I was not cut out for Physics. I just wasn’t. And digging into the topic in graphic novel format and reading about an interesting guy like Feynman didn’t change that. Elly picked it up and said – this is science-y. Yes, yes it is. I’m sure there are teens who will like this book. I don’t know quite who they might be but I’m very sure they are out there.
The Rivals is the sequel to The Mockingbirds (not to be confused with Mockingjay). I… didn’t like it as much as The Mockingbirds and I saw the twist coming from a zillion miles away. I can’t believe how badly the three board members worked together. Wait, yes I can – they’re high school kids. And Alex was really not prepared to lead the group – I suspect even if the cards hadn’t been stacked against her, she’d have had trouble with a big issue case. But, by the end of the book – she was definitely stronger, a better leader, and a better person, so that’s good.
Also, I like Jones. I wanted more Jones.
Remember back in October when I read Redemption during the Readathon? Well I finished book two in the series a few days ago – I wrote about Ransom over on BlogHer. If you’re interested in demons and angels and gargoyles and witches and YA fiction, click over there and read my post. J
I’ve decided I hate series’. They always end just where I don’t want them to end. Born Wicked, for example – gah! Next book! Need next book NOW. What happens to poor Maura. Are the Cahill sisters really the sisters from the prophecy or does Sachi have another sister/half-sister…? See that, see the problem. While I really enjoyed the story and am dying for the next book, I’m also looking for some unexpected twist because right now, it’s a little too easy.
Thank goodness From Bad to Cursed had no demon dolls like the first Bad Girls Don’t Die book did. This one might have freaked me out even more though. Stepford wife type girls. Cult girls. And when Alexis slammed the chair into…. Well, I won’t ruin it for you but gah. What will happen next? Is everyone going to hate Alexis and Kasey? And in the next book, we’re going to see more Carter – right? Because something tells me I will be reading the next book, they’re too creepy NOT to read.
From Bad to Cursed Read More »
When I heard Jennster had self-published a YA book, I put it on my list of books to read (once I caught up with my TBR list) because I love Jennster. She’s fun and she’s funny and I’m a big believer in supporting BlogHer peeps – I never did get caught up on my TBR list but I did buy her book. And I did finally, after months and months, read it.
In Dreams was not like any other YA fantasy chick lit I’ve ever read. Really. Totally unusual plot – particularly toward the end. I mean it’s not a surprise for girls to fall for “dream boys” but… well… this dream boy was really a DREAM boy who was also real. Sort of. It’s complicated but also easy, once Kat figures out who he is. Of course that’s also when the drama begins.
The book needs an edit, like almost every self-published book I’ve ever read, but it was a quick, easy read … and Jennster is totally awesome.
*Update: I just noticed there appears to be an edited-this-year version (and I’ve had my copy for a very long time — so yay for edits!)
Lord. This book, A Monster Calls, should teach me to reserve books without paying any attention to a) who wrote them b) what they are about.
Patrick Ness. That should have given me at least a clue as to what we were in for when we started listening to the book on audio. But, I didn’t know he wrote it. I didn’t pay attention. It was a Cybils Shortlist and that’s all I knew.
Gah.
It started off nicely. Really nicely, actually. With a tribute to a YA author who had died. The name of the author sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it – so I looked it up when I came home that first day of listening to it and discovered … Siobahn Dowd, the author of The London Eye Mystery (which I loved), had died. I didn’t know that. So sad – but a super wonderful tribute to her starts this book off nicely.
And then there’s a Yew tree monster, which makes perfect sense and TW was nodding her head along with the story and I was smiling.
There’s a lot about stories – the power of stories – how they’re wild things and hold a lot of power.
See, great start, right?
Sure, it was obvious that this was going to be a tough read, Connor’s mom has cancer and that never ends well. His dad moved to the US and is never around, either. He’s got some bully problems at school. Pretty typical of a YA novel – throw in a story telling Yew tree monster and you’ve got one hell of a book.
And then the pain starts. The emotional and physical pain of listening to the story play out – the horrible, horrible nightmare of a story. The pain starts slowly, and works its way into your head first. And then it grabs hold of your heart and twists and does not let go until you’re a bloody, sobbing, mess.
This book – horribly wonderful. Really. Ness is a master storyteller. He is. And when he tells you a heartbreaking story, you literally feel your heart break.
Be careful with this book. If you’ve lost someone recently. If your child has lost someone or is terrified of losing someone she loves – she may not be ready for this one. Hell, it’s possible that nobody, ever, is ready for this book. But, it’s too good to NOT read. I would also suggest careful thought to the age of the child reading. This is on the Cybils shortlist as Middle Grade fantasy/science fiction, which in my house tends to mean 8-12. But, I’m not sure that’s right – it feels older, deeper and a whole lot scarier than some 8 year olds are ready for. It’s not the story of sex between the prince and the farmgirl, that’s tame. But it is very, very violent. And heart-wrenching, I mentioned that painful, heartbreaking horror – right?
There are books that stay with you for your whole life – this is going to be one of those books.
*Note: We listened to it on audio so we didn’t see the illustrations others speak so highly of – there is a bonus DVD in the audio book but I’m not sure I want to SEE those images. Listening may have been enough for me… We’ll see.*
Oh Flavia. I am Half-Sick of Shadows caused me to say “Oh, Flavia” and “Poor, Flavia” a lot. And, this might be my favorite book since book one. No, wait – not might be, it is my favorite.
The interactions between Flavia and the cast of regulars felt better developed – probably because we’ve read enough of the background story and we understand the top layer of why these characters feel and think and act this way and now it’s time to dig a little deeper into their psyches.
Whatevs — I loved it. Loved the Father Christmas storyline. Loved the fireworks.
Can’t wait for the next book.
I am Half-Sick of Shadows Read More »
Twisted is another piece of great YA fiction from Laurie Halse Anderson – this one about a boy with a whole lot of problems, most of which are related to dysfunctional family issues. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the book. It started with a teen boy working off his community service hours after spray painting his high school. Turns out, spray painting the high school was a good decision – compared to the what he really thought about doing.
I liked Tyler. I liked Hannah and Yoda too. And I liked a good number of the adults in the story, as well. And the ending – pretty much perfect.