Review: Hush, Hush

While I didn't finish the 2010 Young Adult Challenge, I did manage to get one more read in before the end of 2010.

This is book 7/12 for the YA Reading Challenge.

Title:  Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Summary:  For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.  

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.  

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life. 

My Review:  This is one of those books where I'm torn between anger at myself for waiting so long to read this book and happiness that the next book in the series is already out and I don't have to wait. In case that leaves any room for interpretation, I completely loved everything about this book. I loved our lead character in Nora, who wasn't weak or stupid, but at the same time wasn't super-strong and confident. She's just a girl caught up in a series of events that were beyond her. I also loved all ...moreThis is one of those books where I'm torn between anger at myself for waiting so long to read this book and happiness that the next book in the series is already out and I don't have to wait. In case that leaves any room for interpretation, I completely loved everything about this book. I loved our lead character in Nora, who wasn't weak or stupid, but at the same time wasn't super-strong and confident. She's just a girl caught up in a series of events that were beyond her. I also loved all the other characters and how the story unfolded. 

The relationship between Nora and Patch was great. It wasn't perfect love. It wasn't made up of complete trust and devotion, so much as desire and possibility. And once you become aware of his true identity and how he came to know Nora, it just makes the whole relationship so much more intriguing. 

There is so much going on in this book from beginning until end and it was one of those can't-put-down reads, where I had to finish and know what happened next. I can't wait to read the next one and see what happens next.

Overall:  5 stars 

Review: Undone

So the chances are not looking to good that I will actually finish the 2010 Young Adult Challenge, but I'm still going to keep reading as many as I can.  There are still two weeks left to the month, right?

This is book 6/12 for the YA Reading Challenge.

Title: Undone by Brooke Taylor

Summary:  When Kori Kitlzer, the “dark angel” of the 8th grade, tells Serena Moore that they are more alike than she thinks, Serena is instantly intrigued. As their friendship solidifies and their lives entwine, Serena tries to become more like the fearless, outspoken, and ambitious Kori. Soon Serena doesn’t know where she begins and Kori ends. But when a twist of fate yanks Kori away from Serena, she will need to find a way to complete her best friend’s life left undone.

Undone is a striking debut novel about friendship, family, and the secrets we keep from the people to whom we are closest.

My Review:  This book had me hooked from page one. I loved the narrator provided to us in Serena. She was sarcastic and cynical, but still loving and hopeful. She wanted so much, but sometimes had trouble believing it was possible - such a typical emotion at that age, especially after she's dealt a terrible tragedy.

I enjoyed the dynamic she had with her friends and allowing us to see those relationships made all the harder when catastrophe came about.

Serena's grief and determination are what make this book so great. The author never backs away from showing the horrible moments, the just-can't-stand-to-go-on moments, and writes them with such an authentic voice.

The mystery wasn't so much a mystery as I think everyone pretty much figures it out early on, but it's all part of the journey that Serena has to take.

I recommend this book to everyone. It's a quick read because you just don't want to put it down (even if it took me over a week from when I finished to do the review).  I absolutely loved it and look forward to more books from this author in the future.

Overall: 5 stars

Review: Clockwork Angel

This is book 5/12 for the YA Reading Challenge.

Title: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Summary:  Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My Review:  I had a hard time with this review and where I would rate this book.  There are a few pros and a few cons to this read, but I think that if you are a fan of Cassandra Clare, it won't disappoint.  If you're neutral and have read the Mortal Instruments, it might go either way.

Clockwork Angel is an interesting prequel to the Mortal Instruments, with the start of an intriguing plot to drive the story of the series revolving around Tessa, the Magister, and the Nephilim, and it keeps you hooked from the beginning. I do enjoy the author's ability to create a world like this - that piques your curiosity as a reader and keeps you turning the page (sometimes staying up later than planned or ignoring things like laundry).  One of the greatest strengths that Cassandra Clare possesses as a writer is her ability to create that what's-happening-must-keep-reading feeling in her books.  I finished the book and wanted more.  There is so much that I feel like I need to know and how am I supposed to wait until the next book? That's a great feat for a writer.

