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Curious Minds
Knight and Moon, Book 1
Fiction
Bantam
August 16, 2016
256
Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, teams up with Emmy-winning writer Phoef Sutton for a brand-new series of thrillers featuring charmingly eccentric Emerson Knight and professional go-getter Riley Moon.
Review:
“Curious Minds” was a fun, quick read that featured all of the humor and wit for which Janet Evanovich is known. She and Phoef Sutton make a great writing team.
The new characters of Emerson Knight and Riley Moon are quite a bit different from others we have seen in previous series. The quirkiness of Emerson is especially intriguing, and I can’t wait to read more about him. They play well off of one another. The plot moved fast and it can easily be read in a sitting or two. There were a few sputters in character development, with few detailed background characters, but all of those can easily be fixed and filled in with the next installment.
I can easily recommend “Curious Minds” for any Janet Evanovich fan or for someone looking for a new humorous mystery series to enjoy.
This honest review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there are no content warnings.
My Name Is Leon
Simon & Schuster
June 2, 2016
Hardcover
272
For fans of The Language of Flowers, a sparkling, big-hearted, page-turning debut set in the 1970s about a young black boy’s quest to reunite with his beloved white half-brother after they are separated in foster care.
Leon loves chocolate bars, Saturday morning cartoons, and his beautiful, golden-haired baby brother. When Jake is born, Leon pokes his head in the crib and says, “I’m your brother. Big brother. My. Name. Is. Leon. I am eight and three quarters. I am a boy.” Jake will play with no one but Leon, and Leon is determined to save him from any pain and earn that sparkling baby laugh every chance he can.
But Leon isn’t in control of this world where adults say one thing and mean another, and try as he might he can’t protect his little family from everything. When their mother falls victim to her inner demons, strangers suddenly take Jake away; after all, a white baby is easy to adopt, while a half-black nine-year-old faces a less certain fate. Vowing to get Jake back by any means necessary, Leon’s own journey—on his brand-new BMX bike—will carry him through the lives of a doting but ailing foster mother, Maureen; Maureen’s cranky and hilarious sister, Sylvia; a social worker Leon knows only as “The Zebra”; and a colorful community of local gardeners and West Indian political activists.
Told through the perspective of nine-year-old Leon, too innocent to entirely understand what has happened to him and baby Jake, but determined to do what he can to make things right, he stubbornly, endearingly struggles his way through a system much larger than he can tackle on his own. My Name Is Leon is a vivid, gorgeous, and uplifting story about the power of love, the unbreakable bond between brothers, and the truth about what, in the end, ultimately makes a family.
Review:
“My Name is Leon” is a difficult book to rate. There are so many important elements but something lacking in the actual telling.
The heart of the story is Leon and his love for his brother, Jake. Taken away from a neglectful mother, Leon is left to navigate the foster care system on his own. One chapter was so heartbreaking that it had me sobbing. The third person limited point-of-view is an interesting choice, and in some ways it worked, but I feel like it actually kept the reader distant from Leon at many pivotal points. Since the main point was to show how he understood and saw his world, it was disappointing to feel so far removed from him.
The social issues facing minorities in the United Kingdom during the late 1970s/ early 1980s also featured prominently in the story. With Leon being mixed race, he was a good character to show the reactions of both “sides.” Since this is still a problem most countries are struggling with, it was very poignant. However, it really muddled the foster care aspect of the plot. I feel like too much was trying to be done in one novel, and that dragged both plotlines down.
I can neither recommend nor not recommend “My Name is Leon.” If it sounds interesting to you, give it a try.
This honest review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
Content Warning:
Language, Vague Sexual References, Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Racial Slurs
Twisted
Juvenile Fiction
Sourcebooks Fire
July 1, 2016
256
Bex is ready to start a new life in foster care. There, she won't be known as a serial killer's daughter. Though her father was never tried for the murders attributed to "The Wife Collector," he disappeared after questioning. And Bex struggles with the guilt that she provided the circumstantial evidence that convicted him in the public's perception-and drove him to abandon her. But when a body turns up in her new hometown, all signs point to the Wife Collector. Bex's old life isn't ready to let her go. The police want to use Bex to lure in her father. But is she baiting a serial killer or endangering an innocent man?
