Monthly Archives: November 2014
Anomaly
Schrodinger's Consortium, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
2014-11-25
400
Reality is only an illusion. Except for those who can control it… Worst. Birthday. Ever. My first boyfriend dumped me—happy birthday, Josie!—my dad is who knows where, I have some weird virus that makes me want to hurl, and now my ex is licking another girl’s tonsils. Oh, and I’m officially the same age as my brother was when he died. Yeah, today is about as fun-filled as the swamps of Dagobah. But then weird things start happening… Like I make something materialize just by thinking about it. When hottily-hot badass Reid Wentworth shows up on a motorcycle, everything changes. Like, everything. Who I am. My family. What really happened to my brother. Existence. I am Oculi, and I have the ability to change reality with my thoughts. Now Reid, in all his hotness, is charged with guiding and protecting me as I begin learning how to bend reality. And he’s the only thing standing between me and the secret organization that wants me dead…
Review:
This is one instance where I really wish half stars were an option, because I wanted to give “Anomaly” 3 1/2 stars. I chose to round up, because aside from one specific issue (which I will expand upon later), it was a solid 4 star book, in my opinion. Giving it 3 stars would be taking off too much.
“Anomaly” is a fun dystopian YA thriller based on the works of Schrodinger and his fellow scientists. Josie is able to “Push” things into reality by her thoughts, and because she can also “Retract” them, she is an anomaly. It’s a fun premise with a well-timed plot that keeps you guessing. Also, there is a good romance in there that isn’t forced into a love triangle. Build me a ship, and I will sail it.
The only concern I have with the book is that it may be almost too reliant on references to pop culture. A good many the average reader will get, but some are very obviously related directly to fandom. That’s great if you’re in the fandom, but a little more explanation may be necessary for others. One example I can think of is the use of the name Benedict in reference to two posters. I’ll give a spoiler here, because I do not want that to keep YA dystopian romance lovers from reading the book: Cumberbatch. IMDB. You’re welcome.
Overall, I really enjoyed “Anomaly” and am looking forward to reading the next.
This review is based upon an advanced copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
The Pornographer’s Daughter: A Memoir of Childhood, My Dad, and Deep Throat
Biography & Autobiography
Skyhorse Publishing Company Incorporated
2014-09-30
280
More than forty years after Deep Throat arrived on the cultural scene and inspired a sexual revolution, questions about the ethics of pornography and its impact on society are still being asked today and remain as controversial as ever. Kristin Battista-Frazee was only four years old in 1974 when her father, Anthony Battista, was indicted by the federal government for distributing the now famous porn film Deep Throat. As her father unexpectedly became an early pioneer in the emerging porn industry and transformed himself from Philadelphia stockbroker to porn broker, this indictment threatened his family’s stability. The stress drove Kristin’s mother, Frances Battista, to worry endlessly if her husband would be put in jail. She became so depressed that she attempted suicide. Kristin survived this family trauma to live a surprisingly normal life. But instead of leaving the past behind her, she developed a burning curiosity to understand her family’s history. Why did the federal government so vehemently prosecute this case? And why did her father get involved in distributing this notorious porn film in the first place? Did the influence of pornography in fact make Kristin a better person? Answering these questions and reconciling her dramatic family history with her life as a wife and mother became her mission. The Pornographer’s Daughter is an insider’s glimpse into the events that made Deep Throat and pornography so popular, as well as what it was like to come of age against the backdrop of the pornography business.
Review:
Every single person who wants to write a funny, readable, and memorable memoir needs to read “The Pornographer’s Daughter” before they write a single word. It is everything anyone could ask of a book, whether it be fiction or non-fiction.
As the title suggests, Kristin Battista-Frazee’s father worked as a distributor of porn, specifically the ever-famous “Deep Throat” starring Linda Lovelace. The entire story of “Deep Throat” is a fascinating one in and of itself. Add in the mob, the feds, the morality wars of the times, an extended Italian family, and a cast of characters that includes at least seven variations of “Anthony” and “Tony”, and you have a story that is beyond improbable. Yet, it is.
Along with all of the above, “The Pornographer’s Daughter” is a beautiful homage to the author’s unusual family and childhood. None of it is sugar-coated: she puts it all out there, flaws and all. The love is obvious, even in the context of such a unconventional childhood.
In short, I laughed, I cried from laughing, I cried from beautiful passages, and then I wished I knew most of the eccentric characters in my own life. I am extremely excited to see the television show that is being developed!
This review is based upon a copy from the Goodreads First Reads program given in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Do I really need to put one here? Pornographer is in the title, along with the iconic porn “Deep Throat”.
