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A Fierce and Subtle Poison
Young Adult Fiction
Algonquin Books
April 12, 2016
288
Spending the summer with his hotel-developer father in Puerto Rico, seventeen-year-old Lucas turns to a legendary cursed girl filled with poison when his girlfriend mysteriously disappears.
Review:
“A Fierce and Subtle Poison” is a wonderful tale of magical realism and fantasy based heavily upon the stories and superstitions found in Puerto Rico.
If you’re looking for a book with typical romance, this one is not for you. The focus is more on the mysterious nature of a girl and a boy’s search to find himself. I absolutely loved the look into how Puerto Ricans view the rich Americans who are taking over and destroying the natural beauty of their homeland. For his part, Lucas, the main character, does have a love of the place and the people. It’s nice to see hope for change.
The characters are very well-developed, and the book reads at a fast and easy pace. It’s easy to get lost in the world and believe in magic again. I can’t say much else without giving away some important things, but I can say the ending is satisfying and leaves room for a sequel without needing one to make the story feel complete. It’s a really fun ride.
“A Fierce and Subtle Poison” does have some themes that might not be appropriate for younger middle graders, but anyone older who loves a good fairy tale will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Underage Alcohol Abuse, Violence, Brief Mentions Of Animal Death (Not Graphic)
Defender
Wendy Lamb Books
April 12, 2016
240
Seventeen-year-old Tyne and her boyfriend Stick investigate a decades-old murder after she finds the body of a girl in the basement wall of her apartment building.
Review:
“Defender” is a gritty mystery set in a downtrodden urban area of Toronto.
While I felt that the varied races of the characters and the realistic feel of the location were unique, there was something off about it all that I can’t quite put my finger on. It didn’t all come together in a way that could have taken it from okay to great. There were a lot of subplots occurring, and that may have been a barrier in keeping the story cohesive.
The mystery contained in the story was a good one with an ending I really appreciated. The look into the very real problems with the foster care system and the difficulty of being able to escape poverty were eye-opening. Many readers are sure to find characters they can relate to, which for many may be a rare occurrence.
“Defender” has its good and bad points, and I encourage those who are interested to give it a try. There is quite a bit of disturbing imagery, so those buying for younger or sensitive readers should keep that in mind.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Tell the Wind and Fire
Tell the Wind and Fire
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group
April 5, 2016
Hardcover
368
“Sarah Rees Brennan writes with fine control and wit, and I suspect that word of this magical thriller will pass through the populace with the energy of wind, of fire.” —Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and Egg and Spoon
In a city divided between opulent luxury in the Light and fierce privations in the Dark, a determined young woman survives by guarding her secrets.
Lucie Manette was born in the Dark half of the city, but careful manipulations won her a home in the Light, celebrity status, and a rich, loving boyfriend. Now she just wants to keep her head down, but her boyfriend has a dark secret of his own—one involving an apparent stranger who is destitute and despised. Lucie alone knows the young men’s deadly connection, and even as the knowledge leads her to make a grave mistake, she can trust no one with the truth.
Blood and secrets alike spill out when revolution erupts. With both halves of the city burning, and mercy nowhere to be found, can Lucie save either boy—or herself?
Celebrated author Sarah Rees Brennan weaves a magical tale of romance and revolution, love and loss.
Review:
Actual rating would be 3 1/2 stars.
“Tell the Wind and Fire” is a fantasy novel based heavily on “A Tale of Two Cities,” but if you haven’t read that you won’t be lost. I had very mixed feelings on it, ranging from being in love with certain parts to wanting to scream and throw the book at the wall in frustration.
The premise was really good and engaging. The world-building was fantastic, and that is always something that hooks me. Unfortunately, the plot was kind of jerked around. Sometimes it was fast-paced and others it was slow. Perhaps the worst aspect was that at times it felt like a good chunk of information was missing, and the reader was expected to infer what backstory led to the current events. It wasn’t enough to ruin the story, but it was an annoyance.
The main character, Lucie, was a child born in the Dark City who ended up in the Light. For half of the book she was fierce and relatable. Her dialogue with one character, whose details I will keep secret due to spoilers, was absolutely amazing. I loved their dynamic and wish the entire book had been about them. Then there was Ethan, her boyfriend. The term “flowery prose” does not even begin to describe how she thought of him. It felt like an entirely separate book. Think Victorian era romance, which would have been fine had she not been a strong character literally everywhere else. He was given flaws, some pretty serious ones, that were all but ignored in favor of her falling all over herself over his perfection. The over-the-top relationship almost ruined the entire book.
