Tag Archives: ya
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
Undivided
Unwind Dystology, Book 4
Juvenile Fiction
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2014-10-14
384
Teens control the fate of America in the fourth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology by Neal Shusterman. Proactive Citizenry, the company that created Cam from the parts of unwound teens, has a plan: to mass produce rewound teens like Cam for military purposes. And below the surface of that horror lies another shocking level of intrigue: Proactive Citizenry has been suppressing technology that could make unwinding completely unnecessary. As Conner, Risa, and Lev uncover these startling secrets, enraged teens begin to march on Washington to demand justice and a better future. But more trouble is brewing. Starkey’s group of storked teens is growing more powerful and militant with each new recruit. And if they have their way, they’ll burn the harvest camps to the ground and put every adult in them before a firing squad—which could destroy any chance America has for a peaceful future.
Review:
“Undivided”, the last book in the Unwind dystology by Neal Shusterman, is everything a final book in a series should be. It is sheer perfection from beginning to end.
All of the characters introduced previously are developed even more, and their stories manage to come full-circle. All of the plot is consistent with the previous books, without one single detail out of line with what has already been established. In fact, even small details from the first book, “Unwind”, are brought back in “Undivided”. I am looking forward to reading all four books in a row so I can fully appreciate all of the details that were sprinkled throughout.
It’s difficult to say much without spoiling everything. “Undivided” is a deeply disturbing novel, as it should be, and unflinching in the various topics explored, ranging from human rights to abortion. It will make you question your own beliefs and search your soul. It may even change you in ways you never expected.
Thank you, Mr. Shusterman, for such an excellent series. It will always remain one of my favorites.
Five stars. I wish I could give it more.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Endgame: The Calling
Endgame, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
HarperCollins
2014-10-07
480
Twelve ancient cultures were chosen millennia ago to represent humanity in Endgame, a global game that will decide the fate of humankind. Endgame has always been a possibility, but never a reality…until now. Twelve meteorites have just struck Earth, each meteorite containing a message for a Player who has been trained for this moment. At stake for the Players: saving their bloodline, as well as the fate of the world. And only one can win. Endgame is real. Endgame is now. Endgame has begun. Google Niantic is building a mobile location-based augmented reality videogame inextricably tied to the books and mythology, a major prize will be tied to a puzzle in each book, and Twentieth Century Fox has bought the movie rights. Read the Books. Find the Clues. Solve the Puzzle. Who will Win?
Review:
“Endgame: The Calling” is a very unique take on the apocalyptic genre, merging both a story and a puzzle. The first to solve the puzzle will win a hefty amount, and the gold is actually on display at Caeser’s Palace in Las Vegas.
My review is based on the story itself. I intend to reread it and try to solve the puzzle at some point.
The story was somewhat slow in the beginning, with so many characters that it was difficult to follow difficult to follow. Mixed in with a large amount of information clearly meant to be used solely in solving the puzzle, and a very slow revelation of the nature of the story, and I became disenchanted with it. Having a review copy, I continued to read, and I really am glad that I did.
The story slowly comes together to make a remarkable and unique plot. All of the characters take on a life of their own, with complex feelings and backstories, leaving you feeling like you are a part of the “game” they are playing. Without realizing it, I was emotionally invested in every character’s story. The ending was a perfect gateway into the sequel, which I very much look forward to.
I recommend this to those who enjoy apocalyptic thrillers, do not mind violence in what they read, and who are willing to play along with the puzzle. I wish I had from the very beginning, as that would have made it more enjoyable and less difficult to get into.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Heavy Violence
The Silence of Six
The Silence of Six
Adaptive Books
November 5, 2014
Ebook
274
“WHAT IS THE SILENCE OF SIX, AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?”
These are the last words uttered by 17-year-old Max Stein’s best friend Evan just moments before he kills himself after hacking into the live-streaming Presidential debate at their high school.
Haunted by the unforgettable image of Evan’s death, Max’s entire world is upended as he suddenly finds himself the target of a corporate-government witch-hunt. Fearing for his life and fighting for his own innocence, Max goes on the run with no one to trust and too many unanswered questions.