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography
Biography & Autobiography
2014-09-01
Laura Ingalls Wilder's unedited, and unpublished, draft of her autobiography that was written for an adult audience and eventually served as the foundation for her popular Little House on the Prairie series includes not-safe-for-children tales that feature stark scenes of domestic abuse, love triangles gone awry and a man who lit himself on fire while drunk off whiskey.
Review:
As with many readers, much of my early reading involved the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Of course, that world was also brought into our homes through the television series of the same name. It is not a stretch to say it has been a beloved staple of childhood for generations, including my own. Therefore, I was thrilled to get an advanced copy “Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Biography” through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
Here comes the honesty: this edition of “Pioneer Girl” is an absolute must have for all Laura Ingalls Wilder fans, fans of either form of Little House on the Prairie, as well as anyone interested in the history of the great plains. It is everything I hoped it would be and more.
The annotations are thorough and include little known facts about Mrs. Wilder herself, but also about the daily living of her time. Photos give a wonderful glimpse into the real people behind the stories and include such additions of schoolyard play in small towns. Her life comes alive in the minds of readers thanks to the photography and annotations.
Perhaps the biggest draw of “Pioneer Girl” is it was written as more of a diary of memories, skipping back and forth as her mind saw fit, and it was not changed as the Little House on the Prairie books were to add that little zing of which publishers are so fond. This is her story, stark, detailed, and wonderful, as she meant it to be.
I give “Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography” a hundred stars, but the rating system will only allow me to put five of them here. And don’t forget, this would make an excellent gift for the fans of Little House in the prairie in your life!
The Glass Magician
The Paper Magician, Book 2
Fiction
47North
2014-11-04
211
Now well into her apprenticeship with magician Emery Thane, twenty-year-old Ceony Twill is continuing to discover the joy of paper magic. She adores bringing her spells to life in surprising ways, from learning the power of distortion to creating a beloved paper dog. And she secretly hopes that the romance she foresaw blossoming between her and the peculiar yet strikingly handsome Emery finally becomes real. But when one magician with a penchant for deadly scheming believes that Ceony possesses a secret, he vows to discover it…even if it tears apart the very fabric of their magical world. After a series of attacks target Ceony, and catch those she holds most dear in the crossfire, she knows she must find the true limits of her powers…and keep her knowledge from falling into wicked hands. The delightful sequel to Charlie N. Holmberg's The Paper Magician, The Glass Magician will charm listeners young and old alike.
Review:
I enjoyed “The Glass Magician”, by Charlie N. Holmberg, far more than I did its predecessor, “The Paper Magician”.
The plot flows extremely well and is engaging from the first chapter, bringing more spark to the world established in the first of the series. I found myself fascinated with the inner workings of the magical world, all the way from the apprentices to the villains. All of them are intriguing, and I am looking forward to learning more of their stories in the next book. There is a surprise point of view changed for one chapter that I loved reading, as well.
The various forms of magic are clever and fun to read about, and much like choosing which house you should be in if you were to attend Hogwarts, I dare you not to give a good bit of thought to which material you would like to bond. The mix of the steampunk, fantasy, romance, and history works well together to make a world I think many readers would like to visit.
Highly recommended. Also, if you do not love Emery Thane, I do not think we can ever be friends.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Brief Language, Brief and Mild Sexual Situations, Violence
Like the Moon
Like the Moon
Realistic Adult Fiction
S&H Publishing, Incorporated
Paperback
206
In this charming novel, Mary Lewis captures the style, rhythm, and heart of a small, rural community in the South. From the first sentence to the last, she draws the reader in with colorful dialect and lovable, eccentric characters. In vibrant hues, Like the Moon weaves the fabric of a community through its oral storytelling traditions.
Review:
“Like the Moon”, by Mary Lewis Deans Foote, is what can only be described as a work of love about the daily lives of those born and raised in the south.
From the dialect to the common disagreements (should you break the leaves before or after cooking your collards?), it is a perfect picture about life in a small farming area. Everyone born and raised in the rural south can probably say they know all of these characters, by different names of course, in their own communities.
The story is told as though you are sitting around the kitchen table with the narrator, listening to what’s been going on while you were away on a trip. It is all vividly described and characters well-developed, while taking the time to meander through the stories, weaving in and out of memories of the past. It’s a true slice-of-life tale, and most likely will not be enjoyable for those who want a speedy plot with a lot of action.
If you want to take the time to savor slow southern living, then this is the book for you. The only reason I gave it four stars, as opposed to five, is that it is most definitely a niche book, and the dialect may be off-putting to those unfamiliar with the southern way of speaking.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided through the GoodReads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
No content warning, as this is an adult book.
