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Damage Done
Juvenile Fiction
Random House Books for Young Readers
2015-07-21
336
"Exceedingly clever and surprisingly unsettling, Damage Done is an unforgettable read." --Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author of Made for You "In her incredible debut novel, Amanda Panitch leaves you on the edge of your seat. Prepare to be stunned. Prepare to be torn apart." --Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author of Bad Feminist "A brilliant thriller. Gillian Flynn for the YA set." --Amy Christine Parker, author of Gated 22 minutes separate Julia Vann's before and after. Before: Julia had a twin brother, a boyfriend, and a best friend. After: She has a new identity, a new hometown, and memories of those twenty-two minutes that refuse to come into focus. At least, that's what she tells the police. Now that she's Lucy Black, her fresh start has attracted the attention of one of the hottest guys in school. And someone much more dangerous. She thought her brother's crimes were behind her. But now she's being forced to confront the dark secrets she thought were safely left behind. How far will Julia go to keep her slate clean? One thing is clear: The damage done can never be erased. It's only just beginning. . . . In this deliciously twisted contemporary thriller, family can be a real killer. For fans of We Were Liars and readers who love unique multiple perspectives that leave clues like breadcrumbs until they reach the stunning conclusion. From the Hardcover edition.
Review:
“Damage Done” is a book I expected to enjoy if the description was any indication, but I had no idea just how far beyond my expectations it would go. It’s the perfect blend of mystery, thriller, and to be quite honest, “messed up.”
Julia Vann is living a new life after a horrific crime committed by her twin brother, Ryan. The story is told in her voice, which is very well-written and easy to read. While her circumstances are extraordinary, she is going through many things that are relatable to anyone who has been a teenager: crushes, social cliques, distant parents, and assorted other annoying adults. She’s definitely a narrator that leaves the reader wanting to know more.
The plot is perfectly paced with small flashbacks to the past written in with what is currently happening. To add a bit of an outside view, there are a few notes from Ryan’s psychologist added between some of the chapters. It allows the reader to learn the entire story at a slow pace, or if they prefer playing detective, gives enough clues and room between them for many theories to be developed.
Be warned: The book is quite disturbing and does have graphic violence as well as animal deaths. I believe that none of it was gratuitous in terms of the story and was a necessity in establishing the pattern of a growing sociopath. I can’t say much else without spoilers, but if you’re squeamish this is not the book for you.
I definitely recommend “Damage Done” for all adults and older young adults who like twisted thrillers and mysteries with a good dose of psychology. Please take note of the older above. It isn’t a good choice at all for the younger YA readers.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Graphic Violence, Sexual Situations, Animal Abuse
Miss Mabel’s School for Girls
Miss Mabel's School for Girls
The Network, Book 1
Antebellum Publishing
March 17, 2014
Paperback
314
Never underestimate the power of a determined witch.
Letum Wood is a forest of fog and deadfall, home to the quietly famous Miss Mabel’s School for Girls, a place where young witches learn the art of magic.
Sixteen-year-old Bianca Monroe has inherited a deadly curse. Determined to break free before it kills her, she enrolls in the respected school to confront the cunning witch who cast the curse: Miss Mabel.
Bianca finds herself faced with dark magic she didn’t expect, with lessons more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Will Bianca have the courage to save herself from the curse, or will Miss Mabel’s sinister plan be too powerful?
Miss Mabel’s School for Girls is the first novel in The Network Series, an exciting new fantasy collection. A gripping tale about the struggle to survive, it will take you to a new place and time, one you’ll never want to leave.
Review:
“Miss Mabel’s School for Girls” is one of those books that makes me wish for a half-star rating system. It is better than a three, but not good enough for a four, and it is frustrating not to be able to show that properly. At any rate, it is definitely a good book, but not a great one.
I really love the world of witchcraft called The Network that the author built. It’s filled with everything a good fantasy or fairy-tale should have: mystery, wonder, good, and evil. How things came to be the way they are is explained thoroughly and naturally, with the history of The Network and all other details being revealed as part of the plot, as opposed to being all dropped on the reader at once.
