more page time, I know he had a very small part to play, but it would have been interesting to see that relationship a little more.

There were a couple of things that took away from my enjoyment of Paper Covers Rock. The first was Alex’s voice; it didn't always sound like a sixteen-year-old boy’s voice. Occasionally, it sounded like a much older person talking about events that happened to them a long time ago. The second was Glenn, he was such a manipulative character and he expected that everyone would just go along with his plan. Alex calls him a “golden boy” because he seemed to be able to do nothing wrong (or at least not get caught despite the fact that he was often in the spotlight). I just never liked him as a character or connected with him.

 Paper Covers Rock has a more literary feel than other recently published young adult books. It will appeal to certain readers and it’s not a book I would recommend to everyone. It talks about some weighty issues (death, drinking, and teacher-student relationships), so I would recommend it mostly to older teens.

Top Tens List with Suzanne Young

Today, Suzanne Young, author of A Need So Beautiful is visiting The Serpentine Library and sharing her top ten favorite guys of YA.


Top Ten Guys of YA Lit

When it comes to reading, there are several things I look for. A cool plot, characters I like, hot guys. Okay, who am I kidding? Hot guys are the number one things I look for. And with that being said, here are my top ten favorites:

1.     Nick- The Demon’s Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan

2.     Jace- The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

3.     Etienne St. Clair- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

4.     Dexter- This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

5.     Keenan- Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr

6.     Adrian- Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

7.     Peeta-The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

8.     Alex - Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

9.     Will - Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

10. And okay, this isn’t YA, but Eric Northman from The Sookie Stackhouse series. And I LOVE him on True Blood.

Character Interview - Bethany from Bitter End

Today, I'm happy to welcome Bethany from Bitter End by Jennifer Brown. 

Welcome Bethany! Can you describe yourself in 5 words or less?

Loyal, passionate, studious, and friendly.

What's your favorite thing about being friends with Alex and Zack?

Our history. We really know each other. Well…we used to, anyway. I’m not so sure I know Alex anymore. I’m hoping that will change soon. But, anyway, there are no secrets between us. We have our “roles,” if you will, and we all know them. We don’t have to act all supercool when we’re around one another. We can let down our guards and be little kids again if that’s what we want. And we always have fun together.

What was the first thing you though when you met Cole?

That he was super hot. There’s no getting around it. I was a little jealous at first, honestly. But it didn’t take long for me to see that there was something not so hot lurking underneath with that guy. But even I didn’t know how far it really was going.

What was it about Cole that made you question the way he was treating Alex?

Mainly the changes in Alex. She was my best friend. She was always all-there for me, you know? And then all of a sudden, she stopped wanting to do much with us. She stopped having a sense of humor. She started acting like Zack was a big problem. She just changed. And then there was the night of the lake party. Everything changed that night.

I love that you're an organizer and planner, and that through everything you didn't stop planning the trip to Colorado. What's another destination you would love to plan a trip to?

Someplace foreign and fabulous where I can learn about another culture that is very different from ours. Where I can try food I can’t pronounce and sleep in little huts under mosquito nets and raft in rivers that sound frightening and exciting. And where I can meet a super hot guy of my own…one who digs organic living and treats me like a queen.

About Bitter End:

Publisher: Little, Brown BYR

Publication Date: May 10, 2011

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 understands her and loves her for who she really is.

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, and 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.

Author Interview - Leah Cypess

Today I'm excited to welcome Leah Cypess, author of Mistwood and Nightspell to The Serpentine Library. Not only does Ms Cypess write awesome characters like Isabel, Clarisse, Darri and Callie, she's also a fan of The Queen's Thief series! Plus she has some awesome books on her TBR.

Welcome to The Serpentine Library, Ms Cypess! Can you tell us a little about Nightspell?

Nightspell is set in a kingdom where an ancient spell forces murder victims to come back as ghosts and seek vengeance on their killers. Centuries later, this has resulted in a society where the living and the dead co-exist uneasily. When a warrior princess rides into this kingdom on a quest to save her sister, she will be forced to reexamine beliefs she has never before questioned – and untangle a conspiracy that threatens the balance of power between the living and the dead.

Was it easier or harder to write a second book set in the same world as Mistwood?

I wrote the first draft of Nightspell before getting the offer for Mistwood, so though they were theoretically set in the same world even then, there wasn’t any explicit connection between them; after all, I didn’t know if Mistwood would ever be published. After both were accepted for publication, I decided to connect them more closely. I didn’t realize how difficult that would be, and how much would have to change. It was one of the most difficult revisions I’ve ever done.

If you could bring any of your characters to life, which one would you choose?

Ven. He could explain magic to me!

I read that you are a fan of country music. If a country song was written about Nightspell, what would it be called and who would you want to sing it?

Mmm… “Ghosts of Yesterday” sounds like a country song, doesn’t it? And I would want Trisha Yearwood or Lee Ann Womack to sing it.

If you could choose any character from another book to come “visit” your characters and spend some time in Samorna, who would they be?

Eugendies from Megan Whalen Turner’s Attolia series. I would love to see him come up against Isabel or Clarisse. In fact, I would pay a lot of money to witness either of those confrontations. (**sidebar: so would I!)

I’m a complete Megan Whalen Turner fangirl! Her Queen’s Thief books are high on my list of favorites. How did it feel to have her blurb Mistwood?

I promise, I answered the last question before I read this one! But as you can tell, I share your Megan Whalen Turner fandom. In fact, I was rereading The King of Attolia when I got the formal offer for Mistwood, and I couldn’t believe I was going to be published by the same imprint as her! Later, I met her at ALA, and she asked if I had an extra ARC. Needless to say, I gave her the one in my bag. I was ecstatic when I found out she blurbed the book.

I love hearing about books authors are excited about reading. What are three books on your “to be read” list or three books you’re looking forward to reading?

I’m really looking forward for three soon-to-be-released books: The Demon’s Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan, Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson, and Prized by Caragh O’Brien.