Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind. 

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. 

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary. 

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.


I am going to warn my readers now, this review might be a bit spoiler-riffic, and full of rants.  So, only read this review if you don't care about having the plot somewhat revealed for you.  I was mildly excited to read this book, as I felt Wither was somewhat unsatisfying and my questions would be answered in the second book.  Whoops - should have read something else.  I suppose I could say that my questions were answered, but only in the most predictable and stagnant way possible.


Okay, so here we are in 2012, an era when YA dystopian fiction with strong heroines is popular - rock on Katniss!  And then there's Rhine; in my head, I re-named the girl "Whine" instead of "Rhine," because other than puke, that's pretty much all she does.  At least I can credit DeStefano for breaking the mold?  Throughout this novel, we are supposed to believe in Rhine's "inner strength," as she thinks about it all the time.  But, I just didn't see her actions in this novel line up with any sort of inner strength.  She ends up (plot details given away):
1.  In a prostitution circus, drugged out and forced to "perform" with Gabriel as customers watch
2.  Traveling around the country, "mysteriously" ill (at least here she somewhat took control)
3.  Vomiting all over herself numerous times, but hiding it from everyone (just stupid, not strong)
4.  Shot up with various drugs
5.  An unwilling victim of medical experiments (but don't worry, she just sits there drugged out and does nothing) 


Ok, so it's not a pretty world she lives in, and there are apparently all sorts of people conspiring behind her back, but really.  Rather than seeing Rhine making a plan and executing it, all I really saw her doing was feeling sick and wishing she could come up with a plan.  At about page 200, I was over it.  And then, even worse, there's Gabriel.  I will be putting his name on the "Characters I Don't Give Two Hoots About" list.  For someone who supposedly gave Rhine the inner strength to leave the mansion, and who stays devotedly by her side (out of love?), his character is REMARKABLY flat.  I know he has green eyes (which look at Rhine with concern... A LOT), and that he lived in an orphanage before being sold to the mansion.  That is all.  If she and Gabriel are supposed to love one another, there is zero chemistry to confirm it.  Plus, (spoiler here), when she and Gabriel get separated, Rhine doesn't even seem to miss him, and instead is just relieved to see some other lost characters (I won't say more). If they are in love, it seems like a pretty wishy-washy one.  I found myself instead cheering for Linden, the wimpy husband she ran away from in the first book.  So sad.


The plot in this novel moves a lot more than the first book, but that's really only due to the numerous changes in setting.  The reader follows Rhine and Gabriel up the east coast of the United States on their way to reunite with Rhine's twin Rowan in Manhattan.  As one can imagine, the two meet various difficulties along the way.  While this seems like an alright premise for the book, there were a few snags in the logic and/or writing that dampened my enjoyment.  To start, I can't get a sense from either of these books about the state of the country.  On one hand, the situation seems so dire all that's left for females to do is hide, go into prostitution, or marry into polygamous relationships designed to breed more children in the hopes a cure will be discovered and save the children before they reach their fatal age.  Ok, a little bleak and full of sex (I'll cover that topic later), but fine.  However, on the other hand, apparently the infrastructure is still held-together enough that there are television broadcasts, truck deliveries of luxury goods like soda and potato chips, hot water and electricity readily available, and food such as oatmeal and maple syrup accessible to most citizens.  Or, medicine is so expensive that Rhine can't get it, but a woman who runs an orphanage can?  Keep in mind, these orphanages are so desperate for money in other parts of the series that they sell children with little compunction.  So which is it?  I felt like there wasn't much attention paid to world-building and keeping it consistent, but instead the future evolves in a way that makes it convenient for moving the series along.  While I want to see Rhine happy and reunited with her brother (after all, as a big sister myself I am always going to cheer for family!), there were so many other weird moments in this book to get over and I just couldn't.  Even worse, the two supposed "twists" at the end of the novel were something that I just assumed had happened in the first.  So, no real excitement until the last line of the book, which does leave off on a cliffhanger.