Bianca is a wonderful and strong female protagonist, and aside from her beloved Papa, there are no males involved in her life. In other words: if you’re looking for a romance, go elsewhere. This one is about girl-power, and it lives up to the potential to stand on that without a love interest. Very well done!
My problem with the book, and the reason that it is not four stars, is that it dragged quite a bit. The plot was slowed down by some unnecessary wandering and really yanked me out of what was an otherwise good story. With some more editing, it really could be great. It seems like a minor complaint compared to all of the wonderful qualities, but it really was that much of a block to the enjoyment of it all.
Overall, if you like magical worlds and witches, please give “Miss Mabel’s School for Girls” a read. Aside from violence, there is nothing to be of concern to parents of younger middle-aged readers. If they can handle Harry Potter, they can handle this. I do plan on reading the next in the hopes of a more consistent plot pace.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Violence
Tangled Webs
Tangled Webs, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Disney-Hyperion
2015-06-23
304
Lady A is the most notorious blackmailer in the city. With just a mask and a gown to disguise her, she sweeps into lavish balls and exclusive events collecting the most valuable currency in 1725 London-secrets. But leading a double life isn't easy. By day Lady A is just a seventeen-year-old girl named Arista who lives in fear of her abusive master,Bones, and passes herself off as a boy to move safely through the squalor of London's slums. When Bones attempts to dispose of his pawn forever, Arista is rescued by the last person she expects: Jonathan Wild, an infamous thief who moves seamlessly between the city's criminal underworld and its most elite circles. Arista partners with Wild on her own terms in order to save enough money to buy passage out of London. Everything changes when she meets Grae Sinclair, the son of a wealthy merchant. Grae has traveled the world, seen the exotic lands Arista has longed to escape to her whole life, and he loves Arista for who she is-not for what she can do for him. Being with Grae gives something Arista something precious that she swore off long ago: hope. He has promised to help Arista escape the life of crime that has claimed her since she was a child. But can you ever truly escape the past?
Review:
“Tangled Webs” is a book that promises a glimpse into the seamy underbelly of Elizabethan England, following the life of a teenager who grew up in the household of a thief who used orphans to profit by committing crimes. The premise is a good one and the world is built well, but unfortunately, it did not live up to the promise of what could have been.
As far as the plot goes, it is a very interesting idea. Had it been told in a different style, with some character development tweaked, I believe it could have been much better. The problem is, it is extremely dense. It is almost entirely descriptive. Even lines of dialogue come with flowery descriptions. Perhaps it was in an effort to use third person the way it would be written in the time period, but it did nothing but irritate me as the book went along. A better balance between description and dialogue would have made for much better pacing, and I believe more reluctant young adult readers will give up on the story after a chapter or two.
The character development ranged from iffy to outstanding. Many secondary and background characters give the reader an instant overview of who they are through a couple of well-written sentences. I applaud the author on her ability to do that so well. Arista, the main character, and her partner in crime Nik, are intriguing and well-written. Grae, the love interest, is an “instalove” who seems to have the personality of a rock. I’m not sure why Arista would even notice him, aside from his stalker tendencies, let alone fall instantly in love with him. It detracts from the romantic aspect of the book.
I would like to point out a few wonderful details thrown in from history. The Haymarket Theatre is wonderfully described, and Voltaire and the enlightenment are touched upon briefly. Other details of life in the time are also included, and they flow seamlessly with the story, as opposed to being forced in there to establish time and place. As an aside, the book itself is beautiful designed in a way reminiscent of the era.
Overall, “Tangled Webs” is a disappointment, but I can say that I will read the next installment. There are possibilities for it to become something great, and I look forward to seeing if there is an evolution in the storytelling. This definitely isn’t a book for reluctant or impatient readers, but if you like historical novels or flowery prose, it may be worth a try.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Minor Sexual Situations, Frequent Use of “Whore”, Mild Language, Violence
Modern Monsters
Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
2015-06-02
352
Vic Howard never wanted to go to the party. He's the Invisible Guy at school, a special kind of hell for quiet, nice guys. But because his best friend is as popular as Vic is ignored, he went... And wished he hadn't. Because something happened to a girl that night. Something terrible, unimaginable, and Callie Wheeler's life will never be the same. Plus, now Callie has told the police that Vic is responsible. Suddenly, Invisible Vic is painfully visible, on trial both literally, with the police, and figuratively, with the angry kids at school. As the whispers and violence escalate, he becomes determined to clear his name, even if it means an uneasy alliance with Callie's best friend, the beautiful but aloof Autumn Dixon. But as Autumn and Vic slowly peel back the layers of what happened at the party, they realize that while the truth can set Vic free, it can also shatter everything he thought he knew about his life...