I also have to say that I didn't see a certain character's deception coming and I'm usually pretty good about figuring that out.  However, it didn't occur to me until I think it was supposed to as a reader.

The problem with the book and the area that I think the author is weakest, for me anyway, is with her characters. Not that I don't like them or their relationships with each other, that part was wonderful.  My issue is that it doesn't feel like the characters are any different from those she wrote before.  Nothing seems to change. Having read the Mortal Instruments series, it feels like it's the same characters re-brandished with new names and new psychical looks. Will feels almost exactly like Jace in several ways - though there is something darker (which is one of those oh-my-god-need-to-know things!) - and Tessa reminds me so much of Clary. At times, it read to me like "Jace and Clary thrown back in time."  Maybe that was done purposefully, but it didn't feel like it.

Also, almost every single character is full of wit and completely sardonic. I love characters like that, who can provide that honesty while making me laugh at the situation, but not every character should be like that.  And not all the time. 

Overall:  3 1/2 stars

Review: Nevermore

This is book 4/12 for the YA Reading Challenge.

Title: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Summary:  Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

My Review:  I'm a huge Poe fan, so that alone and it's integration into the storyline made me quite happy. Aside from that, the book introduces two interesting main characters in Isobel and Varen, very different in many ways, and interesting to read about when they're together. The problem falls into two areas: 1) the remainder of the characters, aside from Gwen, are highly unlikeable (and I'm not talking about the scary monster sorts) and 2) the rush at the end to establish everything that has become of Varen and what he brought Isobel into. It's another one of those cases where it seems quite clear that the author planned for a sequel and it felt, at least to me, that it took a lot of time to set things up and then BAM-rush-right-into-action-at-the-end.

I really did like Isobel and Varen though. I love that Isobel is (was) popular, but still had a sense of right-and-wrong-lines-you-don't-cross. I love that she had a good relationship with her parents and most of the time she didn't pretend or act ashamed of who she was (to Varen or to her friends). And I love that book has set up a great chance for the girl to be the one who rescues the boy (and I don't just mean emotionally).

And despite the flaws I did see in the book, it was still an enjoyable, fast read, the sort that makes you want to keep reading because you need to know what's going on and understand it.

Overall: 4 stars

Review: Forgive My Fins

Here is the next book that I read for the 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge.  I really do need to get better about remembering to actually post my reviews here (there are two more to post that I've already read).  Brain, time to work.

YA Challenge Book 3/12

Title:  Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Summary:  Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

My Review:  (Warning: There are a few spoilers in this review)

My friend asked me what I thought of this book while I was reading and I didn't want to rush to any judgments as I was hoping one of the things that bothered me would change. That would be the main character, Lily, being rather shallow and self-centered. It did get a little better by the end as she realized certain things about how she judged others, but she really didn't seem to care about anyone but herself. For example, part of the whole story is that when a mermaid kisses someone s/he is binded to the other person for life and the other person, if human, becomes mer. And it just seemed like she took the idea that anyone would just be okay with that, love or not, to such an extreme. And, again, I think it was supposed to be part of the character's journey and I realize that she was a teenager, but as a reader who is mostly driven by characters, this made it hard for me at times.

With that gripe out of the way, I can say that I loved the idea of this book and Tera Lynn Childs creates these very interesting worlds in her books. I loved Quince, who seemed to be the only one who saw things clearly most of the time, and how he was both protective and frustrated by Lily.  I'm also a sucker for bickering/bantering and really enjoyed the development of the connection between Lily and Quince.

It was enjoyable once I could accept Lily's sheer idiocy. It did end with an interesting twist regarding another character, so I'm interested to see if that's what the sequel is. If it's more Lily, I have to admit that I'll probably pass.