Review:
“Twisted” fell far short of my expectations.
I had really high hopes for the book. The daughter of a serial killer who is being stalked? Yes, please. Unfortunately, it read more like a somewhat poorly done script for a syfy horror movie. Bex and the other characters fell completely flat, and there were quite a few inconsistencies in the story. Don’t even get me started on the amount of stupid in the main character’s decisions. I know all of this is typical of a low-budget horror movie, but books allow for development. It would have been nice to see the author use it.
I wish I could recommend “Twisted.” The premise was really promising, and I hope to see the author come up with another one that delivers more fully.
This honest review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
Content Warning:
Language, Mild Sexual Situations, Violence
Gemini
Juvenile Fiction
Simon and Schuster
July 26, 2016
336
In a small town, as high school graduation approaches, two conjoined sisters must weigh the importance of their dreams as individuals against the risk inherent in the surgery that has the potential to separate them forever.
Review:
Actual rating: 3 1/5 stars
“Gemini” is a groundbreaking ya novel about conjoined twins. It was an interesting read that took me beyond my preconceived notions.
Clara and Hailey are conjoined but as different as two people can be. One is an artist and one is an astronomy genius. Told in alternating viewpoints, it highlights how differently they think and see their situation. Topics such as relationships and bullying are tackled, as well as the more mundane tasks in life that are more difficult for them, such as the act of sitting down. One of my favorite aspects of the characters was that they were unapologetically presented as capable of being assholes at times. Too many people think disabled people can’t be like that. The angel phenomenon was nice to see broken.
I will say that the story seemed more suited to upper middle graders than older teens. There is very little objectionable material and some of the situations can be ridiculous. The ending is a good example of that. That being said, it is still a fun read.
I can recommend “Gemini” to those looking for books about uncommon disabilities, somewhat light reads, and older middle graders.
This honest review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Mild Sexual Situations, Brief Mention of Underage Drinking
And I Darken
Juvenile Fiction
Delacorte Press
2016-06
496
In this first book in a trilogy a girl child is born to Vlad Dracula, in Transylvania, in 1435--at first rejected by her father and always ignored by her mother, she will grow up to be Lada Dragwlya, a vicious and brutal princess, destined to rule and destroy her enemies.
Review:
I don’t know what I was expecting when I picked up “And I Darken,” aside from the story of Vlad the Impaler if he were female, but this book blew me away.
The main character, Lada, is a deliciously evil anti-heroine. She is nothing like the typical YA version of a female character. She’s plain, even ugly, and not in need of any boy. She’s a badass. A badass you never want to meet. Her brother, Radu, is the sensitive and beautiful one. There is romance, but like the plot, I don’t want to spoil anything. I’ll just say I was pleasantly surprised to find a lgbtq character in the book.
I highly recommend “And I Darken” to anyone who enjoys a dark story and doesn’t mind gore. That being said, I do want to warn that the publisher recommends the book for ages 12+, and I feel it would be a rare 12-year-old who will be able to handle the subject matter.
This honest review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Gore, Disturbing Imagery
The Museum of Heartbreak
Simon and Schuster
June 7, 2016
288
In this ode to all the things we gain and lose and gain again, seventeen-year-old Penelope Marx curates her own mini-museum to deal with all the heartbreaks of love, friendship, and growing up. Welcome to the Museum of Heartbreak. Well, actually, to Penelope Marx s personal museum. The one she creates after coming face to face with the devastating, lonely-making butt-kicking phenomenon known as heartbreak. Heartbreak comes in all forms: There s Keats, the charmingly handsome new guy who couldn t be more perfect for her. There s possibly the worst person in the world, Cherisse, whose mission in life is to make Penelope miserable. There s Penelope s increasingly distant best friend Audrey. And then there s Penelope s other best friend, the equal-parts-infuriating-and-yet-somehow-amazing Eph, who has been all kinds of confusing lately. But sometimes the biggest heartbreak of all is learning to let go of that wondrous time before you ever knew things could be broken "
Review:
“The Museum of Heartbreak” is the sort of YA book that takes me right back to my high school years. I was literally going through all of the emotions Penelope was feeling while reflecting on my own memories.