Review:
“The Silence of Six” is an exciting page turner that begs you not to put it down until you know how it all will end. Built around the world of computer hacking, compromised security, and government overstepping its bounds, in this day and age it could almost be described as a horror story. I know it has left me a bit on the paranoid side.
The characters are well-developed, the plot picks up its quick pace from the very beginning, and the plot is unpredictable, which is exactly how any good thriller should be. The hacker world is also rather extensively explored, which can be both a good and a bad thing. For those with computer knowledge, it adds to the fun. For those who are able to gloss over details they do not understand and go with the flow, it does not take away from the excitement. However, for those who can get lost in details, it may be overwhelming. It is for that reason that I would not recommend “The Silence of Six” for reluctant school-aged readers.
However, should you fit one of the first two categories listed above and enjoy cyber thrillers, “The Silence of Six” is one fun and exciting read that is not to be missed.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Intense Situations
Etiquette and Espionage
Finishing School, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2013-10-08
336
It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School. Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education. Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail's legions of fans have come to adore.
Review:
“Etiquette and Espionage” is a wonderful and whimsical introduction into the world of historical steampunk fiction for the middle reader.
Based around a floating finishing school that also trains young women to become spies in the Victorian era, the subject is rich before a single word was written. The attention to detail in describing the machines and general steampunk ideas is amazing and inspires the imagination.
Added into the plot is a great history lesson about the customs of the era mixed with a great deal of satire concerning the way a “proper lady” should dress and behave. I found myself laughing at several points in the adventure at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. To counter the customs of the day, the author presents a host of very strong female characters and how they are, in fact, equal to men.
There is fantasy type violence, though none graphic, and questionable morality that is presented in a tongue-in-cheek-manner that no reader after fifth grade will see as an example of appropriate behavior, making it a great read for those making the leap from children’s books to young adult. My only caveat is that the language is a bit difficult to get used to, so it is not a good choice for the more reluctant readers.
But don’t let the children have all of the fun. “Etiquette and Espionage” is a fun read for adults who are children at heart.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence
Meritropolis
Meritropolis
Meritropolis, Book 1
Young Adult Fiction
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
September 9, 2014
Paperback
226
The year is AE3, 3 years after the Event. Within the walls of Meritropolis, 50,000 inhabitants live in fear, ruled by the brutal System that assigns each citizen a merit score that dictates whether they live or die. Those with the highest scores thrive, while those with the lowest are subject to the most unforgiving punishment--to be thrust outside the city gates, thrown to the terrifying hybrid creatures that exist beyond.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
“Meritropolis”, by Joel Ohman, was a wonderful surprise when it comes to the sometimes predictable world of young-adult dystopian literature. The action is non-stop, and while the story has great depth and backstory, it is presented in a way which is not bogged down and unnecessarily complicated. It’s a very easy to understand premise.
What I found to be the major selling point is that it is a very attractive story for advanced middle reader males, a market which is surprisingly sparse. As the primary purchaser of books for a twelve-year-old male bookworm, it becomes frustrating to find a story that’s full of adventure, intelligent, and a bit light on the romance. “Meritropolis” fits the bill perfectly, and I would like to thank Mr. Ohman personally for writing it.
I wish 4 1/2 stars were possible, because the only reason I did not give it the full five is because the paragraphs were long, with lots of description. While not necessarily a bad thing, it may be off-putting for more reluctant readers.
I highly recommend “Meritropolis” for lovers of dystopian novels, both old and young alike.
Content Warning:
Violence, Adult Themes, Animal Death
Heart of Dread: Frozen
Frozen
Heart of Dread, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Putnam Publishing Group
2013-09-17
336
More than a century after a catastrophic disaster wiped out most of humanity and covered much of the earth with ice, fifteen-year-old Cass yields to the voice in her head urging her to embark on a dangerous journey across a poisoned sea to the mythical land, Blue.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by Hatchette Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review.