On the surface, there isn't much content about which a teacher would be concerned.  On the surface.  All sex happens off-page, and there are zero swear words.  But as a female helping other young ladies develop confidence, I have to wonder about the message this series sends overall.  Is the future of womenkind so tied to the nation's that if one collapses, so will the other?  Meaning, if the world goes awry, all us girls will have left is having sex and hoping for men to save us?  Oh, and also, we could become victims of highly unethical medical experiments.  Yay progress?  I just feel like if someone is a female writer, creating books for impressionable female readers (as most teens are), why not choose the empowerment route? Instead, this whole book is completely bleak, and Rhine doesn't overcome it and rise above (which would make the message more tolerable).  And why the preoccupation with sex at all?  There are so many other interesting debates the premise of the novel brings up - for example, how to spend our years alive - but the essential enslavement of women overpowered all of those for me.


The cover of the book is pretty, as was the first, but I think it's deceiving.  The message of the series is anything but, and the writing is nothing to write home about.  I will not be purchasing these books for my classroom anytime soon, and don't plan on passing the series into the hands of readers.  And when 2013 rolls around, I doubt I'll bother reading the third book.  There are too many other exciting, uplifting, or thought-provoking series out there.

Cover: Timekeeper (Timeless #2) by Alexandra Monir

Ahhhh!  Isn't it gorgeous?!  I loved Timeless so much (especially its drool-worthy cover... call me shallow) and cannot WAIT until December for this second installment to be published!

Thanks to Goodreads.com for the image!

Review: The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


Colby's post-high school plans have long been that he and his best friend Bev would tour with her band, then spend a year in Europe. When Bev announces that she will start college just after the tour, Colby struggles to understand why she changed her mind and what losing her means for his future.


I have been looking forward to the release of this novel since I read LaCour's debut Hold Still over the summer.  Her ability to create believable characters and beautiful writing made me an instant fan.  And as much as I loved her first novel, I'll be honest, I loved the second one even more.


Even though Colby is the narrator in this book, rather than the love interest, he might be my new favorite YA man.  He is creative, loyal, and just the right amount of hung up on Bev to be romantic.  Because I was so staunchly in Colby's corner, though, I probably disliked Bev more than I should have.  Her aloof and secretive nature, especially at the beginning of the novel, soured me a bit.  However, the more I got into the story, the more I started to appreciate Bev; there is a deeper reason why she wounded my guy so badly.  However, by far my two favorite characters were Meg and Alexa, the other members of The Disenchantments, who, along with Bev, hope to be a new riot grrrl band a la Bikini Kill (though Bev's favorite band is Sleater-Kinney.  Worth YouTubing by the way - they are excellent!).  Meg and Alexa are quirky, cute, and well-designed, especially for supporting characters.  


The plot of the novel is driven by the "great journey" theme as The Disenchantments travel up the coast of California, touring in small towns on the band's way to drop Meg off at Lewis and Clark University in Portland.  This trip throws the characters into new experiences, which in turn causes them to have moments of self-discovery, and brings them to new understandings of one another.  While it perhaps is not the most exciting plot in the sense of thrilling, breathtaking suspense, it has a different sort of charm.  Plus, LaCour's writing is some of the best writing I have read in a long time, which keeps me engaged.  Personally, my favorite part of the story was the sub-plot involving Colby's father, uncle, and mother.  The two guys were also in a band, which leads to some touching parallels between the two groups.


Though I would have read this book if it was bound in a brown paper bag, I absolutely ADORE the cover.  The whole "Instagram" photo quality the cover fits perfectly with the art-student, bohemian flavor of the characters.  Content-wise, there isn't a whole lot with which to be concerned.  There is some language, and a few moments involving sex.  Nothing is described explicitly, but it is not exactly left up to the imagination either.  Between this and the more nuanced plot, I would recommend this book for older or more mature readers.


I can only hope that LaCour comes out with a third novel soon.  Without a doubt, she has become one of my favorite rising YA authors, and I can't wait to share this novel with my students.  What a great sophomore read!

W... W... W... Wednesday 4

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.  To take part in this feature, you answer three questions in a blog post:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

This week, I was cut off from borrowing new books from the library until I help my librarian preview the Virginia Reader's Choice list.  So, for the next few weeks, that will probably be the focus of my reading - I can't wait either!  The list this year looks absolutely fabulous, with a few surprises on there.  However, I decided to read a few quickies off my TBR list before, which is where this week's reading originated.