The format is a fun way to get to know the life of Penelope and her friends. Each chapter contains a different item from the “museum catalogue” and revolves around the story behind it that helped shape where she is at the moment. Some of them are flashbacks to elementary school and others are recent events. It was a clever plot device and made me think about the small mementos I’ve accumulated over the years. (To the young adults: This habit doesn’t stop when you get old and is perfectly fine. Just don’t become a hoarder.)
There are all sorts of heartbreaks covered, but the one that resonated most for me was that of growing up. Everyone matures in different ways at different paces, and it really hurts to be the one who feels left behind during it all. It was a good lesson to be able to see from the outside that maturing at a different speed isn’t a bad thing and there is no need to rush.
“The Museum of Heartbreak” is a book I can recommend for any young adult or adult who enjoys contemporary YA. The pacing was fast and the dialogue realistic. It will make for a perfect summer read or provide an escape from the real world.
This unbiased honest review is based upon a complimentary copy.
The Summer That Melted Everything
Fiction
St. Martin's Press
July 26, 2016
320
Fielding Bliss has never forgotten the summer of 1984: the year a heat wave scorched Breathed, Ohio. The year he became friends with the devil. Sal seems to appear out of nowhere - a bruised and tattered thirteen-year-old boy claiming to be the devil himself answering an invitation. Fielding Bliss, the son of a local prosecutor, brings him home where he's welcomed into the Bliss family, assuming he's a runaway from a nearby farm town. When word spreads that the devil has come to Breathed, not everyone is happy to welcome this self-proclaimed fallen angel. Murmurs follow him and tensions rise, along with the temperatures as an unbearable heat wave rolls into town right along with him. As strange accidents start to occur, riled by the feverish heat, some in the town start to believe that Sal is exactly who he claims to be. While the Bliss family wrestles with their own personal demons, a fanatic drives the town to the brink of a catastrophe that will change this sleepy Ohio backwater forever.
Review:
“The Summer That Melted Everything” is a book unlike any other I have ever read. If you aren’t a fan of literary fiction, turn back now. This book isn’t for you. If you are a fan of literary fiction, you are in for a masterfully written book that a review can’t do justice.
As with most literary fiction, the plot is meandering. Characters drive the narrative and everything from their names to their actions carry a level of symbolism that makes it almost impossible to take everything in on one reading. Set in 1984, many of the events of the period are covered, including the emergence of the AIDS crisis, homophobia, and racism. The parallels drawn to today’s society are subtle and disturbing. Given the current political climate, I honestly can’t think of a better time to release “The Summer That Melted Everything.” There is a lot of food for thought, and the most uncomfortable parts will come when you realize that we are all guilty of some of the actions, purposefully or not. The Devil didn’t just come to Breathed; he lives inside all of us.
The writing style is descriptive enough to make you feel as if you are there experiencing the oppressive heat of the town for yourself. Even the most depressing of settings were painted in a way that made me feel at home there, and none of it slows down the pacing of the characters. Fielding Bliss, the narrator, has a unique voice that both remains consistent and changed in the transitions between the past and his present.
The tone ranges from one of hope to an extreme darkness. This is where I will note for the readers that request I do so that there is a disturbing animal death, as well as quite a bit of racism and homophobia. I can promise that absolutely none of it is gratuitous, though.
“The Summer That Melted Everything” is one of those rare books that will always stick with me. I feel like it made me a better person for having read it and hope my fellow literary fiction fans will try it and enjoy the experience as much as I did.
This unbiased and honest review is based upon a complimentary copy.
Strange History
Strange History
Portable Press
June 14, 2016
Paperback
416
This exciting title from the folks at the Bathroom Readers' Institute contains the strangest short history articles from over 30 Bathroom Readers—along with 50 all-new pages. From the 20th century to the Old West, from the Age of Enlightenment to the Dark Ages, from ancient cultures all the way back to the dawn of time, Strange History is overflowing with mysterious artifacts, macabre legends, kooky inventions, reality-challenged rulers, boneheaded blunders, and mind-blowing facts. Read about…
*The curse of Macbeth
*Stupid history: Hollywood style
*The secret LSD experiments of the 1960s
*In search of the lost “Cloud People” of Peru
*The Swedish queen who declared war on fleas
*Unearthing the past with the Outhouse Detectives
*The Apollo astronaut who swears he saw a UFO
*How to brew a batch of 5,000-year-old beer
*The brutal bloodbaths at Rome’s Coliseum
*Ghostly soup from ancient China
*The bathroom of the 1970s
And much, much more!