Review:
It has taken me some time to process “Modern Monsters” and decide how best to review it, as I have very conflicting feelings on the book. I wish there were a 3 1/2 star option, but had to settle on 3 since it is not a full 4, in my opinion.
Kelley York needs to be commended on tackling such difficult subject matter and managing to do so from a seldom examined side. Without lessening the traumatic impact of the rape on the victim, she examines the side of the person accused of the rape. How does it feel going through the system? What if you are innocent? Is there a specific profile that can make it easier to identify rapists? All of those questions are tackled, while also including a subplot that shows the consequences on the family, past and present, of a rape victim. It is a crime and violation that goes much further than devastating one life, and it was handled with unflinching reality.
The main character, Vic, is thoroughly developed and has multiple layers that are slowly revealed throughout the course of the book. The various relationships in his life were also solidly established with every secondary character being more than a one-dimensional “prop”. My only issue with the characters is that at times the dialogue was stilted and not very realistic. It was jarring and pulled me out of the story quite a few times.
As far as plot, it is a difficult one to read, as it should be. All of what I wrote above is true and makes it a worthwhile read. In fact, I’m impressed that it took such difficult subjects and made them resound on a reading level that any middle grader could understand. I just wish the conclusion were not quite so predictable. That took away from the suspense, which ultimately led to there being a bit less of an emotional impact than there otherwise would have been.
Overall, in spite of the couple of things I did not enjoy, I still recommend “Modern Monsters”, especially to those with 7th-9th graders in their lives. If you read it together it will make an excellent starting point for very important, but difficult, conversations.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Mild Sexual Situations, Discussion of Rape (nothing graphic), Underage Drinking
If You’re Lucky
Juvenile Fiction
Algonquin Books
2015-10-20
288
Is Georgia's mind playing tricks on her, or is the entire town walking into the arms of a killer who has everyone but her fooled? When seventeen-year-old Georgia's brother drowns while surfing halfway around the world in Australia, she refuses to believe Lucky's death was just bad luck. Lucky was smart. He wouldn't have surfed in waters more dangerous than he could handle. Then a stranger named Fin arrives in False Bay, claiming to have been Lucky's best friend. Soon Fin is working for Lucky's father, charming Lucky's mother, dating his girlfriend. Georgia begins to wonder: did Fin murder Lucky in order to take over his whole life? Determined to clear the fog from her mind in order to uncover the truth about Lucky's death, Georgia secretly stops taking the medication that keeps away the voices in her head. Georgia is certain she's getting closer and closer to the truth about Fin, but as she does, her mental state becomes more and more precarious, and no one seems to trust what she's saying. As the chilling narrative unfolds, the reader must decide whether Georgia's descent into madness is causing her to see things that don't exist-or to see a deadly truth that no one else can. "A remarkable page-turner . . . Keep[s] readers wondering, twist by twist, if Georgia's universe will simply burst apart." --Andrew Smith, author of "Grasshopper Jungle"
Review:
In what is a rarity in young adult books, the topic of schizophrenia is tackled head-on in “If You’re Lucky”, a taut thriller that leaves the readers as confused as the narrator as to what is real and what is not.
Georgia, the main character, is a teenager with paranoid schizophrenia who is dealing with the loss of her brother Lucky, the town’s golden boy. One of his best friends shows up to the memorial and creates a whirlwind of emotions for her. Georgia is an extremely well-developed character, and her descent into a schizophrenic episode is written beautifully. It truly feels as though you are trying to navigate the world through the distortion in her mind. This adds a great deal of twists and turns to the mystery of what happened to Lucky. The rest of the characters are also well-developed and relatable, with my favorite being Fin. I won’t say anything else about him because it may ruin some of the reading experience.