What am I currently reading?

I just started reading Fever by Lauren DeStefano last night.  I had mixed feelings about the first novel in the trilogy, Wither, but am invested enough in Rhine's story to continue. 

What did I just finish reading?

In a late-night frenzy, I finished The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour.  Her debut Hold Still was incredible, but I think this one was even better!  Review forthcoming!

What will I read next?

First book off my Virginia Reader's Choice list is Bonechiller, by Graham McNamee.  Until the list was published, I had never heard of this novel, but it sounds spooky and exciting.  I can't wait to dive in!

Did anyone else finish great books this week?  Do any other states publish reading lists for teens? 

Bloggiesta weekend!

How have I not heard about this weekend until now?  Bloggiesta is hosted by Suey from It's All About Books.  This weekend, March 30, 31 and April 1, is all about taking some time to spiff up our blogs and make them more... exciting?  Organized?  Whatever we choose!  Though I've been trying my best, there are always things that fall between the cracks in my busy schedule.  I am hopeful to spend this weekend fixing up my blog by:

• Tagging all of my posts
• Linking from my meme posts to my reviews
• Providing links at the bottom of my review to related book sites
• Learning ONE new blogging trip from a Bloggiesta host(ess).

I can't wait to get started and spiff my blog!

Anyone else have blogging work to do this weekend?

Top Ten Tuesday 12

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's topic is the top ten books I'd play hooky with.  While I would love to have a job where it isn't a complete pain to take a day off, as a teacher, sometimes sub plans are more headache than they are worth.  So, for me, playing hooky means not grading, and choosing to read a book instead.  I've had a lot of those books lately!  So...

The Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

1.  The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin:

I know some were underwhelmed by this book, but I literally could not put it down.  I sat out in the sun for a solid three hours reading one day after school, and I almost never take that much down time!

2.  The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour:

I could not get over how much I enjoyed this book.  I stayed up far too late reading it last night, but the ending was well worth it.  Wish I could have stayed home and read it!

3.  Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl:

I LOVED this book the first time I read it, and now having the second and third books, I can't wait to keep going in the series.  Sadly, I read the first one a few years ago, so I feel like I need a refresher before going on.

4.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson:

This was a series that technically, I did play hooky with.  Husband and I tore through all of them while on our honeymoon this June... because there's nothing better than reading on the beach!

5.  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins:

Alas, literary analysis essays were put on hold until Anna finally got her smooch.  Solid decision.

6.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor:

I stayed up an entire night reading this book over Winter Break.  I imagine that when the second book in the series is finally released, I will do the same!

7.  Crazy Love by Leslie Morgan Steiner:

This was one I played grading hooky with last year.  A harrowing memoir, but I was so completely engrossed I lost all track of time.

8.  Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson:

I read this entire novel in a night, and was obsessed with it, but sadly, have not read it since.  Perhaps it's time for another marathon.

9.  Room by Emma Donoghue:

I think the reason I say I'd want to play hooky with this book is because it so thoroughly disturbed me, I couldn't look away.  While probably not the lightest reading for sunbathing, boy was it engaging (and terrifying!).

10.  Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling:

This is one of those series I could read over and over, without ever tiring of it - and have!  Losing myself in familiar characters is a great way to spend the summer, especially while getting a tan.

Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them both legions of faithful fans.

I was talking with one of my students on Friday in the library, and he told me, "Everyone I know is on a John Green kick, including you."  I didn't really think about it until then, but he is completely right.  I am on a bit of a John Green kick, and am enjoying it immensely.  Will Grayson, Will Grayson did not disappoint!

Obviously, as with any Green novel, the characters' hilarious voices are what makes it so special.  Adding in the collaboration with Levithan just made the characters even more charming and unique.  Though the two Will Graysons are the central characters, my personal favorite was Tiny Cooper, the "original" Will Grayson's gay best friend.  His eternal optimism, even in the face of disappointment (not to mention his fabulous song lyrics) made me cheer for him more than any other character.  However, both Wills were also written with such complexity; I felt like they were real.