“Tell the Wind and Fire” is worth the read for the good parts, but be sure to be prepared for some frustration. It’s best for high school aged and up.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Mild Gore
The Midnight Watch
Fiction
Macmillan
April 5, 2016
336
As the Titanic and her passengers sank slowly into the Atlantic Ocean after striking an iceberg late in the evening of April 14, 1912, a nearby ship looked on. Second Officer Herbert Stone, in charge of the midnight watch on the SS Californian sitting idly a few miles north, saw the distress rockets that the Titanic fired. He alerted the captain, Stanley Lord, who was sleeping in the chartroom below, but Lord did not come to the bridge. Eight rockets were fired during the dark hours of the midnight watch, and eight rockets were ignored. The next morning, the Titanic was at the bottom of the sea and more than 1,500 people were dead. When they learned of the extent of the tragedy, Lord and Stone did everything they could to hide their role in the disaster, but pursued by newspapermen, lawyers, and political leaders in America and England, their terrible secret was eventually revealed. The Midnight Watch is a fictional telling of what may have occurred that night on the SS Californian, and the resulting desperation of Officer Stone and Captain Lord in the aftermath of their inaction. Told not only from the perspective of the SS Californian crew, but also through the eyes of a family of third-class passengers who perished in the disaster, the narrative is drawn together by Steadman, a tenacious Boston journalist who does not rest until the truth is found. David Dyer's The Midnight Watch is a powerful and dramatic debut novel--the result of many years of research in Liverpool, London, New York, and Boston, and informed by the author's own experiences as a ship's officer and a lawyer.
Review:
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the story of the Titanic disaster. I believe this can be said of many who grew up to become historians or develop a lifelong love of history. “The Midnight Watch” is a well-researched novel about the Californian, the ship that watched as the Titanic sank.
It’s almost inexplicable why there has been so little written about the events on the ship. The actions of her crew, or more correctly inactions, arguably changed the fate of over 1500 souls. The author has obviously spent a good amount of time researching using primary sources and piecing together a good narrative of what most likely happened. What I enjoyed the most was the actual sinking was a very minor part. The aftermath and inquiries were the main focus, and that is something also rarely focused on.
An extra layer of the story is created through the use of a fictional journalist for a Boston paper named Steadman. His pursuit of the truth provided a way to present the aftermath in a way which did not read like a dull history text. I especially appreciated the look into how journalism worked in those days, as well as the beginnings of the women’s rights movement. It was fascinating. Unfortunately, the character himself was someone I found a bit unbearable. That’s the reason for four stars as opposed to five.
The crowning jewel of “The Midnight Watch” is a short story included at the end entitled “Eight White Rockets.” There is one section for each rocket. It follows the Sage family, consisting of 9 children and their parents, during the sinking. This was a real family and details of their lives are sprinkled throughout the story. The treatment of third class passengers goes a long way toward explaining how so many children perished. The story also tells about what was happening on the Californian during the same time frame of each rocket. It gave me chills, and I still cannot stop thinking of those children and what might have been.
I highly recommend “The Midnight Watch” to anyone middle grade and up who has a fascination with the Titanic and wants a deeper understanding of what happened on that fateful night.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Sexual Situations, Language, Lots of Death
Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell
Second Story Press
April 5, 2016
Paperback
235
Frederick has a lot of rules for himself—like if someone calls him Freddy, he doesn't have to answer them, and he only wears shirts with buttons. But when his friend Angel—his only friend—goes missing and he is questioned by the police, he doesn't have a rule for that. Friendship is a new concept for Frederick, so when Angel asked him to keep a secret no matter what, he agreed. But do the rules of friendship apply when your friend is missing?
Review:
I can’t say that “Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell” is a bad book. In fact, I enjoyed most of it quite a bit. There were a couple of problems that kept it from being a four star book, though.
The story centers around Frederick, who has Asperger’s, and Angel, who is only his second friend. Frederick and his wandering stream-of-consciousness voice may be difficult for some to follow, but it’s an accurate portrayal of how many with Asperger’s (or add, adhd, etc.) think. One caveat with this is that people remember: If you’ve met one person with Asperger’s, you’ve met one person with Asperger’s. Think of this as a general view, not necessarily a specific one. Anyway, the situation in which he finds himself is complex for anyone, let alone someone with a different way of processing the world, and the portrayal of how he works through it is fascinating.
Angel is a mystery to him, but his observations do develop her character well. However, there is an abrupt shift to her point-of-view that irritated me. Here is a wonderfully refreshing story told by someone with a different way of looking at the world, and it suddenly shifted from his story to hers. We have more than enough books about the neurotypical, and I would have liked to see this one remain Frederick’s.