I loved the plot and found it to be the perfect mix of thriller and standard mystery. At some points I literally had goosebumps from the creepiness. However, the reason for me giving three stars instead of four is because of the plot. It seemed to begin slowly, and while the entire book is well-written, I didn’t realize I was actually into it until I was about a third of the way through. This points to a slight problem with the pacing. It would have been nice to add a bit of “oomph” to the setup.
In spite of the slight pacing problem, I still wholeheartedly recommend “If You’re Lucky” to those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers. There is some adult content, but it is still a safe choice for middle schoolers and up as long as they’re not opposed to things that can be disturbing.
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 Drinking
Faking Perfect
Juvenile Fiction
K-Teen
2015-06-30
272
When Lexi Shaw seduced Oakfield High's resident bad boy Tyler Flynn at the beginning of senior year, he seemed perfectly okay with her rules: 1. Avoid her at school. 2. Keep his mouth shut about what they do together. 3. Never tease her about her friend (and unrequited crush) Ben. Because with his integrity and values and golden boy looks, Ben can never find out about what she’s been doing behind closed doors with Tyler. Or that her mom’s too busy drinking and chasing losers to pay the bills. Or that Lexi’s dad hasn’t been a part of her life for the last thirteen years. But with Tyler suddenly breaking the rules, Ben asking her out, and her dad back in the picture, how long will she be able to go on faking perfect?
Review:
It took me a bit to gather my thoughts on “Faking Perfect”, because the plot is a timely look at the struggles of family and high school, but there were some flaws. It was by no means a bad book, but the lack of character-depth took away from what could have been an otherwise great book.
Lexi Shaw is a teen who, unfortunately, has an all-too-common family life of a father who is not involved in her life and a present, but emotionally distant, mother. The ways she copes are trying to fit in with the popular crowd mixed with self-destructive behaviors. The character of Lexi is actually extremely well-developed, with clear motivations for her actions and self-awareness presented through her inner monologues that gives readers a clear insight into her thoughts and feelings. The problem comes with the secondary characters. There are cursory descriptions of them that gives some clues to the people they are, but nothing below the surface is touched upon through Lexi’s thoughts or interactions with them. This is quite sad, as many of them have the promise to be deep and interesting, but the lack of exploration into their lives left many of them relegated to the world of tropes and caricatures.
As I said in the introduction, the plot of “Faking Perfect” is a good and timely one, filled with important life-lessons. Who among us has not felt the need to act differently in order to impress our friends? How many readers know too well the feelings of being neglected by their parents? These things are addressed in a compelling way, along with other issues that occur in high school such as teen pregnancy, popularity, and the warped perceptions people often have of others based on rumors or personal bias.
Overall, if you are able to overlook the character development issues, “Faking Perfect” is a good book, especially if you are looking for a palette cleanser of sorts. The writing is well-done and the themes explored make it worthwhile.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Drug Use, Underage Drinking
The Witch Hunter
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2015-06-02
368
The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut. Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear. Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake. Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him. But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate. Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.
Review:
I became so absorbed in “The Witch Hunter” that my cat began taking it as a sign that I was going to forget to feed or pet him and began knocking books off of shelves every time I picked up my iPad to read it. It’s an excellent start to a new young adult fantasy series, and I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the next.
I loved the mix of fantasy and history, and the world-building is fantastic. In fact, it reminded me of my favorite roleplaying video game ever, “Darklands.” Granted, if you are a young whippersnapper unfamiliar with games using DOS, you’ve probably never heard of it, but trust me when I say it is an excellent game and any book that is reminiscent of it is a winner. Superstitions, alchemy, spells, witches, wizards, strange creatures, ghosts, corrupt government, and plagues abound. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
The characters are multi-faceted, with flaws that will drive you crazy one minute and endearing traits that have you loving them the next. Elizabeth had me screaming in frustration and wanting to strangle her, but I understand the reasons why she acted the way she did. The author does a wonderful job of revealing personalities at a pace that fits the story. The plot also includes a mystery which gives you plenty of hints to solve it, so the resolution does not come out of nowhere, but is vague enough to leave you guessing until the end. I love it when I’m stumped but can look back and see the clues were there all along.