The plot of this novel is not filled with a whole lot of action, but more the internal conflicts of the two Wills.  However, the narration is so well done that their personal thoughts and feelings seemed very eventful, even though most of what they are experiencing are "typical" teenage doubts.  Relationships, loyalty, trust, and fear of relying on someone else - I found myself genuinely caring about how the characters felt, and that's what compelled me to keep reading.  However, the humor in the novel certainly didn't hurt!

Content-wise, I will be honest, this book could offend some.  Though I absolutely adored it, I'm not sure I could handle the potential issues having it in my classroom could spark.  Language and plenty of sex references ran throughout the book, but added to what I felt were authentic teen voices.  Furthermore, it does explore the issue of homosexuality, which could be problematic in a more conservative school setting (as mine is).  However, I don't think these things were gratuitous, and literature should represent all types, even if some disagree.  In a larger library setting, this book would be entirely appropriate.  Moreover, for the right student, I think this book could have a profound effect and powerful message:  you are appreciated.

For now, I will be leaving my slight John Green kick as I embark on a few TBR books, and then devouring the Virginia Reader's Choice list.  Though no John Green is on there, I am thrilled that another David Levithan book is - Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.  Can't wait to try my second Levithan novel!

Book Review and Blog Tour: Cobble Cavern by Erik Olsen

Publication date:  April 10, 2012
Publisher:  Cedar Fort Books
Copy of novel received from Net Galley
Image and summary from cobblecavern.com:


What starts out to be a fun field trip to Ireland for Flin and his school debate team, turns into a life changing adventure. Flin and his teammates get swallowed by an earthquake and become trapped under the ocean inside a clear dome where they discover an unknown civilization. Join Flin and his classmates on a journey of a lifetime in this thrilling adventure story.




My thoughts:


I will be honest, this book was not one of my favorites that I've read recently.  Perhaps it is just because I've been away from middle grade lit for too long.  Of course there were fabulous elements to the story, but there were also some distractions that took away from the adventure.


The characters in this book vary in scope.  Flin, the main character, and a few of the others are very well-created.  Readers empathize with Flin, hate Parcell and his selfish father Sump, and cheer for the consummate sidekick Pilt.  However, there were also a lot of other characters who came in and out of the story at random, and they got a bit difficult to keep track of!  I needed a graphic organizer (which definitely made me miss middle school).  I feel like the story, and the important characters, would have been strengthened if the extraneous characters were trimmed down a bit to allow the others to flourish.


The plot is creative and adventurous.  I particularly enjoyed any portion of the storyline where the characters used a unique trait of theirs to get out of a difficult situation.  For example, Edgar, one of the debate team members (I think?) is considered an outcast because of his proclivity for collecting hair.  However, rather than letting this character remain an outcast, his odd collection ends up coming in handy.  I feel like middle grade readers could absolutely relate to someone feeling like he doesn't belong.  Similar to the characters, though, the plot gets overly confusing at times.  There were moments that happened in real time, and then the time would speed up, and I felt there wasn't any indication that it was happening.  This back-and-forth time lapse could get very confusing, especially for younger readers.


Content-wise, there wasn't a whole lot to worry me.  Some of the bullying might upset very young readers, but I didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary for MG lit.  Likewise, the intense moments in the novel were no more intense than some other favorite MG series, like Percy Jackson.  The cover, I feel, would absolutely catch a younger boy's attention, which bodes well for hooking potential readers!


Overall, this is not a book I will be adding to my high school class, but I do think it will be happily placed in the hands of some dreamy, imaginative boys with a precocious reading ability (I had a whole crowd of those at my middle school!).


Other links of interest:


Book website with author info  
Goodreads profile
Cedar Fort Books
Other Blog Tour Stops

W... W... W... Wednesday 3

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.  To take part in this feature, you answer three questions in a blog post:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

This week has been a very busy week, and most of my reading has been student-generated (grading papers...), so I feel like I haven't gotten to read like I usually do.  That being said, I did get to finish a great book!

What am I currently reading?

Currently, I am reading Cobble Cavern by Erik Olsen (picture isn't loading, for whatever reason).  I am one of the stops on the blog tour hosted by Cedar Fort, which is very exciting!

What did I recently finish reading?