Overall:  3 stars

Reviews: Mockingjay & Oh. My. Gods.

So I signed up for the 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge awhile ago.  I've been reading the books, but keep forgetting to put up my reviews.  I get easily distracted by more books to read and pretty boys on the television and whatever random thing pops into my head.  I'm sorta like the dog from Up that way.  I'm just going along and all of a sudden, "SQUIRREL!"

Anyway, I signed up to do the mini-challenge, which was to read twelve young adult books by the end of the year, starting on May 22nd.   Here are the first two reviews as I don't want to post too many at once.

YA Challenge Book 1/12

Title: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Summary:  Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.
 
My Review:  I loved this book.   I try to think up something constructive to offer, but it really comes back to the fact that I love this book.  I've read it twice - once because I couldn't wait and had to know what happened; second time to try to absorb more of what was going on.  I won't lie.  The book did upset me a great deal, but not in a this-is-horribly-written-way but rather the I-love-these-characters-so-much-and-don't-want-to-see-them-hurt way.   That's part of what makes it so good though.  It's true to the world and story that has been set up in the first two books.  The fighting, the loss of life, and the sheer trauma of being put in a position to hold up an entire resistance.  
 
The book picks up a bit after the end of Catching Fire and Katniss is beaten down, barely holding on, and once again, the only reasons she agrees to do anything is to protect those she loves.  It started with her sister in the first book and comes back around to getting involved to save Peeta and the others.   I love that throughout the journey Katniss still isn't sure of what's best or not, and that she's not always this great sainted girl, just someone who loves and hates and reacts because of it.

The ending is devastating, but makes so much sense.  It had to happen in order for Katniss to truly understand the world she was a part of and the role she really played.  Because again, the motivations of Katniss have always been guided by those she loves.

If there is still someone out there who hasn't read this series, I just beckon them to head out and get a hold of it. It's amazing.

Overall:  5 stars. 

---

YA Challenge Book 2/12


Title:  Oh. My. Gods by Tera Lynn Childs

Summary:  A modern girl's comedic odyssey in a school filled with the descendants of Greek gods.

When Phoebe's mom returns from Greece with a new husband and moves them to an island in the Aegean, Phoebe's plans for her senior year and track season are ancient history. Now she must attend the uber exclusive academy, where admission depends on pedigree, namely, ancestry from Zeus, Hera, and other Greek gods. That's right, they're real, not myth, and their teen descendants are like the classical heroes -supersmart and superbeautiful with a few superpowers. And now they're on her track team! Armed only with her Nikes and the will to win, Phoebe races to find her place among the gods.

My Review:  This was a great, quick read. I loved the main character and the situation she found herself thrown into. I like how she was trying to deal with everything changing around her, holding on so hard to what she knew that her blinded her to certain things.  Finally, she was able to realize sometimes change isn't a bad thing - something we all go through - and that it doesn't mean you have to let go of the people you love.

It's definitely a very cool concept that was played with here.  However, there were a few issues.  There were quite a few cliches at work - the bad boy with the heart of gold who can't resist the plain girl, the evil step-sister, the mean girls tormenting the new girl - and the book felt completely rushed from the beginning until the end.  And there was hardly any time spent on the big reveal (which I'm not sure how big of a reveal it was as I figured it out early on) or any emotions that Phoebe might be feeling about it.  It was just this quick wrap-up.  My only guess is that the author knew there would be a second book (which there is).

Still enjoyable and I definitely plan to read the sequel to see where it goes from the end of this book.
 
Overall:  3 stars

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Sign up here.

I'm doing the Mini YA Challenge, which is to read 12 YA books by end of 2010.  I do read a ton of young adult books, already have this year, but I figured, since the year is about halfway over, I would start fresh from this point on.  So the other YA books I've read this year I won't count.  I'll start fresh with 12 new ones to get done before the end of the year.  I can do it.  I hope.

(List of books as they are read will be added here with corresponding links to my reviews)