Granted, there is quite a significant event that happens (one I cannot elaborate on because it is a spoiler), so I can understand why the author may have thought it important to switch to Angel, but that event could have been tackled using Frederick. In fact, the handling of it seemed a bit rushed. It was a good thing to include, but I believe more exploration of the aftermath would have been more beneficial.
Overall, I can neither recommend nor not recommend “Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell.” If it seems interesting to you, give it a try.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Suggestive Dialogue, Sexual Situations
My Kind of Crazy
Juvenile Fiction
Sourcebooks Fire
April 5, 2016
336
A promposal that (literally) goes up in flames sparks a friendship that might be just crazy enough to work Hank Kirby can't catch a break. It's not that he means to screw things up all the time. It just happens. A lot. Case in point: his attempt to ask out a girl he likes literally goes up in flames when he spells "Prom" in sparklers on her lawn...and ends up nearly burning down her house. Peyton Breedlove, a brooding loner and budding pyromaniac, witnesses the whole thing and blackmails Hank into an unusual friendship. But when Hank learns about the dark secrets Peyton is hiding, their relationship may turn out to be his biggest disaster yet.
Review:
I really wish there were a half-star option, because “My Kind of Crazy” is a solid 4 1/2 star read.
There is a lot of heart to be found in this book. Mental illness and the topic of not fitting in are heavily covered, but before you think “not that again”, please read on. It is NOT handled in the typical way. First of all, I cannot remember reading any other YA book that tackles pyromania. That alone makes it unique. The issues are presented as serious, but there is a gentle humor in it as well. The problems aren’t made light of, but it does make it obvious that there is humor in almost every situation, and your attitude is as important as anything else in determining the outcome. I promise that sentence will make more sense if you read the book.
I loved Hank, Peyton, and the stripper-with-a-heart-of-gold Monica, red tassels and all. Main characters and secondary characters alike are developed beyond the surface. That makes for a nice character-driven read. The feeling of being stuck where you are is something I think many young adults (and adults) can relate to, and it is handled here in a way that has you feeling their hopes and fears as if they were your own.
The only problem I had was the ending felt a bit rushed, but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the story.
I recommend “My Kind of Crazy” for young adults and adults alike. If you’ve ever felt on the outside looking in, this is the perfect book for you. It is a good book for reluctant readers as well, since it’s a quick read that doesn’t skimp on plot or character development.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Emotional Abuse
Don’t Get Caught
Juvenile Fiction
Sourcebooks Fire
April 1, 2016
336
Get even. Get revenge. Just don't get caught. Max Cobb is sick of being "Just Max"—the kind of guy whose resume boasts a measly 2.5 GPA and a deep love of heist films. So when an invitation appears in his locker to join the anonymous, untraceable, epic prank-pulling Chaos Club, Max jumps at the opportunity. Except that the invite is really a setup, and Max, plus the four other misfits who received similar invitations, are apprehended by school security for defacing the water tower. Max has finally had enough. It's time for payback. Time to unmask Chaos. Let the prank war begin.
Review:
“Don’t Get Caught” is hands-down one of the best young adult books I have ever read. It’s a nice break from the tragedy filled contemporary, fantasy, and dystopian genres.
Max, the main character, is obsessed with heist films. He knows the list of heist movie rules with the same precision that Randy from “Scream” knows the rules of horror movies. When combined with an unlikely group of very different personalities all on a mission, he is able to put his skills to good use. All of the characters are well-developed and engaging, and all of them go beyond the normal teenage tropes. Think “The Breakfast Club” with a little less angst and a lot more humor.
The plot is based around a prank war. I don’t want to go into too much detail, because much like heist films the beauty is in the twists, but I can say that this book had me literally laughing out loud. In fact, it was more of an embarrassing belly laugh that turned into snorts, hiccups, and ultimately choking. It really was that funny. There is also only a hint of romance, so those who find that “not their thing” will get a break from love triangles and the like.
“Don’t Get Caught” is one of those rare books that will hold universal appeal. The target audience is high school and up, but almost every adult will also enjoy it, even if they are not necessarily fans of young adult books. If you like humor, you will probably like this. Also, if you have a reluctant reader in your life get this into their hands as soon as you possibly can. It’s the type of book that can help foster a lifetime love of reading.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Dialogue, Brief (Very Brief) Sexual Situations, Violence
In Real Life
Juvenile Fiction
Macmillan
March 1, 2016
240
Hannah Cho and Nick Cooper have been best friends since 8th grade. They talk for hours on the phone, regularly shower each other with presents, and know everything there is to know about one another. There's just one problem: Hannah and Nick have never actually met. Hannah has spent her entire life doing what she's supposed to, but when her senior year spring break plans get ruined by a rule-breaker, she decides to break a rule or two herself. She impulsively decides to road trip to Vegas, her older sister and BFF in tow, to surprise Nick and finally declare her more-than-friend feelings for him. Hannah's romantic gesture backfires when she gets to Vegas and meets Nick's girlfriend, whom he failed to mention. And it turns out his relationship status isn't the only thing he's been lying to her about. Hannah knows the real Nick can't be that different from the online Nick she knows and loves, but now she only has one night in Sin City to figure out what her feelings for Nick really are, all while discovering how life can change when you break the rules every now and then.