Earlier this week, I finished reading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.  Little bitter because my iPad deleted my review (always save those as Word docs - lesson learned!), but I did thoroughly enjoy the novel.  It was one of those books I was sad to finish!

What do I think I'll read next?

I always plan brilliantly to read something, but this time, it really is happening.  A student was very kind to lend me this book, and I WILL finish it this week!  Looking forward to it!

What's on everyone else's to read lists?

Top Ten Tuesday 11

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's topic is our Top Ten Spring To-Read Books.  Honestly, my to-read list is so woefully long, I had a difficult time choosing just ten books to put on a list!  Believe me, these are in no particular order, just ten books I am either anticipating, or have had sitting on my shelf/in my Kindle, waiting to be noticed.

The Top Ten Books on my Spring To-Read List


1.  Fever by Lauren DeStefano:

I had mixed feelings about Wither, but I am finding many folks who thought it was too slow enjoyed Fever much more.  I suppose we will see...

2.  Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan:

I am devouring as many of Green's novels as I can get my hands on.  This one was lent to me by a student last week, so it will probably be first off of this list and onto my "read" pile!

3.  The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter:

This series sounds like a grown-up girly Percy Jackson, and thus right up my alley.  Recently purchased by my fabulous school librarian, so hopefully I can get my hands on it soon!

4.  Across the Universe by Beth Revis:

I've had this one on my shelf for a while, patiently collecting dust.  Just need to find the time to read it!

5.  The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness:

Another series I've had sitting on the bookshelf for a while.

6.  Unearthly/Hallowed by Cynthia Hand:

I have heard nothing but rave reviews of these books, and since Unearthly was on sale for 99 cents as an ebook, I am excited to dig in!

7.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:

This is one of those books I feel like everyone has read except me!  Not for lack of spending money on it though... the bookshelves in my office are rather cramped at the moment!

8.  Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins:

I absolutely devoured Anna and the French Kiss, so I am eager to try her next novel!

9.  The Luxe by Anna Godbersen:

Historical fiction and a swoon-worthy cover caught my eye!

10.  City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare:

Honestly, this might have to get pushed to summer.  I LOVD the first three books of the series, but it's been a long time since I've read them.  I feel like I need to re-read before I go on with the series, and that's a lot of time to invest!

Any titles you see missing?  Which of these on the list should I try first?

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.It can.She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.There is.She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.She's wrong.


This is a book that I have been eagerly watching the library shelves for, hoping it would appear.  When it did, all other reading was suspended.  As it turns out, pretty much all other activities were suspended, including sleeping.  I thought this book was that exciting.


To begin, I thought Mara was a fantastic narrator.  Hodkin does a brilliant job of keeping the readers entranced in the mystery of Mara's past, while also giving her a humorous voice.  To me, the humor helped temper the darkness of the plot, as did the high school drama.  The love interest, Noah, is equally exciting and interesting.  While he is rumored to have a dark past too, I couldn't help but smile over his sarcasm and kind-heartedness (though these two traits seem to be disparate, Hodkin made them work for Noah!).  My only complaint would be the way Mara treats Noah for a good portion of the novel.  She is surly and somewhat cold, which got a bit tiring after a while.  But then again, perhaps it was just because I was cheering so intensely for him.


The plot in this novel was much more driven by character development than anything else.  I personally prefer this kind of novel, especially when I know that it is going to be the first in a series.  The slow pace allowed me to try and look for clues to unravel the mystery myself, rather than just having it revealed to me quickly.  I'm not even sure I still fully understand what's happening to Mara, but that only serves to heighten my anticipation for the sequel.  However, this is not the book for the impatient.  Mara's secrets are not revealed until the end, and she spends much of the book in denial.


One strength of this book is the fantastic cover art, which is hard to ignore.  Though it seems shallow, I will openly admit the cover art was largely what drew me to the novel in the first place.  I am hopeful it does the same for potential readers!  Content-wise, there is a lot of discussion about sex, but nothing graphic, and nothing overtly "happens."  Typical of a high school setting, there's also a bit of swearing, but nothing over-the-top.  Certainly nothing that would keep me from passing the book along.


I am so thrilled I found a book I couldn't put down - it was perfect to enjoy along with the unseasonably warm weather.  I can't wait for the sequel, and to share this book with others!