Review:
“Strange History” is a fun history book filled with facts and stories that will have you either laughing, horrified, or thankful you don’t know what crazy stuff is going on right now behind-the-scenes. All of the stories are short and can be read quickly. It definitely makes history fun and accessible. In fact, I recommend it for teachers or parents to get interesting anecdotes they can throw into relevant lessons to keep students engaged.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Cure for the Common Universe
Cure for the Common Universe
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
June 14, 2016
Hardcover
320
Prepare to be cured by this quirky and hilarious debut novel about a sixteen-year-old loner who is sent to rehab for video game addiction—perfect for fans of Ned Vizzini and Jesse Andrews.
Sixteen-year-old Jaxon is being committed to video game rehab…ten minutes after meeting a girl. A living, breathing girl named Serena, who not only laughed at his jokes but actually kinda sorta seemed excited when she agreed to go out with him.
Jaxon’s first date. Ever.
In rehab, Jaxon can’t blast his way through galaxies to reach her. He can’t slash through armies to kiss her sweet lips. Instead, he has four days to earn one million points by learning real-life skills. And he’ll do whatever it takes—lie, cheat, steal, even learn how to cross-stitch—in order to make it to his date.
If all else fails, Jaxon will have to bare his soul to the other teens in treatment, confront his mother’s absence, and maybe admit that it’s more than video games that stand in the way of a real connection.
From a bright new voice in young adult literature comes the story of a young man with a serious case of arrested development—and carpal tunnel syndrome—who is about to discover what real life is all about.
Review:
Rounded Up From 3 1/2 Stars
“Cure for the Common Universe” is a fun and fast-paced read with a premise and setting any gamer is bound to love.
Set in a video game rehab facility which uses a game system of points to allow the patients to be released, it almost seems like a fun place to be. That is unless you will miss your video games too much. I’m not going to lie, if I had to give up the gigantic time suck of Animal Crossing it would not be pretty. Someone has to weed my town, and it won’t be those lazy villagers.
Jaxon is the main character, and he is the perfect example of an unreliable narrator. It takes a couple of chapters to figure him out, but once you do it’s fun to revel in his delusions. The side characters are all quirky and interesting, while also having some depth that partially explains why they are addicts in the first place. And yes, they really are addicted to gaming. The nature of addiction is explored in an accessible way without feeling preachy, and I think that will resonate with a lot of young adult readers.
The plot is fast-paced and quite an easy read. The only reason I knocked off stars was the ending. It sort of jumped off of the track. However, it wasn’t so far off that it made the rest of the book unenjoyable.
“Cure for the Common Universe” is a particularly good book for reluctant readers who enjoy gaming. It’s also great for someone looking for a funny and light read that still packs a bit of a punch.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Situations, Violence, Underage Drug and Alcohol Use
The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You
Juvenile Fiction
Macmillan
May 17, 2016
352
After years of competing against each other, Trixie and Ben form a fandom-based tentative friendship when their best friends start dating each other, but after Trixie's friend gets expelled for cheating they have to choose which side they are on.
Review:
I am apparently in the minority in not being blown away by the sly and snarky retelling of “Much Ado About Nothing” that is “The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You.” Before you throw the infamous rotting fruit of The Globe at me, please allow me to explain.
The characters of Trixie, Ben, and their friends were likable enough and well-developed. They all had a good backstory and fit well within the Shakespearean framework. The school was interesting and the mystery aspect of the plot was intriguing and well-done.
Here comes the issue. It was great to see a female comic book geek who was into all things awesome. The problem was, it was overdone. So much of it felt like there was a neon sign with an arrow on it pointing at her and saying “geek here.” What is really sad is that none of the pop culture references needed to be removed, just perhaps reworded or missing a sentence or two. It was like being hit with an anvil when all you needed was a foam finger. It really took me out of the story by about five chapters in.
As I said before, my opinion about “The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You” is not the popular one, so don’t let my review persuade you. In fact, when I reflected on my thoughts I decided to give it one higher star than my initial reaction called for. It is very clever, so give it a try if it appeals to you.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Situations
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