I recommend “The Witch Hunter” to anyone ages 13 and up who enjoy fantasy novels with a historical twist. It’s gruesome at points, with references to sex and rape, but the latter two things are not graphic. In fact, parents who read it with their younger children may find it a good starting point for a discussion on what constitutes consent. The only thing that made me give four stars instead of five is that a few tropes that are employed a little too often were used, but that in no way ruins what is an otherwise excellent book. Highly recommended.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Sexual Content, Violence, Some Gore, Rape References
Delicate Monsters
Delicate Monsters
St. Martin's Griffin
June 9, 2015
Hardcover
240
When nearly killing a classmate gets seventeen-year-old Sadie Su kicked out of her third boarding school in four years, she returns to her family's California vineyard estate. Here, she's meant to stay out of trouble. Here, she's meant to do a lot of things. But it's hard. She's bored. And when Sadie's bored, the only thing she likes is trouble.
Emerson Tate's a poor boy living in a rich town, with his widowed mother and strange, haunted little brother. All he wants his senior year is to play basketball and make something happen with the girl of his dreams. That's why Emerson's not happy Sadie's back. An old childhood friend, she knows his worst secrets. The things he longs to forget. The things she won't ever let him.
Haunted is a good word for fifteen-year-old Miles Tate. Miles can see the future, after all. And he knows his vision of tragic violence at his school will come true, because his visions always do. That's what he tells the new girl in town. The one who listens to him. The one who recognizes the darkness in his past.
But can Miles stop the violence? Or has the future already been written? Maybe tragedy is his destiny. Maybe it's all of theirs.
Delicate Monsters is Stephanie Kuehn at her finest.
Review:
Let me begin by saying that I have absolutely no problem with reading dark and twisted things, nor do I condone censorship. Please keep that in mind as you read my review of “Delicate Monsters”.
I would have given “Delicate Monsters” one star, as opposed to two, had it not been a story with potential. It didn’t live up to it, but I reserve the ones that are a mess from the start.
The book’s downfall is the misleading description. Yes, everything in the description is accurate, but considering the graphic content that involves everything from animal abuse to necrophilia, it does seem like there should be a bit more warning in the summary. It’s like if you bought a ticket to see the old “Poltergeist” and ended up seeing a marathon of all of the “Saw” films.
Additionally, it seems grossly miscategorized as young adult, and I can already imagine the shock of librarians working with a limited budget ordering “Delicate Monster” based on the description, publisher, and author popularity only to end up with some severely traumatized readers. With the rampant underfunding of libraries these days, librarians have to make difficult decisions that often lead to ordering books that appeal to the widest audience possible, and I do not think they will find it here.
In terms of the book itself, the characters are not meant to be likable, but the way they are written leaves them flat. While what is going on and how it will end is evident early in the book, the plot could have delivered a much more exciting journey than it did. Somehow a book about a sociopath and a psychopath was boring. Those subjects are typically fascinating. It was unsettling that their actions didn’t resonate within the story (only in the disgust of the reader), because it almost felt like the author had no opinion one way or the other as to the morality of their actions. I’m going to assume that is not the case, as Stephanie Kuehn seems like a lovely person.
I cannot recommend “Delicate Monsters” to anyone, regardless of age. It was gratuitously graphic with a misleading summary, apathetic characters, and a lackluster plot.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Graphic Sexual Situations, Heavy Violence, Animal Abuse, Animal Death, Necrophilia
A Magic Dark and Bright (Asylum Series)
A Magic Dark and Bright
Asylum, Book 1
Bookish Group Press
February 5, 2015
Paperback
328
She meant to help a ghost...not unleash a curse. Amelia Dupree hasn’t seen the Woman in White since the night her brother died. The ghost seems to have disappeared from the woods surrounding Asylum, Pennsylvania—that is, until Charlie Blue moves into the creepy old MacAllister House next door. Amelia can’t help liking him, even though she spent her childhood thinking his grandmother was a witch. And she definitely can’t ignore the connection between his arrival and the Woman in White’s return. Then Amelia learns that the Woman in White is a prisoner, trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead. Devastated by the idea that her brother could be suffering a similar fate, Amelia decides to do whatever it takes to help the Woman in White find peace--and Charlie agrees to help her. But when Amelia’s classmates start to drown in the Susquehanna River, one right after another, rumors swirl as people begin to connect the timing of Charlie’s arrival with the unexplained deaths. As Charlie and Amelia uncover the dark history of Asylum, they realize they may have unleashed an unspeakable evil. One they have to stop before everything they love is destroyed.