When I began “Heart of Dread: Frozen”, I thought I was going to be reading a somewhat typical dystopian novel. Boy, was I ever wrong. It is impossible to place it in one, or even two, categories. Finally, I decided to go with dystopian, apocalyptic, and fantasy. There is an even amount of all of them.
This novel is a wild ride right from the start, alternating between third person points of view focusing on two flawed, mysterious, and very different individuals. We have Wes, the mercenary, and Nat, the girl with a secret. Their backstories are revealed very slowly, and combined with the action, it makes it difficult to put down.
If I describe any of the plot that is not already included in the synopsis above, I run the risk of spoiling a surprise, and that would take away from the fun. And if nothing else, this is one fun book. Anything that could possibly be included in it is, and the ending was a cliffhanger that has me upset that I need to wait a few months for the next.
I normally try to avoid fandom-speak in my reviews, but my thoughts can be summed up by this: “I didn’t mean to ship it this hard.”
Content Warning:
Violence, Animal Death, Some Sexual Talk
Wildlife
Juvenile Fiction
Poppy
2014-09-16
400
During a semester in the wilderness, sixteen-year-old Sib expects the tough outdoor education program and the horrors of dorm life, but friendship drama and an unexpected romance with popular Ben Capaldi? That will take some navigating. New girl Lou has zero interest in fitting in, or joining in. Still reeling from a loss that occurred almost a year ago, she just wants to be left alone. But as she witnesses a betrayal unfolding around Sib and her best friend Holly, Lou can't help but be drawn back into the land of the living. Fans of Melina Marchetta, Rainbow Rowell, and E. Lockhart will adore this endearing and poignant story of first love, true friendship, and going a little bit wild.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy given through Netgalley by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
“Wildlife” by Fiona Wood is a book about two vastly different girls coming together during a semester in a wilderness type camp required by their school. It’s set in Australia, and while the differences are strange at first, I thought it was fun to learn more about the life of teenagers there.
The book is absolutely beautifully written, and takes many twists and turns that I did not expect at all. The two main characters, along with a secondary character (Michael), were so well-developed that your heart breaks when theirs do, and you laugh when they laugh. The mood is up and down with the story, ranging from sad to embarrassing to hilarious, and it makes the whole thing realistic.
Speaking of realistic, there is a LOT of strong language and talk of sex in “Wildlife”. It fits with the story, and I love when authors are brave enough to write how real teenagers speak, but I did want to mention it in case anyone likes to avoid those types of things.
The only reason I gave “Wildlife” four stars instead of five is because the ending felt somewhat rushed. It was a natural conclusion, but felt like it needed a couple of more chapters to make it seem less jarring. It was a bit like being on a pleasant drive and then slamming on the brakes. However, it is not anywhere near enough to ruin a wonderful book.
I highly recommend “Wildlife”.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Underage Drinking, Drug Use, Animal Death
Love and Other Unknown Variables
Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
2014-10-07
352
Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswerable problems. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy pawing at her—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second).
Review:
This is a review of an ARC provided through Netgalley by Entangled Press in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t even know where to begin with how much I love “Love and Other Unknown Variables.” Love may not be a strong enough word. There are so many things about it that make it a breath of fresh air in the Young Adult genre.
Shannon Lee Alexander’s writing seems effortless and flows in a way that pulls you in quickly and keeps you engaged, making it nearly impossible to put it down. The characters are all intriguing and the dialogue is realistic for teenagers, something not always present, which adds to the relatibility of the characters to the target audience.
I was thrilled to find a coming-of-age romance narrated with such tenderness by a male narrator. Charlie is flawed but likable, and grows in a way that is inspiring. It was especially wonderful to see how siblings can grow together and become friends as they age, as well as how those we think we know can be so much more than we give them credit for.
I can’t say much else without spoiling the book, but the themes of difficult choices and thinking outside of the lines, both literally and metaphorically in this case, are explored with an excellent mix of humor and gravity.
I feel privileged for the opportunity to be one of the first to read “Love and Other Unknown Variables.” My honest opinion is that the book, as well as Shannon Lee Alexander, will become a force to be reckoned with in the world of Young Adult literature, something which is well-deserved.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations
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