Anyone else excited for the sequel??

Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. 

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .


This was a book that I saw on NetGalley and got super-excited to read.  I love nothing more than a creepy dystopian novel, and this one fit the bill!  While it's exploration of society's obsession with youth was interesting, the overall book was a little bit underwhelming.


Personally, I felt that the characters were where this book fell a bit short.  Callie, the protagonist, was entertaining and believable as the narrator, but just didn't strike me as original.  I would have loved to see a bit of an "edge" to her, rather than just carrying the flag for her brother and the good of all youth.  Similarly, the love interest, Blake, was ... blah.  Cute, rich... ehhhhh.  I just wanted a bit more, and it wasn't delivered.  I honestly found myself not caring whether the two of them ended up together, which is never a good sign.  The characters I did love, however, were the various "enders" who were renting youthful bodies.  Their obsession with "living a youthful fantasy" did lead to some chuckle-worthy moments.


The plot in this book was exciting and engaging, but felt a bit too fast-paced.  Perhaps the event-driven plot was why there was so little character development.  I felt like I barely had time to breathe before the next car chase, explosion, or spy mission happened.  While fun to read, it left some holes in other areas which, unfilled, made the whole novel fall a little flat.  However, the ending was AWESOME, and left a cliffhanger that I am eager to see play out!


Content-wise, there is nothing with which a teacher should be concerned.  And honestly, the above whining is just because I am an overly picky reader.  I think the fast pace of the book, easy to understand characters, and suitably creepy premise would all hook my readers.  Plus, who doesn't love an attractive and shiny cover?


Overall, though perhaps not my favorite book, I will be happy to recommend it to my students.  It is the perfect quick read, and potentially a good "starter" for those new to dystopian fiction (couldn't resist a pun... :).

W... W... W... Wednesday 2

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.  To take part in this feature, you answer three questions in a blog post:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

Apparently, my first attempt at this post yesterday didn't work, so I will just have to update as I finished a book this afternoon!

What am I currently reading?

Right now, I am starting Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.  I've been in a dystopian rut (all of them are starting to run together!), so I think a cute romantic novel will be just what I need to break it up.  This one came highly recommended by my students and librarian alike, so I am eager!

What did I recently finish reading?

I finished Starters by Lissa Price earlier in the week (Monday?), so review upcoming!  This afternoon, while enjoying some unseasonably warm and sunny weather, I finished The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.  Though it's almost 500 pages, I TORE through it in two days.  So good!


What do I think I'll read next?

I am looking forward to beginning Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.  A good fantasy novel will continue my brief vacation from dystopian books!




Please leave a link to your list below - finding new titles for teens is one of my favorite tasks! Happy reading!

Top Ten Tuesday 10

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's topic is the Top Ten "X" Genre Books.  We get to fill in the "X" with whatever we wish!  Typically, I read a lot of dystopian books, so I feel like most of my lists have been based around that.  As it is a night that my husband is on-call (gotta love being married to a medical resident), I have the time to be creative and post about another one of my favorite (but as of late neglected) genres:  historical fiction.

Top Ten Historical Fiction Books (Not all YA, so proceed carefully!)

1.  A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly:

Donnelly is definitely one of my favorite YA authors.  This book, about a murder at a ritzy upstate New York resort in 1906, is based around the same story that inspired the famous novel An American Tragedy.  Highly recommended for teens and adults alike!

2.  Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden:

I've re-read this book so many times, I've lost count.  Every time, it makes me cry, laugh, and throw the book in frustration.  That's the mark of a good book!  Set in 1930s Japan, it immerses the reader in a time period and country seamlessly.

3.  Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

This is one of those ridiculously talked-about and hyped books that completely merits all of the positive buzz.  The 1930s circus backdrop is a great historical trip!

4.  The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory:

Despite this book's prodigious length, I think I read it over the course of two days at the beach - it is that good.  The world of Tudor England is so full of drama, scandal, and intrigue it is completely engrossing.  Warning:  SO NOT for teen readers!  Verrrrrry mature.  But for adult readers, I heartily recommend any of Gregory's novels.