Review:
When I was given the opportunity to review and arc of “A Magic Dark and Bright”, the first book in the Asylum series, I was expecting a few creepy feelings in the vein of the Fear Street Series. Here is what really happened:
I had insomnia, and for whatever reason decided that 2 am was a good time to start a ghost story. By 2:30 am I was convinced a visitor from the grave was looking at me from the yard and spent the next thirty minutes trying to convince myself I needed to peek out of the curtains. Then I decided that would be the type of the idea that is acted upon in the first three minutes of a slasher film, so chose instead to hide under the covers.
I was reading Stephen King in elementary school, so I wouldn’t exactly consider myself a horror genre wimp. This book really managed to hit a fear center for me. I don’t anticipate looking out of the window at night any time in the near future. The characters are compelling, it’s a quick and easy read, the imagery is perfectly creepy, and it doesn’t rely on gore for the fright. The only reason I made it four stars, instead of five, is that there were some timeline shifts that became a bit disorienting at points.
I recommend “A Magic Dark and Bright” for upper middle graders to adults, providing they enjoy being scared while reading. Make sure you have curtains in your bedroom. Shut them before reading. Trust me.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence, Language, Sexual Content, Intensely Creepy Stuff
Untaken
Untaken
Curiosity Quills Press
March 23, 2015
Hardcover
262
It turns out that a real alien invasion is nothing like the Sci-fi shows 14-year-old Gracie loves. Not when it's your own family who are swallowed whole by those big silver ships. Not if it could be you next. In her search for her family, Gracie meets Brandon, a high school dropout who would never have been caught dead hanging out with a dork like Gracie before the world ended. Gracie isn't too crazy about Brandon either, but he has one thing she doesn't: A plan. Brandon's uncle has a cabin up in Maine, and If Gracie and Brandon can survive long enough to get there they can hide out until the Space Men pack up their ships and leave. Until the army guys come to rescue them, says Brandon. Brandon is big into army guys. Gracie has to admit that Brandon's Awesome Plan probably would have worked out great if wasn't for Jake. They found 5-year-old Jake, laying half-dead under the remains of someone's ranch house. He's a good kid, even if he won't-or can't- talk. But Jake has a secret, and when Gracie finds out what it is, the fragile new life they've started to forge looks set to break apart. When the people you've been counting on to put the world back together start hunting you down, alien invaders are the least of your worries.
Review:
“Untaken” is a new series that makes me feel as though I were given a gift by being allowed to read and review it. It puts a new take on the apocalyptic theme of an alien invasion, eventually evolving into dystopian territory.
I am going to say this right now, if you see the word “alien” and think it is not your deal, please reconsider and give it a try. The plot is one of survival, with the aliens being the catalyst for the events but not the central focus of the story. The true story is what constitutes humanity and how human humans react when placed under unimaginable circumstances and stress.
The central characters are three children: Gracie, Brandon, and Jake. Their stories are divided into three parts, with the first devoted to their separate lives before and during the initial catastrophic events. This format serves for developing their backstories and personalities in an extremely detailed way. It feels like you know the oldest two, Gracie and Brandon, personally before they even meet. Jake is more of an enigma, and that is a great feature in the story.
While the first part features a lot of action, the second and third parts are more of a slow burn. I love slice-of-life stories that take their time in building new worlds, and this is one of the best I have ever read. The writing is compelling and nearly flawless, leaving the reader to sit back and enjoy the book without the burden of superfluous details and a stuttering plot. It seems to be the beginning of a series, and I hope that is true. I really want to see what comes next.
I highly recommend “Untaken” to those who are 12 and up and looking for a promising new series. If you’re a fan of Mike Mullen’s “Ashfall”, it is something not to be missed. Warning: Once you start it, you may not be able to put it down.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence,Mild (Re: Very) Sexual Situations, The Dog Dies (Pardon the spoiler, but that is the one type of spoiler I will always include in the content warnings.)
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