Review:
Real rating: 3 1/2 stars
“In Real Life” is a quick read that still packs a punch in the acceptance of the difference between expectations and reality.
I really appreciated that the book took seriously the importance of friendships that can form online. Some of my best friends were met online through mutual interests (let’s be real, those interests revolve mostly around books), and I value them as much as the ones made “in real life.” The expectation of someone you have met online measuring up to what you have made them out to be in your head is a major part of the book, but the same thing is true of those we meet elsewhere. Learning to adjust your expectations to reality is a part of growing up. Honestly, many a failed relationship is due to not accepting that, including everything from friendships to marriages.
The characters were typical teenagers, and I believe their reactions to circumstances were accurately portrayed. However, Hannah could be more than a little bit judgmental, and the adult in me wanted to scream at some of the bad decisions they were all making. None of this ruined the plot for me, but it did cause me to deduct a star.
Bonus: It’s a diverse book!
“In Real Life” is a book that will resonate with anyone who has a bond formed with someone they met online. I believe it’s a good read for anyone upper middle grade and up.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations
The Smell of Other People’s Houses
The Smell of Other People's Houses
Random House Children's Books
February 23, 2016
Hardcover
240
In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. This deeply moving and authentic debut is for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Benjamin Alire Saenz. Intertwining stories of love, tragedy, wild luck, and salvation on the edge of America’s Last Frontier introduce a writer of rare talent.
Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.
Four very different lives are about to become entangled. This unforgettable book is about people who try to save each other—and how sometimes, when they least expect it, they succeed.
Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock was born and raised in Alaska. She worked many years fishing commercially with her family and as a reporter for Alaska Public Radio stations around the state. She was also the host and producer of “Independent Native News,” a daily newscast produced in Fairbanks, focusing on Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Canada’s First Nations. Her writing is inspired by her family’s four generations in Alaska.
Review:
“The Smell of Other People’s Houses” is an engaging and unique literary novel that is a joy for all of the senses.
What I loved most about the book is the descriptions of the sights, sounds, and obviously, the smells. They are so vivid that you feel as though you are standing in the characters’ places. Everyone knows that different houses have different smells, but the author made the smells match the personalities of those living in the houses. It’s difficult to explain, but you will see what I mean if you read the book.
There are four main characters, and the story is told from each point of view. It’s very interesting to read how they interpret one another (including the smells of the others’ homes) and how their stories weave together. I also need to say that this is a wonderfully diverse book! The author grew up in Alaska and you can tell she has an intimate knowledge of the various people who make up the land. There is nothing but love for the many cultures, while also not being afraid to point out some of the systemic issues present in the area.
“The Smell of Other People’s Houses” is a beautiful book meant for those who enjoy reading about the lives of others. It’s meant to be savored, not devoured, and therefore will probably be best suited for those not looking for a fast-paced plot. I can say that it is a story that will stick with me and most likely be read several more times.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence
Yellow Brick War
Dorothy Must Die, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
HarperCollins
March 15, 2016
432
In this third book in the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series, new girl from Kansas Amy Gumm is caught between her home—and Oz. My name is Amy Gumm. Tornadoes must have a thing about girls from Kansas, because—just like Dorothy—I got swept away on one too. I landed in Oz, where Good is Wicked, Wicked is Good, and the Wicked Witches clued me in to my true calling: Assassin. The way to stop Dorothy from destroying Oz—and Kansas—is to kill her. And I’m the only one who can do it. But I failed. Others died for my mistakes. Because of me, the portal between the worlds has been opened. And if I don’t find a way to close it? Dorothy will make sure I never get to go home again. Now it’s up to me to: join the Witches, fight for Oz, save Kansas, and stop Dorothy once and for all.
Review:
I’m not even sure if I can objectively review “Yellow Brick War”, and since this one isn’t for a publisher, I’m not even going to try to be dignified.
*flail* Ilovethemsomuch. *flail*
Ahem.
If you can’t tell, I liked the book. It may be my favorite of the series.
The best plot twist isn’t even in the book.
Is it next year yet?
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Disturbing Imagery
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