The Paper Magician
The Paper Magician, Book 1
Fiction
47North
2014-09-01
214
Under the tutelage of magician Emery Thane, Ceony Twill discovers the wonders of paper magic, but when her teacher's life is threatened, she must face the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic to save him.
Review:
“The Paper Magician”, by Charlie N. Holmberg, is a fun fantasy novel with some steampunk leanings mixed in for good measure.
The story itself, about a young magician’s apprentice named Ceony training under, well, a paper magician, is imaginative and a new take on magic. I, for one, would never have considered paper to be used as a form of magic, but with the parallels to the art of origami explored within the novel, it all comes alive.
The world is complex and whimsical, with just the right touch of evil lurking in the shadows. The characters are well-developed, and their histories are revealed in what has to be the most unique way I have ever read. Which, while being a high point of the novel, is unfortunately also its biggest flaw.
In the revelation, which is most of the second half of the story, it becomes muddled and bogged down, leading to a sluggish read. A bit of editing and clarification here and there would have done wonders for the flow. As it stands, what could have been wonderful became somewhat mediocre by the stilted narrative often throwing me out of the story altogether.
That being said, the ending left me wanting to read the next book in the series, and I am hoping the issues in “The Paper Magician” do not reoccur, as it really does hold the promise of a fun and engaging series that can be read by middle readers on up through adults.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Violence, Brief Sexual Situations
The Book of Ivy
Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
2014-11-11
304
What would you kill for? After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual. This year, it is my turn. My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and return the Westfall family to power. But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy. Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…
Review:
“The Book of Ivy”, by Amy Engel, is one of the best and most engaging YA dystopian novels I have ever read. It manages to combine a heavy dose of romance with excellent world building and heavy situations.
From the first paragraph, the character of Ivy and her life is a complex mystery that grabs you and leaves you wanting to know more. As the world slowly develops and unfolds, so does Ivy’s past. It’s extremely well-paced, careful to reveal just enough to keep with flowing without making the ending predictable.
There are some very heavy subjects dealt with in an unflinching manner, but none of them are gratuitous. The bad behavior is just that – bad, with no excuses or justification. To counter it, there are many examples of respecting the wishes of others, treating those of the opposite sex with the respect they deserve, and standing up for what you believe is right.
The mix of romance, intrigue, and action makes “The Book of Ivy” a wonderful read for almost anyone who enjoys young adult literature, as well as many adults who just need to pick up a novel like it to realize they will enjoy it, too. While there are dark subjects, I have no trouble recommending it for readers in their teens due to the responsible nature in which it is all handled.
In short, five stars, two thumbs up, and a high recommendation.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Rape, Abuse
The Walled City
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2014-11-04
448
730. That's how many days I've been trapped.18. That's how many days I have left to find a way out. DAI, trying to escape a haunting past, traffics drugs for the most ruthless kingpin in the Walled City. But in order to find the key to his freedom, he needs help from someone with the power to be invisible.... JIN hides under the radar, afraid the wild street gangs will discover her biggest secret: Jin passes as a boy to stay safe. Still, every chance she gets, she searches for her lost sister.... MEI YEE has been trapped in a brothel for the past two years, dreaming of getting out while watching the girls who try fail one by one. She's about to give up, when one day she sees an unexpected face at her window..... In this innovative and adrenaline-fueled novel, they all come together in a desperate attempt to escape a lawless labyrinth before the clock runs out.
Review:
I am not sure what I expected when I first began to read “The Walled City”, by Ryan Graudin, but it was certainly not what I got. It is gritty, violent, and faces the most unpleasant of subjects head-on, weaving through three different points of view, with totally different lives, to create what eventually becomes a satisfying whole.
While it reads as a dystopia, The Walled City is actually based upon an actual place that once existed in Hong Kong. Once you finish the book, I highly recommend reading a bit about Kowloon. It is equal parts horrifying and fascinating, and it will give a real appreciation of how much research the author did to recreate the unimaginable living conditions in her novel. It’s a history buff’s dream.
All of the characters are well-developed, and all three plot lines are intriguing and filled with detail. The reader can almost feel the desperation faced by the residents of The Walled City themselves. There is good flow and almost seamless transitions from one point of view to the next. The reason I gave it four stars, instead of five, is that some of the relationship dynamics seemed a bit forced, but otherwise it is a good, solid read.
I recommend “The Walled City” for those in high school and above, or very advanced older middle school readers, due to the intensity of some of the subject matter.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Child Trafficking, Child Prostitution, Heavy Drug Usage
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