5.  Fever 1793  by Laurie Halse Anderson:

Anderson is one of the magic teen authors who can turn any topic into literary gold.  Fever 1793 is no different.  A coming-of-age tale set during the Yellow Fever outbreak in Philadelphia, I found this book both quick and relatable.

6.  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Perhaps it's a cheat to include a book that was not historical fiction at the time it was written, but seriously, who can argue with this classic.  Though I hesitate to put the "curse of Colleen" on it by admitting how much I love it (thus rendering it unpalatable to my juniors), this book is so beautifully written.  Plus, who doesn't love the excessive wealth of the roaring '20s?

7.  Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell:

This book appears on too many of my lists, but that's because it's just one of my favorites.  The Civil War was an absolutely devastating time for all involved, but at the same time, makes a great backdrop for one of the best love stories ever.

8.  Atonement by Ian McEwan:

Definitely love both the movie and the book.  WWII England comes to life in this absolutely gut-wrenching novel that I cannot recommend enough.

9.  Elephant Run by Roland Smith:

This novel has been one of my go-tos for reluctant readers, especially boys.  Set on an elephant plantation in Burma during WWII, students get to experience adventure and a side of history they rarely see.

10.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett:

Sadly, in an effort to meet people in my new hometown, I went on a social outing to see this movie before I read the book.  However, I will say that even as someone who broke the cardinal rule of readers (always book before movie!), this book is worth the read even if you have seen the movie.  The South comes to life in a completely real way.

Review: Prized by Caragh O'Brien

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?


I absolutely devoured the first installment of this trilogy, Birthmarked, in 2011.  So, naturally I was thrilled when my library got this book in - I had been dying to see how Gaia's story continued.  Thankfully, I was not let down, and am now eagerly anticipating the third book in the series.


One of my favorite aspects of this trilogy will continue to be the heroine, Gaia.  She is a remarkably believable character, especially given the setting of these novels.  What I enjoy about her is her belief in her personal principles, and her sense of integrity.  These character traits, while so important, often go overlooked in YA novels, which is too bad!  In this novel, she has to decide what is more important/the "right" thing - sacrificing her personal beliefs, or sacrificing those close to her.  It's a fascinating inner conflict to watch play out.  This novel also sees further development of the primary love interest, Leon, though not as much as I would have liked.  To be honest, the other members of the love... square?  rectangle?  (even Gaia doesn't know what to call it!) were much more endearing to me.  The brothers Chardo, Will and Peter, were both dorky, awkward, and completely melt-worthy.  


The plot of this novel was completely captivating, pretty much from the outset.  The story starts off with a bang as Gaia gets captured and brought to Sylum.  From the description above, it's easily deduced this is one creepy society, but the summary does not do it justice!  To think of a place where the population is dying off due to low female numbers, and the desperation that must cause in everyone, is a bit mind-bending.  I could certainly sympathize with the women, who are hoping to keep control of a powder keg set to go off, and the men, who just want the same rights as everyone else.  While some parts in the novel dragged a bit (for example, Gaia is under house arrest for an entire chapter...), there were plenty of surprises and romantic intrigues to keep me engaged.  I found the amount of romance surprising, actually, given the first book was largely focused on other ideas.  However, in a community where touching and flirtations are extremely limited, it seems only natural relationships (and navigating the rules) would take the spotlight.


There is one potential snafu with this novel.  Though dystopian fiction is designed to question social boundaries and rules, this particular book hits on a very sensitive topic:  abortion.  Helping women miscarry could feasibly fall within the realm of Gaia's midwife duties, but it's clear in this book that it is NOT for medical reasons, but rather because of harsh societal norms.  Also, there is an odd seemingly side-plot involving therapeutic drug use (no more info here, as it would involve some bummer spoilers).  


So, overall, I personally would rate this book extremely high.  However, as a teacher, I would be careful to whom I recommend it.  For those who are staunch in their beliefs, this book could be offensive (the Dark Materials trilogy comes to mind as having a similar issue).  This book is set in the future in a completely fictionalized location, so I think most readers could be alright with the content (after all, most of my students have gone crazy for Unwind, which also explores the abortion debate).  But, be wary of sensitive readers, as reading should be a pleasurable experience, not one that offends.